Hi Everyone, thank you for the reviews! I appreciate the support, follows, favorites, reviews, and just taking an interest in my story.
As I have previously stated, I am no expert in Military/Medical Jargon so please bare with me.
Also…I am a student and work full-time, so please bare with me on the updates!
This chapter will delve more into the pregnancy and have a time-jump.
Please Review and Leave your Feedback!
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Chapter 3- Baby Prep
It wasn't easy dealing with the pregnancy hormones that ravage your body while you are an ER doctor and trying to take care of your niece and nephew without looking like a nutcase.
Lucky for her, her family already knew she was a little crazy and that it was only going to get worse with her pregnancy. She had a big support system and they loved her. They understood that she had no control over her emotions anymore.
Every couple days while the guys where away Naima would call and check in. They even made a date to take the kids to the movies and see the new movie Sing, which was supposed to be really good.
In the meantime, the kids were enjoying being with their aunt and Mia was enjoying being with them. They promised Jason and Clay that they were going to look out for each other and that is what they planned to do.
With the boys back home, everything was starting to feel back to normal. The guys went back to training like crazy, Mia was busy as ever working in the ER while being 4 months pregnant. She was excited but nervous about the pregnancy.
Since everyone was back in their grind of life and work, BRAVO decided to have a barbeque to reconnect and connect.
This time, it was going to be at Mia's house since she had a bigger backyard and a pool.
Mia took the whole weekend off and started cooking as soon as she got home and showered. She changed into a tank top and some shorts before she got cooking.
Mia was in the middle of making the potato salad after marinating the steaks and chicken when her door opened, and she heard her niece and nephew coming in arguing about something.
They dropped their stuff by the closet and walked in settling at the island in the kitchen. "Hey, what are you two arguing about?" she asked as she put the potato salad in the fridge and started on the pasta salad.
"Guess what Aunt Mia?" Mikey was more excited than she ever saw him after school.
She looked over as she stirred the pasta in the boiling water. "What?" she replied.
"Some guy, the Quarterback of the football team Cole Evans texted my sister and asked her on a date for tomorrow" he explained.
Mia smiled as she looked at her niece who blushed bright red and smacked her brother up the head.
"He asked you for tomorrow. Did you tell your dad yet? I didn't get any calls for bail" she teased.
Emma blushed deeper, "Aunt Mia, not you too" she groaned helping herself to some homemade guacamole and celery sticks.
"Emma, coming from experience, you better tell your dad before your date shows up to the barbeque tomorrow to pick you up and is confronted with all of BRAVO" she informed her.
Emma sighed, "I know" she was not looking forward to this.
Mia drained the pasta and poured them in a serving dish before pointing at her nephew with a wooden spoon, "and you, let your sister be the one to spill the beans you got me?" she asked.
He laughed, "yes mam" he saluted her.
Now it was Mia's turn to laugh at his reaction, "go get me some Italian Dressing from downstairs. Grab a couple bottles and bring them up for me. They are in the pantry" she informed him.
Emma got up and started cutting up some peppers, the black olives and put them in a separate bowl for her aunt.
"Why don't you start the tacos, so they'll be done when your dad and uncle get here?" she said.
Emma nodded and started making and mixing the taco meat and cutting up the vegetables/toppings for the tacos they were having for dinner.
Mia and the kids were setting up the tables and stuff outside on the back patio when the guys got home.
They put their stuff in the closet and followed the music and laughter to the back, stopping at the doorway of the patio to see Mia and Emma dancing around while Mikey just stood there shaking his head laughing at them.
It wasn't until they turned to see Jason and Clay standing there watching them. Mia walked over and gave them both a hug.
"Hey, how was the OP and training? You guys all, okay? I didn't hear anything from Trent" she said looking them both over.
Clay laughed and looked her over, "we are good. Everyone is fine, we all made it back in one piece. How are you feeling? How's the Peanut?" he asked.
"It's an Apple Uncle Clay" Emma teased as she made her way past them into the house to greet her dad.
Clay laughed, "I'm sorry, how is the Apple doing?" he asked.
She smiled and rubbed her little, barely there bump, "the baby is fine. Gracie said that everything is looking good. I have another appointment in a couple months to hear the heartbeat and learn the sex of the baby" she explained.
He looked down and placed his hand over hers, "is it okay if I go with you? It should be right before our deployment" he replied.
She looked down and swallowed hard. They were busy at the hospital because everyone was getting ready for deployment. Charlie Company was going first, then BRAVO was going to relive them and escort Alpha Team.
