A week later, Robert was at the apartment with Eli. Ashley had gone out to lunch with her mother. Robert and Eli were setting up the baby's room. Robert had brought the unassembled crib into the room. He also brought in baby clothes that they received from the baby shower. Ashley and Robert had chosen godparents for the baby. They just needed to ask the potential godmother and godfather if they would accept.
"Did you pick any names yet or are you waiting until he or she is born?" Eli asked.
Robert smiled.
"We are working on names. But, it has been a process. Ash and I were talking the other day about godparents and we were wondering if you would be the baby's godfather" Robert said.
Eli looked at best friend of almost thirty years and smiled.
"You guys want me to be the baby's godfather?" Eli asked shocked.
Robert nodded.
"You are my best friend and you are like the second brother that I never got to have. Chad is my dad's best friend. I think that if it came down to making a decision regarding the baby, you would be the one that could do it" Robert said.
Eli smiled.
"So, what do you say?" Robert asked.
"Of course, I will" Eli said.
Robert smiled. The two men hugged. They started assembling the furniture. An hour later, there was a knock on the door. Ashley poked her head in.
"How's it going guys?" Ashley asked.
Robert smiled at his wife.
"Good. We are just trying to get the crib done first. How was lunch with your mom?" Robert asked.
"It was twenty questions. But, it was okay. Do you guys need any help in here?" Ashley asked.
"No. But, if you want to get all the clothes that we got from the shower ready, that would help" Robert said.
"Okay" Ashley said.
Ashley left the room and closed the door behind her. Later that day and after a much-needed nap, Robert called Everly to invite her over to hang out. He and Ashley had chosen her to be the godmother to the baby.
"What's up? You sounded nervous when you called" Everly said walking into the apartment.
Robert shook his head.
"I've sounded nervous for two months. I'm knee-deep in baby planning here" Robert said.
Everly giggled. Robert and Everly walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. Ashley came out of the bedroom and smiled when she saw Everly.
"Hey, Ev. How's it going?" Ashley asked.
"Good, how are you? You look like you are going to pop" Everly said.
Ashley placed her hand on her bump.
"I feel like it too" Ashley said sitting down carefully next to Robert.
"So, we wanted to talk to you about something. We knew that we couldn't tell you over the phone" Robert started.
"What's wrong? Are you okay? The baby?" Everly asked looking at Ashley.
"Everything is fine for the time being" Ashley said.
"So, what's going on?" Everly asked.
Robert smiled. This is why he and Ashley loved Everly so much. She cared about everything and everyone.
"You know how much we love you and mean to us. We have always been close since you were born. I've always protected you and you have always protected me. When Ash came into the picture, you instantly treated her like she was your sister. You have a big heart and a lot of love to give" Robert said.
Everly looked at her older brother and sister-in-law.
"What are you saying?" Everly asked still trying to figure out what was going on.
"There is no other woman in our life that I would want more to be the godmother of our baby than you" Robert said.
Everly had tears in her eyes.
"Really?" Everly asked.
Robert and Ashley smiled.
"Really, Ev" Robert said.
Everly smiled and nodded. Robert got up and hugged his sister.
"I love you, Rob" Everly said.
"I love you too, Ev" Robert said.
"Hey, there is a very uncomfortable pregnant lady over here that would like to hug her sister-in-law too" Ashley said.
Everly and Robert pulled away. Everly walked over to Ashley and hugged her.
"Thank you guys. This means a lot to me and I won't let you down" Everly said.
The couple smiled.
"What about the godfather?" Everly asked.
"We chose Eli" Ashley said.
"What about East?" Everly asked.
"We thought that if we picked one person from our family and then a mutual friend it would be better" Ashley said.
"He's still going to be an uncle to the baby. Plus, since you are the godmother, he will see the baby all the time" Robert said.
Everly nodded at the couple's logic.
"If he asks, you tell him that" Everly said.
"I will" Robert said.
The couple and Everly talked for a while. After Everly left, Robert went back into the baby's room and continued to put the furniture together. Two hours later, it was eleven PM. Ashley was falling asleep but she didn't want to until Robert was in bed too. She got out of the bed and walked to the baby's room and leaned against the doorway. Robert was moving things around in the bedroom.
"We could figure out where to put furniture tomorrow" Ashley said.
