WHAT IF

Chapter 25

As Babe entered the last trimester of his pregnancy, everything seemed to get more intense. His baby bump had grown significantly, and moving around was becoming a challenge. The simplest tasks, like getting out of bed or putting on his shoes, now required effort or assistance. Charlie was always by his side, helping with whatever he could, but Babe's emotions were all over the place-he was tired, irritable, and more than ready for the pregnancy to be over.

"Charlie, I swear if I have to waddle to the bathroom one more time..." Babe muttered one morning, sitting at the kitchen table with a hand on his back and a frustrated look on his face.

Charlie chuckled, placing a plate of pancakes in front of him. "Almost there, Babe. Just a few more weeks."

Babe groaned, poking at his food. "Yeah, but these weeks feel like months."

One evening, while sitting on the couch with his feet propped up, Babe sighed heavily. Charlie, sensing his restlessness, sat down next to him, rubbing his swollen feet gently.

"You okay?" Charlie asked, his voice soft.

"Yeah," Babe said, glancing down at his belly. "I just can't wait to meet her. But I'm also nervous, you know? It's starting to feel real."

Charlie leaned in, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "We're gonna be great parents, Babe. You've got this."

The baby's room was nearly finished, filled with little outfits, blankets, and toys from their friends. Everything was ready-the crib was set up, and the soft pastel colors made the room feel warm and inviting.

As they both settled into bed that night, Babe felt the baby kick and smiled, despite the discomfort.

"She's gonna be a handful, isn't she?" Babe asked, turning to Charlie.

Charlie grinned. "She'll be perfect."

As the weeks passed, Babe's nerves were a constant hum beneath the surface. The baby was kicking more, and with every move.

One afternoon, Alan, Jeff, Sonic, and North dropped by for a visit. They came bearing gifts, as usual-mostly baby supplies and snacks for Babe.

"Look at you, Babe," North said as he walked in, grinning. "You look like you're smuggling a basketball under your shirt."

Babe rolled his eyes but couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, thanks for the reminder, North."

Sonic, more perceptive than North, stepped forward and handed Babe a pillow. "Here, for your back. I remember Jeff was constantly complaining about his, and this thing was a lifesaver."

Jeff nodded in agreement, rubbing his own belly in sympathy, despite no longer being pregnant. "Trust me, that last month is the hardest. But you're almost there. Just a few more weeks."

"I don't know how you did it," Babe groaned, leaning back on the pillow. "I feel like I'm going to pop any minute."

"You will soon enough," Alan teased. "But seriously, how are you both holding up? Getting any sleep?"

Charlie answered while rubbing Babe's back. "Barely. She's been kicking up a storm every night."

"Wait until she's actually here," Jeff added with a smirk. "You think this is sleeplessness? Just wait."

Babe let out a heavy sigh. "I'm ready for her to be here, but I'm also freaking out a little. Like... what if we mess up? What if I'm not good at this?"

"Hey, you'll be fine," Sonic said, reassuring him. "Parenthood is one big trial-and-error thing. No one's perfect, and you'll make mistakes, but that's part of the deal."