Nikki walked up the stairs to the main floor. Over the last few months with Jeff gone and her alone in the basement for the first time the door at the bottom of the stairs was now left open with the five people in the house moving back and forth as they needed. The girls ran downstairs to play games with Nikki or have her read to them when their parents were busy and Nikki wandered upstairs when she got lonely or needed company. Teddy often came down when the girls were in bed to chat or watch a movie. Owen and Nikki played their instruments together more.
Last week Owen had chuckled coming home to find Nikki with Teddy on the couch after the kids were asleep eating ice cream and watching a chick flick while complaining about pregnancy symptoms with Teddy reassuring Nikki everything she felt was normal.
"Allison, Amber," Nikki called waking into the kitchen.
Both girls came running for hugs.
"Auntie Nikki," Amber yelled, throwing her arms around nikkis middle.
"Auntie Nikki you have a tummy like mommy's," Amber said.
"I do," Nikki replied, "do you know why?"
"No," Amber said.
"What's in your mommy's tummy," Nikki asked.
"A baby," Allison said, "do you have a baby two?"
"I will," Nikki smiled, "in April. You get your baby brother in March."
"Is your baby a boy two," Allison asked.
"I don't know what it is," Nikki replied, "I'm going to be surprised."
"You really don't want to know," Owen asked.
"I'm happy to be surprised," Nikki replied. She was still holding out hope Jeff might at least change his mind about being involved with her pregnancy and wanted him there for when she found out the gender.
"You doing okay," Owen asked.
"I'll tell you if I'm not," Nikki answered, "I actually need to borrow two elves. I was thinking about 6 and 3 years old."
"What's the plan," Owen asked.
"You're going to stop worrying about me and wipe the owl look of your face," Nikki said, "then these two are coming to help me with my Christmas decorations. Building a gingerbread house and maybe some Christmas movies. You owl are going to go shower put on a good shirt and take Teddy somewhere nice."
"Do you need me to do anything," Owen asked.
"If your offering can you bring my fake tree down," Nikki asked, "it's in the rafters above the garage."
"It's down in the garage with our decorations Teddy wants me to put up outside then," Owen said.
"I'll carry it down," Nikki said, "I just needed help with it in the rafters."
"I'll bring it down stairs and set it up," Owen said.
"Owl I can put the three pieces together. I did it last year," Nikki argued.
"Squirt," Owen sighed, "can you just let me help with this?"
"Owen I can do it," Nikki argued.
"It's not if you can it's if you should," Owen argued.
"You can't coddle me," Nikki argued, "I have to be independent with this. I can't climb into the rafters to get my tree but I can set it up. Owen you have to let me stand on my own two feet."
"I'm just trying to make this easy for you," Owen said, "I know how tired Teddy gets."
"I'm eighteen years younger than Teddy. I'm good," Nikki said, "then she has you and two kids to worry about. I'm just me."
"I thought I saw you at the hospital today," Owen said, "everything okay?"
"Ya. Ultrasound and a checkup with dr Montgomery," Nikki replied, "and a check up with Nathan."
"Did you go alone," Owen asked.
"Ya it's all good. Moms out of town with some friends, she's enjoying her cruise we message every night. I didn't think about the date when I booked it, I knew mom was away," Nikki replied, "but I have pictures. I'll send them to her later."
"Can I see the pictures," Owen asked, "one of us would have gone with you."
"You can see them," Nikki smiled, "I have them downstairs. It was a check up I'm fine Owen. Dr Montgomery knows I'm single and on my own with my baby."
"I'll get your tree then you can show me," Owen said.
Owen walked into the garage and picked up the box with Nikkis Christmas tree. He carried it down the stairs and set it up.
"Owl it's crooked," Nikki scolded.
"I'm not done," Owen said, "I won't leave your tree crooked."
The tree set up and plugged in Nikki asked, "do you want to see my pumpkin?"
"Yes," Owen said.
Nikki gabbed the picture where she had stuck it to the fridge.
"Here they are uncle Owen," Nikki smiled.
Owen looked at the photo and his sister, "their beautiful congratulations Nikki."
"They kick me now." Nikki said.
"When did that start," Owen asked.
