A New Beginning

Chapter Eight

Four weeks before Leah’s due date, she was completely miserable.  She was tired of lying in bed all day and not being able to do anything.  It seemed like her bad mood flooded onto me as well since I had been dealing with her and trying to make her happy. 

         One day, I told her to switch to the couch so that we could watch a show on the bigger television set.  She groaned and whined, saying that it was too much work to get up.  She couldn’t get comfortable on the couch and said it wasn’t worth it.  However, after I begged and pleaded, she gave in. 

         I helped her up as she wobbled across the bedroom, holding her bulging stomach.  Once we entered the room, I made sure to support her even more because of what was coming.  Fifteen women yelled “surprise!”, spread out throughout the room. 

         Em and I had planned a surprise baby shower for Leah.  We decorated the room in a princess theme: pink streamers, a “throne” (the couch which was decorated in gold tissue paper), a castle-shaped cake, and a tiara for the Princess.  We had invited all of her closest friends as well as Kenna and a few coworkers.  From the look on Leah’s face, she hadn’t suspected a thing.  She squealed with excitement and hugged me.

         “Thank you so much, Sissy!”

         “No problem, Leah.  Em helped out a lot too.  We just wanted to make you happier and celebrate your soon-to-be baby.”

         Leah smiled and started walking forward, so I helped her lay down on the couch.  All of her friends approached her, giving a hug and patting her stomach.  Em and I let her mingle with the friends that she hadn’t seen in a while.  We had decided to just do snacks, cupcakes, and ice cream, so her and I managed that while Leah and her friends chatted. 

         We played all of the typical baby shower games: Guess Mommy’s Tummy Size, How Many Baby Items Can You Name, How Well Do You Know Mommy, and Guess the Baby Pictures – all of which we found online.  It was a lot of fun and I could tell that Leah was so happy.  Near the end of the party, I gave everyone a list of the baby names that Leah and Bobby had come up with so that they could pick their favorites.  They could also suggest their own names.  I thought it would be a step closer for Leah and Bobby to pick a name, since they were having trouble with it. 

         Em and I left after a while, leaving Leah and her girlfriends in a deep discussion about motherhood.  We went down to her apartment, greeted by an excited Ollie. 

         “Ollie Man!  Hello, pretty boy!” I said, picking him up and giving him a kiss.  I came over daily to spend time with him and take him out of Louis’ hands so that he could get a break (but mostly so I could have him for myself).  I was starting to tell that Ollie liked Louis more than me, so I made a point of coming over everyday, bringing treats and giving him a lot of attention.  I held out the treat for Ollie, who ate it gladly.  “Where are Coop and Louis?”

         “They’re both at Co Co’s.”

         “Great, we can have girl time.  I feel like we never hang out just the two of us.” 

         “I know!  Those boys are always crowding us.” She said, smiling.

         I laughed and nodded. 

         “Louis told me that you two are trying to set up Kenna and Coop.”

         I froze, unable to read from her tone if she was upset or not.  “Yes…” I said, hesitantly. 

         “It’s okay. Abrie.  I don’t like Coop like that, although I bet it seems like it.”

         “Not really…”