3 weeks Later:
Dawson's P.O.V.:
The doctors here had projected my due date to be this week, so the least I could say was I was ready. Everything had been coming together: the nursery was almost complete, Jared had barely gone into work and had finished sorting the final photos for his book, I was working with the final details of my novel, and Little Baby Leto was working on getting ready for the big world, which meant non stop kicking and cravings had really set in.
The baby had grown substantially in the last weeks, doubling how big my abdomen was. The time between now and Zero Period was now suppose to be for a shower hosted by Jade.
Calling her a couple days ago and telling her that she could be the head of the Party Committee, and she took that seriously. She screamed and smiled, laughed and cried when I gave her full reign.
"It'll be great, Dawson! Just tell me who you want there and I'll make it happen!" She cried.
"Thanks. I believe in you Jade."
Now that party was today and my list had turned out small. Only my parents, Marie and Allyna, Shannon, Tomo and Vicki, and Jade and her Fiance. I didn't want too many people, and the people that came would have a part in my child's life.
Jade had come over early to set up while Jared and I worked on the Nursery.
The walls had been pained a mint green, white paisley trailed along like crown molding. Picture frames where were to be filled postpartum hung on the walls with the words Family on the bottom. Little One's oak crib laid adjacent to the door and the changing station was across the room. Jared had argued about getting a rocking horse and rocking chair, placing one in each remaining corner.
Jared and I folded the little clothes on the floor. I still hadn't told him the gender of the baby. I myself were still shocked I was able to keep it contained this long. However, that would change when I announced it at the baby shower.
Jared helped me up and we went to the front where Jade had finished her decorating.
"Thank you!" I say, walking up to hug her with my arms spread.
She embraces me then pulls back, "Jared will get the food ready and greet guests as the arrive, " she looks over at Jared, nodding towards the kitchen, "While you and I will get ready!"
Jade drags me to the bedroom and shoves clothes in my hand. She had everything set for today down to the last detail. It took a lot of stress off me which is much appreciated by everyone.
After we were dressed, she pulled me back out into the party. Everyone was sitting there, smiling and laughing, filling their plates with food, talking about what was the biggest thing in their lives.
When I walked into the eye of the storm, their conversations stopped and mouths were now filled with a lot of coos and awe's. My mom and Marie stood up and hugged me as well as they could with Little's in the way. I went around the circle of the friends and family, throughoutly greeting them, catching up although I knew most of what was happening. It was really beginning to feel real.
After a while, Jade announced that we would be starting the games. Marie and her started handing out the supplies: jars of baby food, bibs, and small buckets. As everyone stared blankly at their new possessions, Jade and Marie explained the gist of the game.
"So the first person to finish eating their jars of baby food will win, " Jade explains then points to the the bag in Marie's hands, "this really cool thing!"
Marie smiles and sets it down on the table, then joins my mom and I on the love seat. When Jade starts the timer, the room is filled with an explosion of pops and glass clinking. The aroma of mushed up vegetables and meats were enough to make me and the rest of us gag. When some of them couldn't make it anymore, they spit out the food smoothie into the buckets they were provided. Luckily,no one puked, which allowed most of us to keep our lunch down. The winner, Tomo, was given the bag.
"It's a Candle!" Tomo smiled, pulling the guts out of the bag. He held it up so all of us could see and then hit it down on the table with a clunk. His proud smile grew on his face while the rest of us laugh at the fools all of us made of each other.
I felt a a strong kick, and then a pain in my lower stomach, "Ow! Goodness." I laugh, rubbing my side.
Everyone looks at me concerned as I laugh it off, "It's okay guys. Baby just kicked that's all."
The rest of them nod, smile, and continue their conversations. No one really thought much of it besides Marie and my mom.
"Honey are you okay?" My mom asks, placing a hand on my stomach.
I nod as Marie comes over and sits by me, "Is the baby coming?"
"No, everything's fine! Lets start the next game." I smile at them, waving my hand as if to brush the issue away.
This was evidently enough as my mom and Marie left me alone. Jade pulled out a measuring tape and some pieces of paper with pens clipped on then passed them around. She grinned at the rest of us as she explained, "Next game we have lined up is going to be probably the easiest, " Jade motions to me to stand up. I glance over at Jared who has a proud smile over at me before standing up and waddling over to Jade. She smiles at me before continuing, "You all will guess how big Dawson's baby bump is and who ever guesses the closest, wins. Yeah?" Everyone nods their heads yes and grabs their pens.
Again, the sharp pain in my stomach came back. I tried to play it off, but it kept getting stronger, were these contractions?
I looked over at my mom with a panicked stare and Marie rushed to my side. I immediately after felt my water broke and another contraction kicked it off, "Oh god."
Everyone looked up at me kind of scared. They had no idea what was going on until Marie took over, "This shower came a little late as Baby Leto is on the way!"
A bunch of screams and howls were heard as Marie lead me out to my car. Jared trailed behind, trying his best to catch up with my mom's demands, "Grab your baby bag and her clothes, the blanket and the car seat. Meet us at the hospital! I'll call you then."
My mom hopped in the back seat when Marie closed the drivers seat door. Jared came up to my door with tears in his eyes, his whole body trembling, and kissed my forehead, "It's baby time."
