The Baby Shower

It was a warm summer's day in Beverly Hills. The Holograms were busy getting the house in order for Jerrica's surprise baby shower. The entire living room was set up with everything baby related items such as bottles, diapers and rattles. Gifts had been flown in from Paris courtesy of the Countess and Regine since they weren't able to attend. Minx and Shana decorated the buffet table with chocolate covered cigars surrounding the plethora of chicken fingers, an exotic fruit tray, turkey wrap sandwiches and a garden salad that they had catered. Raya and Aja were in charge of the guest list and games for the day. Since it was a surprise they all arranged for Kimber to bring Jerrica over to the house and instructed for the party guests to arrive an hour prior to her being there.

"Shh, here she comes," Minx said. As everyone hid in the background quietly, they could hear Jerrica and Kimber coming to the door.

"Kimber, what is this all about and why are all these cars here?" she asked.

"Come on sis, stop with all the questions and come inside," Kimber said cheerfully as Jerrica entered the mansion.

"SURPRISE!" everyone yelled.

Jerrica dressed in a Betsy Johnson turquoise maxi dress that showed off her baby bump with trendy BCBG silver gladiator sandals put her hands to her face in shock as she is startled by everyone.

"Well this is quite a surprise…a baby shower!" Jerrica said. "You guys didn't have to do this. Riot and I have a lot of baby stuff already. So much half of it is going to our Malibu mansion that we're building."

"Well you are the first out all of us to get pregnant so we are going to party like the rock stars we are," said Danse who comes over to hug her. "Wow, you're all belly. How far along are you?

"I'm about seven months," she replied. "I feel so fat though and I still have trouble fitting into some of my clothes. But thanks to Shana and stores like Pea in a Pod, I have been able to manage."

"Well it pays to have friends and stores like that," Danse said.

"Congratulations again Jerrica," Minx said happily as she came over to hug her. "Riot has never been happier or more excited about this baby. Do you know what you are going to name him or her?"

"Thank you, Minx, but no we don't know what we are going to name the baby yet," she replied. "Hopefully when he or she gets here then we'll know."

"Oh, I hope it's a girl," Minx replied. "Don't tell him I told you but he is secretly hoping that it's a girl. You know how he loves the ladies."

"Yes, I know," Jerrica giggled. "But we'll see in the next couple of weeks."

As the party went on, everyone mingled and expressed their happiness to Jerrica. Even Jetta, Stormer and Roxy came to show their support as well as bringing in a stroller full of baby gifts. Then everyone gasped when Craig, Anthony and Riot showed up.

"Look who's here Jerrica," Danse said cheerfully as she motioned toward the door.

"Baby!" she yelled as she ran up to him. "I didn't know you were coming."

"I know because it was a surprise for you. I wasn't supposed to tell," he replied. "Whoa, look at the gifts. Shana wasn't joking."

"I know right. We are so truly blessed to have friends that love and support us," she replied.

"Well, let's see what kind of taste they all have," he giggled as he led her to the living room. Everyone proceeded to the room behind Jerrica and Riot as they both sat in the two chairs designated for them. They began to open up the mountain of gifts that everyone brought. From a handmade cradle to pacifiers, clothes, booties, and a lifetime supply of diapers. As Jerrica, continued to open gifts, Pizzazz barges into the room.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. Congratulations Jerrica!" she exclaimed.

"Pizzazz, we didn't expect to see you here." Jerrica replied.

"Yeah, I thought you said you weren't going to be able to make it," Stormer said.

"I changed my mind. I thought that I would bring the happy couple a baby gift," she said as she handed them a Tiffany & Co. bag.

"Thank you, Pizzazz, but you really didn't have to," Jerrica smiled as she took the gift from her hand. "Well have a seat. Everyone is here and there is plenty of food. Help yourself!"

Pizzazz simply smiled at her and then looked in Riot's direction. "Ok, I will. Lead the way to the buffet."