"A couple days ago," Nikki smiled, "20 weeks though."
"Halfway squirt," Owen smiled.
"Half way," Nikki agreed.
"You saw Nathan at work why," Owen asked.
"Dr Montgomery just wanted to follow up on my heart after the accident and arresting on the table. Nathan is going to do a couple tests to confirm but he's not worried," Nikki said, "he said it sounds good. He's followed up twice a year on it but that was July and before pumpkin. Dr Montgomery is being cautious."
"What did Addison say," Owen asked.
"Everything looks good," Nikki said, "I go back in a month then every other week after that. She altered my due date to April 16 based on the measurements. Baby and I are both measuring a bit on the smaller side. She said it's nothing to worry about and I'm still not gaining much weight."
"Later due date," Owen asked.
"Yes," Nikki said, "only 4 days. But I'm still going to leave school at Easter. I'll finish the Thursday before Easter and was due Easter Sunday so now it's the Wednesday . It is what it is and it comes when it comes. Were either of your girls on their due date?"
"Allison was early and Amber was late," Owen said, "are you feeling okay?"
"I am," Nikki said, "and tonight will be good, the girls get auntie night and you're going on a date with your wife."
"Auntie Nikki are you making us dinner," Allison asked.
"I am," Nikki replied, "homemade chicken strips, veggies and yam wedges. Does that sound okay?"
"Can I help," Allison asked.
"I thought you would," Nikki replied.
"Are you sure about this," Owen asked.
"Yes," Nikki replied, "I picked up everything we need on the way home. I don't know how many of these we have left. Amber said something today. I thought they knew."
"Amber didn't get it until Teddy started really showing either," Owen said, "your showing squirt."
"I know I am," Nikki said, "it's okay. Still little. I had an IEP meeting before school today and the mom asked me about it."
"What did the parent say," Owen asked.
"She just asked if I was excited," Nikki replied, "I told her I am. I taught her oldest on my practicum. Her youngest, Blake isn't doing great in any class but is doing okay with me. Mrs Vleeming says both her boys have enjoyed my class."
"Do your students know," Owen asked.
"I've never formally told them," Nikki said, "I'm avoiding the awkward where's the dad conversation with sixth graders. I'll start preparing them for me to go on leave after Christmas."
"They've probably figured it out," Owen said.
"I think a few have," Nikki agreed, "now that Mrs Vleeming knows it'll spread she's on the PTA and those moms gossip."
"It's okay if families know," Owen said, "it's going to be a happy healthy baby."
"It looks happy and healthy so far," Nikki agreed, "I need to start approaching the idea with my students that I'll be on leave for the last quarter."
"What do they know," Owen said.
"Just that Ms McRae has been getting tired," Nikki said, "and refused to skate on the grade wide skating trip."
"You hate skating," Owen said.
"I do and pumpkin is a good excuse," Nikki said, "most of my coworkers know. The math department and the sixth grade team all know."
"What were reactions," Owen asked.
"Excitement and concern," Nikki said, "Brett the other sixth grade math teacher is still trying to flirt with me. I'm so not there. He asked me for coffee after the concert next week."
"What are you doing," Owen asked.
"My grade is doing the best Christmas pageant ever," Nikki said, "I'm doing choreography. 14 years of classical ballet training to choreograph middle school concerts. Brett suggested coffee after the show."
"What are you going to do," Owen asked.
"I said no thank you," Nikki said, "I'm so not into dating right now. I can't right now. I need to be on my own and figure out who I am alone first. I was with Jeff since I was 18 and I need to learn to be me again. I don't have the time or energy for games and don't want to lead anyone on. He's a good friend but I don't want to give him the wrong idea. And anyone who I date has to realize pumpkin comes first."
"You do need to figure out who you are just you," Owen agreed, "don't shut out a friend though. Have you been seeing friends?"
"Syd and Julie mainly," Nikki said, "my old group you signed me up for in high school still gets together every other Tuesday and I've been going. They all know what's going on and are pretty supportive. They're here next week heads up we still get kinda loud."
"Good," Owen said, "you need your friends."
"I've been journaling a lot," Nikki admitted, "and sending lots of emails."
"Emails," Owen asked.
