He Who Conquers Others Is Strong, He Who Conquers Himself Is Mighty

Count Me In

JULIAN'S POV

"c'mon Dola, it's your ribs that are fucked. Why you playin' so bad?!" I joked as I was pummelling him on the Xbox. He huffed at me and shot me a glare which made me smirk even more. I dropped the controller down onto the rug as we took a break. We'd been in my place for a few hours now and I was starting to feel hunger pangs. "wanna grab some food?" I asked him. He nodded as he winced trying to put his controller on the table beside him. "I gotta take my meds again" he added, failing to hide his pain.

.........

"how's things with you and Jamie right now?" I asked him, passing him a glass of water. "we're working on things" he replied then throwing the pills to the back of his throat. I nodded, knowing just how he was feeling. "Man I was so stupid. I've put that girl through some shit. And there she still is." he sighed, looking down at the kitchen counter. "neither of us deserve our women huh" I said solemnly. "hmm" Dola agreed. "We agreed there's stuff we need to iron out- and I made a promise to her that I would give you and Penny some space..." he sighed, "a-and pay more attention to her" he said sheepishly. 

I smiled, "I mean, don't get me wrong Danny boy, it's cool you wanting to be involved in the little guy's life, and we appreciate the love. But maybe showing your own girl that she's all you've wanted is the best thing right now" I cemented. He nodded at me and sent me a grin. "but there is one thing that Jame has let me do; I-if you're cool with it too..." he started. I cocked an eyebrow at him and was eager to hear what the hell he had to say. 

"well...I mean, Pen's like almost 7 months along now, and I was thinking, how about- since I have nothing to do- whilst recovering I mean, that I could, if it's cool with you-

"spit it out Dola" I rolled my eyes at him as I smirked, "well uh..." he scratched his face in awkwardness. "If you'd want me to plan Pen's baby shower?" he looked at me with a nervous expression. My eyebrows shot up at his unexpected suggestion. But I was more surprised at his uneasiness of asking me. 

"Danny, bro, why would I have any objections to you planning her shower?" I asked, and he looked at me quizzically. "dude, you know how I'd suck at that kinda thing!" I chuckled at him. "you're really down with me doing it?" he asked double checking. I laughed, "sure. Why the hell not" I replied, "gives ya something else to do other than cooking and filling my house with damn Tupperware boxes." I smirked. "and making Penny's ass fatter...." I joked, making Dola almost choke on his croissant. 

.....

"Hey hey! What's the happs?!" a booming voice followed the front door banging shut. I was still smirking at what I had just said (jokingly) to Dola about my wife when Gronk joined us. "late to the party as always Gronkowski" I smirked, still eyeing Danny. "Had a little business to take care of" he bellowed, slapping his hands together. "another chick to avoid next time you're in the club then..." I smirked. "hey like you can talk Edelman. Just cause you're an honest man now, don't mean it erases your past" he smirked back at me. "but nah, nothin' like that" he said, "just a little business." he finished. "now, what have I missed?" he asked, looking between Dola and I. 

I looked to my best friend and shrugged, urging him to say what he had just told me. Danny nodded and looked to Rob. "well, "he started, while I am recovering, I'm gonna plan Penny's baby shower" he told our team mate. Gronk let out a loud belly laugh, but stalled it when he realised Danny was serious. "dude! You're planning her shower?!" he asked in amazement, staring at Danny wide eyed. "and you're down with this?" he asked, then turning to me. "sure" I shrugged. "he's not got anything else goin' on right now. It'd be awesome for Penny, and who else better than my boy's Godfather?" I said, looking to Danny. "besides, I got the best right hand man for the job too" Danny said, with a sly grin. This was news to me....

"huh? Who?" Gronk asked. "you." Danny replied with one hell of a smug expression. "and I aren't taking any protesting." he added. "now" he grunted as he shifted off the stool he had nee sat on. "I gotta go. Got people to see, shit to get done." He told us, leaving me sat there with the biggest smirk on my face and Gronk's jaw almost hitting the floor at whatever the hell he had just been signed up for.

"what the fuck was that?!" Gronk asked in shock after Danny just hobbled out of the house. I sat smirking at Gronk before saying, "well, you've just become Dola's bitch..."

........

"Why the hell does he want me to help him with the baby shower?" Gronk huffed as he finished off Danny's pastries. "Like, I'm the last person that should be doing that" he added. I nodded in agreement. "I mean, get Brady to do it! Develin! Anyone but me" He mumbled, looking a little frantic. "what's the big deal?" I smirked, "Dola's gonna sort it out. You just gotta do all the heavy lifting" I added. "but-" 

"I hear the guest list is pretty interesting. Melia will most likely be there..." At my words Rob's head darted up and he looked at me wide eyed. "ah cool. Count me in man."