Protecting Me

10

***Some portions of this chapter have sentences spoken in a toddler like speech. I do not have children but I have a niece that speaks like Ellie. I tried to write it the way it sounds. Thank you for reading.

CPOV

"Daddy... daddddy" Ellie whispers as she pokes my eyelid trying to wake me up. I try my hardest to not smile but it doesn't work.

"Yous awake, YAY!" She starts hopping on my stomach clapping her hands.

"Good morning baby girl. Where's mommy?"

"She makin fenc toats with sawsage. The bunny cames, daddy. He brings me tons of tuff.. Come onnnnn." She jumps from the bed and runs out the door.

I groan but get up and head for the shower. Today is going to be a long one. We're having a little Easter celebration here and then everyone else is going to Frank's mansion.

I make it out into the living room and find Easter eggs scattered everywhere. It's almost like a game of operation to get to a safe place without making noise.

"Happy Easter, baby." I see Ana coming out of the kitchen with plates. I rush over to help her carry them.

"Happy Easter to you too. How's our little man?" I ask rubbing her 4-month bump.

"We're doing fantastic. He's just craving bacon." She says while popping another piece of bacon into her mouth. I look down and see that she's made the whole package of bacon.

"I can see that. I'm glad you aren't craving hot dogs with chocolate sauce anymore. I love you but that crap was disgusting." I fake throw up and she just rolls her eyes.

After breakfast, Ellie runs around the living room picking up each egg that Ana set up. When she finally has found all of them she has two baskets full and a big smile on her face.

"Looks, I finds them alllll. The bunny loves me." She giggles when I pick her up and blow raspberries on her stomach. We spend another hour helping her open the eggs that each have something small in them. Ana went to the dollar stores and purchased small items to place in them and then had a customized Easter basket made for her with an American Doll that look just like Ellie. Ana even ordered a matching toddler size dress for Ellie to wear.

"Everyone ready? I ask as we walk towards our car. I'm dressed in khaki pants and a yellow polo while Ana and Ellie are dress in the exact same dress except Ellie's is mostly pink with yellow flowers while Ana's is mostly yellow with pink flowers.

"It looks like someone threw up a bunch of pastel crayons," Ana whispers as we pull into her father's driveway. The house is decorated in pastel eggs, garland and lights. I guess since this is his first Easter as a grandfather he is going all out.

The driveway full of cars mean, Nick and Kate, my mom and Mia plus Carla and Ray have arrived at Frank's house. I'm glad everyone is here because we are planning on announcing our pregnancy today. It was like pulling teeth to convince Ray and Carla to come for a visit. They only seem to want to come when it convenient for them or when we are planning a big trip or Ana wants to shop. Carla is a terrible mother but Ana just shakes her head and smiles. 

When we ordered Ellie's basket we also ordered small ones for everyone as a way of announcing our baby boy. Taylor, Sawyer and I carry the basket in while Ana carries Ellie. Once we get to the front door we hear squealing and I know my sister and Kate have seen us. The door swings open and we are greeted by Frank with his hand in my mother's hand. This causes my neck to snap up probably causing me to have whiplash. 

I look at my mother for reassurance and she just smiles that sweet smile letting me know she's happy. I'll talk to her later when it's not a holiday and we aren't surrounded by other people. I know she's a grown woman but she's my mom and I'll always want to protect her.

We have been here for nearly 4 hours and I am bouncing my knee with anticipation. I want to announce our baby boy now. So I look at Ana and she nods her head. I help her up and turn to our family who is helping Ellie separate her presents.

"If we can have everyone attention, please." Within seconds all eyes are on us.

"Ana and I have customized baskets for each of you. This year has been amazing and we just wanted to spread the love and love we feel." Taylor and Sawyer place each person basket in front of them and we tell them to open them.

"My aunts are better than yours. Why would you? Oh, MY GOSHHHH" Mia and Kate look up at us and see me standing behind Ana with our hands making a heart over her stomach.  All of a sudden Ana is surrounded by squealing woman, while Frank and Nick pat me on the back offering congratulations. I notice the Carla and Ray are both shaking their head in disappointment and throw the onesie back in their basket. I am about to say something to them when a scream catches my attention. 

"WHAT?!" We all turn the person who screamed and I see Kate nodding her head while Ana rubs Kate stomach.

"Umm, I guess the cats out of the bag. Kate and I are also having a baby. We are due September 15th." I pull Nick into a side hug.

"This is fantastic our kids can grow up close in age." 

"Do you guys know the gender, yet?" Mia asks. We all four nod and I can see the look on Ans's face that she wants tp announce so i nod my head. She quickly whispers into Kate's ear who smiles and nods in response.  

"On the count of three, we will both reveal our babies gender. You guys count."

"1 2 3"

"Girl" "Boy" Both girls scream and hug again.

"You're so freakin screwed. Lord help us all, we are gonna have a mini-Kate." I grunt out in pain when Kate smacks my stomach.

"This is the best Easter ever." My mom says as she hugs me. I couldn't agree more. 

"Mom, can I talk to you?" I ask and she nods before blowing a kiss to Mia. I wink at Ana as I guide my mom into one of Franke's many guest rooms. 

"I just want to check and make sure you are happy and he treats you right?" She blushes as she sits down on the love seat under the bay window.

"I always thought my chance at finding true love was gone. I figured I married that wrong man and I would have to deal with the consequences for the rest of my life. I truly thought I loved Carrick when we got married but if how I feel about Franke is love then I never felt anything more than friendship for your father. I use the term friendship because, in the beginning, he wasn't a terrible man, he just lost his way. I would never in a million years take back marrying him because then I wouldn't have my three angels and I would go through hell to have my children." I nod my understanding because I feel that way about Ana. I would walk through fire every day just to spend a few hours with her.

We sit there for a few minutes her head on my shoulder just enjoying the quiet. 

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, forever."