"Nice to see you Pizzazz. It's nice that you've decided to come to the shower." Riot said scathingly as he forced a smile.

"Well, I wouldn't have missed this for the world…Rory," she smirked as she walked over to the buffet table.

"It's okay, honey. She's harmless and plus all of our friends are here to celebrate our baby," Jerrica said rubbing his cheek. "Let just get back to opening the gifts!"

He nodded and smiled at her but not before looking in Pizzazz's direction with an evil eye. He began to feel uncomfortable with her presence and during all the commotion of Jerrica opening gifts he would have flashbacks of that night and early that morning.

Afterwards, Jerrica went to get something to eat and mingled with the guests. Pizzazz sneaks up behind her to talk.

"Jerrica, you look so…so cute in this dress. So is Riot ready for fatherhood? I'm sure that this will tame the wild beast in him," Pizzazz joked.

"Um…Pizzazz, he is excited about this baby but I really don't appreciate the sarcasm. This is supposed to be a happy occasion and…"

"Babe, I need to speak with Pizzazz for a minute. Excuse us!" Riot interrupted as he walked her out to the veranda so that no one could hear. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Oh, stop acting like you don't want to see me," she teased. "I only came over because I wanted to give Jerrica a baby gift and I couldn't stop thinking about you, your lips, you're…."

"Pizzazz, please stop it. I really don't want to think about last night. Jerrica is so happy right now and I don't want her to see my demeanor change because of your presence," he said angrily. "So please do us a favor and leave, for me at least."

"No, your fiancée asked me to stay and I am doing just that. Don't get mad at me because you can't control yourself," she laughed wickedly. "You just keep your composure and nothing will happen. Trust me! I don't want her to know anything. I mean…it would literally crush her to find out the man that she has fallen for is nothing but a liar and a cheat. Plus in her condition, she doesn't need the stress. It could cause complications which may cause you two to lose the baby."

Riot lunged at Pizzazz grabbing both her arms tightly. "Hey, you're hurting me!" she yelled.

"I don't care. You listen to me, don't you go near Jerrica or tell anyone in there about what happened last night. Do we have an understanding?" he said as he looked at her.

She nodded stiffly as he loosened his grip. "Now, let's go back inside so that you can say your goodbyes, okay."

"Alright, I'll leave but um, I will want to have one more round sometime soon. Who knows how long I will want to keep this a secret."

"Pizzazz it will be in your best interest to keep this a secret. You have just as much to lose as I do. Remember, your group's contract is about to expire and I may not want to renew it. Without the label, the Misfits are nothing and no other label is crazy enough to sign you. So keep that in mind when you say goodbye," he snapped.

Pizzazz glared at him as she turned her head and walked back inside the house. She did what he asked her to do and politely left. Jerrica noticed the way that he looked at her and made a mental note to ask him about it later at home.

After Riot sent Pizzazz packing, he went back to join his friends.

"Hey since you all have opened all the gifts we're going to take Riot over to the club for his own shower." Anthony said to Jerrica.

"Please do. He seems a little tense and I think some time away from all this would do him some good," replied Jerrica. "But make sure he doesn't get too carried away, I want him back in one piece."

"Will do!" Anthony said as he left to round up the other guys.

Riot unaware of what was going on was full of questions as Sean and the rest of the guys led him to truck.

"What's going on and where am I going?" he asked.

"You'll see. Just come on!" Anthony said as they all piled into his truck.

When they got to the Diamond 8 club, they all entered to see that the place was decked out with balloons followed by massage chairs, a barber along with the bar ready at their disposal. "Whoa, what gives?" Riot asked. "Did Jerrica have something to do with this?"

"Yeah she did. She put it together and we helped with all of the other arrangements. Do you like?" Anthony asked.

"This is really nice. Thanks guys." Riot gushed.

"No problem man," said Sean. "Now this is what I call a shower for men. Plus, Jerrica figured that this would be better for us so that we wouldn't be around all the women today. It's like a man's way to celebrate the baby."

