Holding Out For A Hero

57. One's On The Way

2 Months and 1 Day Later - June 26, 2022

14 Weeks

"Are you going to be home in time to make dinner or should the kids and I order in?" Dave asked as I finished tying my dress up. I was wearing a black and white plaid off the shoulder dress with sleeves that went to just below my elbow. I was meeting Abby and Gisele to help plan the wedding but I was also going to tell them I was pregnant.

"I'll be home to make dinner. I'll pick up some things on the way home to make spaghetti and meatballs. I hope Gisele won't be mad at me for telling them I'm pregnant," I replied with as I grabbed a pair of shoes that kind of matched the dress and walked to the bed to put them on.

"I'm sure she'll be ok. You need to tell them before you get any bigger or they'll be mad that you kept it secret. The girls asked why you weren't drinking last weekend though. Taylor and Rufus kept hinting like they knew though ," Dave said back as he sat down beside me.

"Oh they both did. Rufus asked if I put on some weight so I told him and then he apologized. I didn't even tell Taylor. He just said I looked pretty and that I was glowing with a wink. I just don't want to take the attention away from Gisele because we're getting together to plan her wedding," I said in response.

"I know you don't. Maybe find a way to work it into the conversation or something," Dave suggested.

"Oh that'll go over real well. 'Gisele do you guys think maybe you can wait until next year to get married so I'm not waddling down the aisle please?'" I said sarcastically. Dave started laughing and I glared at him.

"Sorry but I just pictured that. Maybe don't go that route though. You'll figure it out but let me just say you do look pretty damn good," Dave said after I stood up.

"Thanks babe. Ok I better go before they start calling and asking where I am. I'll see you later," I said as I put a hat on.

I kissed Dave on the cheek and then grabbed my purse and headed to the restaurant where I was meeting the girls. I was running late so I wasn't surprised when my phone rang as I pulled into the parking lot. I told Abby I was just parking and I'd be right in. I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the rearview mirror. I told myself that I could do this and then headed inside. We made it through lunch and where almost done when Gisele brought up the bride's maids dresses.

"I'm open to ideas from you guys but I was thinking maybe something that was long and form fitting," Gisele said. I picked up my ice tea and had a sip as I started mentally freaking out.

"That sounds good to me. Britt what do you think?" Abby asked as I put my glass down.

"Sounds good to me but I don't think you're going to want me in a form fitting dress," I replied with.

"Why not?" they both asked in unison.

"Ok look I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. We were waiting and then I didn't know how to tell you because every time we're all together we end up talking about the wedding. I also don't want to take away anything from you," I said as I looked at Gisele.

"I appreciate that but just tell us already please," Gisele said with a smile.

"Does this have anything to do why you weren't drinking last week at the beach house?" Abby asked.

"It does. I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant. I'll be in my last trimester by the time of the wedding," I replied.

"I didn't realize you guys were trying again. Congratulations though," Gisele said and got up to hug me. I hugged her back and then Abby and I hugged.

"Congratulations boo. I'm glad you changed your mind about having more kids. James needs a couple of siblings to pick on. Since we're on the subject I have some news myself. Taylor and I are trying for another one ourselves," Abby said.

We shared another round of hugs before talking more about the dresses again. Afterwards I headed to the grocery store and bought what I needed for dinner and some other things for the rest of the week. I ended up getting a few things for late night cravings to hide in our roo from the kids. It would also save Dave a late night trip to a store when I really wanted chocolate. The house was empty when I got home so I put on some music and put the groceries away. I then headed upstairs with the bag of junk food and changed into a loose black comfy top, silver crushed velvet pants and a pair of flip flops. I headed back downstairs and started on dinner. I was finished making the meatballs and was about to cook them when I heard the sound of the girls and James. The only person that came into the kitchen though was Dave.

"Smells good. Need any help?" he asked as he walked over to me.

"I got this. How was your afternoon?" I asked back as I put the meatballs in a pan.

"Good. James had a melt down when he couldn't get ice cream before dinner but other than that it was good," Dave replied with as he walked over to the sink.

When I turned around with the platter the meatballs had been on he was washing the dishes. I kissed him on the cheek and then went back to the stove. Once he was done doing the dishes Dave started cutting up onions for the sauce for me. Eventually he ended up taking over completely because the onion smell made me sick so I went off to my office. I checked my email and saw that I had a few jobs lined up for next month and for the last three weeks in September. I wrote them down in my schedule before going to see what the kids where up to. Violet was getting ready to go out after dinner with her boyfriend while Ophelia watched her and Harper was with James in the living room reading Charlotte's Web. I went back to the kitchen and decided to set the table. After dinner Violet left but promised to be back before eleven and the rest of us spent the night playing board games. I got the kids into bed before going myself and reading. When Dave came up, I looked at the clock and rolled my eyes with a slight smile when it said it was quarter after eleven.

"Did Violet have fun tonight?" I asked as he walked out of the bathroom.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said back as he headed to the closet.

"Uh huh sure. So you coming up to bed after eleven is just a coincidence. Has nothing to do with your teenage daughter coming home from a date with her boyfriend," I said as I put the book down.

"Ok I was waiting for her. She was 5 minutes late coming home," Dave said as he came out and got into bed.

"Oh it's five minutes. I hope you didn't go full dad mode on her," I said as he pulled me in to cuddle.

"I didn't. I just told her to text next time she was gonna be late. Even if it's just five minutes. How'd lunch with the girls go?" He asked.

"Good. I told them and they're happy for us," I replied.

"That's good I told you they would be. Are you wanting to go right to sleep or can I persuade you to stay up and have some fun?" Dave asked before kissing the top of my head.

"You never have to persuade me for anything," I replied with a small chuckle as Dave got on top of me.