Shea sighed as she stared out the window of the shop. She was becoming a whale; a huge, fat, ugly whale. She'd been feeling morose all day, and felt like bursting into tears. It was Thursday afternoon and she'd already put in her hours at the hospital for the week which meant she'd have the next few days off. The department store had finally delivered the baby furniture the week before and Vince had spent the past weekend with the other guys putting it together. Then they'd painted the room a pale yellow with all sorts of different teddy bears marching around the walls. Everything was coming together perfectly so she didn't really know why she was so emotional. Well duh, she thought with a snort. Of course you're emotional, you're pregnant you idiot.

Everyone was being wonderful, but she missed Kell. She'd tried to call her best friend earlier in the day and hadn't been able to reach her. Which sucked. Shea took a deep breath and went back to working on the books. It seemed like every time she left it for a few days the bookkeeping imps would come in and make a mess of everything. Unfortunately, she was pretty sure these imps had names like Dom, Jesse, and Brian. All the men were brilliant, but when it came to the accounting it was like trying to teach monkeys to spell – you could probably do it eventually, but it would take years.

Shea looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was already five thirty. Uh oh, she'd promised Vince she'd be home by five thirty. Oops. She sighed and closed the books. She'd finish them on Monday. Shea was almost to her car when her cell phone rang. It seemed everyone else had headed home early for the day. The only person there was Dom and he looked to be heading home as well. "Drive safe Shea." He told her as he locked the door after her.

Shea looked to see if he was grinning, but he wasn't. "I will." She sighed and took out her phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Babe, I take it you're just now leaving?"

"Sorry."

"It's okay. Do me a favor though; meet me at the house before you go home?"

"Okay." She said frowning. Dom walked up to her as soon as she'd hung up.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just a little tired. Guess I'm stopping by your house first."

"Oh yeah, we got you a little something and wanted to give it to you tonight." Dom said with a grin.

"Dom," Shea protested. "You guys didn't need to get me anything."

"Now, Shea, just accept the present when you get it. We love you." He squeezed her shoulder. "You wanna give me a ride. I'll just ride in with Let tomorrow."

They got to his house and headed in with Dom in the lead. "Yo V!" he called out. "We're here."

Vince walked out of the kitchen and scooped Shea into a kiss. "Hey Babe." He whispered.

Shea smiled. "Hey." This felt good. Being here this way with Vince. It felt right.

"I want you to close your eyes and come with me, okay?" he told her and looked pretty excited. "We have a surprise for you in the kitchen."

"Okay." Shea was curious. What could they have possibly gotten her? Ooh, maybe it was that butter colored layette set. She'd absolutely loved it and it would work for either boy or girl. Cautiously he led her into the kitchen making sure she didn't bump into anything. Almost immediately she heard Letty and Mia giggling.

"Open your eyes Shea." Vince whispered.

Shea opened her eyes and started bawling. There standing in front of her was her best friend. "Kelly, what the hell are you doing here?" she squealed before launching herself at the girl.

Kell laughed. "I'm here to see your ass!" she answered. She was crying and hugging Shea back enthusiastically. "Vince called me and told me he thought you needed a pick me up. So here I am. How's my future niece or nephew?" she asked placing her hand on Shea's belly.

"Good. Oh, I'm wonderful now." Shea made sure to kiss everyone in the kitchen. "You guys are amazing. I had no idea. This is the best present ever."

Vince looked pretty pleased with himself. "Tell her the rest." He ordered Kell.

Kell took a deep breath, "Well, I'm doing what I always said I'd never do… I'm taking the Bar Exam for California. If I pass it I'm moving here."

Shea was in shock. "What? But what about your family? Your job? You always said you'd never leave Texas!" Shea looked at her petite friend. Kell was only 5'2" with long glossy black hair. She was originally from India, and was a pretty girl with her dark skin and shining brown eyes.

"My mother actually pointed out to me that I was missing out on a lot by staying there and doing nothing but working. If I'm here, well, you won't let me work constantly and not have any fun." Kell grinned. "Now I just have to pass the exam. California is the second hardest state for that test you know?"