"Plus, you looked like you needed this. You looked overwhelmed at the all the baby stuff you guys was getting. Are you sure that you are ready for this?" Jeff asked. "Both your lives are about to change."

Riot could only nod at Jeff's response. In the back of his mind he knew that his life was going to change…drastically. He thought that his love for Jerrica would be strong enough that he would be able to handle it but had constant thoughts about what Pizzazz would say to him. For the last three months, Riot's uncertainty about becoming a father was affecting him and now with his deception he felt like he was falling into a black hole.

"Hey, man what'a wrong with you? You've been sort of distant today. What gives?" Anthony asked. "Especially when Pizzazz showed up and how she left abruptly, what's up with that?"

"You would not believe what happened to me last night," Riot said.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Anthony, this could destroy my relationship with Jerrica. I'm so afraid of what it would do to her, especially with her being pregnant," he said solemnly.

"Riot, you can tell me. It won't go anywhere. What happened?"

As he told his friend the horrid story of his drunken night with Pizzazz, he looked at him with great concern.

"Whoa, so did you really sleep with her….I mean for real?" he asked looking repulsed. "Pizzazz has been around the block and around the world. She is notorious for her flings."

"I know." Riot replied. "What I'm I going to do?"

"I don't know. Can you trust her not to say anything? " Anthony replied.

"No. I know that she will want to expose this for her advantage."

"Pizzazz thrives off of controversy which she knows will not only help sell her group's album but put the spotlight on her. Not to mention, she is jealous with envy about your relationship with Jerrica. You know she has had it in for you for a while." Anthony said.

"I know and she till this day will not take a hint. I have had nights like this before. I mean you know various tryst with groupies but ever since I got involved with Jerrica, its different and I don't want anything to jeopardize it especially when it's dealing with Pizzazz," he said.

"Look this may sound a bit crazy but do you think you were drugged?" Anthony asked. "Pizzazz is known for being a sometimes recreational drug user and she likes to spike drinks from what I've heard. Hell, I've even seen her take a couple of lines before at a couple of parties."

"I don't think so. I mean I was really drunk when I left the Tavern last night. I just remember waking up this morning in her bed with clothes and condoms all over the place. It's a nightmare come true!"

"So, what are you going to do? Are you going to tell Jerrica about last night because Pizzazz is not the type of woman that is going to keep something like this a secret for long?" Anthony asked.

"I don't know. I have already had a talk with Pizzazz but she can be very sneaky, so I am going to have to keep my guard up. As far as Jerrica is concerned, I am going to have to play the waiting game for now at least until the baby comes," Riot explained.

"Riot, you're going to have to tell her at some point. I think you should tell her because if Pizzazz and the press get wind of this it won't be pretty." Anthony replied. "But I understand if you want to play it safe for now. Just be careful my man."

"I know," he replied.

"Pizzazz has been known for her, shall I say womanly ways. I wouldn't put it past her if she was doing this to get her hooks in you," Anthony said. "Just watch your back."

Riot nodded as he as thanked him for the advice. "Hey, let's change the subject and get back to enjoying the man shower that my fiancée has prepared for us. I won't be able to live it down if she finds out that we didn't."

"I'm down with that!" Anthony said as he reached for a Budweiser and sat in the massage chair looking at ESPN Sports Center.

For the next two hours the guys kicked it at the club. They did everything from play pool to poker all while being pampered by the masseuse. Then after having several rounds of drinks, Anthony pulled the truck up to the front for them to head back to the mansion.

"Hey we need to get out of here and start loading up the stuff in the truck. So let's bounce!" Anthony yelled.

When they got back to the mansion, Riot started packing up the gifts in the back of his truck alongside Craig and the other guys. Unfortunately, they could only get half the stuff in so Anthony and Craig volunteered to load up some stuff in Anthony's Yukon.

"Man, you two really cleaned up today. This child will not need or want for anything," Anthony laughed.

