More Than Friends

Chapter 75: The Final Stretch

The last few weeks of Nicole's pregnancy felt like a slow, steady countdown. The close call they'd had with the early contractions made everything feel more real, more urgent. Nicole was following the doctor's advice and taking it easy, but the anticipation of the baby's arrival was growing each day.

Amani was still excited, but Nicole could see the impatience starting to build. Every morning, Amani would wake up and ask, "Is today the day the baby's coming?" And every morning, Nicole would smile and say, "Not yet, baby girl. Soon."

But Nicole herself was starting to feel the weight of it all. The physical exhaustion of carrying the baby, the mental preparation for another round of sleepless nights, and the emotional readiness for welcoming a new life into the world—it was all starting to settle in.

The Support System

Devin had been Nicole's rock through it all. He was constantly checking in, making sure she had everything she needed, and stepping up with Amani to keep the house running smoothly. He never complained, even when he was exhausted from work or worried about the baby coming early.

One evening, as they sat on the couch, Nicole turned to Devin, her hand resting on her swollen belly. "I don't think I've said it enough, but thank you, Dev. You've been amazing through all of this."

Devin smiled, reaching over to hold her hand. "You don't gotta thank me, Nic. We in this together. You're the one carrying our baby, dealing with all the hard stuff."

Nicole laughed softly, feeling a little emotional. "Yeah, but you're holding it down. I appreciate you."

Devin kissed her hand, his voice soft. "I love you, Nic. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do."

Amani's Excitement

As Nicole's due date approached, Amani's excitement only grew. She was constantly asking questions about the baby, drawing pictures of what she thought her little brother would look like, and practicing how she'd help take care of him.

One afternoon, while Nicole was resting on the couch, Amani climbed up beside her, carefully placing her hands on Nicole's belly. "Mama, do you think the baby's ready to come out soon?"

Nicole smiled, brushing Amani's hair out of her face. "He's almost ready, sweetie. We just have to wait a little longer."

Amani leaned down, whispering to Nicole's belly, "Come out soon, baby brother. We can't wait to meet you."

Nicole's heart melted at the sight, and she felt a surge of love for her daughter. Amani was going to be an amazing big sister, and Nicole couldn't wait to see her in that role.

The Baby Shower

A few days later, Nicole's friends threw her a small baby shower. It was a simple, intimate gathering with just her closest friends and family. Tasha, of course, had organized the whole thing, making sure Nicole was spoiled with love, gifts, and laughter.

As they sat around the table, eating snacks and playing baby-themed games, Nicole couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. The love and support from everyone around her made her feel like she wasn't doing this alone. She had a village, and they were all ready to welcome this baby with open arms.

At the end of the shower, Tasha pulled Nicole aside, wrapping her in a tight hug. "You ready for this, girl? It's almost time."

Nicole nodded, feeling a lump in her throat. "Yeah, I think I am. It's scary, but I'm ready."

Tasha smiled, holding her hands. "You're gonna kill it, Nic. You and Devin got this. And you know I'm always here for you."

Nicole smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know. I'm so grateful for you, Tasha."

Final Preparations

After the baby shower, Nicole and Devin spent the next few days putting the finishing touches on the nursery and making sure everything was ready for the baby's arrival. The hospital bags were packed, the car seat was installed, and the house was as prepared as it could be.

One evening, after Amani had gone to bed, Nicole and Devin stood in the nursery, taking it all in. The room was ready—soft blues, baby clothes neatly folded in the dresser, and the crib waiting for their little boy.

"I can't believe we're here again," Nicole said softly, leaning into Devin's side.

Devin wrapped his arm around her, kissing her forehead. "Yeah, it feels like it's been a long time coming, but we made it. We're ready."

Nicole nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "I just want everything to go smoothly."

"It will," Devin reassured her. "We've got this."

They stood there in silence for a while, just soaking in the moment. This was the calm before the storm, and they both knew that soon, everything would change.

The Final Countdown

As Nicole's due date grew closer, the anticipation in the house was palpable. Devin had started working from home, wanting to be close by in case anything happened. Amani was still asking every day when her baby brother would arrive, and Nicole was doing her best to stay calm, even though her nerves were starting to get the best of her.

One evening, as they sat down for dinner, Nicole felt a sharp pain in her lower back. She winced, trying to hide it, but Devin noticed immediately.

"You okay?" he asked, his eyes full of concern.

Nicole took a deep breath, trying to shake it off. "Yeah, I think it's just more of those early contractions."

Devin nodded, but he kept a close eye on her for the rest of the evening.

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Nicole couldn't shake the feeling that the baby was coming soon. She hadn't had any major signs yet, but her body felt different—like it was preparing for something big.

She turned to Devin, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think it's almost time, Dev."

Devin looked at her, his eyes wide with excitement and a little bit of fear. "You think so?"

Nicole nodded, placing her hand on her belly. "Yeah. I don't know when, but I feel it. It's close."

Devin wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "Then we're ready. Whenever he's ready, we are too."

Nicole smiled, feeling the warmth of his words wash over her. They were ready. Whatever came next, they were ready to face it together.