Let's Try it Again

Surprise, Surprise

The months flew by after the cruise and Amelia and Joe found themselves once again separated, both busy with different aspects of their lives.

Amelia was preparing for the arrival of her daughter in a few weeks and Joe was busy planning a wedding he didn't really want to have and a solo album in between The New Kids. But he did promise he would be there for Amelia and helped her furnish the baby's nursery.
***
One cold, rainy morning in the first week of September, Amelia woke up and went to get out of bed and grimaced at the tightness she felt in her lower back. She had been having this pain on and off for several days and she just chalked it up to over doing her Yoga exercises.

Today was the day that Ali was throwing Amelia a baby shower and much to Amelia's surprise as well, Joe's sisters and mom had agreed to pitch in. She had been so scared that they wouldn't approve of the baby, but once they found out there was to be a new McIntyre coming, they welcomed her with open arms.

Amelia slid on a pair of jeans and a red Boston University Sweatshirt that she had for years and walked down the stairs to see Ali and Danny in the living room, surrounded by pink crepe paper, balloons, streamers and party favors. "My goodness. Looks like Babies R Us exploded in here."

Danny smiled as he looked up from blowing up a balloon. "Well, you wouldn't normally see me doing this, but Ali begged me."

Ali looked at him and threw some crepe paper on his head. "Are you kidding me? You were the one begging."

Danny smiled. "I like babies, what can I say."

Ali got up off the floor and took Amelia's arm and led her into the kitchen. "So, Trishia, Joe's sister, told me that Jamie has invited herself over today."

Amelia grabbed a piece of bacon off a plate. "What? Why?"

Ali shrugged. 'She said her and Joe are getting married in a couple of months and it's only fair she be a part of the McIntyre gatherings."

Amelia sighed and walked over to the fridge and grabbed the container of OJ and grabbed a class out of the cabinet and poured a glass. "Ali, listen .As far as her and Joe are concerned, I'm out of it. He made the choice to stay with her. They are getting married, there's nothing I can do about it."

Ali sighed. "Melia..she's no good for him. Joe's mom hates her and his sisters have set him down and told him that if he marries her,they aren't welcome at any family gatherings. She's only after his money .."

Amelia held up her hand. "Like I said, not my con......" She let out a gasp and grabbed her stomach.

Ali saw the way her face contorted into pain and she ran over to her, grabbing her arm. "Amelia..what? Contraction?"

Amelia let out a sigh as the contraction only lasted a minute. She sat the glass on the counter. "Yeah, it's OK. That was the first one I've felt, so we are still good. Could be that false labor I've read about."

Ali walked over to the junk drawer and took out a stop watch and handed it to Amelia. "Well, use this OK? If they get to be 10 minutes, we are taking you in."

Amelia sat the stop watch on the counter. "we are fine. Relax. I have two more weeks, OK? Besides aren't first time babies always late?"
***
The afternoon arrived and the guests started to arrive as Ali laid out the meat and cheese tray, the fruit tray and to Amelia's delight California rolls. Amelia grabbed on and popped it into her mouth.

"Oh Ali,thank you!"

Ali dried her hands on the towel and walked over and put her hands on Amelia's huge belly. "I think she's gonna come out looking like A Cali roll."