"I hadn't in a while but then I got that positive test and I needed to tell someone so I started writing to Meg again," Nikki admitted, "I know it's insane and she's gone but maybe she can read them in heaven and just can't reply."
"She knows and is looking out for you squirt," Owen said.
"If it's a girl would you and Teddy be upset if I use Meghan as a middle name even though it's Allison's," Nikki asked.
"I understand," Owen said, "do you have names?"
"I'm thinking of them," Nikki replied.
"Sharing," Owen asked.
"Whatever it is will be easy to read on the attendance list," Nikki said, "I'm still hoping that Jeff will come around and want some input on names. It's his kid two."
"Auntie Nikki," Allison asked, "is uncle Jeff going to come back?"
"He might come visit but he won't live here again," Nikki said.
"Does your baby have a daddy," Amber asked.
"Jeff is my baby's dad," Nikki said, "he's not here right now and won't come live here again. He might come see me and the baby but it'll just be me and the baby here."
"Can moms have babies alone," Allison asked.
Nikki sat on the couch, "come here."
"Why," Allison asked.
"Your dad and I have a couple things to explain to you, come sit with me," Nikki said.
Both girls climbed up on the couch with Nikki. Owen perched on the arm of the couch.
"What's the story," Amber asked.
Nikki took a deep breath and rubbed her stomach.
"Sometimes moms have babies and the dad isn't around," Nikki said, "it's not always our choice or how we plan it. But it's okay. I never met my dad. But I had grandma and we know how amazing she is and how much grandma loves us. As I got older and was in high school and college I was really lucky to have a big brother who listened to me and helped me figure stuff out. My baby is going to need their big cousins like I needed my big brother."
"Do we know your brother," Allison asked.
"Your dad is my brother," Nikki said, "he's the best big brother."
"I have a pretty awesome little sister," Owen said.
"As I was saying. Not every baby has their dad around. But it's okay," Nikki said.
"Will you leave," Amber asked.
"No," Nikki said, "I'm going to stay here and turn the other room into a room for the baby. Pumpkin and I will be here for a while."
"What's awhile," Allison asked.
"I don't know," Nikki said, "as long as it works for me and your parents."
"What are we doing tonight," Allison asked.
"You're going to help me with my Christmas tree, then we'll have dinner, build a gingerbread house, baths, jamies, cocoa and Christmas movies," Nikki said, "if we can get the air mattress blown up and down here we can build a nest on the floor to watch our movies."
"Do you want me to do the air mattress," Owen offered.
"Please dad please," Allison begged.
"I'll do it," Owen said.
"Then bring it down and go figure out how you're going to surprise your wife," Nikki said, "girls, let's get the tree decorated. Who did the angel upstairs?"
"Allison," Amber pouted.
"Then Amber gets to do it here," Nikki said.
Nikki opened the bins of ornaments for her tree and watched the girls put them on the tree. She turned on the Christmas music before joining them.
Owen put the air mattress in the basement and went back upstairs. Teddy walked into their room as he came out of the bathroom showered and freshly shaved.
"What's going on," Teddy asked, "where are the girls?"
"Girls are downstairs with Nikki," Owen replied, "you and I are going out. Dinner and a movie your choice."
"Dinner and baby shopping," Teddy suggested.
"We can go shopping for our little man," Owen said.
"I'm thinking Italian," Teddy said, "then shopping."
"Your wish is my command," Owen replied.
"I'll get changed," Teddy said, "but I don't know what to wear. I didn't think I'd be this big already."
"I like seeing our baby grow," Owen said.
Teddy changed the subject as she flicked through the closet, "do you know why Nikki saw Nate today?"
"20 weeks," Owen replied, "she saw Addison and Nate."
"But your mom is out of town," Teddy said.
"She did it," Owen replied, "Nate was just checking her heart is still stable."
"Did she find out," Teddy asked.
"She wants a surprise," Owen said.
"All of these are too small. I feel like I've worn them once and this bump is too big," Teddy pouted.
Owen grabbed a blue top from the closet, "I like this one. Leave your jeans."
Teddy put on the top Owen chose for her and grabbed her sweater.
"Shall we," Owen asked.
