Stronger with You

Oh, baby

Darry
August 15, 1972

"Pony, is that crib ready in Soda's room?" I called out, I was putting together an old play pen we found stashed away in our shed.

"Yes, I got it." Pony walked back into the living room, "When's the baby due again?"

"September 5th. Three weeks from now. That's why I want the finishing touches done this week so we're ready for anything."

"I mean, how much do we need to prepare? It's just one baby." Pony shrugged. The kid was about to be a senior in college and still had no common sense.

"We meed at least have cribs so the kid can sleep somewhere," I said.

"Well, why are they all over here. Peyton and Two-Bit live across the street, Soda barely even lives here," Pony said, looking around the house cluelessly.

"Soda won't be back from Vietnam in who knows how much longer. Peyton will stay with us for awhile just to help out. Why are you so worried about it? You move back to Stillwater in two weeks anyways." I looked up from the play pen.

Pony shrugged, "I don't know."

Maya and Peyton walked through the door, bags in hand.

"Ellie got the baby clothes." Peyton sighed, "Tons of them."

I laughed getting up to take the bags from Peyton and Maya, taking them back to Soda's bedroom. The room had boxes of clothes and very few other things that we could afford.

I walked back into the living room, Peyton was laying on the couch.

"I swear. No one ever makes pregnancy seem like this. My feet hurt. My back hurts. This child presses against my bladder making me have to pee 100 times a day!" Peyton groaned.

I laughed lightly, not really knowing what to say. Peyton wasn't huge even being close to nine months. She had a medium sized bump, maybe I had no clue. All I knew is she didn't get huge like some women I knew.

"Wow, you make me so excited to go through mine." Maya said, sitting next to Peyton. We all laughed, shaking our heads.

"Wait. Do you mean?" I asked, my jaw dropping.

"I'm pregnant!" Maya shouted, she held up her hands with a big smile on her face.

"Oh my gosh!" I shouted, "Congratulations!" I laughed, pulling Maya you, giving her a big hug.

"That's awesome!" Pony grinned, "Now Peyton and Soda's kid will have a little cousin!"

Peyton stood up, "Maya. I am so happy for you and I really don't want to steal your moment, but I think I'm about to have a baby."

Peyton was slightly crouched over, a pained, nervous expression on her face.

My jaw dropped, "Okay, okay. Let's go to the truck. Ponyboy got get Two-Bit and meet us at the hospital." I instructed, Maya and I helped Peyton walk out to the truck, I opened their door before running around to the drivers side.

"I'm so sorry for stealing your moment," Peyton said, laughing slightly.

"Don't worry. I have nine months and still have to tell Two-Bit, Steve and Soda. Oh, I also have to tell Dallas." Maya grinned.

"You haven't told your husband yet?" I gasped, pulling out of the driveway and speeding down the road.

"Well, he was busy when I found out, then Peyton came over, so you guys found out first." Maya shrugged.