She was not looking forward to going through the final trimester of her pregnancy alone.
"Clay, I need to talk to you about something" she said seriously.
She had been feeling things when they were spun up and she didn't know what to do with them due to their current relationship.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
She shook her head, "not exactly" she replied shifting on her feet.
He tilted her head up to meet her gaze, "whatever it is, we can figure it out together" he said.
"I don't know how much you know about pregnancy, but along with the physical changes, there are hormonal changes and one of them includes increased sex drive" she informed him in a whisper, but he caught it, causing him to gasp and his eyes to widen.
"Are you serious?" he asked with a grin once he caught on to what she was trying to say.
Mia blushed and tried to pull away embarrassed when Clay laughed and pulled her back to him, cupping her cheeks.
"This is normal Mia. I was reading that book What to Expect When Expecting and they had a chapter on this. I just didn't know how to bring it up to you, but I am here to help you. What do you need me to do?" he asked.
She shifted again and shrugged, covering her face with her hands, dropping her head into his chest, "God, this is so embarrassing" she cried.
He laughed and cupped her head, fingers digging into her hair as he pulled her head back to meet his gaze, "whatever you need, I am there for you. It doesn't have to change anything. We can still be friends and all that, but with a little extra, just to get you through this" he replied.
She blew out a breath and nodded, "okay, it's…I don't even know how to explain it. It's like I am horny all the freaking time when you are around. I am like a sex-crazed teenager. I can't even get through a movie without having to relieve myself" she stated.
He looked at her half confused, half turned on and half amused. "What movie?" he asked.
She wiped her face of tears and pulled away to get some space between them. She couldn't think when he was that close to her.
"Grace and I were having girls' night while Mikey was at Hockey Camp and Emma was at Hannah's. We were watching Fifty Shades Darker, which has even more sex scenes than the first movie, so when they made it to the Red Room, I had to excuse myself. It was pathetic. I am not even in control of my body anymore" she explained.
He nodded like he understood what she was saying, making a note to ask Emma about it later and maybe google.
"Don't worry, we'll figure it out okay. Now come on, those tacos smell amazing, and I am starving" he said leading her back into the house.
Jason and the kids were setting up the table. "Everything okay? You guys were out there for a while" he stated looking them over.
Emma nudged her dad, "Dad, you said you were going to try and be nice" she warned.
"What? I brought him here didn't I. Let them talk alone for 10 minutes, 3 seconds without interrupting. I was just asking a question" Jason tried to defend himself.
They all just burst out laughing. "You are ridiculous dad" Emma stated as she put the last of the meat on the table.
It was a great dinner. Everyone was able to catch up and really be with each other as a family.
"So, Em, do you have anything to tell Dad?" Mikey asked as he stuffed a taco in his mouth.
Mia met Emma's eyes and saw the panic in her nieces' eyes. "Shut up Mikey" she glared at her brother.
Jason and Clay looked between each other, Mia and the kids, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Okay, what is it?" he asked.
"Dad, you can't freak out" Emma started, looking at her aunt for support.
Jason dropped his fork and ran a hand over his face. He tensed, bracing himself for whatever she had to say.
"Should I have Trent on standby?" Clay whispered to Mia.
She elbowed him, grabbing her cup to take a sip of water to hide her laugh.
"Okay so, I know we have a barbeque tomorrow, but I was asked to hang out" she replied.
He looked between everyone at the table surprised. "That's it? Have the girls pick you up from the barbeque or even better have them come" Jason stated, going back to his dinner.
Emma sighed, "Dad, it's not the girls. It's Cole Evans, the Quarterback of the football team" she informed him.
Everyone stopped and looked at Jason. "Great, I can't wait to meet him" he replied.
Emma looked between her aunt and dad confused. Mia reached over and put a hand on her brother's forehead.
Jason laughed and slapped her hand away. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Checking for a fever, you must be delirious if you have no reaction to your teenage daughter going on a date with someone that you don't know" she replied.
"I am trying something new" he stated.
Mia and Emma looked at Jason unconvinced. "Uhuh, you are up to something" she said before turning to Emma, "you better warn your friend before he comes" she added.
Emma laughed and high-fived her in agreement.
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Mia was glad that Jason was finally giving Clay a chance. It made their relationship easier.
After dinner, Jason and before the kids left, Clay pulled Emma to the side while she was getting her coat on. "Hey Em, do you know what Fifty Shades Darker is?" he asked.
She looked at him dubiously, "is that a trick question?" she replied, laughing at the confused look on his face.
