Hope (JB+AG)

-3-

Ariana

Monday, April 2

9:21 am

"It's just us now, B. What do you wanna do today?" I poke one of Bella's dimples and she giggles.

"You're the cutest little baby ever." I turn on Bella's favorite show, Paw Patrol so she will leave me alone while I try to rest.

These babies are coming very soon. Their due date is literally in 2 days. Today is also Justin's last day of work. We're going to the hospital tomorrow, as long as they don't plan on coming today.

"Bella, are you ready to have a little brother and sister? You won't be the baby anymore, even though you are literally still a baby."

Bella pays me no attention, keeping her eyes on her favorite show.

"Fine. Be like that." I pick up my phone and open Instagram.

This is how I had been spending my days since I started my third trimester. In bed, with Bella, on my phone, all day. Sometimes we went places like the park or Target, and sometimes Justin took her to daycare because I was not up being with a baby all day, but it didn't feel like the best idea to be out in public this close to giving birth.

I like some pictures on Instagram before putting my phone down. After attempting to watch Paw Patrol with Bella, I get bored and decide I'm hungry.

"Bella, should we go to the kitchen?" I ask.

She turns to look at me and I smile.

"Come on, princess." I get out of the bed and pick Bella up.

She tries to get out of my arms, repeating the word 'down' until I finally place her on the floor.

"You can walk, just don't fall down the stairs."

Bella turns around on the stairs, crawling down backwards. It takes a while, but eventually she makes it to the first floor.

"Good job, baby. You're like a big girl." Bella follows me to the kitchen and I place her on the island. She likes to sit up there whenever anybody is in the kitchen because it makes her feel included. Or at least that's what I think.

"What should mommy eat for breakfast?" I ask.

"Puffs!" Bella says.

"Mommy will not eat those, but you can."

I'm pretty positive she only said that because she saw them on the other counter, but I grab the container anyways and pour a few puffs next to her. She eats them slowly, so I place the container on the island and decide what I'm going to eat.

Eggs and oatmeal make me want to throw up, I eat cereal almost every day, and I didn't feel like cooking anything else.

"How about a smoothie? Sounds delicious. I might even give you some, B."

I turn to look at Bella, only to discover that she was just eating puffs out of the container.

"Child, what the hell?" I take them from her and she starts crying.

"Of course." I shake my head, giving her more puffs and a couple of yogurt melts.

"Now, are you good while I make my smoothie?" I ask.

"Yah!" She says.

"Great."

I get fruit, almond milk and protein powder and mix it all together in the blender. The smoothie turns out pink/purple seeing as I put more strawberries and blueberries in it then anything.

"Looks delicious, doesn't it, B?"

Bella giggles, grabbing the last yogurt melt and putting it in her mouth.

"Do you wanna go play with some toys, babe? Mommy feels better now that she's eating."

"Play!"

"Alright, I'll take that as a yes." I pick Bella up and go to the basement, where the playroom is.

As soon as I place her on the floor, she goes to her dollhouse and starts throwing the dolls around, like she normally does.

I sit on the ground, watching her play, until Justin facetimes me.

"Hey, baby daddy!" I smile.

"Hi wife. How are you doing on this wonderful morning?"

"Amazing. I made a smoothie!"

"Are you happy about that?"

"Ecstatic. Me and Bella are in the playroom."

"Sounds fun. I'm just taking a break from all the fun I have here."

"Oh, really? That sounds fun too."

"It is. I've never been more content."

"Cool. Anyways, I'm taking Bella to my moms house later. She took off of work for the week."

"She's gonna have Bella? I thought she would be with us."

"She will be. Frankie's gonna watch Aviella and Bella, and he's bringing them to the hospital whenever the twins get here."

"Oh, sounds good. I should get back to work, but I'll see you two cuties later."

"Dada!" Bella runs to me and I show her Justin.

"Hey, ladybug. Are you having fun with mommy?"

"No!"

"Wow, Ariana. What are you doing to her?"

"I didn't do anything. She's been watching Paw Patrol and playing all morning."

"Sure. Don't worry baby, daddy will be there to save the day."

"Yeah, in like 6 hours. Can you leave us alone now?" I say.

"Okay, bye. I love you."

"I love you too." I blow Justin a kiss before hanging up and going back to watching Bella play.