Falling Apart, Together✓

Chapter Twenty-Six

Paris' first birthday was an absolute smash. Harlan had insisted on hosting at his house, and planning the whole thing, so all Ransom and I had to do the day of was get Paris there. When we pulled up and I saw the giant bouncy castle in the side of the yard, I knew that this was going to be a three-ring circus. I was half-expecting elephants to start parading around from the back.

"I always forget your family doesn't do anything half-assed." I say in shock as I watch someone unload ponies from a trailer.

Ransom laughs, "Do you remember my 13th birthday?"

I cringe. "How could I forget? I believe that was the year your mother decided that it should be a luau. The fire throwers almost burnt down the house. Your mom and Walt were furious but Harlan was just sitting there, laughing like a raving lunatic." Ransom starts howling. "Do you think we'll get any say in this in the future as her parents? Or for this one?" I add, placing a hand on my bulging stomach.

He patted my hand soothingly. "Not a chance sweetheart. Sorry" He apologizes before we unload from the car, him grabbing a squirming Paris and I grab her diaper bag.

The day went off without a hitch with the exception of when I flat out refused to allow the 1 year old in the bouncy house. Honestly the way two grown men cried about it would've put the baby to shame but I wasn't budging just so Ransom and Archer could have their fun. We negotiated by allowing her on as many pony rides that Ransom or Archer could manage to stand up for.

She fell asleep eating her cake, something that shocked absolutely no one. For not being biologically mine, she was certainly turning into quite the mini me. With careful handling, as if defusing a bomb, we were able to get her in her carseat and then home and into her crib without waking her up.

We stood in the doorway of her nursery just watching her sleep. "I can't believe she's already a year old." Ransom says.

"It doesn't seem real." I agree, wrapping an arm around his waist.

He pulls me into his side, kissing me on the head. "And now we're almost ready to do it again." he says, a content smile gracing his lips.

"I hope we're ready." I say nervously. He rubs my arm.

"We are. We've done it once, we can do it again."

I nod my head absentmindedly. "What's on your mind sweetheart?"

"I'm nervous. Labour is starting to scare the shit outta me."

"You'll be fine. I know you're strong." I smile in response, but it doesn't quite reach my eyes.

...

It had been weeks since Richard went "missing" and the police were still having a problem coming up with leads. During my last ultrasound everything looked good so I was released from bed-rest with explicit instructions on what I could and could not do, which unfortunately was many things that were required for my job so Ransom was pretty much acting as my personal assistant, doing all the heavy lifting of my equipment and fangirling over the team.

The team's management group had been really great about the whole thing and since my due date was right before the regular season started, they were willing to allow my family to travel with me for those away games.

I was now in my third trimester and moving around was becoming increasingly difficult. I had to bring on an actual assistant, along with Ransom, to cover shoots with me now as it was no longer safe for me to be on the field. I was honestly so over this pregnancy. This summer had been one of the hottest on record in Boston and I hated every second that I was pregnant during it.

...

Augustt came and my due date passed and there was still no baby. I was a week overdue when I met Ransom at Harlan's with the whole family for dinner. We were standing over by a vent because this heat was killing me and Paris was busy being fawned over by her grandmas, as my mom and brother were here as well.

"We've tried everything; the long walks, the spicy foods, that absolutely disgusting tea. We've tried every not-so-helpful, all-natural tips Joni gave us. But there's one thing you are being ridiculous, to the point of hilarity, refusing to try and I think it's a little ironic. You've been willing to fuck me for months while I've been pregnant but all of a sudden now you want to be weirded out by it."

"That's because he's actually there now." I look at him like he's stupid. "Ok, you know what I mean."

"Well I want you to get what I mean. I'm sick and tired of being pregnant. Now please, do something about it." Before Ransom could respond though, there was a knock on the door. Harlan goes to answer and it's the two cops who interviewed us when Richard first went missing.

We all gather in the living room and those of us who know what happen are trying not to look at each other. "A body was found washed up on the shore of Lake Moosepaw in Vermont. After an autopsy was done and DNA didn't match any missing persons on their side, they expanded it to neighboring states. It came back a match on an old rape kit. Yours, Mrs. Drysdale." I looked shocked at this. "Once we got that match we obtained a DNA sample from Mr. Drysdale's home and were able to make a definite match. Richard Drysdale is dead."

We all gasp and I feel a gush of water rush from between my legs. Everyone turns to look at me. "Umm... I think my just just broke." I say before chaos erupts around me.