? ンユメ? ンユン? ンユᆪ ? ンユレ? ンユレ? ンユᄂ ? ンユメ? ? ンユ゚? ? ンユᅠ? ンユᄂ? ? ンユ゚ ? ンユル? ? ンユメ? ンユヨ ? ンユレ? ンユル ℂ? ンユᆪ? ンユン?, ? ンユᆪ? ンユ゚? ンユレ? ンユリ ? ンユヨ? ンユᄂ ? ンユラ ? ンユル? ? ンユᄀ? ンユᅠ? ンユレ? ンユリ ? ンユᆪ? ンユレ? ンユメ?.
"ꜱᴏ, ɪꜱ ɪᴛ ᴀ ᴍɪɴɪ-ᴍᴇ, ᴏʀ ᴀ ᴍɪɴɪ-ʏᴏᴜ?"
"? ンメᄒ? ンメᄒ-? ンムメ,"


Taylor rested a hand on her bump as she waited by the car. She'd hit her fifth month a few days ago, meaning she was over halfway there.

That scared her a little.

She and Carole were off to see Goose again, with Taylor bringing the news of the upcoming baby... the gender! She'd had the scan a little over a week ago, but given it to Carole without knowing. She wanted to find out at the same time as Goose.

Oh... and her husband.

Taylor grimaced.

"You ok there Tay?" She flashed a smile. "Just thinking Carole," Her sister-in-law nodded with a frown. "Hey listen. I've been thinking," Taylor dumped her bag in the boot of the car. "About?" She asked. "Well, Goose and Mav are staying in fighter town to help teach, providing they graduate." Carole began. Taylor slid into the car. "Yeah?" She asked. "Well... I was thinking of moving there... more permanently,"

Taylor blinked. "You can still stay with us, obviously. It's just- there isn't much for Goose to do career-wise in Connecticut, you know?" Taylor smiled and placed a hand on Carole's shoulder. "It's fine. I don't care if we move to England. I'm just happy I get to see you both," She said.

In truth, Taylor knew she'd have to move in with Pete before the baby came along. People would start suspecting if she continued to live with her brother, despite being married.

"To be honest, it'll be a good thing anyway. I need to get ready to leave the nest," She grinned. "I can't really have his baby and not live with him, can I?" She asked.

Carole didn't answer.

"She's back!"

Taylor turned with a confused frown. "I'm sorry?" She asked. The guy gestured to himself. "It's me, Tom." Taylor shrugged her shoulder slightly. "I don't remember a Tom. Sorry," She apologised. "Ok, lemme try this." He said. "Are you Pete's girl?"

Taylor gasped, smiling. "Oh! Now I remember you! Pete called you Ice, right?" Ice nodded. "Yeah, my callsign. It's Iceman." Taylor smirked. "Why?" She chuckled. "Well because I'm as smooth as ice," She watched him frown. "No, wait."

Taylor giggled. "Don't worry. I know about callsigns," She smiled. "They're supposed to be a sign to the person. Like what they're known for." She pointed to her brother. "Like Goosey,"

"Goosey?" Ice smirked. Taylor rolled her eyes. "He snuck an actual goose into his camp one time. And he laughs like one. Hence, Goose." She explained. "And Mav, over there," She pointed. "I'm guessing he's not one for the rules."

Ice snorted. "Understatement of the century." He took a sip of his beer. "So what does the name Maverick actually mean then, Mrs Maverick?" He gestured to her ring. She smiled warmly. Not for the ring, but because it was her mother's wedding ring and held great meaning to her. "Well, the textbook definition is an independent man who avoids conformity." She took a sip of her coke. "So rather apt I guess,"

They sat in silence for a few beats, listening as Goose sang Great Balls of Fire with Bradley and Mav. "How do you know so much about call signs then? Is it because of Goose?" She took another sip. "Well, he helped. But I was enrolled in naval academy." She gestured to her twenty-one-week bump. "Before this put a kink in my plans," Ice's eyes widened. "Wow, I didn't even know you were expecting." He gazed over at Maverick, who was now staring coldly. "I sure as hell didn't know he was gonna be a dad,"

He smiled. Taylor smiled back. "How far along are you?" She hesitated slightly. "Four months," She lied. Despite her and Pete only being married a month, he obviously hadn't made it clear that he was married. "Oh? I didn't know you and Maverick had been married that long,"

She chuckled somewhat awkwardly. "So, why are you called Ice?"

Taylor exhaled shakily from Pete's couch. He'd taken the news of her moving in rather well, stating that he'd be out 6 am to 7 pm every day except Sundays.

"So, who's got the scan?" Pete asked, taking a seat on the couch. Taylor pulled the envelope from her bag. "Goose was gonna read it, but they've taken Bradley to the beach." She looked down at it.

She opened it slowly.

Taylor Mae Bradshaw Mitchell is expecting a baby...
GIRL!
Congrats!

Taylor grinned. "So? Is it a mini-me or mini-you?" Pete asked. Taylor's grin faltered a little. "Well you don't need to sound quite so brusque," She grumbled. She thrust the paper into his hands. "Mini-me," She snapped.

"What's with the attitude?" He snapped back. Taylor stared with wide eyes. "Are you for real? Are you actually for real?" She spat. "You just referred to our child as IT!" She snapped. Pete rolled his eyes. "What would you have preferred then, oh queen?"

She sneered. "How about, is the BABY a girl or boy?" She shook her head with a bitter chuckle. "I knew this was a mistake." She grabbed her keys from the pot. "Where are you going?" He asked. "To the beach. I'll tell somebody who's bothered, and who cares," She snapped.

She drove down to the beach, seething. What right does he have to act annoyed about the arrangement? His life won't be put on pause for this! Hers will! Taylor was forced to drop out of naval academy for this! AND she's going to wreck her privates to give birth!

She waved at Carole's shout. She sighed deeply as she shut the door. "Hey, guys!" She called. "Hey! So! Tell us!" Carole laughed, grabbing her hands. Taylor pulled a face at Bradley, who sat on top of Goose's shoulders.

"I'm having a little girl!" She cheered. Carole squealed and tightly hugged her. Goose spun Bradley in a circle whooping.

At least somebody cared.