"Uncle Clay, every female around knows about the Fifty Shades series. They were a book series, then they made them a movie. The second one just came out" she explained.
He nodded, "should I just google this?" he asked rubbing the back of his neck awkward.
She laughed and shook her head, "probably. Just watch the trailer online" she replied before leaving with a wave and a laugh at the confused look on his face.
Mia gave Clay a copy of her latest ultrasound. "This is 3 months. The next one is a couple months from now and I am excited to find out what we are having" she stated.
"Thanks" he took the copy and put it in his wallet, lingering at the island in the kitchen.
"What about the other thing we talked about?" he asked.
She froze as she was wiping down the counter. "I don't know what to do. I can't help how I feel. I just don't know what to do about it" she replied.
"Why don't we deal with it then together. We can work it out tomorrow after the barbeque" he suggested.
She nodded and walked him out. Standing at the doorway, watching him leave.
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Barbeque
Mia woke up early the next day to get everything ready for the barbeque. Mikey and Emma helped her set up the patio and put everything in place, so she just needed to get the food together.
She left the salads and appetizers in the fridge so she could start marinating the meat and putting the last final touches on things.
Around breakfast, she heard two sets of trucks pull in the driveway. Not a minute later, did Jason and Clay come in with Emma and Mikey.
"Morning Mims" Jason greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
"Morning Mia" Clay greeted with a kiss to the forehead.
"Morning, there is coffee on and bagels on the counter. I am making sausage and eggs too if you guys want some" she replied.
Emma and Mikey helped themselves to a plate, while Jason and Clay got themselves some coffee.
"So, what else do we need to do?" Jason asked as he got comfortable on the island.
"I need you guys to bring the tables and chairs from the garage, set up the tent, and games. Emma and I will finish decorating. The meat is marinating in the fridge, so the food is ready to go" she replied.
After breakfast, everyone dispersed to get their marching orders accomplished.
Clay and Jason set up the tent in the backyard first, then moved the tables and chairs under so Mia and Emma could decorate.
Once they had everything set up in the backyard, Mia and Emma started in on the food. Most of everything was already prepared, it just needed to be seasoned and set up in serving dishes.
"Okay, let's start on the meat first since that is going to take the longest. Jase, you start on the steak, tenderloin. Clay, you get going on the chicken and turkey sausage. Emma and I will get the vegetables cut up and ready to go" Mia instructed everyone.
Once they had their orders, everyone separated to get things done. As they were getting everything settled and the boys started cooking, Mia and Emma put up the last of the plates, decorations, and set up the tables on the patio.
It wasn't long after they started the food did BRAVO start showing up. She was greeted first by Jameelah and RJ who came running into the backyard in their swimsuits.
"Hi Aunt Mia" Jameelah greeted.
Mia smiled and crouched down with her arms wide open. She wrapped them in a hug. "Hi guys, are you so excited to spend the afternoon with me?" she asked.
"Yup I am" RJ replied enthusiastically.
She laughed, "good, I am excited too. I got all your favorites once the food is done okay" she said.
He nodded with a big smile and ran to his mom, wrapping his arms around her legs. "Hey Mia, thanks for having us" she greeted the young doctor with a smile and a hug.
Mia smiled and took the tray from her hands, "Hi, thank you for bringing the dessert. I got the entrée taken care of, so this will be great" she replied.
"I come bearing gifts too" Lisa walked in the backyard with Sonny, both of them holding cases of beer and bags of ice.
Clay walked over and greeted them with a side hug, before taking the ice and drinks to put in the coolers next to the patio.
"Can we go swimming now Aunt Mia?" Jameelah asked practically bursting with energy.
Mia laughed and nodded, "sure honey, just make sure you put on your vest okay" she said directing her to the boys.
Naima and Lisa joined Mia in the kitchen as they started to dish out the food into serving dishes when Mandy walked in with bottles of wine.
"Hi ladies" she greeted as she put the wine bottle in the fridge.
"Hey, how was your conference?" Mia asked.
Mandy sagged against the island, "it was long and tretorous. Everyone was shocked that Bravo has been that successful in capturing all the HVTs in one piece. I was like, I have been giving you the reports but still, they act like it was a big surprise" she informed them.
Mia laughed and poured her some wine, "well, it's like I say when I have a rough day at the hospital, drink away your problems" she replied as she put the glass in front of her.
Mandy raised her glass in a cheer as she took a gulp and helped herself to some cheese and crackers Mia had on the island.