"I want to see the girls first," Teddy replied.
They walked to the basement and found Nikki and their daughters decorating the tree.
"What is this the North Pole," Teddy asked.
"Mom," Allison yelled, running for a hug.
"Mommy," Amber said, leaping at Teddy.
"Are you having fun," Teddy asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "but auntie Nikki said Amber gets to do the angle."
"You did ours, it's fair," Owen said.
"Mommy auntie Nikki is having a baby two," Amber said.
"I know," Teddy replied.
"She doesn't know what it is," Allison said.
"I like the surprise," Nikki replied.
Teddy who hadn't actually seen Nikki in a few days looked at her standing by the tree, "Nikki that's a bump."
"I know," Nikki said, "my clothes don't fit."
"I have a few things I'll bring down tomorrow that are too small already." Teddy said.
"I just have to go shopping," Nikki said.
"Try this stuff on first," Teddy said, "I know it's more my taste but give it a try and wear what you like."
"Thank you," Nikki replied. She didn't mind Teddy's taste in casual clothes or dresses; it was work clothes Nikki was worried about. But old navy had cute things for her that met her budget. She was being careful with her money not knowing if Jeff would pay child support. She still had her settlement from the accident. She had saved what she hadn't used to pay tuition for her undergraduate and teaching degrees. If she could stay here and keep her expenses minimal she would be able to survive on her salary. She knew she needed to purchase baby things and was going to do a limited maternity wardrobe for herself.
"See what works then figure out what you need," Teddy said, "I'll pass stuff to you as it stops fitting me."
"Thank you," Nikki smiled, "but don't you two have a date?"
"Were you at the hospital today," Teddy asked.
"Yes, Dr Montgomery and Nathan," Nikki replied, "I have pictures of pumpkin. And I don't want to know what it is."
"Easier to plan if you know," Teddy said.
"I'm keeping it simple," Nikki replied, "I like polka dots."
"Colours," Teddy asked.
"White, pale grey," Nikki answered, "neutrals."
"Can I see the pictures," Teddy asked.
Nikki got them off the fridge and passed them to Teddy.
"Very cute," Teddy said.
"Teddy feel this," Nikki smiled, grabbing Teddy's hand and putting it where she felt kicks.
"First kicks," Teddy asked.
"A couple days ago," Nikki smiled.
"I've never felt them from this side. It feels so much lighter than when it's happening in you," Teddy laughed.
"It was a little wiggle the other night when I was in the bath now it's constant," Nikki giggled.
"Did you get to see them move today," Teddy asked.
"Dr Montgomery showed me," Nikki said, "it was really cute."
"It is," Teddy agreed.
"She moved my due date back four days," Nikki pouted, "were both still measuring small."
"Your cute," Teddy said, "and you've always been little. Your mom isn't very big."
"And we don't know about my dad," Nikki said.
"I'm taller," Owen said, "I was bigger at 17."
"Maybe my little one will just be small," Nikki said.
"Jeff is tall," Owen said.
"They can have their dad's height but not his attitude," Nikki said.
"Then you teach them not to," Owen replied.
Sunday afternoon Evelyn knocked on Nikkis door.
"Mom," Nikki smiled, stepping back to let her mom in.
"Look at you darling," Evelyn smiled, "I go away for two weeks and you have a cute little bump."
"It moves," Nikki said, "started on Tuesday."
Evelyn hugged her youngest, "that is exciting."
"It's moving," Nikki giggled, taking Evelyn's hand and placing it where the baby was kicking her. It was the second time she had let anyone else feel the baby kick. She was excited to share these things with her mom and sister in law she knew they understood.
"They want to see grandma," Evelyn said.
"Maybe," Nikki agreed.
"How was Friday," Evelyn asked.
Nikki took the picture off the fridge, "here they are. I didn't find out. I don't want to know."
"What did dr Montgomery say," Evelyn asked.
"Everything looks good but it's measuring a bit small and so am I," Nikki said, "she pushed my due date back a few days to the 16th. And I didn't gain enough weight again."
