Under the Influence

Chapter 10

The weeks flew by and Val was due any day now. One Friday Val went over to John's house for dinner. When she walked into the house she was surprised to see that Carol had thrown her a baby shower.

"Surprise!" Carol called out.

"Oh my god, you threw me a baby shower?"

"Yeah. Sit here!"

Val sat in a chair and looked around the room. She didn't know anyone beside John and Carol. There were about 20 women there, all of Carol's friends. They were all extremely nice. They played some games then ate some food and cake. Then it was time to open presents. Val couldn't believe how generous the ladies were. She got a car seat, lots of blankets, adorable clothes, a bassinet, and lots of diapers.

"Thank you so much ladies. You don't know how much this means to me." She started to cry. Carol patted her thigh.

"It's ok honey. We are happy to help."

Val wiped her eyes. The guests left soon after and she sat looking at all the cute clothes she got with Carol.

"Do you have any feeling if it's a boy or girl?"

"No, not really. I didn't know there were so many cute unisex outfits out there."

"Yeah there are. After the baby is born we can go shopping for gender specific stuff."

Val looked at Carol.

"Thank you so much for doing this."

"Oh your welcome. I never had any kids so I think of you as a daughter."

"Aww. Thanks. John is probably the closest thing I have to a dad."

Carol looked at her.

"So you haven't heard from the father in awhile?"

Val sighed.

"Nope. I thought he was going to be here for me. He said he would be, but I guess he was just telling me what I wanted to hear. I actually believed him. I was such an idiot though. He isn't going to leave his life behind just for me."

"But you still love him?"

"I do. I thought he loved me too."

"Well, like I've told you before, me and John are here if you need anything."

"Thanks." She smiled.

Just then John walked into the room.

"You need help getting all this in your car?"

"Yeah."

He packed everything into her car and she drove home. She carried everything into her house and took it into her grandma's room. She hadn't been in there since she died. It was going to be the baby's room now. She looked around the room. All she needed for the baby was a crib, and a dresser. She yawned and decided to go to bed. She changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth. She climbed into bed and turned the TV on. She watched the news for a little bit then a late night show came on. She almost jumped out of bed when she heard them say, "and musical guest Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds."