Teresa Stewart was studiously chopping green onions for potato salad, putting far too much concentration into the simple task. But she was also distracted with her own thoughts, and while she went about her work the conversation around her drifted in and out of awareness.
"Oh my Lord. It must be getting warm outside," Tara was muttering, and Teresa raised her eyes to the kitchen sink where she was staring out the window. As she watched her best friend and former boss, Val, joined Tara at the sink and they both surveyed the back yard of Jax and Tara's house.
"Jesus," Val muttered, turning to Teresa. "You are one very lucky lady, Teresa. I knew Juice was in shape but …" her head swivelled back to the window. "Damn."
Teresa felt herself smile, wiping green onion from the side of the blade, scooping up the fruits of her labour and tossing them onto the bowl of potato salad in front of her. Her husband was gorgeous, Teresa had thought so the first time she ever saw him. His smile was the first thing to strike her, his eyes second, and as she got to know him better his body was the definite third physical attribute she appreciated.
Yeah, Juice was hot. She knew that very well.
Teresa got to her feet, pushing her way between the two women. "Stop drooling over my man. Don't make me take you down," she joked, hitting her shoulder into Val's.
Tara laughed. "There's a lot of man meat on display right now."
They were putting together a trampoline for Thomas and Abel, and it was a hot day. Juice had taken off his shirt, and Teresa had to grin. She'd never get tired of seeing him like that. Jax had likewise stripped down, and even Happy was shirtless in the sun. Chibs had kept a white wife-beater on, Teresa suspected because he wasn't quite equipped to handle sun coming from Scottish stock and all.
"Jax isn't much to sneeze at either," Teresa muttered.
"I know," Tara said with nothing short of a pleased smile. "I don't know how. He smokes, drinks beer and rides a bike. That's his fitness plan."
"He's got abs for fuck's sake," Val pointed out. "How? How do any of them stay in good shape?"
"Lean and mean," Teresa mumbled, thinking that it probably applied to Happy more than anyone else.
"Chibs has the physique of a teenager," Val said absently. "He eats absolutely everything, doesn't gain an ounce. Just stays all thin and lanky. Take away the gray hair and he's a high school student with a lot of tattoos."
"He's strong though," Teresa came unnecessarily to Chibs' defense. "Wiry."
Val laughed, putting her arm around Teresa. "Honey, I am not complaining about my husband in the least. A teenager's physique means a teenager's stamina."
Tara burst into laughter and Teresa's face went pink. She was getting more and more used to how openly everyone spoke, but when it came to Chibs for some reason it was like hearing someone talk about her father's sex life. Even if he was married to her friend.
They continued to watch menfolk wrestle with nylon canvas, netting, pipe, springs, and vague instructions on a large sheet of paper for a moment before Teresa blurted out what had been occupying her thoughts.
"I'm pregnant," she said softly, eyes still on her husband. She felt the two women turn to look at her, even heard Val gasp. "He wants to tell everyone later on, but I wanted to tell you two."
"Teresa, congratulations!" Tara was saying, but Teresa was mostly aware of Val suddenly and tightly hugging her. Her hands smoothed up Teresa's back then back down again, and Teresa felt the deep breath Val took.
"I am so happy for you," she whispered, and Teresa felt her own throat constrict and bit as she hugged Val back.
Val and Chibs were trying to get pregnant, Teresa knew that. It had been a few years with no success, but they were both in remarkably good spirits about it. Chibs had a grown daughter and Val had Mickey, after all. But Teresa was really hoping that they got the chance to raise a little person that was the best of both of them.
Teresa wiped her eyes before Tara hugged her next, congratulating her again. Then, arms around each other, they looked out the window again.
"Is he excited?" Tara asked.
Teresa grinned. "Ecstatic. He's already picked out the crib." She felt the women laugh at that, Val also wiping away tears. "We've got boy and girl names picked out. I just can't wait to meet him or her."
"Neither can I," Val whispered, resting her head on Teresa's shoulder.
"I'm a bit scared," Teresa admitted.
"You should be," Tara replied. "It's a totally new world. But you don't have to be scared that you're doing it alone."
"Exactly," Val chimed in. "We're here. And you know Gemma's going to be around to help. Whether you want it or not."
"That's what I'm scared of," Teresa joked.
More quiet contemplation before Val said, "He'll make a good dad."
"Absolutely," Tara agreed, squeezing Teresa around the waist. "That kid is going to be so loved."
Teresa nodded, her husband catching sight of her through the glass right then. His smile hit her just as strong as it always did, how she hoped it always would, then he went back to the task at hand. Teresa had to smile, tightening her arms around her friends. "Thanks guys," she mumbled. "Love you guys."
"You too babe," Val answered.
"Love you too," Tara assured her.
The warm feeling in her belly got stronger, and Teresa let go of Val to put her hand to her abdomen. When she did it, Val pressed her hand on top of Teresa's. "We're all family, sweetheart," Val said softly. "You're never alone, you're never scared. Got it?"
Teresa's lip quivered a bit, then she nodded with conviction. "Got it."