"That's not your top," Evelyn said looking at the tunic Nikki had over a pair of leggings. The top was plain black. Nikki liked colours and prints. The top looked more like something Teddy would choose, Teddy wore a lot of neutrals and earth tones; it contrasted with Nikkis love of jewel tones and pastels.
"Teddy brought down some stuff yesterday that's too tight for her," Nikki replied, "I have to go get my own still."
"Let's look at your baby, go for lunch and some shopping," Evelyn said, "go pick out a few things you like and feel like you. No need to live in Teddy's hand me downs."
"Maybe a couple of new things," Nikki agreed.
Evelyn knew Nikki was trying not to spend money on herself. While Nikki had a stable and predictable career as a teacher only being in her second year her salary wasn't huge, it would get better once she finished her masters and had more experience but for now she was doing okay.
"What's left of the settlement," Evelyn asked.
"The part in trust until I'm 30 we've never touched which was the majority and about 15 grand from what we kept out for tuition that I ended up not using," Nikki replied, "I don't want to touch it unless I have to. I already paid both degrees with it and might need to use it for the rest of my masters. It's a safety net. I don't want to use it unless pumpkin and I need a lot of medical care. One day it's my down payment on a house or apartment. But it's a bit more practical right now to stay here, pay Owen and Teddy rent and have family here. If I can live on my salary that money is a house one day and will send my baby to college. I won't dip into it unless I have to."
Evelyn sighed, "Nicole Alexandra McRae you can take a couple hundred dollars and get clothes you feel good in. You need things until April, get things that you like."
"Maybe," Nikki agreed, "just a few things."
Evelyn hugged Nikki, "are you not doing some of these things like finding out the gender or getting proper maternity clothes because you're waiting for Jeff?"
"A little," Nikki replied, "I'm still seeing my counselor. It's getting better. But I want Jeff to at least acknowledge we're having a baby. He cheated mom. We can't be a couple. He cheated on me for months before we broke up. He was cheating before pumpkin existed. I know I can't trust him to be a couple but I need him to acknowledge our child. I sent him the ultrasound images and he hasn't replied. I call and it goes straight to voicemail. We're having a baby and he doesn't give a rats ass. Allison asked where my baby's dad is."
"Do the girls know," Evelyn said.
"I told them about their new cousin when I hit 12 weeks," Nikki said, "but I went up to get them Friday night so Owen could take Teddy on a date and Amber finally got it. She said I had a tummy just like mommy's. Owen helped explain it to the girls that Jeff moved out but he's the baby's dad. We told them I never knew my dad but it was okay because grandma is the strongest person ever. I just need to be half as strong as you. If I can be half as strong as you, my baby and I will be okay."
"You are just as strong Nikki," Evelyn said.
"Mom I'm scared," Nikki admitted.
"So was I with all three," Evelyn said, "you can be anxious that's okay. You will be great darling."
"I just don't want to be compared to Teddy," Nikki said, "I know she's going to be better at this than I am. Their son is going to be weeks older than my baby so they'll get compared. But Teddy isn't alone, it's her third not her first, she's 18 years older than me. She had her first at 36 not 24 those twelve years are a big difference. They were older and more mature when they had Allison. I know I don't make much and live on a tight budget and they don't. So it will always be compared, what my baby has and can do compared to their kids. I know all the baby stuff I need to buy and how expensive it all is so I don't want to spend much on myself right now."
"Nikki maybe you need to dip into the settlement money or your savings," Evelyn said, "get the baby things you want and make you happy. No one is comparing you to Teddy. Your two completely different people."
"There's whispers at school," Nikki said.
"What are they saying," Evelyn asked.
"I went grocery shopping yesterday for the week and heard two parents talking about me. They called me a slut," Nikki said, "they don't want their kids in my class. It's not like I chose to be alone. I was with Jeff five years before this happened but because he can't stick with me I'm slut-shamed . I was in a stable relationship before this. Before he cheated and before pumpkin."
"I know this isn't what you planned darling," Evelyn said.
"Why wasn't I good enough," Nikki asked, "why would he cheat? What did I do wrong?"
"You did nothing wrong," Evelyn promised, "Nikki he made choices that we don't understand and that were wrong. You did nothing wrong."
"Am I hideous," Nikki asked.
"No baby you are gorgeous," Evelyn promised.