"I know. Riot, you and Jerrica are really lucky. But my question is where you are going to put all this stuff. Your place isn't that big." Craig said.

"The penthouse has four bedrooms actually. We recently moved our music room downstairs so that the room next to us would be baby's room so that we would have it near us and the rest of it will go to our home in Malibu when its finished." he replied. "We also plan to donate some to charity because it's really no need for all of this in both our houses.

"Are you guys ever going to find out what you're having before the birth?" Sean asked.

"Well, we talked about it but we feel that we should wait and be surprised when it comes. But in all honesty, I think we're having a girl," he said.

"What makes you say that?" asked Jeff.

"The last time we were at the doctor, she almost slipped out the baby's sex during the ultrasound. Jerrica didn't pick up on it but I did and from what I saw on the screen the baby didn't have an additional arm growing downstairs but I could be wrong," he said as they all laughed.

While the guys were outside, the party was beginning to wind down inside. Minx and Rapture had left, along with Stormer, Roxy and Jetta. Then after that, no one was left expect for the usual suspects. Jerrica sat down in the recliner and put her feet up.

"I am so tired," she said. "And I didn't do anything but eat and open gifts."

"Well that was you're job silly. It was all about you today, oh and Mr. Macho outside." Kimber replied.

"Jerrica, in two months you'll be a mom. Can you believe it?" Raya said.

"It's starting to hit me more and more everyday," she exclaimed. "I just can't wait till it gets here."

"Alright Jerrica, you have stop calling it "it" and find out the sex of the baby." Aja said. "Calling the baby it, is just so…so wrong."

Everyone laughed at her response. "Aja, we want to be surprised. Besides we'll know in a couple of weeks what the baby is."

"If you say so. Hey, where are you two going to put all this stuff?" asked Shana.

"Well, some at the penthouse, in our Malibu home and then we're going to give some to charity. We're even going to have a nursery crib at both our offices. That way we can have time with the baby."

"Well you to seem to have everything planned out. I just can't wait for the baby to get here," Raya replied.

"I know. Where is Riot?" Jerrica asked as she rubbed her belly. "We have dinner plans and I am ready to go."

"I think he and the rest of the guys are outside packing the stuff in the truck. I know I saw Sean and Jeff out there with them a minute ago," Kimber said. "I'll go outside and let them know."

Kimber walks outside and sees the guys out front talking and laughing.

"I hate to end you all's fun right now but Jerrica's tired and ready to go. So can I get you all to come inside please?" she asked playfully.

"Alright Kimber," Sean yelled as she went back inside. They all followed right behind her as Riot went over to Jerrica.

"Ready, my love?" he asked as he grabbed her hands and pulled her up from the chair.

"Yes, I'm ready to go home."

They all hugged and said their goodbyes to everyone and left. On the way home, they talked and laughed about all the gifts they received. Riot made arrangements to have the gifts removed from his truck and sent upstairs when they got home. While Jerrica was in the shower, he ordered some take-out from Mr. Chow's and flipped on the television.

"I thought we were going to go out to dinner," she said as she came downstairs.

"I know but I thought that we could spend the rest of the evening here together…alone!" he said slyly as he took her in his arms. "I haven't had you to myself all day and I don't really feel like going out again."

"Me neither." she said as she kissed him. "Well, I'm hungry so let's dig in."

After they ate and cleaned up, they went upstairs to work on the nursery. They went through all the gifts and began to organize the still very pale room. They already had a crib, rocking chair and changing station already there but were now adding the two carriers, a diaper genie, a truck load of clothes and other various baby related things. When they were finished, Jerrica got into bed while he showered. When he was through, she was already asleep. He slowly got into bed, laid next to her and started rubbing her belly.

"You feel it moving," she said softly as she awoke.

"Did I wake the baby doing that?" he asked.

"No. The baby always moves."

"Is it uncomfortable?"