"So, are you excited about the baby?" Naima asked as they prepared the salad.
Mia was mixing the pasta salad when she sighed. "I am starting to be. I mean I am three months, and I am starting to feel pregnant, but I am not going to lie, I am terrified. Grace was the one who made me get checked out because I almost passed out at work. When she told me that my test was indeed positive, I was petrified. I am still scared; I am not going to lie. How am I going to do this?" she said honestly.
"Honey, you are going to be fine. We are all going to be here for you and help you through this. Even if the boys are spun up or Clay is not around as much, you have a wolf pack behind you and we are always going to be here for you, whatever you need, not matter what" Naima wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed her into a side hug.
Mia wiped her tears and laughed, "if I am half the mom, you are then I will be in good shape" she said to Naima.
"You are going to be just fine, I promise. It's like Naima said, you have all of us" Lisa added.
"Thanks ladies. Considering I was raised by my brother for the majority of my childhood, and we all know how Jason Hayes is. That's why I don't know if I'll even be a good mom or know how to handle a baby" she teased.
"Bullshit"
"No Way" all the girls said at the same time.
"Mia, trust me when I say that you are going to be a great mom. I have seen you raise Emma and Mikey from the time they were born with you helping Alana when Jason was deployed or spun up. You got this. Besides, you have Clay and I know for a fact that he wants this more than anything. You two are going to be great parents" Lisa reassured her.
Mia wiped her tears and nodded with a laugh, "I hope so" she replied.
Outside, Clay was having a similar conversation with Sonny. Bravo 3 could tell that Clay was nervous and anxious. He could tell something was up because the young Spencer was glancing between the conversation he was having and Mia in the kitchen.
Sonny noticed him tense and looked like he was going to take off. He followed his gaze to see Mia crying.
Sonny made his way to Clay and handed him a beer. Clay took the beer and took a chug. "What's going on Boy Wonder?" he asked.
Clay looked at him confused. "What are you talking about Son?" he replied.
"You doing okay with the baby?" he asked straight forward.
Clay looked at him surprised before turning to see where Jason was. He didn't want to say this in front of his boss or Mia's brother.
"I am scared. When Mia first told me she was pregnant, I was excited but then I thought about it. I am going to be a dad. I am going to be responsible for another person. How am I going to be a good dad when I had a dad like Ash? I don't know what I am doing. I just don't want to scare Mia. She is the one going through everything" he replied.
Sonny patted his shoulder, "you don't have to worry about that Bam Bam. That girl is destined to be a mom. From the time she was little, she used to mother all of us and take care of Emma and Mikey. And for you, you are going to be fine. You care for people Clay. You are going to be there for that little Bam Bam and Mia because they are going to be the most important people in your world. You just do everything that Ash did wrong. You love them and everything else will fall in place. Besides, you have all of us to fall back on for help" he stated.
Clay looked at him surprised. "Even you Mr. I love to go out and get with anyone I can" he teased.
Sonny shrugged, "well someone's got to be the fun uncle" he replied.
Clay laughed and clapped Sonny on the back, "thanks Sonny" he needed this talk.
"Anytime Bam Bam, we are all here for both of you" he said before going to help himself to some food.
Clay made his way inside, knocking on the patio door before walking in the kitchen. "Damn, it smells good in here" he teased as he walked in.
They all looked at him with a smile, "it better be, we have been slaving away in here. Make yourself useful and take these out when you are ready. We'll give you some time alone" Naima and the girls grabbed a plate of appetizers and made their way to the patio.
Clay walked over and stood next to Mia, nudging her shoulder with his. "You doing okay in here?" he asked.
She smiled and nodded as she made herself busy with taking dishes out of the fridge. "Yeah, I am fine, why?" she replied.
"I saw you crying earlier when you were with the girls" he said.
She smiled and patted his shoulder, "I am fine. I promise. The girls were just helping me deal with being pregnant and the hormones and what's to come. Don't worry Papa Bear we got this. Together remember" she reassured him.
He nodded, "together" he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.
As they rejoined everyone else outside, she noticed Emma dash down the driveway and Jason tense.
Smiling, she made her way over to her brother and wrapped her arms around his waist. He looked down at her curiously.
"Calm down and breathe" she instructed.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a deep breath. Their eyes were trained on the driveway, waiting for Emma to come back.
Mia smiled when she saw her niece walk in front of her date Cole, and directly to her dad. "Dad, this is Cole Evans. Cole, this is my dad Jason Hayes" she introduced them, staying in front of Cole.