Robert turned around and smiled.
"I know. I'm just trying to finish it tonight so that we didn't have to" Robert said.
Ashley walked into the room and sat down on the glider that was in the corner.
"You are thinking about something" Ashley said knowingly.
Robert looked up at his wife.
"Just stupid stuff" Robert said.
Ashley looked at Robert.
"Stupid stuff like what?" Ashley asked.
Robert took a deep breath and released it.
"The baby and just everything" Robert said honestly.
"What about the baby?" Ashley asked.
"You are not supposed to be worrying about me" Robert said.
"It's kind of my job. Talk to me, babe" Ashley said.
"It's probably the fear of the unknown" Robert said.
Ashley got off the glider and walked over to Robert and held out her hand to him. Robert took her hand and stood up. Ashley guided her husband out of the baby's room and shut the light off. The couple walked into their bedroom.
"What are you afraid of?" Ashley asked.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you or the baby. The way Dr. A described the placenta thing, made me feel like this could potentially be a life or death situation. I can't lose you" Robert said.
Ashley's eyes filled with tears. This is the most honest that Robert had ever been regarding his own emotions. Ashley wrapped her arms around her husband.
"You won't lose me, okay? Dr. A knows what she is doing, baby" Ashley said.
Robert swallowed hard.
"And it's not stupid to be scared of something like that" Ashley added.
Robert chuckled as he felt the baby kick his stomach and looked down in between them.
"I think the baby agrees with you" Robert mumbled.
Ashley smiled.
"Hey" Ashley said.
Robert looked at his wife.
"I love you so much" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He leaned in and kissed Ashley passionately. Ashley pulled away slowly.
"I love you too. Thank you. I didn't mean to make you cry" Robert said.
Ashley giggled.
"I'm eight and a half months pregnant. I think crying is okay for now" Ashley said.
Robert smiled. He leaned in and kissed Ashley's lips again softly. Ashley pulled away.
"Come on" Ashley said taking her husband's hand.
Ashley and Robert got into bed. Ashley snuggled into Robert's chest as close as she could get.
"Night, baby" Robert said.
"Night" Ashley said.
A week later, Robert was at his parents' house. Ashley was spending time with her mother. Robert was sitting on the couch in the living room when Everly walked into the room.
"Hey Ev" Robert said.
"Hey, how's Ash?" Everly asked.
"She wants the baby out. We now have a very interesting sleeping position that requires us not to touch each other" Robert said.
Everly giggled.
"How's the baby doing?" Everly asked.
Ashley had started going to doctor's appointments with Dr. A every week. She had three weeks until her due date.
"The doctor said that he or she is healthy and in a good position. She still wants to keep a close eye on Ash, just as a precaution" Robert said.
Everly nodded.
"Did you get everything done that you needed to?" Everly asked.
"Yeah, for the time being. I'm trying to be one step ahead in case she goes into labor early" Robert said.
Everly smiled. She walked over to the couch and curled up next to her older brother. Everly wrapped her arms around Robert.
"Whatever happens, you guys will get through it. If you need me, remember, I am always here" Everly whispered into his ear.
Robert smiled. His eyes started burning from holding in his tears. Robert leaned his head against his little sister's.
"Thanks, Ev. For being the best sister ever" Robert said.
Everly pulled back to look at her brother.
"That's what godmothers are for" Everly said.
The two siblings laughed. The front door opened and Easton came into the living room.
"Hey, East" Robert said.
"Hey, no baby yet?" Easton asked.
"Three weeks" Robert said.
Easton nodded.
"I heard that you picked Ev to be the godmother" Easton said.
Robert nodded. Everly looked at her brothers.
"I am going to go upstairs. I have a paper to write anyway" Everly said.
Robert smiled. He hugged his sister. Everly walked upstairs. Robert patted the seat next to him. Easton sat down.
"How is she doing?" Robert asked referring to Ashley.
Robert looked at his younger brother.
"I know you are mad" Robert said.
Easton shook his head.
"You and Ev are close. You and I have a different relationship" Easton said.
Robert nodded.
"I wasn't exactly here all the time" Easton said.
"But, you will still be an uncle. I picked only one of you because I knew that no matter who I chose, you both would see him or her" Robert said.
Easton nodded.
"No hard feelings?" Robert asked.
