"Steve, honey, you do know you won't be able to feel anything this early on" DJ pointed out.
The couple were laying in bed facing each other, DJ's cotton pajama top pulled up as she watched Steve gently rub her barely there bump. Or, as Steve affectionately called their growing baby- "little peanut"
It had been two weeks since her appointment, two days until the Memorial Day party in which the entire family would learn of their newest addition, and DJ's plan for telling the boys would be happening in less than 24 hours.
The man simply smiled and planted a soft kiss to her stomach. "I know"
It was beyond evident in Steve's every action since the moment he learned she was pregnant that he loved this baby so much already. The intense, unconditional love reserved for a father and his child.
"I can't wait to tell the boys tomorrow. It's been torture keeping this from them" Steve said while he continued his small, gentle strokes on her stomach.
"Me either. I'm just hoping they'll actually be happy about it" DJ replied.
"I'm sure they will be, sweetheart. And even if they're less than enthused, they'll eventually come around once the shock wears off" Steve reassured her.
DJ sighed contently, her nerves feeling a lot more at ease. "You're right. You always know just what to say to keep me calm" She yawned quietly, her eyelids fluttering.
"Anytime" Steve leaned forward, kissing her gently. "Now sleep."
Shortly after that, the two drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
The next morning after breakfast, DJ set her plan into motion. Jackson and Max were in their room occupied by their electronics when DJ and Steve, along with Tommy in Steve's arms, walked into the room.
With a smile, DJ held up a light grey toddler sized shirt that read "I may be little but I'm going to be a big brother" in navy blue bold lettering. "Hey boys, what do you think of this new shirt for Tommy?"
"It's fine."
"Fine."
Jackson and Max each absentmindedly replied without even bothering to look up.
"Seriously? You guys didn't even look!" said DJ.
Reluctantly, they both put their devices down and looked up.
Max caught on a little faster than Jackson. "Wait a minute - big brother? Mom are you saying...you're PREGNANT?!"
Jackson's eyes widened in surprise.
Steve smiled as he watched their reactions unfold.
"Shhh. Not so loud, sweetie. I don't want everyone else knowing just yet" DJ responded as she shut the door and moved closer to them.
"To answer your question though, yes. I'm pregnant. You boys are going to have a new baby brother or sister come January."
"Holy chalupas, another baby?! I'm having heart palpitations. I think I need to lie down for a while until I can process all of this" Max dramatically fainted backwards on his bed. The middle Fuller was always known for his signature theatrics.
"Woah.." Jackson said with a spaced out look in his eyes.
"What honey? How do you feel about this?" DJ asked her oldest son.
"I don't know I just - I guess I figured that ship had sailed a long time ago for you but hey - who am I to judge?" Jackson said with a shrug. DJ shot him a look of disapproval. "Congrats, guys. Not changing any diapers though"
"Love that enthusiasm, Jackson" DJ quipped sarcastically. However, she was relieved at how well this was going so far.
Max spoke up again. "But seriously though. Did we really need another baby added to this family? First there was Tommy, then Pamela, then we got double the headaches with Aunt Steph's twins, what - a year ago now? And now this? What are we doing? Trying to give the Duggar family a run for their money?!"
DJ and Steve couldn't help but laugh at Max's rant. They could admit he wasn't exactly wrong.
Once the laughter died down, DJ turned her attention to Tommy. "What do you think, my sweet Tommy? Are you ready to be a big brother?"
Tommy gave a thumbs up. "You got it dude" DJ could only hope that he would keep this same attitude as the months progressed.
"Okay, group hug. Let's bring it in, boys." DJ announced, opening her arms. Steve, Jackson, Max and Tommy all gathered around in a warm embrace.
And it was in that very moment that the unbreakable bond they each shared somehow, all at once, strengthened and became entirely new.
DJ was up bright and early the next morning to ensure that the Memorial Day get together would go off without a hitch. The kitchen and outdoor area were decorated in a very patriotic theme of red, white, and blue, and most of the food was already cooked.
Not only was she in planning and organizing mode, she was also in "no slip ups about being pregnant" mode around Steph or Kimmy while they organized said party, which was proving to be quite difficult.
Two of the most important women in her life, her sister and her best friend, were two women who she told absolute everything to. And as they went on with mundane conversations that made the tedious task of chopping potatoes seem to fly by, DJ wanted nothing more than to jump up on the kitchen table and announce the big news to them.
It would certainly be a way more interesting topic of discussion than their current venting on the subject of women's bikinis and the fact that you had to pay for both the top and bottom instead of the whole thing as one price.
Later on that day, Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky were the first to arrive for the party along with Nicky, Alex, and little Pamela.
When they walked into the kitchen, Jesse put Pamela down and she began looking around.