He stepped around Emma and put his hand out, "nice to meet you Master Chief Hayes, I have heard a lot about you" he said.
Jason shook his hand, "you Navy?" he asked.
Cole nodded, "my sister is Captain Elizabeth Evans, she works on the base as a physiotherapist" he replied.
"Your sister is Izzy? She never mentioned that her brother was going to be asking my daughter on a date" Jason stated straight forwardly.
Cole looked a little sheepish, "she didn't know until this afternoon. I was afraid she was going to talk me out of it. I mean, no disrespect, but everyone knows not to mess with Jason Hayes" he replied.
Mia laughed and nudged her brother, "seems like your reputation hasn't changed" she teased before stepping forward.
"Hi, I'm Mia, I work with your sister and am Emma's Aunt. Where are you guys going tonight?" she asked trying to relieve the tension.
Emma looked at her aunt gratefully. "We are going to see a movie and then dinner, right?" she turned to Cole.
He nodded, "yeah, that was the plan" he stated.
She nodded with a big smile, "that's great. Let's go" she hugged her aunt and kissed her dad's cheek before grabbing her purse and linking her arm with Cole's.
"Have Fun, Emma be back by curfew" Jason called after them.
Emma nodded and waved over her head, "I will dad" she replied before practically dragging Cole down the driveway.
"She couldn't get away fast enough" Clay teased.
"Can you blame her?" Many added.
"Speaking from experience, nope" Mia answered for Emma.
"I wasn't that bad" Jason tried to defend himself.
Mia scoffed, "coming from the man who sent a drone to follow me to prom" she stated.
"That guy was trying to get in your pants" he defended himself.
"Keep telling yourself that" she teased.
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Four Months…
Mia was sitting on the couch after a long on-call shift, her head back and her eyes closed. She was beyond exhausted. She didn't even eat or change her clothes yet. She just needed a minute to gather the strength.
Before she could pull herself together and get off the couch, she heard knocking at the door and then a key being inserted in the lock.
She figured it was her family or Clay. They were the only ones that had a key. Looking up to see Clay walk in with a bag of food, she smiled and waved.
He laughed when he saw her on the couch. "Damn Mia, you look half dead" he teased.
"It was a rough call shift" she replied sitting up when he joined her on the couch and put the food on the table.
"Well, I got Chinese" he said handing her a plate of everything.
She moaned as she took a bite, "that is so good. You are such a good baby daddy" she teased, causing him to choke on his food.
She laughed and dug into her food. "How about we don't kill me just yet, I would like to meet my baby first" he replied.
She just shrugged and continued eating, "you think we can try that thing we talked about tonight?" she asked looking at him over her plate.
He relaxed back against the couch, pulling her into his side. "What did you have in mind?" he replied looking down at her.
She put her plate on the table and melted into his chest. "I think we should start with BOB because the last time I tried to use it, nothing happened" she informed him.
He looked down at her confused, "who's BOB and why does he have to be involved?" he asked.
She laughed, "BOB is battery operated boyfriend, and he has to be involved because you broke me. I used to use him all the time and be fine and now I can't" she explained.
He nodded in understanding, looking smug with himself that he had that effect on her. He was enjoying being involved in her pregnancy.
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After dinner, Clay carried her into the bedroom and laid her in the center of the bed. He started undressing himself first, stripping down to his boxers.
Mia just laid back watching the show. He had really 'beefed up' since she knew him. He had more muscle and was just more man.
"My turn" she replied.
He laughed as she put her hands out so he could pull her top off. Next, he untied her pants and pulled them down.
She changed into a long shirt that she stole from him before settling back into the mound of pillows.
"It's in the top drawer" she said biting her bottom lip nervously.
She has never done this in front of another person before.
He leant over and grabbed the vibrator and the remote, sitting next to her on the bed.
"You ready for this?" he asked.
She nodded, blushing bright red as she spread her legs.
Clay stiffened, blood rushing to his cock as he looked down at her glistening pussy. "You're already wet" he said.
She breathed out a laugh, "I told you that it doesn't take much when you are around" she replied, holding her breath when she felt him lean over and insert the vibrator.
Sitting up facing her, his eyes between her legs, he asked, "you okay?"
He wanted to make this good for her. He didn't want her to feel awkward or embarrassed.
She let out a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, I am good" she replied.
He started the vibration on the clit stimulator first. Mia couldn't help but suck in a breath, her back arching.
"Clay" she moaned as he turned on the vibrator as well.
She couldn't help but press her thighs together, her eyes dropping closed as she let the vibrations pleasure her.
