Another setup chapter. Enjoy

"Ugh," Erica's morning didn't seem to be off to the greatest of starts as she slowly shuffled/waddled into her living room. "I need coffee!"

"Can't have coffee, Hon," Geoff reminded as he prepared for his day.

"But I still need it!"

"Luckily, I come prepared," Geoff went to the fridge and presented her with purple water bottle. "The doctor did say to keep hydrated after all."

"I think that was more a suggestion than a requirement. I'm constantly having to pee and drinking lots of fluid doesn't exactly help." She chugged down the contents of the bottle. "I guess I'm up for the day, help me sit on the couch."

He guided his wife to the couch and then helped her sit. "Couldn't get comfortable again?"

"No!" she shifted in her seat as he sat next to her. "Your stupid baby kept kicking the crap out of me all night."

Geoff slightly lowered himself toward her distended stomach. "Mommy didn't mean that, Peanut; she's just really cranky in the morning."

"Kinda hard to be Mr. Sunshine when you're carrying a moving watermelon inside of you."

"I'm not, and I wish I could carry the baby for you but…biology?" For no reason, Erica started sobbing. "Whoa! Is that a trigger word? Are you okay?"

"I'm a terrible person!"

"What? Where is that coming from?"

"You're so sweet, and loving, and attentive, and caring, and I'm just a bitch."

"You really shouldn't swear so casually around the baby."

"These last few months I've just been the worst, but you've still taken such good care of me, and I don't deserve it."

"Yes, you do."

"Why do you put up with me?"

"Because I love you."

"You're just saying that because I'm carrying your child!"

"Oh no, not this again," Geoff muttered under his breath. Yet, unlike the last time, he seemed prepared for this. "Erica, Sweetie: I know this is just a wild mood swing preventing you from accepting the fact that I love you and I'll still love you after you have our baby."

The sobs became sniffles. "Really?"

He wiped away her tears. "Really." Erica took a few calming breaths. "Better?"

"I will be." When he passed her the water bottle, she took a drink.

Geoff began smoothing her back. "You know I love taking care of you whether or not you have a moving watermelon inside of you."

She nodded. "I still don't deserve you. Especially after that 'pager fiasco' last night."

"I wouldn't exactly use the word 'fiasco'."

"Geoff, you got so frustrated at your pager constantly going off that you angrily threw it against the wall and then stomped on the pieces. I think you even spat on it!"

"'Disaster' is probably a better word to use then. With everything going on and people constantly trying to get a hold of me, that pager was just constantly going off."

"I'm sure most of the beeping was because of me."

"I just got swept away in anger and took it out on my portable communication device instead of those I love."

"It was pretty hot though."

"Was it?"

"For sure. I mean before you even had a minute to process what you did, I was all over you."

"You were surprisingly quick given your condition."

"Granted it was an impulse decision based off of fluctuating hormones and an increased sex drive, but-"

"Was that really a good idea? Us being intimate last night."

"Oh? Uh-"

"I'm not saying the sex wasn't good."

"It was great."

"So great!" As if he was ashamed, he cleared his throat. "But was that really the best idea this far along in your pregnancy? That is one of the leading causes of labor after all."

"True, but it's been over ten hours and I'm not showing any signs of labor."

"You did say the baby was kicking you all night."

"Probably because we were so excited that we got Peanut excited. Here," Erica put his palm on her abdomen, "something's always happening whenever you're around."

"Wow," no matter how many times he felt it, Geoff was always amazed whenever Peanut indicated their presence. "Ooh!" he (and Erica) was caught off guard when the baby's foot hit his palm. "Hello in there."

Erica gave a small giggle. "And when Peanut is finally ready to come out, they're gonna have all our time and attention that we won't be able to…be intimate for a while." Geoff gave an acknowledging nod. "I think maybe we needed that last night."

He nodded and pulled his hand away. "Maybe you're right."

"Sucks that I won't be able to page you for some afternoon delight though."

"Oh, for sure. Don't forget that you'll have to call my dad's extension if you need to get a hold of me."

"I'll try not to be as much of a bother as I have been."

"You, a bother?" Geoff took his hand in hers and gave a gentle squeeze. "Never."

"Did I tell you how lucky Peanut and I are to have you?"

All Geoff could do was respond with a smile.

…

Beverly put a big, red 'X' over the '7' on her calendar. "And no baby yesterday." Murray rolled his eyes as he tried to enjoy the rest of his breakfast. "What is taking so long for Erica to squeeze this kid out?"

"A week and half, Bevvy," Murray reminded.

"Not soon enough! I know first babies are supposed to take their time, but how much time does this kid need?"