"You'll ace it." Shea assured her.

"Well, I don't take it until next week, so in the meantime, let's have a good time."

"We thought we'd go to Sins tonight if you're feeling up to it?" Vince added.

Shea smiled. "That sounds like a lot of fun." She hugged Kell again.

"Oh Shea, look at your belly." Kell smiled and rubbed Shea's protruding tummy.

"It would so awesome having you here Kell." Shea said a bit mistily.

"No crying. Let's just hope for the best."

By the time they got to Sins the women were giggling. Mia and Kell had hit it off right away, and Letty, though reserved, found herself warming up to the woman as well. They had been there half an hour when Hector and Edwin found them. "Aye Mami, you are looking fine tonight." Hector leaned in and kissed Shea's cheek.

"Hector, you sly dog you." Shea teased. "I want you to meet Kell. My closest friend in the world."

Hector grinned at the short girl. "Well hello there chiquita." He gave her a lecherous look.

Kell's eyes widened and she looked at Shea. "This hasGOT to the hornball."

Leon started laughing, and Hector just grinned wryly. "It looks like my reputation proceeds me. Shea, mami, if you keep giving me away, how am I ever supposed to score with the ladies?"

Shea pinched his cheek. "Hector, you have a perfectly lovely girlfriend. Where is Carlotta by the way?"

"She's coming." He said with a big smile. "She had to drop off her sister first."

They spent the rest of the evening shooting pool, dancing, and reminiscing. By the time they got home for the evening Shea was exhausted. She got Kell settled into the spare room and then padded into her room to find Vince already pulling back the covers. She leaned against the doorjam watching him. "So, I suppose you're staying here tonight?" she asked her mouth turning up into a small smile.

"That okay?" he asked not looking up.

"It's more than okay." She told him softly. "I love it when you stay with me." He'd been staying over more and more in the last few weeks. It was almost like they hadn't been apart for that month.

"You do?"

"Yep. It's nice going to sleep with you, and then waking up with you."

"I just don't want to get in your way."

Shea smiled at the big lug. "You doofus. You could never get in my way. Hell, you could move in tomorrow and I'd love every minute of it." Her heart caught in her throat, she didn't want him to think she was pushing him for more of a commitment.

"Serious?" he grinned. When she nodded he kissed her again. "I'd love to move in with you Shea."

"Really?" she whispered, slightly stunned.

"Yep. I'll start tomorrow."

Vince was true to his word and got his belongings moved in quickly. Shea was surprised how easy it was to live with him. When she and Rick had moved in together it had been a battle from the start. True it had only been a few days with Vince, but so far so good. She also loved having Kell there. The test was coming up, and her friend was getting nervous, but Shea knew she'd do well.

The travel portion of her job ended and she was kept at the hospital for work, which she was glad for. The traveling had been getting old, even if she did get to hang out with Chris.

The day Kell took the test Shea was just as nervous as her friend taking it. They took her out to celebrate and Shea watched as Kell got easily schnockered. Kell was heading back to Houston that weekend. Shea would really miss her, but hopefully the results of the exam would come back positive and Kell would be moving there. She couldn't wait. It almost felt like she'd have everything she could want; Vince, the baby, the house, Kell, and all of her other friends. It felt like the world was on its way to being an almost perfect place.

With help from Vince they got Kell tucked in and headed to their room. The message light was flashing on her answering machine. While Vince was stripping down she pressed play. "Hey baby girl. Just calling to check in on you and my grandbaby. Sorry to catch you out. I wanted to give you some exciting news." The man leaving the message chuckled. Vince noticed that Shea was standing very still next to the phone so he walked over to her. "Missy and I are coming for a visit baby! Isn't that great? We can't wait to see you, and rub your belly, and meet your guy. Love you sweets."

"Shea, you okay babe?"

Shea turned and looked at Vince with a horror filled face. "Good lord Vince, my FATHER is coming to visit!"