Married To Fire

Chapter 34: Vacation Get Away

          The next month that Braden's been off, he's been working his tail off getting the room done before the baby. Getting up about seven in the morning and not quitting till almost midnight every night, his hard work paying off. Raelyn's room all painted, her furniture all built and in her room now. All they have to do is wait. Shelby is a couple weeks from her due date, everything right on schedule. About two times a week, Luke has come by to pick Keanu up to take with him to work since Braden won't be there for a while. Braden and Keanu at home, napping on the couch as Shelby is meeting her friend for lunch, one of Shelby's favorite delis on the south side.

          "Oh my gosh you are so freaking cute pregnant," she laughs.

          "Hardly," Shelby smiles. "I'm huge."

          "Oh hush. Are you guys ready?"

          "I think Braden is going to stroke out before she's even born. He's been working seventeen hours a day getting everything ready for her."

          "Sounds like an excited dad. What's he been doing?"

          "Painting, putting furniture together. I think he's done everything but go clothes shopping for her."

          "You didn't get too many newborn clothes, right?"

          "No, a lot of three to six and six to twelve," Shelby laughs. "One of the firefighters got her a toddler outfit."

          "She's gonna be gorgeous."

          "Maybe," Shelby smiles.

          "Braden's hot. You're gorgeous. Of course, she is going to be gorgeous."

         "Something to tell me?" Shelby grins.

          "Oh shut up you know your husband is hot."

          "Why do you think I married him? Hot kids," Shelby smirks. 

          "Is Luke excited about being an uncle?"

          "I think so. He's been busy fixing Elle's place."

          "Are they getting serious?"

          "Almost a year and he's fixing her windows," Shelby smirks.

          "I hear wedding bells. Can you imagine Luke settling down?"

          "Maybe," she shrugs. "Neither of them are the marriage type," Shelby laughs. "I think they'll just be together."

          "Yeah, but other than baby, you and Braden okay?"

         "Never better," Shelby smiles.

          "Good. How was he when you went back to work?"

          "A nervous wreck," Shelby laughs. "And he hated every minute I was there."

         "I don't blame him."

         "Me either," she smiles.

          Keanu greeting her at the front door, Shelby takes her shoes off and sees Braden asleep on the couch. She winks at Keanu before walking over, running her hand down his bare chest.

          "Braden, Braden?"

          "Mm hey," he wakes up.

         "Hey yourself. Why don't you go lay in bed?"

         "I'm fine," he smiles. "Where did you go?"

         "Lunch with Soph," Shelby says, putting the box in his lap.

         "How's she doing?"

         "She's good. Her little one is almost one."

          "Really? It's been that long?" Braden asks, taking a bite of the sandwich.

          "I know. He's getting big. Raelyn will be getting boyfriends when she's one."

          "I don't think so," he smirks.

          "Oh yeah, all the boys at daycare are going to love her," Shelby smiles. "She'll be getting married at five."

         "Yeah yeah."

         "I'm so ready for her to be out."

          "Me too."

         "I want a coffee. I want to go for a run," she laughs.

         "Soon babe," he smiles.

        "I love you."

        "I love you too."

        "Please tell me you're done...you've been working so hard."

         "Yes, I'm done. Her room is ready."

         "Promise you'll take the next few days off?"

          "Babe her room is done."

          "So go somewhere with your friends."

          "And like where?"

          Shelby smiles walking over to the desk and getting an envelope. She hands it to him.

          "What's this?" he asks, opening the envelope. Inside are four tickets for Las Vegas—leaving the next morning, one for Braden, Luke, Tyler and their non-firefighter friend Rod.

         "It's booked. You leave tomorrow."

         "Babe I can't leave you."

          "I'm not due for two more weeks, and you'll be back in a few days."

         "You better not go into labor."

          "Tell her that," she smiles, sliding her hand on her belly. "Besides, how much trouble could you four get into in Vegas?"

          "Well I'll be with your brother for one," Braden smirks.

          "Yeah, and he's the worst influence."

          "Agreed."