"I bet whoever she is doesn't have scars," Nikki pouted.
"Battle scars," Evelyn said, "they show your strength."
"I hate them," Nikki said.
"They show how strong you are," Evelyn said.
"I don't like them," Nikki kept pouting.
"When was the last time you ate," Evelyn asked, Nikki had always gotten grumpy when she was hungry and now it was even more obvious if she was hangry.
"Sevenish," Nikki said, "toast and scrambled eggs before a walk."
"I'll take you for lunch," Evelyn smiled, "hair, make up a top that's more you and let's go."
"Leggings and the tops Teddy gave me are all that really fit and a couple school dresses but even those are tight," Nikki said.
"Hair and makeup then," Evelyn said.
Nikki got cleaned up leaving her straight waist length red hair loose.
"I'll drive," Evelyn said.
Nikki followed her mom to the car. Evelyn drove to their favorite little cafe for lunch trying to encourage Nikki to eat more. Nikki was always careful of what she ate; her years of ballet school had taught her that.
"Eat then we'll go find you some cute clothes," Evelyn said.
"Old navy had cute things online," Nikki said.
"Start there and we'll try things on," Evelyn agreed, she knew Nikki liked old navy normally.
"There's a couple maternity places in the mall we could look at," Nikki asked.
"Let's look," Evelyn said.
"Ross and Kholes won't have this will they," Nikki asked.
"Probably not," Evelyn agreed, "but they have baby things."
"Not buying too much. We don't need a lot," Nikki said.
"Have you thought of colours," Evelyn asked.
"Grey and white," Nikki answered, "Owen said I could paint the nursery. I could paint the whole basement if I wanted."
"Will you," Evelyn asked.
"The nursery maybe," Nikki said, "there's a really pretty pale grey I like."
"Do you have a pattern or print you like," Evelyn asked.
" I like polka dots," Nikki smiled, "I've been thinking about names."
"What have you decided," Evelyn asked.
"My last name for sure," Nikki said, "and I have middle names."
"What are they," Evelyn asked.
"Two middle names for a girl," Nikki said, "Meghan Theodora."
"Your sisters," Evelyn smiled, "and the middle name for a boy?"
"Owen," Nikki said, "my siblings, I like that tradition."
"Teddy had a brother didn't she," Evelyn said.
"Joey I think," Nikki said, "she's only talked to me about him a few times. He would have been older than me. She was 12. Do you think that will be their son's middle name?"
"I don't know," Evelyn said, "what do you think yours is?"
"Boy," Nikki said, "I don't know but it's a gut feeling."
"50/50 odds of being right," Evelyn smiled.
"I've been researching about kids," Nikki said, "beyond what I had to do for school. I'm worried that Jeff not being involved will hurt them. They don't have a male role model."
"What about you," Evelyn said.
"I had Owen," Nikki replied, "and Nathan."
"And so will your baby. Uncle Owen will be there," Evelyn said.
"Nathan wants to help," Nikki said, "he offered to babysit and is calling himself uncle Nathan."
"He's uncle Nathan to the girls," Evelyn said, "Owen's best friend for years. He should have been part of our family and your baby's uncle. I think he still loves her."
"Nathan's never really dated again," Nikki said, "he's at the house a lot. I had dinner upstairs with Owen, Teddy and Nate last night. It felt normal. We had dinner and played games. Teddy and I beat them at code names."
"Let Nathan be uncle Nathan," Evelyn said, "we're his family."
"At least he's not as protective as Owen," Nikki said, "but he's sending me for some tests just to make sure my heart is okay. He's not worried but Dr Montgomery wants the tests. He said when he looked at my heart he'd take a close look at baby's as well. That's Friday after school can you come?"
"I'll be there," Evelyn said, "did anyone go with you on Friday?"
"I went on my own," Nikki said, "I'm sure they would have called Owen or Teddy if there was a problem. Owen said he would have come but I was fine."
"Your brother is worried about you," Evelyn said.
"He wouldn't let me carry and set up my Christmas tree," Nikki said.
"Just looking out for you," Evelyn said.
"It's annoying," Nikki said, "but I know I'm going to need help to do things like set up a crib or paint."
