525,600 Minutes

January- Maria

Disclaimer: I own no one!

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Lovingly running her hands over her belly, Maria sighed. She wished she could understand her mother's reasoning. She could never imagine disowning her daughter.

Between her mother possibly disowning her and missing her fiancé, she was in a horrible mood. She wanted her fiancé with her. She needed him, longed for his touch.

"Hello?" she murmured, catching the phone just as it began to ring. Immediately, she grinned. "Carlos! Oh my God, I miss you SO much!"

"So do I, Love. How are my girls?"

"One can't stop crying and the other's kicking Mommy's ass for blueberry pancakes,"

"Maria! What did the doctor tell you?"

"CUT BACK on the carbs. She didn't tell me to give them up completely,"

"I know, but I worry about you and Risa,"

"I love when you say her name,"

"So do I. It makes her sound real,"

"She is real!"

"You know what I mean!"

"I've got to get going. I think Adam's downstairs, and I know Amy's downstairs. If I don't get down there now, I'll have no clue what they're talking about. I don't want to be the dumb pregnant one tonight!"

"Love you. Have fun,"

"Love you too," She hung up, setting the cordless phone on the charger.

As soon as she got downstairs, she wasn't surprised to see Adam talking to Amy. A broccoli pizza was between them. She hoped she could pick up the conversation, so, she wouldn't be in the dark most of the night.

"What did I miss?" Maria asked, taking a slice of pizza. Amy giggled, elbowing Adam.

"She's ready to give up on guys, while I gave up on guys a LONG time ago." Adam murmured, squeezing Amy's hand. "The only gay guy I know that we work with is creepy as hell,"

"Think Mickie would go out with me?" Amy asked, referring to her good friend, Mickie James. "Shane ruined my taste for guys," Maria rolled her eyes.

"Don't give up on guys, EITHER of you. Ad, you'll find someone. Amy, I think you have a guy on your tail," Maria said. "Since when is the pregnant one the sane one?"

"Since the new mom isn't here and you're sitting here with two bitterly single people?" Adam murmured, crossing his legs. "How is Trisha?"

"Recovering fine, when I called. They were having her try to breastfeed and she was cursing AJ!" Amy exclaimed. "Ad let me ask you something,"

"Hon, you're gorgeous, but just not the right gender," he said. She rolled her eyes. He chuckled. "Yes?"

"Is Jay single?"

Maria tuned out the conversation. She was happily taken, and had no desire to hear about Amy's crush. Besides, the baby was being active.

"Maria, EARTH to MARIA!" Amy exclaimed, shaking her friend. Maria jerked her head up. "Risa being active?"

"SHH!" Maria exclaimed, not wanting Adam to know. It was getting harder and harder to keep the secret of the baby's name and gender.

"Risa? A girl? A boy?" Adam leaned forward. "Tell!"

"Risa Elle, a little girl," she blurted out, holding her belly. "Tell no one! Carlos' superstitious," Adam nodded. Facing Amy, she laughed. "Yes, she's doing somersaults,"

"AWW!" Amy squealed, diving into Adam's lap.

"What is the appeal of women and babies?" he asked, watching Amy rub Maria's belly.

"They're cute and perfect," Maria said. "I know you're looking forward to being Godfather, aren't you?"

"Of course," he said, taking a slice of pizza. "Why wouldn't I be looking forward to meeting Princess Risa?"

"I don't know," Maria said, stretching out on the love seat. Her hands lovingly rested on her belly. "Please, Risa, calm down." She laughed, the baby moving quickly.

"Listen to your mommy," Adam murmured, setting his hand on her belly. Maria laughed. "Well, she listens to the Godfather,"

"Don Copeland," Amy muttered, imitating Marlon Brando.

This was what life was about. Sharing a pizza with her friends, just having a good time. She was closer to her friends than she was to most of her own family.

"Oh my God!" Maria squealed. Amy and Adam faced her. "I just got a HUGE craving for Tater Tots,"

For Maria and her big belly, the backseat was the most comfortable spot for her. Opening the door, she glanced at Adam's backseat.

"Just shove the shit over," he remarked, sliding into the driver's seat. Shrugging, Maria shoved the stuff to the side of the car.

As much as she had missed Carlos, she now felt as if she were with her true family.

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