Seth came back downstairs, Cooper in his arms, followed by a sleepy Taylor.
"This baby is taking so much out of me," she complained. "I'm tired all the time!" Seth smiled understandably.
"The last two weeks, Summer couldn't even move. She just lay in bed, expecting me to wait on her hand and foot."
"Which you did," Taylor replied. "You weakling."
"You're just jealous that Ryan isn't as sensitive as I am. He doesn't have my soul."
"Seth, I am not in the mood to banter with you," Taylor sighed. She finally made it to the couch, collapsing into the cushions. "I am not moving for the rest of the weekend."
"Hey, Taylor, have you and Ryan decided on a name yet?" Summer asked from her spot by the tree.
"We have a few in mind, but no final decisions yet," Taylor explained.
"Are you planning on telling us if it's a boy or a girl?" Seth asked.
"Nope. It's a secret!" Taylor said, a hint of her playful self back in her tired voice. "Hey, is anyone in the kitchen?"
"Yeah, Sophie and Steve are…we told them to make sure dinner didn't burn," Summer explained.
"Great-" They were interrupted by the front door opening.
"Hello? Anyone home? We're back!" Sandy's voice called from the front hall. A chorus of greetings welcomed them into the small house. "It smells great in here!"
"Hi guys!" Kirsten entered behind her husband. "How's it going?" She made the rounds, kissing everyone. Her family was not together nearly enough, and she took advantage of times like these to shower her kids with affection. Ryan and the twins entered from the backyard, Ryan looking worse for wear. He returned Kirsten's hug and went over to the couch, placing a kiss on Taylor's forehead.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Like we shouldn't have had that amazing night eight months ago. As fun as it was, I want to kill you right now," she answered.
'Ah, there you are," said Ryan, smiling. She rolled her eyes.
"So, Taylor, when should we expect dinner?" Kirsten asked, placing her keys in down.
"Not sure - ask Sophie. I officially relinquished kitchen duties to her and Steve," Taylor said, settling herself deeper into the couch.
"We thought around 7:30? I think the Julie and Kaitlyn and Max were going to get here around 7 or so," Summer said.
"Wait – Max is coming?" Sophie said, as she entered the living room from the kitchen. She turned to her mother, "I thought you said he was staying at school for break!" Kirsten shrugged.
"Honey, that's what Julie told me. I guess he changed his mind," she explained. Sophie turned and headed back to the kitchen, muttering to herself.
"Oh, snap," said Seth. Summer swiped at his arm.
"Oh, snap!" said Jake, causing his brother to repeat him, which evolved into them yelling the phrase at the top of their lungs and running around in circles.
"What charming children you have, son," Sandy commented over the noise.
"Why, thank you, father," Seth replied.
"Who's up for drinks?" Kirsten asked. Five hands shot up. "Other than Taylor." Four hands remained in the air. "Okay, I'll be right back!"
"I'll come with you," said Sandy, heading into the kitchen with his wife.