Thanks to all of my loyal readers that author alerted me and favorite both me and my story! This one is for you guys.

Brittany

"I feel like a water balloon…" I groan, tossing another shirt aside that wouldn't fit. I hear Alex laugh and I shoot him a glare. He flashes a goofy smile and runs his hands over my bare protruding stomach.

The baby kicks.

"A very beautiful water balloon," he smiles, kissing me. Suck-up. I sigh and complain,

"I have nothing to wear, Alex…nothing fits."

"Here," he says, opening the dresser in our bedroom and pulling out one of his shirts, "This should fit."

I take it and slip in on, frowning.

"See? It fits perfectly," he says, grabbing his keys off the dresser and kissing my cheek. "I gotta go; I'll see you after work."

I offer him a small smile and whisper, "I love you."

"Love you too," he replies, kissing my forehead and then my stomach before leaving. I smile, absently rubbing my stomach and calling Sierra. I need to go shopping for the party tomorrow since apparently I have nothing to wear.

"Sierra? Are you free? I need to go shopping." I tell her that I'll swing by her place and pick her up and I grab my car keys, heading out.

I drive to her house and sit in the driveway, waiting for her to come out. I never got the whole…rub your stomach when you're pregnant thing…but now I do. I guess you just need to experience it to understand.

Sierra comes out of the house and runs up to the car, slipping inside and giving my stomach a small rub, "Good morning, Sierra junior."

I roll my eyes, "Sierra, we don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet."

"So? I can hope for a girl, can't I?"

"Sure, Sierra," I reply, backing out of the driveway slowly and sighing silently. I told everyone that I didn't want to know the sex of the baby until the day he or she came, and I am sticking to that.

"So, are you ready for the shower tomorrow?" she asks, excitement in her voice. She is planning something, I can tell.

"I suppose," I reply, driving us to the nearest clothing store and parking. I start to get out and groan, grabbing the handle above my head to help hoist me out of the car.

"Here, Britt, let me help," Sierra got out and ran around the car, helping me out of the car. "You know, I don't really think it's a good idea for you to be driving right now…"

"Sierra, I'm fine, I'm just fat." She goes to object and I smirk.

"Alright, fine, be that way. Pregnant woman coming through!" she yells to everyone between the car and the store. They all stop and move out of the way. I can feel the warmth in my cheeks as she drags me into the store.

I spend a few minutes rifling through some dresses before she asks,

"How's Alex? I haven't seen him around much lately."

"He's fine, I guess…he's not home much anymore, he's trying to make some extra money before the baby arrives…taking extra shifts and working late…" Sierra stops looking at clothes and out of the corner of my eye I see her frowning. My eyes start to water.

"Oh, Britt…" Sierra says, stepping closer and hugging me awkwardly to the side. I wish she hadn't done that. Tears fall down my cheeks,

"I'm fine; it's just these stupid pregnancy hormones…"

"You're not fine," she replies, brushing away a tear on my cheek and making me face her. "After we find you something to wear for tomorrow I'm taking you out to lunch, and then ice cream. How's that sound?"

I choke out a laugh and nod, wiping away the last of my tears and sighing.

"We'll be lucky if we can find something that'll fit," I say, rubbing my stomach again, which was slightly stretching Alex's shirt.

"Oh, come on, you've barely even looked and you haven't tried anything on yet. How about this?" She holds up a pink maternity dress and I pretend to look thoughtful,

"Hmm, I don't know…does it come in size nine months?" She laughs and tosses the dress at me,

"Go and try it on."

"Fine, fine…" I reply, taking the dress into a dressing room and awkwardly changing into it. I swear…I'll never get used to having this enormous belly.

I come out a few minutes later and Sierra gives me an approving smile.

"So..?" I ask, doing a little clumsy twirl and looking in the full length mirror. Sierra comes up behind me and grins,

"Perfect." It's rare to find the perfect dress on the first try, so I take it as a good sign.

Sierra buys the dress, claiming it is an early baby shower gift. I have to admit, I'm glad that she paid…money has been a little tight lately. Even with Alex working two jobs, money is tight.

Sierra treats me to lunch and then ice cream…I finish what she doesn't. When we're done, we head back towards the car.

"Do you want me to come back to the house with you…keep you company?" she asks, but I shake my head.

"No, I think I'm just going to go lay down for a while…I'm pretty tired."

"Alright," she smiles, helping me into the car and getting in so I can drop her off. I drive her home and sit in her driveway for a minute again.

"Listen…let me know if you need anything, okay? Britt?" I nod,

"I will. Thanks for the dress."

"No problem girl, call me if you need me." She gets out and heads inside, and I drive off…drive home…alone…to an empty house.

I get home and go inside, throwing my keys onto the counter and raiding the refrigerator, hungry yet again, even though I just ate.

I find some little things to munch on and devour them quickly, then head to my room and lay down on the bed. It's weird how just going out for a few hours can make you physically exhausted.

I close my eyes and turn onto my side, lying on Alex's pillow. I breathe in his scent and sigh, letting myself fall asleep enveloped in my husband's scent.

So…Shall I continue or stop while I'm ahead? Does anyone want to read about the baby shower? Let me know!