"You know Erin, they make paint so that pregnant women can use them safely," said Abby to her best friend. "I don't have to not help paint upstairs. I don't know what Holtz is thinking."

"Cheyenne, David, and Zack have all agreed to come help us paint," said Erin. She handed over a stack of paperwork for Abby to sign. Abby took it and picked up a pen as her best friend continued talking. "Besides, it would be nice to have the baby's room finished for Christmas, don't you think? For the grandparents' visit."

Abby sighed loudly and put down the pen, propping her head against her fist.

"I can't believe Holtzmann was planning that without my knowledge."

"I'm sure she would have told you."

"I'd hope so, but there's planning and there's... planning," said Abby. "We'll have to get them hotel rooms, cook... You know Mom's not going to want to do takeout."

"Why not let them stay here? There's room."

"What? Where? In yours and Patty's rooms?"

"Abby, it's not like there's anything that terribly personal there if that's what you're worried about. And besides, Patty and I have been talking about completely moving out sometime in the near future. You and Holtz are going to need the space."

She looked at Abby and saw she was struggling with her thoughts.

"Abby, no."

"But-"

"We know that we can always stay," said Erin. "But it's time. We have homes."

Abby looked away.

"This place was a home for all of us when we needed it," said Erin, squeezing her shoulder. "And it still is. Patty and I just have a place to sleep elsewhere."

Abby sighed. "I know that, but there's just so much change lately. And someone all the sudden has decided to take a tumbling class while I'm trying to arrange my thoughts to say them."

Erin squeaked when she realized that Abby meant the baby.

"What is it like?" the redhead asked, looking interested. "Feeling something moving around inside of you."

"It's a little different each time so far," said Abby, looking down. "The first time it was like a swoosh, like moving underwater. The second time it felt like little kicks maybe. The third was almost like popcorn popping. This morning I thought they might be rolling around. And this time it sort of like they were tumbling in a circle."

"That's awfully descriptive," commented Erin.

"It's what I felt," Abby said. "It's sort of oddly comforting, you know? They're in there and moving about."

Erin nodded. "As they should be. 22 weeks, yes?"

"That would be how far along I am, yes."

"Baby should definitely be moving," said Erin. She laid a hand on Abby's baby bump.

"You could move for your Aunt Erin you know."

"I think the first time they're felt outside of me had better be by Holtz or our child will be grounded for the first 15 years of its life."

"I need something to gloat to Holtzmann about," Erin said, smirking. "Getting to feel her kid move first is something I can hold over her head for eternity." Abby sighed and shook her head.

"You two, I swear..." Erin grinned at that, poking Abby on the shoulder.

"Let's just finish this paperwork so we can get it submitted."

Baby is fine, I'm fine. And I do have to take the second glucose test," said Abby to Holtz.

"Sorry I had that interview. It ran way too much longer than I expected," said Holtzmann. She had not long walked in and kicked off her boots. Abby was sitting at the kitchen table, looking over something. She had gone to a doctor's appointment that afternoon and Holtz hadn't been able to make it back in time to go.

"You don't have to be at all of them, Jills. I think I'm the only one required to go."

"You and Peanut," she said, stretching her arms above her head and yawning.

"The baby has grown a little bit you know," said Abby. "About the size of an iPad Pro."

"Are you hinting again?" said Holtz, popping her elbows as she stretched her arms over her head. "I know it's getting near Christmas."

"Yes, and only because I'm filling this thing out and I have an irrational need to make you feel guilty," said Abby.

"What are you doing?" asked Holtz, coming over to the table.

"Birth plan," Abby responded, grimacing. "I was talking to the doctor about it today and I think he would rather I be at a hospital. He didn't say it, but he was rather implying. What-"

"It's your choice Abs."

"Yes I know, but I was about to ask your opinion."

"As long as you and the baby are safe, I'm fine with whatever you decide. I know the miracle of modern technology yields an extra feeling of safety, but there's really nothing wrong with letting a woman labor on their own without it if you'd really want to try a birth center. It's what our bodies are meant to do. They're beautiful birthing machines."

There was a knock on their new door.

"Come in!" yelled Holtzmann. Kevin stuck his head inside.

"Holtzmann, you have a package."

