More Than Friends

Chapter 74: Countdown Begins

As the months continued to fly by, Nicole's belly grew larger, and the anticipation of the baby's arrival started to settle in. The baby boy's kicks had become a regular part of her day, reminding her constantly that they were getting closer to the big day. Amani was more excited than ever, always asking when her little brother would be here, and Devin was fully immersed in getting everything ready for their growing family.

The nursery was practically finished. The crib was set up, the baby clothes were folded and organized, and the walls were decorated with soft blues, greens, and the adorable drawing that Amani had made for her baby brother. All that was left was for the baby to arrive.

Preparing Amani

Nicole had been spending extra time with Amani, making sure she felt included and understood what was coming. Amani had been doing great so far, but Nicole knew that the transition from being an only child to having a sibling could be tough, and she wanted to make sure her daughter was fully prepared.

One evening, while they were sitting together reading Amani's favorite book, Amani looked up at Nicole with her big, curious eyes.

"Mama, when the baby comes, are you still gonna have time to play with me?"

Nicole's heart melted at the question. She smiled and kissed Amani's forehead. "Of course I will, baby girl. The baby's gonna need a lot of attention, but you're still my first baby. We'll always have time to do special things together, just me and you."

Amani smiled, snuggling into Nicole's side. "Okay, Mama. I just wanna make sure."

Nicole felt a sense of relief knowing that Amani was adjusting well so far, but she knew there would be bumps along the way. Still, she was confident that with love and patience, they'd get through it.

A Moment for Themselves

As Nicole entered the final stretch of her pregnancy, Devin made sure to carve out time for just the two of them. They knew that once the baby arrived, their time alone would be limited, so they cherished these quiet evenings together. They'd often sit on the porch after Amani went to bed, talking about everything and nothing.

One night, Devin brought out two cups of tea, handing one to Nicole as they sat on the porch swing. The cool breeze was soothing, and Nicole rested her head on Devin's shoulder.

"You know, it's kinda crazy thinkin' about how different things are about to be," Devin said softly, taking a sip of his tea.

Nicole nodded, staring out at the stars. "Yeah, it is. It's exciting but also a little scary. It's a whole new chapter, but I feel like we're ready."

Devin smiled, kissin' the top of her head. "We are. We've been through enough to know we can handle whatever comes our way."

Nicole turned to him, a soft smile on her face. "I love you, Dev. I'm so grateful to be doin' this with you."

Devin looked down at her, his eyes filled with love. "I love you too, Nic. We got somethin' special, and I'm grateful for you every day."

They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the peace before their world changed all over again.

An Unexpected Surprise

A few days later, while Nicole was at work, she started feeling a bit off. It wasn't anything too serious—just a slight discomfort, but it was enough to make her pause. She brushed it off at first, thinking it was just the usual pregnancy aches and pains, but by the time she got home, the discomfort had turned into a dull ache in her lower back.

Devin noticed immediately when she walked through the door. "You okay, Nic? You look like you're in pain."

Nicole waved it off, though she was starting to get a little worried herself. "It's probably nothin'. Just a little back pain. I'll be fine."

But as the evening wore on, the discomfort grew worse. Nicole found herself pacing the living room, trying to find a position that would ease the pain, but nothing was working.

Devin watched her carefully, his brows furrowed with concern. "You sure you don't wanna call the doctor?"

Nicole hesitated, then sighed. "Maybe you're right. I'll call just to be safe."

After a quick conversation with the doctor's office, Nicole was advised to come in for a check-up. They wanted to make sure everything was okay, just in case. Nicole and Devin loaded Amani into the car, dropping her off at Tasha's house before heading to the hospital.

A Close Call

At the hospital, Nicole was hooked up to monitors, and after a brief exam, the doctor assured her that everything looked fine. It wasn't labor, just some early contractions—her body's way of preparing for the baby's arrival.

"You're not in active labor," the doctor explained, "but it could happen sooner than expected. I'd recommend taking it easy for the next few days, just to be safe."

Nicole felt a wave of relief wash over her. She wasn't ready yet. There were still things to do, and she needed a little more time to mentally prepare. Devin squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with the same relief.

"Guess the little man's in a hurry," Devin joked, his smile easing the tension.

Nicole chuckled softly, though her mind was still racing. "Yeah, but I need him to stay put a little longer. We ain't ready yet."

Taking It Easy

Over the next few days, Nicole followed the doctor's advice and took it easy. She worked from home, rested whenever possible, and avoided any unnecessary stress. Devin and Amani made sure she didn't lift a finger, constantly checking on her and making sure she was comfortable.

As the days passed, the early contractions subsided, and Nicole felt more at ease. The close call had reminded her just how unpredictable pregnancy could be, but she was grateful for the extra time to get things in order.

Looking Forward

As the final weeks of her pregnancy approached, Nicole and Devin found themselves more focused than ever on the future. The nursery was ready, their hospital bags were packed, and Amani was eagerly awaiting the day she could finally meet her baby brother.

One evening, as they sat together on the couch, Nicole turned to Devin, her hand resting on her belly. "We're really doin' this, huh? We're about to be parents of two."

Devin grinned, nodding. "Yeah, we are. And we're gonna kill it, just like we always do."

Nicole smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. They had come so far, and now, they were ready for the next step. Whatever challenges came their way, they would face them together, as a family.