"No, just feeling it move lets me know that it's okay," she said as she turned over to look him in the face. "Honey, are you alright? You seemed distant today at the shower especially when Pizzazz showed up."

"It's nothing really. It's just I wanted today to be a happy day for you and I didn't want her interfering with that," he replied.

"Well, did you have a good time…at either shower I mean?"

"Yeah, I did. Thank you! We really had a great time. Did it seem as if I didn't?" he asked.

"Well, you were sort of sluggish but you got better throughout the day," she said. "If there is something bothering you know you can talk to me."

"I've just have a lot on my mind. Nothing that I can't handle," he replied. "Let's get some sleep okay."

Riot wanted nothing more than to tell her what happened but decided not to. Instead he kissed her on her forehead as they laid close to each other and slowly drifted off to sleep.

On the other side of town at Stormer's house, she, Roxy and Jetta had come back from the shower with Thai food and a couple of DVD's. They were sitting down for dinner when Pizzazz showed up at the door.

"Hey ladies, how was the rest of the baby shower?" she asked.

"It was really nice. It's too bad you couldn't stay longer, P." Jetta said.

"Yeah, why did you leave so quickly?' Roxy asked. "I mean as soon as you got there you left."

"Was it because you felt uncomfortable looking at Riot and Jerrica?" asked Stormer.

"It had something to do with it," Pizzazz explained. "But last night I…um shared a moment with a special someone the other night."

"What?!" they said in unison.

"What do you mean a special moment?" asked Roxy.

"Well, I was going to keep this to myself but I kinda had a very intimate night with someone!" she said.

"Okay Pizzazz. I think its time to have you committed," Jetta said.

"She's right." Stormer chimed in.

"I'm still stuck on the "kinda intimate part," Roxy said sarcastically. "Care to explain who this person was."

"Alright, it's like this. Last night, I went over to the Tavern for a drink and a familiar person was sitting in a secluded section of the bar. I asked if I could join him and he said yes. We had a couple of shots and drinks but he was to drunk to drive home, so I brought him home with me. One thing led to another and we made love."

"Pizzazz, are you serious?" Stormer asked. "You actually…."

"Here we go again. It only happened because the yank was under the influence. Liquor will do that to you," Jetta said looking repulsed. "So who was the lucky man this time?"

"I'd rather not say at the moment but you all will find out in due time."

"I'm sorry duckie, but I just don't believe it," Jetta said hesitantly. Then she looked at Pizzazz's facial expression which read uncertainty. "I knew it! What's the real story Phyllis? Is this one of your usual set ups?"

"Well Sheila, if you want to know the gory details. The man that I slept with is a very high profiled. I am not ready to expose his identity just yet." Pizzazz explained.

They all rolled there eyes as their friend gloated.

"Hey did you guys notice how Riot was acting so strangely at the shower today," Stormer said.

"I noticed that myself. That Pollyanna Princess is ruining his life and I will not stand for it. Riot is mine," she seethed.

"Um…wake up Pizzazz!" Roxy said. "Look we all know that you are deeply infatuated with this man and I think its time for you stop pining for him. It's not going to happen."

"Yeah, he and Jerrica are so in love. You should really move on," Stormer replied.

"Don't you guys understand? I can't move on. I have so much invested in this. I can't stop now," she said.

"What do you mean invested?" Roxy asked.

Pizzazz bit her lip as she knew that she had said too much. "Nothing! I'm going to daddy's now. I'll see you ladies in the morning," she said quickly as she left.

"What's up with her?" Jetta asked.

"Same ole, same ole!" they both said in unison.

"She's up to something again." Jetta replied

"Yeah, I know. I heard her and Eric talking about her going on the Harriet Horn show as a surprise guest next month," replied Roxy.

"Really! Riot and Jem are supposed to be on next month as well," Stormer said. "I hope that she isn't going on the same day as them."

"With Pizzazz, anything is possible." Roxy replied as she sat back down at the table to eat.