"Finally! I need my new toys," she said. Kevin opened the door more and handed her the box as Holtz came over to him.

"What have you ordered now?" asked Abby, looking amused over her shoulder after walking up.

"Boss," nodded Kevin. It was the only way he greeted Abby and Erin at the firehouse. "Not to pry, but you guys picked out a name yet? Everyone's so serious downstairs, I never get to ask the fun stuff."

"I like Zora," said Holtz, breaking out her large pocketknife. "It's Serbian for dawn."

"It's nice," said Kevin, nodding. "Perfect for the start of a new family."

"That's sweet Kev," said Holtzmann, smiling. She noticed Abby rubbing her abdomen.

"Somebody must like the sound of your voice this afternoon Kevin. They're kicking," said Abby, softly smiling. He looked excited.

"May I?" Abby sighed and nodded. Since the baby had started moving, everyone in the firehouse had started trying to feel for their little one's movements on a regular basis. No one had any luck just yet, not even her wife, who had all but physically attached herself to Abby's abdomen.

"Nonononono," said Holtz, coming between Kevin and Abby. She laid a hand on both of them. One on Kevin's chest, the other on Abby's baby bump. "No one gets to-" Holtzmann stopped moving when she felt something under her hand. She groped Kevin's chest a second before she realized it was her other hand. Her eyes widened and she turned quickly to Abby, rubbing the spot where she had just felt a kick as she got down on her knees.

"No, don't stop," she said with a whine. She rubbed the spot and Abby was laughing at her wife's tone. Holtzmann felt another kick under her fingers. She let out a squeal and rubbed it again.

"Baby," she cooed. "You finally kicked for me." She looked up to Abby's face with an ecstatic grin. Kevin had taken that moment to leave with a wave and Abby waved back as he headed down the stairs. Holtzmann got up and kissed Abby, surprising her as she wrapped an arm around Abby's shoulders and pulled her closer. Abby didn't complain, enjoying the kiss for a few seconds before Holtz pulled back. The blonde was grinning from ear to ear.

"I got to feel them Abs. Finally..."

Abby rubbed Holtzmann's other hand, which was still on her abdomen.

"Yes, and now you can no longer complain."

"But I can complain about the lack of good lesbian movies, the need for more greenery in the city, or how I am still saddened that Erin really was allergic to my chinchillas..."

"Yes, those you can complain about," said Abby. She sighed.

"Can I complain about having to do the birth plan?"

"Complain yes, but you still need to fill it out so I know what you want. And the nurses. Since we all know that the nurses are the ones who really do all the work."

"I had an idea a few minutes ago," said Abby, motioning Holtzmann back to the table. She picked up a small booklet. "Mount Sinai West has a birthing center right there in the hospital."

"Really?" said the engineer. "That's... handy." She pulled down the glasses she had on top of her head and started reading it through the yellow tinted lenses.

"They do water births too," said Abby. "I thought it could be something we could look into after Thanksgiving." Holtz nodded.

"By the way, Patty said we needed to be there by two. Cheyenne's already cooking. She also said not to worry about bringing anything. They had it covered."

"Hopefully I won't be having to run to the bathroom," grimaced Abby.

"It's Thanksgiving. Maybe the baby will give you a reprieve."

"Here's to hoping," said Abby. Holtz tugged on her wife, bringing her closer and into her arms.

"Go finish your birth plan," she said. Abby sighed loudly.

"I am stuffed," moaned Erin from the comfort of the couch in the living room of Patty and Cheyenne's apartment. She was rubbing her stomach and whining.

"You ate too much," said Holtz, who Erin was lying on. Holtzmann couldn't say anything though. She had stuffed herself much like Erin had and was in a semi- comatose state. She didn't even protest or make a snarky comment when the redhead had laid her head on her lap.

"Do you wish your kid had let us know their gender? They weren't very forthcoming," said Erin.

"Nah," said Holtzmann, waving a hand. "I'm fine with not knowing. It'll be a surprise."

"Did Abby finish her birth plan?"

"Don't ask," sighed Holtzmann.

"I'll take that as a no," said Erin. "She'll make us make decisions, or she'll make decisions regarding the business, but she can't make her own personal decisions."

