A Package Deal

The Wait is On (Chapter 39)

After their evening meal, Ignazio stood and cleared the dishes from the table.

"Stay here, I've got this," he told Gabby before glancing at Addilyn. "Come on, let's help Mommy clean up." As he started gathering the plates, Addilyn eagerly followed his lead, though Ignazio found himself doing most of the work.

"Should we try to get my family all on FaceTime?" Gabby asked, setting her laptop on the counter.

Addilyn's eyes widened. "Yes!"

Gabby flipped open her laptop, fingers already moving across the keyboard. "You text my parents; I'll get my in-laws."

Ignazio powered up his laptop. "On it!"

***

Hi, Nanny!" Addie's voice was nearly a squeal. "We have something super exciting to tell you!"

"Hold on," Gabby cut in. "We need Gramma and Grampa K first." Once they appeared on the screen, she nodded and said, "Alright, go ahead."

Addie bounced on her feet. "There's a baby in Mommy's tummy!"

Gabby's mother gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. "Are you kidding me?" Her father clapped while Brian's voice cut through the excitement. "That's the greatest news ever!" Over top of her husband and everyone else, Kate shouted, "Gabby! Oh, I would hug you so tightly if you were here."

"How far along are you?" Bob asked.

Gabby stood—turning sideways, she pressed her shirt against her belly.

"I'm thinking almost three months, though I'm not exactly sure as I feel I'm bigger this time. I'll know for sure after my ultrasound next week."

"Ignazio, Ignazio," Brian called, "How are you holding up?"

"Uh, still in shock. Excited... scared," Ignazio admitted.

Bob chuckled. "Sorry, I can't help you with this. I never had kids of my own. Gabby came to me when she was ten, so all I can say is—good luck."

Elly, still processing, finally managed to speak. "I'm so thrilled... and Addilyn... you're going to be a big sister!"

Addilyn beamed. "Yes! And guess what, Nanny? Nazio thought he had a baby in his tummy, but it was just a pizza baby!"

Ignazio immediately covered Addie's mouth, laughing. "Shh! You're not supposed to tell anyone that."

"Well, I'm so happy for you both," Bob said, cutting in as the women continued chatting. He blew a kiss to the family and turned to leave. Brian followed his lead, giving a wave.

Sticking around for a bit longer, Ignazio took the subtle cue from the men, who wisely excused themselves as the conversation veered into the more intimate details of pregnancy and delivery. With a soft kiss to Gabby's cheek, he scooped up Addilyn and exited, retreating to the living room with a murmured, "We'll be over here."

A few minutes later, Gabby slipped in quietly, the faint sound of the TV filling the space between them. Ignazio and Addilyn, fully engrossed in a National Geographic show, did not even bother to look up. Sinking into the sofa beside them, her body grateful for the support of the cushions after the long, tiring day.

"Addie, my love, come join me," she called softly.

Addilyn scooted over, and Gabby kissed her firstborn's head.

No matter how big my belly gets or how tired I am, I will always make time for cuddles.

***

Much like her first pregnancy, Gabby's second was progressing without complications—at least, not for her. But for Ignazio, it was a different story.