"I'll paint," Evelyn said, "we could pick the color today and I could do it one day while you're at school."
"I should ask before I paint," Nikki said.
"Confirm but they won't say no," Evelyn said, "we'll get the paint today and I'll do it this week when you're at school."
Nikki texted Owen.
Nikki, "would it be okay if I painted Julie's old room to use it as a nursery."
Owen, "paint the whole basement if you want. Make it feel like home."
Nikki, "I was just going to do the one room."
Owen, "it's your choice. You could paint the whole thing. We didn't do it when we bought the house before you moved in."
Nikki, "mom only agreed to help me with the baby's room."
Owen, "talk to her. Paint if you want. As the landlord technically I'm supposed to do it."
Nikki, "I'll ask mom but we can do it. All of my walls are white anyway. It could use touch ups but it's not a big deal, I'll do it when I have time."
Owen, "we'll get the white touched up if that's what you want."
Nikki, "I can do it."
Owen, "I'll help you and mom."
Nikki, "thanks."
Owen turned to Teddy.
"Nikki wants to paint the nursery down stairs and touch up the white elsewhere," Owen said.
"We're supposed to do that," Teddy said.
"I'll do it," Owen said, "you shouldn't be painting."
"Have we ever painted downstairs," Teddy asked.
"No," Owen said, "I have no idea when it was painted we didn't do it with the rest of the house when we moved in."
Teddy thought for a moment, "let's just get it done. Tell her to pick colours. I want to do the girls' rooms and the baby's room. We could just get a painter in and do the kids rooms and the basement. I wouldn't mind doing the rest of the house but we don't need to. "
"Nikki and mom were going to do the basement," Owen said.
"Which means you're doing it," Teddy sighed.
"I know," Owen said, "I'll tell her we'll get it done."
"Just get someone to do the whole house top to bottom," Teddy said, "touch up everything."
"If you want to," Owen said.
"There's so many scuffs and marks from the girls we should," Teddy agreed.
"I'm off tomorrow I'll call around," Owen said, "you pick colours."
Owen texted Nikki back, "Teddy wants to get someone in to paint the kids rooms and most of the house. We'll do the basement at the same time."
Nikki, "I'm looking forward to doing my nursery with mom. We're going to start this week."
Owen, "we'll do it. As the landlord legally it's our job."
Nikki, "I want to do the nursery myself with mom. We're shopping."
Owen, "pick the colour you like and get everything else with mom. You two can have fun decorating and setting up. Well get it painted just do the whole house at once and bring a crew in. You and mom are not to paint. I don't want you with the paint fumes and it's a lot for mom. We're going to do the house. Let us do this for you."
Nikki, "thank you."
Owen put his phone on the counter and started making lunch.
"Mom and Nikki are shopping," Owen said.
"Good," Teddy said, "maybe your mom can convince her to get the things she wants."
"Maybe," Owen said, "Nikki never spends much."
"I know she doesn't earn much and is trying to save what she can for her baby," Teddy replied.
"Teachers are so underpaid for what she does," Owen said, "she works as hard as we do."
"Education," Teddy said, "she's got 5 years."
"Seven when she finishes her masters. Even with a PhD it'll be under paid," Owen said.
"It's what she wants. She likes teaching," Teddy said.
"I think she's pretty good at it," Owen replied.
"If she's anything like she is with our girls," Teddy said, "they think she's the coolest adult in the world."
"They only know one aunt," Owen said, "they have two and only know one."
"You miss Meghan," Teddy said.
"I do," Owen said, "almost ten years and there's days it hits me all over again."
"I wish she knew our kids," Teddy said.
"I tried Nikkis approach this morning," Owen said.
"What did you do," Teddy asked.
"I wrote Meg an email," Owen said.
"Nikki does that a lot, always has," Teddy said, "it's healthy enough."
"I haven't before," Owen said, "I told her all about you and the girls and our little man."
"It's okay to miss her Owen," Teddy said, "I do so does your mom and Nikki and Nathan."
"I should have protected her," Owen said.
"Hey it's okay," Teddy soothed pulling Owen into a tight hug.
"I just miss her and want her to see all of this," Owen sniffed.