Polaroid

046

Haylee grinned when Paige and Dillon came over. She hugged them both tightly. She missed her big brother more than she cared to admit. Haylee lingered in his hug. Dillon gently rubbed her back and kissed her forehead. They FaceTimed every single day.

"I love you," Dillon mumbled into her hair.

"I love you too. Thank you for everything these last several months."

"Of course. You're my baby sister."

"Gimme my Hayls!" Paige pushed Dillon away before giving her a tight hug, "how my little one doing?"

"Really well," Haylee smiled, "Dr. Kohler said that he or she is in the 90th percentile size wise, so quite large. I blame Jonah."

"I hear that at least three times a week," Jonah rolled his eyes.

"You know it's the truth!" Haylee bat his arm.

"Haylee! You're just glowing!" McKenzie came over with Jess and Julia.

"Aw thank you!" She hugged them tightly as Jonah walked over to talk to a few of his teammates.

"You're how far along now?" Jess asked.

"21 weeks so just over halfway there," she smiled.

"Oh baby Arenado," Julia gently rubbed her stomach.

"How do you feel?" McKenzie asked.

"Finally feeling better."

"I'm so glad!"

"Is Kellyn with Emerson?" Haylee looked around.

"He sure is. Em is so excited for his Aunt Hayls."

Haylee smiled as they talked. It was great to catch up with them. She was happy that so many of the Rapids and Nuggets players were able to come out to celebrate with her and Jonah.

Haylee spotted her parents hanging back on the outskirts. She excused herself and took a deep breath as she walked over to them. She forced a soft smile. She sat down at the table they were at.

"Hi, thanks for coming."

"Of course. We wouldn't miss this," Tyler nodded.

"How are you feeling?" Ashlyn asked.

"Much better. I had terrible morning sickness or as Jonah called it, 'all day sickness' but it seems to have gone away."

"You look fantastic. How far along are you?" Ashlyn tilted her head.

"21 weeks."

"That's it? Big baby," her eyes widened.

"Yeah," Haylee nodded awkwardly unsure what else to say.

"Do you have a preference for boy or girl?"

"I think I'd like a girl," Haylee smiled rubbing her bump.

"Girls are fun," Ashlyn smiled.

"I think it would be fun. Jonah's going to be an amazing father. He takes such good care of us."

"I'm glad," Tyler nodded.

"Well I have a lot of other people to say hi to, so I'll see you later," Haylee stood up.

She walked around and chatted with her work friends. Haylee had missed them a lot. She missed her job, but Haylee agreed that it was good for her to take a bit of a break. She would be rejoining them for the play offs starting the next week.