Okay so I would like your guys input about something I have been debating. So do you think Chickie and Ben should get engaged? Do you think Chickie would want to or would she be afraid Ben is doing it just out of obligation?
"Ben, do we have anymore soda? I think we're running out." Ben turned away from the burgers he was grilling and rolled his eyes. They were having her baby shower finally after many delays to accommodate people's schedules, but Chickie had wanted everyone to be there. It was a beautiful day on their back patio with about thirty friends and family mingling away as light music filled the air. He put down the spatula and gently put his hand on her arm.
"Chickie your eight months pregnant you shouldn't be standing." He told her as he led her over to one of the patio benches where Langley was sitting while talking to John.
"I can stand Ben." She rolled her eyes but she complied and gently lowered herself onto the bench. She thought it was sweet how concerned Ben was about her and the baby even though it could be too much sometimes. He gave her a small peck on the cheek and walked back to the grill.
"I wish I had a guy that cared about me that much." Langley laughed. Chickie just smiled and patted her shoulder.
"Your twenty three Langley and you'll find someone soon don't worry." She told her. "I wish Ben would calm down about me and the baby. He wants me to take my maternity leave early."
"Tell me about it." John laughed. "I had to take his cell phone away from him the other day to stop him from checking up on you for the tenth time."
"How many more days do you have left until your leave?" Langley asked.
"A week but Kyle was a week overdue." Chickie sighed as she rubbed her belly. "I'm going to be bored to tears until this baby comes."
"Just don't go into labor at work okay? Last thing I need is Ben driving like a maniac through the streets of LA trying to get to the hospital." John told her. God that was the last place Chickie wanted to go into labor. She could just imagine all those men in the station room who had handled women going into labor before, but would suddenly become useless when it was her. It wasn't really their fault she thought. It was different when it was one of your own, especially one who had always been one of the guys.
"I'll try." She told him and started to laugh as the baby kicked her right in the ribs reminding her she had no control what the baby was going to do. She rubbed her side and grimaced as the baby continued to kick.
"Right in the ribs?" Josie asked. She sat in the seat across from Chickie as John walked over to talk to a few detectives. Chickie rolled her eyes and nodded. "All of my kids kicked me even when I was in labor."
"I was in labor with Kyle for twelve hours, so this baby better not think about kicking me the entire time."
"You two so are not making me want to have a baby right now." Langley laughed as she took another swig of her beer. "After seeing you benched I don't even think I'll ever want one. It takes too much out of your career." Chickie smiled at her young coworkers comment. She had thought the same thing after having Kyle and becoming a cop. SWAT had become her dream and she damn well knew another baby could give some jerk a reason not to accept her.
"I used to think that too Langley, but the love you get from a baby is worth more than a promotion."
After everyone had eaten it was time for them to open all of the presents. He was about to call everyone over to where Chickie was sitting when he heard his fathers voice behind him.
"Sorry I'm late kid." Jack shrugged as he offered the yellow gift bag he was holding to Ben.
"It's fine Dad. I'm just glad you could come." He told him taking the bag. "I was just about to call everyone over so we could open the gifts, but do you want to meet Chickie first?" Ben knew they were never going to have a strong relationship, but he didn't want to be the reason why his kid didn't know his Grandpa Jack.
"Of course." Jack nodded and Ben led him over to where Chickie was sitting talking to Lydia. Ben couldn't help but smile every time he looked at her. Her long blond hair was loose like he liked it and she was wearing a green maternity sun dress that went well with her eyes. Chickie glanced over to Ben's direction and he thought he saw a flash of panic in her eyes. Chickie wanted the same thing Ben wanted, but it didn't mean she had forgotten the fact he originally didn't want anything to do with her.
"Dad this is Chickie. Chickie this is my Dad, Jack." Jack shook her hand as she put on a smile.
"It's very nice to meet you." She told him still smiling, but Ben noticed she was protectively holding her stomach.
"Forgive me for being late. I was almost here when I realized I left your gift at home." He told her gesturing to the bag Ben was holding.
"That was nice of you to drive all the way back. That will be the first present I open." She told him and Jack smiled. After Ben rounded everyone up they started to open the presents. They hadn't registered anywhere because Chickie had said it was tacky to pick out your own gifts and expect others to pay for them. Besides, she said, and then you were more surprised when you opened the gifts. Like she promised she opened Jacks presents first. Ben was a little afraid it was going to be something that proved his fear he had picked up the present at the last moment, but was shocked when Chickie pulled a blue Tiffany's box out.
"Oh wow." She breathed as she undid the bow and opened the lid. "It's a Tiffany's rattle."
"There's more." Jack told her motioning to the bag. She was worried it was going to be something extravagant like a coupon for Mercedes for the babies sixteenth birthday, but smiled when she pulled a thick book out.
"The complete collection of Curious George stories." She smiled as she showed the crowed the book.
"You're favorite as a kid." Jack smiled and Ben nodded. Things weren't going to be perfect with them but they were going to be okay he thought. They received many nice gifts like the stuffed dog that smelled like lavender from John, the baby blanket stitched with stars from Lydia, and set of bath toys from Josie. Chickie especially loved the little coat from Bens mother that was supposed to look like a lamb and had little lamb ears on the hood. She noticed Kyle turn shyly away when she opened his gift and tears came to her eyes when she opened his gift. It was a soft stuffed lamb with a yellow bow around its neck.
"Just like you used to have when you were a baby." She smiled and Kyle simply nodded. She knew he was embarrassed by all of the people looking at him so she restrained herself from getting up to kiss him. Before she knew it all of the presents were opened and the guest had left. Linda insisted Chickie had too long of a day and made her go rest in her bed while she and Ben cleaned up. Chickie didn't have the energy to argue and knew Linda was probably right. She changed into a comfortable pair of pajamas and lay in bed. She hadn't even realized she was falling asleep until she was woken by Ben getting into their bed.
"Go back to bed Babe." He told her as he wrapped her in his arms as well as he could with her stomach in the way.
"Thank you for today." She whispered falling asleep again. "I didn't get this with Kyle."
"You deserve it Chickie. I love you." He told her kissing her cheek. "I love you more than you could ever imagine.".com