With a sigh, Murray set his spoon down. "Bevvy: we're all excited about Mini Peanut, but you need to let this happen when it happens. Does Erica really need to follow through on that restraining order idea?"

Beverly scoffed. "Like that'll keep me away." Murray quirked a brow to her. "Okay, I know; but I'm too excited. Do you know how close we are to becoming grandparents?"

"We've waited this long; what's another ten days?"

"But I can almost taste the baby!"

"What have I told you about eating our grandchild?"

"Hey Mom! Hey Dad!" Adam called as he made his way downstairs.

"Ah, the boy who doesn't want to go back to college."

"Murray!" Beverly chided.

"I am actually looking forward to going back to NYU," Adam clarified. "I just want to be here when Erica has Mini Peanut so I can get video documentation of the day. I'm gonna be an uncle: that's a pretty huge deal."

"Both of you realize you're not actually going to be in the delivery room when that day comes," Murray reminded.

"Why would I want to be anywhere near that? I get uncomfortable watching births on TV and movies, you think I wanna watch one live? Especially when it's my sister?" Adam gave a theatrical tremble. "No, thank you."

Both of the men looked toward a shifty-eyed Beverly. "I can't make any promises." They vocally grunted their displeasure. "Erica is gonna need her mama in there with her!"

"Is she though?"

"Well when Geoffrey inevitably passes out, I'll be there for Erica."

"You have so little faith in Erica's husband."

"The boy does not thrive well under pressure."

Murray shrugged. "I think he'll be okay. He'll look away, but he'll be okay."

"How would you even know? You weren't there with me when our caterpillars emerged from the cocoon of my womb as precious butterflies."

"The man not being in there was a thing until after that one was born," Murray pointed to Adam.

"That one?!" Adam couldn't help but take some offense. "Do you not know my name?" He then turned to Beverly. "And also: ew!"

Murray seemed to ignore his son and focused on his wife. "What I do know is you are not going to do anything to cause our daughter to go into labor. Do we need another baby shower disaster?"

Beverly's eyes darted around the room as she looked at anything but Murray and Adam. "I think it was more a 'fiasco' than a 'disaster'. Everything turned out alright at the end anyway."

"Bevvy: this will happen when it happens." She grumbled her agreement. "And I suggest that until it does, find some creative ways to occupy your time that doesn't involve baby related projects. Do something for yourself."

"Like what?"

"I already did enough talking for the day. I'm off to work," he gave his wife a quick kiss. "I suppose I'll be seeing you later too, Adam."

"Ah, you do know my name," this answered Adam's earlier question.

"Of course I know your name, Moron!" with that, Murray left.

"I should've seen that coming."

"Schmoo," Beverly began, "you seem to find ways to occupy your time. What's something we can do together?"

"Today? Nothing. Even though I'm not physically at school, I'm still doing the work. I've got some papers to write, films to analyze, and Geoff and I have something going on."

"You have something going on with your brother-in-law and not your mama?"

"Ah, what the heck, Barry and Erica aren't here: Geoff and I have been making arrangements for Lainey to come visit."

"Lainey as in Lainey Lewis: best friend to your sister and former lover/near wife of your brother?"

"I don't know what other options there could be. Anyway: Lainey's cover band has gotten some bookings and she's playing in New Jersey this afternoon. Geoff got in touch with her and asked if she could stop for a quick visit. He asked for my help planning because he wants me to film a Lainey/Erica reunion."

"What about Barry?"

"We thought we'd surprise him too. I mean we can't tell him and expect to keep his mouth shut."

"True."

"Also: I really liked Lainey and Barry together. I thought maybe if they saw each other again, something might happen."

"Aww, Adam; you're playing yenta!"

"Speaking of yenta: why don't you do something with the Frentas this afternoon? Book club meeting, tea party, see Moonstruck for the twenty-something time, sit at the mall and judge people over brunch? Something to take your mind of the waiting for Mini Peanut."

"I suppose I could."

"And if they're not available, do all that with yourself."

"No, they'll be available; they have no lives."

"Harsh?"

"And I suppose I can bond with Linda over something other than our mutual grandchild," she contemplated or something. "Or bond with Linda over our mutual grandchild while excluding Essie and Ginzy."

"Quality time, I guess."

Beverly excitedly slammed her hands on the table. "You've convinced me, Schmoo!" As she was excitedly about to head out, she quickly turned around. "You sure you'll be okay on your own for a couple hours?"

"Sure. I mean, I did mention things I could do in peace and quiet. Go out! Have fun! Paint the town Bev."

She gasped with joy. "I love the little play on words from my little love! I will paint the town Bev." There was a pep in her step as she danced out the door.

And when Adam knew his mother was gone, he let out the breath he was holding. "I can't believe that actually worked."