"It is contradictory," agreed Holtz. "And we should be glad she's helping Patty in the kitchen instead of hearing us right now."

"Cheyenne needed that break," said Erin. "She's been going in every direction trying to make things perfect all day."

"I also think Patty wanted to try to get in some playtime after food," said Erin. "She wants to be next in feeling the kicks."

Holtz grinned, happy that their baby was doing so well and that he or she was attracting attention with their movements. At least Abby could put up with their little family's attention. She hadn't had too many strangers approach her yet with unsolicited advice or whatnot, but they all knew it was coming. Holtzmann wanted Abby to record it on her phone so they all could make fun of it later.

"Am I giving birth to a food baby?" moaned Erin. "Because I feel like it."

"Not on my leather couch you're not," said Patty, coming into the room, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. "I do not want to hear anything about there being a birth of any babies in my living room. Human, food, or chinchillas."

"That was one time," scoffed Holtz.

"I should have never agreed to babysit for you."

"I hope that doesn't extend to the future Patty," said Cheyenne, ducking her head into the room. "Because there will be babysitting."

Holtz gave Cheyenne a salute, which made her chuckle and go back out.

"Where did you say David was again?" asked Patty to Erin.

"Ice fishing," she said. "I know how it sounds, but it's something their dad had always wanted to do. And since their mom... well, he and his brothers decided to take their dad to do something he'd enjoy to get him out of the house for a while."

"That was nice of them."

"Yeah, none of us wanted to cook either," chuckled Erin weakly. "We had all agreed to make it a potluck, but no one wanted to do the turkey and stuffing, not even Josh's husband Mark, who loves to cook."

"Well, I am stuffed with stuffing," said Patty, rubbing her stomach and shaking her head. "So I don't know how no one wanted it."

They all heard a crash and a small yelp, followed by what sounded like someone falling against the cabinets. Erin almost couldn't get up fast enough before Holtz scrambled to her feet. But before she could move past Patty, Cheyenne was guiding Abby into the living room.

"Make her sit down," said Cheyenne. "She got a little dizzy."

"Abby," said Holtzmann. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," she said, waving her off. "I was just standing there too long in one spot washing dishes." She sighed when Holtz nudged her towards the couch and made her sit down. She started shaking her head and breathing deeply as she did so.

"I also made myself nauseous moving to catch myself."

Holtz calmly got down on her knees in front of Abby.

"Breathe honey. In and out." The hand that got put in Holtzmann's face made all of them chuckle. "Can't take you anywhere," cooed Holtz after kissing Abby's hand several times. Abby scoffed.

"I'd be fine if people wouldn't worry so much."

"Uh-huh, and where would you have been if Cheyenne hadn't come back into the kitchen?" said Erin, leaning into Abby.

"Jabbing herself on the sharp edges of the cabinets before hitting her knees probably," said Cheyenne.

Abby sighed. "Okay, so I'm a menace to myself at six months. Everyone can go back to what they were doing."

"Can't. Holtz moved," said Erin. "I was going to take a nap on her lap."

"And no one thought to take pictures?" said Abby, looking at Patty.

"Erin was enjoying it too much as she wallowed in her self-pity at having gorged herself."

"You know it's almost not fair Patty that my friends run away after dinner, but yours stick around," teased Cheyenne.

"I'm waiting on the second round of dinner," said Holtz, rubbing her stomach. "I need more of those sweet potatoes." She looked appalled. "I can't believe I just said that." Patty chuckled and hit Holtz on the shoulder before turning to her wife.

"Half of yours went to go get ready for Black Friday and the other half went to get drinks," said Patty. "Which didn't sound like a half bad idea."

"We should take Patty and Cheyenne out for drinks since they were such gracious hosts to our antics," said Holtz. "Erin, what do you think?"

"I say that would be a nice way of showing our appreciation for dinner. And also, alcohol. Abby?"

"Just as long as we go somewhere where we're not having to deal with tons of people celebrating the holidays, I'm game."

"Let me finish putting the food in the fridge and I'm up for a beer or two," said Cheyenne, nodding her head. Erin got up and followed Cheyenne to the kitchen to help.

"Drinks it is," said Holtz with a wide grin. She gestured to the door. "Come on Patty, I need some Cuba Libres and maybe some Guinness."