"Where cousins?" the toddler asked.
"They're all playing in the backyard, sweetie" DJ said with a smile. There was a slip n slide, inflatable pool, as well as water guns that would hopefully guarantee the adults at least a couple of hours to themselves.
"Yayyy!" Pamela exclaimed happily as she ran out the back door.
"Hey Nick and Alex why don't you guys go out there too and entertain the kids?" Becky suggested.
"Entertain the kids? What are we, clowns?" Nicky argued.
"Do you really want us to answer that?" Jesse responded jokingly.
Nicky and Alex were in a sort of awkward stage where they were adults, but didn't feel quite adult enough to sit around in the kitchen with their parents and older cousins, but also didn't feel young enough to hangout with the kids either.
However, since there was a slip n slide involved that neither twin could resist, they ended up in the backyard as well.
"You girls absolutely must try my Watermelon Sangrias. I found this recipe online and it's super refreshing and delicious" said Becky as she sat her bags down.
"Ooh that sounds delicious" Stephanie replied.
"Yeah definitely. Bring on the spirits and plenty of them!" Kimmy agreed.
DJ remained quite, merely offering a slight smile.
"Lasagna may not be her strong suit, but your Aunt Beck can make a mean watermelon sangria that's for sure" Uncle Jesse chimes in. Becky responded with an elbow to his side. "Oww!" Jesse winced.
"So, how's everything going with your new job on The Gab?" DJ asked Aunt Becky, attempting to shift the conversation away from alcohol.
"Great so far. Vicky is an excellent co-host and the crew is really great to work with." Becky beamed proudly.
"That's great. I'm so happy for you" DJ replied as she put the finished potato salad in the refrigerator to chill.
"So where's our favorite human vacuum?" Jesse asked.
DJ chuckled lightly. "Steve's at the grocery store fixing our apparent chip shortage." She remembered what he told her earlier "The chip to guest ratio can make or break a party, Deej"
The baby monitor that sat on the table lit up with the sounds of crying coming from the basement bedroom.
"Sounds like the girls are awake. Be right back" Stephanie said as she got up from the table.
A couple minutes later, Stephanie came back up the stairs, this time carrying her one year old twin baby girls, Lyric and Melody, freshly awake from their nap and rubbing the sleepy from their eyes.
They each wore a red white and blue romper with matching headbands complete with a bow that stood out atop their tiny blonde curls.
"Aww there's my little nieces looking as precious as ever. Come to Aunt Becky" The older woman cooed with her arms stretched open towards the twins.
Stephanie smiled as she handed the girls to Becky. It was just her with the babies that weekend, since Jimmy was on a photography assignment in Fresno. It was his first since the babies were born and she had insisted that he take it.
Next to arrive was Joey along with his wife and four children. No announcement was needed, considering everyone could hear them before they even came through the door.
"Hey guys, nice to see you. The kids are all in the back" DJ explained as she guided Joey's brood towards the backyard like a crossing guard at a school.
DJ then turned her attention back to Joey and his wife Ginger. "Umm excuse me? What is all this? You were only supposed to bring the fish"
Joey held a large bag that seemed to have come from one of the local firework pop-up shops. "We did. And we also brought a little extra something something. Ginger has a few tricks up her sleeves for later tonight" He explained.
"No wait there literally is something up my sleeve" Ginger said as she began pulling an American flag patterned scarf from the sleeve of her shirt. "When does it end?!" She crooned dramatically.
"Is she a class act or what?" Joey stated proudly.
"Cut. It. Out." The couple said in unison. "Jinx! Buy me a coke!"
"Hey Beck, you might wanna get a move on with those drinks. God knows we're gonna it need with the Gladstone's here...Gladstoning up the place" Jesse said.
Becky got her ingredients out and began with the first step, slicing the watermelon. "Hey Deej, when I'm finished you can be the first to judge"
It had become a tradition between Becky and DJ to be the first to try each other's dishes, or in this case a drink, and give an honest opinion.
"Oh no, that's okay. Maybe Kimmy could do it?" DJ replied.
"I gladly volunteer as tribute!" Kimmy exclaimed.
"Calm down, Kimmy. It's a drink not the hunger games" Stephanie replied shaking her head.
"Hey, you don't get to make fun of me. Remember who carried those little miracles of yours for nine whole months?" Kimmy pointed out. She never failed to pull the surrogacy card whenever it was convenient and of course it worked every single time.
Stephanie sighed. "Yes. Yes you did and like I've always told you, I am eternally grateful. We're bonded for life, sister."
"And don't you forget it!" Kimmy said as she rummaged through the drawer for her special drinking straw.
When Becky was finished making the drink, Kimmy was first in line. She took a sip with her crazy straw. "Sweet cheese, that is delicious!"