Easton smiled and shook his head. Robert smiled.
"Love you dude" Robert said.
"Love you too" Easton said as they shook hands.
An hour later, Robert walked into the apartment and smiled when he saw Ashley trying to fall asleep on the couch in the living room. He walked over to his wife and kneeled in front of her. Robert kissed Ashley's temple softly. Ashley slowly opened her eyes and her lip turned into a pout.
"How are you feeling, baby?" Robert asked.
"Uncomfortable" Ashley said.
"Do you feel pain?" Robert asked.
Ashley closed her eyes and nodded.
"Where?" Robert asked instantly concerned.
Ashley opened her eyes and looked at her husband.
"My back, my feet, my boobs, my stomach. Just everywhere" Ashley said breathlessly.
"What can I do to help?" Robert asked gently placing his hand on Ashley's stomach.
"I don't know anymore" Ashley said closing her eyes again.
Robert kissed Ashley's head softly. Ashley opened her eyes again.
"I'm not trying to be mean" Ashley said.
Robert smiled softly.
"I know, sweetheart. Your thirty-seven weeks pregnant. You have a bowling ball sitting on your body parts. I would be annoyed too" Robert said.
"Could you help me stand up? Maybe standing up will help" Ashley said.
Robert stood up and held his hands out to his wife. Ashley took Robert's hands in her own and felt him lift her up to a standing position.
"How does that feel?" Robert asked.
Ashley closed her eyes and took a deep breath and released it.
"Ash?" Robert called.
"Wait" Ashley said.
Ashley was silent for another minute and then opened her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Robert asked.
"Remember how Dr. A told us about those contractions that happen before the baby comes?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah" Robert said.
"That's what is happening" Ashley said.
"Okay. What do we do about them?" Robert asked.
Ashley smiled at how concerned Robert was. She placed one of her hands on his face.
"Nothing. It just means that my body is getting ready for the baby to come. I'm not in labor" Ashley said.
"Okay" Robert said.
"I feel a little better now though. You can let go" Ashley said.
Robert let go of his wife. Two hours later, Robert had been checking on Ashley every fifteen minutes. Right as Robert was about to check on Ashley, she walked into the kitchen, where Robert was standing anxiously. Ashley kissed Robert's cheek.
"You okay?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah. Are you? Have you had anymore contractions?" Robert asked.
Ashley shook her head. She placed her hand on her bump.
"Okay. I'm just-" Robert started.
"I know. I appreciate it. Come lay down with me on the couch" Ashley said holding out her hand to him.
Robert took Ashley's hand. The couple walked into the living room. Robert lied down on the couch. Ashley then lied down with her back against his chest. Robert placed his hand on Ashley's stomach.
"We need to think of some names" Ashley said.
Robert smiled and nodded. He kissed Ashley's shoulder.
"Dana?" Robert asked as he and Ashley tried to figure out a name for a boy and a girl.
"No. That's boring. Andre?" Ashley asked.
"No. That's a stuck-up dude name" Robert said.
Ashley laughed.
"Nicholas?" Ashley asked.
"Nick for short" Robert said.
Ashley raised her eyebrow.
"Do you like it?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah. He could go by Nicholas when he's in trouble. Nick could be his nickname to his friends. Nicky could be used by us" Robert said.
Ashley giggled.
"Nicholas Alexander Bolton" Robert said.
"Where did Alexander come from?" Ashley asked.
"That's my dad's middle name. My middle name is Troy. If the baby is a boy, I want him to have my dad's middle name" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"I think that's the one" Ashley said.
"We have to figure out a name for a girl" Robert said.
"Vanessa?" Ashley asked.
Robert scrunched his nose.
"No. Sandra? Sandy for short?" Robert asked.
"No. Lily?" Ashley asked.
"No. Emma?" Robert asked.
"Emma, what?" Ashley asked.
Robert thought for a moment.
"Emma Hope Bolton" Robert said.
"I like it. We could call her Em for short" Ashley said.
"Or Emmy" Robert said.
Ashley smiled.
"I love that. So, we have Nicholas Alexander Bolton and Emma Hope Bolton" Ashley said.
"Those sound good to me" Robert said.
Ashley smiled. She leaned in and kissed Robert's lips softly.
"We can cross that off the list" Ashley said.