"I'm glad you like it Kimmy" Becky laughed.
DJ pretended to occupy herself with other things while everyone else made themselves a drink.
"Deej, aren't you gonna have some?" Becky questioned her oldest niece.
DJ waved her off. "Not right now, maybe a little later"
Becky found it a little strange but decided to shrug it off.
Shortly after that, Steve came back from the store.
"Our chip crisis has been averted, everyone!" He said, lifting up four bags that contained various types of chips.
Fernando and Ramona came in behind Steve. "Is the food ready yet? I'm starrrvinggg" Fernando whined.
"Really, Papá? You just ate like an hour ago" said Ramona.
"Well, I'm hungry again!" Fernando replied, crossing his arms.
Steve greeted DJ with a kiss, and she had to pull his hand back that now naturally went towards her belly in order to not draw attention.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea began to creep into the back of DJ's throat. She realized it was the fish. Not because it was rancid, but this pregnancy had caused her an aversion to any types of seafood.
"Joey can you please take that fish outside? Thank you" DJ said as she scrunched up her nose and turned away to grab her water bottle and take a sip.
Everyone else was talking amongst themselves and hadn't noticed what had just transpired. Everyone, of course, except the ever perceptive Aunt Becky.
Becky came up close to DJ , pulling her aside and whispered into her ear. "How far along are you?"
DJ jumped, slightly startled. "W- what? How'd you figure it out?"
"Well, first you wouldn't try my drink and then I see that you got nauseous over the smell of that fish. Not to mention, you have a certain glow about you. I mean, you've had a glow ever since you and Steve got back together - but this is different." Becky explained.
DJ sighed. Of course Becky would figure it out, she'd already been through it twice before. "To answer your question, I'm eight weeks today." She said quietly.
Becky grinned happily, gently grasping DJ's shoulders. "Deej, oh my gosh, congratulations!"
DJ returned the smile. "Thank you. But you can't say anything. Only Steve and the boys know right now and I plan on telling everyone later on while we eat."
Becky did the zipped lips gesture. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me"
Danny and Vicky were the last to arrive.
"There you guys are! Finally!" DJ said, greeting them both with a hug.
"Yeah, Dad, we were tempted to start without ya" said Stephanie.
"Hey, I'm old. I'm allowed to show up late to things now" said Danny.
"Oh, hush. You aren't that old" Vicky replied with a chuckle.
"Thanks, honey. You keep me young that's for sure" Danny replied, kissing his girlfriend.
"Okay okay enough of that. Let's eat!" Stephanie interrupted.
The food was laid out perfectly on the outdoor table adorned with a blue and white table cloth. There was grilled chicken and fish, ribs, burgers, hot dogs for the kids, pasta salad, baked beans, grilled corn, chips and guacamole, and for desert- festive vanilla cupcakes and a strawberry rhubarb layer cake. It was a feast that fit perfectly for a large family such as theirs.
The sun was beginning to set and there were tiki torches lit to keep the mosquitoes away.
Ginger Gladstone gave a show along with their dinner by doing various magic tricks with the sparklers they'd brought.
After twenty minutes or so of talking and laughter among guests, it was time for the big reveal.
DJ gave a gentle squeeze to Steve's hand before the both stood up. She used a fork to tap her glass of lemonade to get everyone's attention.
"Attention, family! Steve and I have an important announcement to make" DJ said.
Becky smiled knowingly while everyone else seemed confused.
"Life as we know it is about to change forever. A new life is on the way..." DJ started. "And I need for everyone to look up at the sky...right...now!"
Right at that moment, the sky illuminated with fireworks. However, these weren't just any ordinary fireworks. In the sky read "Baby Hale Coming January 2019" in silver sparkles. Max stood off to the side taking photos just as his mom instructed him earlier.
"I gotta admit honey that's way cooler than what we had planned" Joey whispered to Ginger.
With mouths agape in pure surprise, everyone turned their attention back to the proud parents.
The family immediately began circling them with hugs and word of congratulations.
Stephanie smiled with tears in her eyes as she hugged her sister. "I cannot believe you kept this from me! How rude!"
"And me! Your BFF!" Kimmy joined in, making it a group hug.
"Believe me, it was so hard" DJ replied as she hugged the both of them.
Danny came up to her next. "You're making me a grandpa again? I was just now getting used to those two" The older man pointed to Stephanie's girls who sat on a blanket each ravishing a cupcake.
Stephanie shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Really Dad?"
Danny hugged both DJ and Steve. "Congratulations you two. Steve, you're going to make an excellent father. I just know it"
Steve smiled. "Thank you, sir. That means the world to me coming from you"
The rest of the night consisted of celebration, laughter, and plenty of love beyond comprehension.