Clay was becoming uncomfortable, shifting himself to relive some pressure. This had to be the sexiest thing he ever saw. He was so close to coming and he hasn't even touched her yet.
He looked up to see that she was watching him. She couldn't help but smile at his predicament. She was glad that she was affecting him as much as he was her.
"Need some help there?" she asked reaching over and cupping his member.
"Jesus Mia" he breathed.
"I can help with that" she said.
He shook his head, "no, today is about you" he replied.
He shoved his boxers down and curled his free hand around his cock, stroking himself as Mia watched eagerly, arching with the vibration of the didlo.
Mia reached over and took over rubbing him along with the rhythm of the vibrator. He couldn't help but groan and increase the vibration of the vibrator.
Her eyelids dropped and her breathing became heavier. He upped the clit suction.
Mia's head fell back, her mouth falling open, thighs clamping together. She was so close to cuming.
It took all of Clay's self-control not to shoot his load prematurely. He wanted to get Mia off first.
He turned the vibration even higher, needing to see her get off.
Mia's lips parted in a loud moan; her eyes fluttering shut. His fingers tightened on the remote. He was desperate for her to come first.
"I am close Clay" she moaned.
He pushed the clit stimulator on high causing Mia's eyes to fly open, her back arched off the bed, crying out as she came, shaking at the force of her orgasm.
As she came, Mia squeezed his cock one more time, causing Clay to come so hard he saw white for a second, falling face first on the bed next to Mia.
She reached down and pulled BOB out, turning him off and laying it on the floor by the bed before turning her head to see Clay face first in the pillow, panting.
"You're welcome" she teased.
He huffed a laugh as he turned over and took a breath. "Damn Mia, who knew BOB was so useful" he replied.
She laughed and curled into him, smiling as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her tight against him as he pulled the covers up and they got some sleep.
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Over the next couple of weeks, Clay and Mia started to baby prep. Mia went online and found a list of everything they would need to make their house childproof only doubled it because they were buying two of everything.
After a long day at work, Mia stood by Clay's truck, waiting for BRAVO to come out so they could go shopping.
It wasn't long when she saw the team walk out, Jason following Clay to his truck. She got up and greeted them with a hug.
"Hey, you ready to go?" she asked.
Clay nodded and dumped their bags in the back. "Where are you guys off too?" he asked.
"We are going to Babies R' US to get some stuff for the nursery and to baby proof" she replied.
"You buying double of everything? "Jason asked.
Mia nodded, "yeah, some stuff for my house and Clay's apartment" she explained.
"We'll talk about that later. I still think it would be easier if we both live together so I can help with the baby" he reasoned.
Mia sighed, she wanted to move in with Clay, but she didn't want it to be just about the baby. She wanted him to want her there.
"We'll see okay" she replied not wanting to get into it in front of her brother.
"Alright, well, I'll see you guys later" Jason said, giving Mia a kiss on the forehead.
Clay drove them to Babie's R'Us and parked close to the door. Mia watched amused as he turned off the car and just sat there staring at the store like it was enemy territory.
"You okay there Bravo Six?" she teased.
He looked at her nervously before letting out a deep breath. "Let's do this" he replied getting out of truck and rounding to her side, opening the door for her.
Mia grabbed a cart as they made their way into the store. She pulled out her list of things they needed to start with.
"Where do we start?" he asked.
"First we are going to need the basics, we can get some bottles, a set of cribs, diaper bags, diapers, a play-pen, a swing, a car-seat, and we can look at the furniture for the nursery" she read off her list.
"Jeez, okay let's start with the small things first. Then we can work our way to the bigger items" he suggested.
Mia had her list out as she directed him down the baby clothing aisle. They each picked out a couple gender neutral outfits for the baby to wear the first couple months.
They each had a room in their respective houses for the nursery. Mia wanted everything in a cute light grey color scheme, so it could work for a girl or boy.
She wanted a mahogany furniture set for each nursery. There was going to be a crib, rocking chair, nightstand, and full chested dresser.
"Okay, so we can register for the bottles, clothes, and other accessories, but I want to start looking at furniture" she directed him down the crib aisle.
"That sounds good. You wanted the darker set right?" he asked.
She nodded as they looked at a particularly cute dresser that fit everything Mia was looking for. "Yeah, I think that it will work out well with the colors that we have in the nursery" she explained before turning to him.
"What do you think about this one?" she indicated to the dresser behind her.
He looked it over, opening the drawers, looking at the exterior. "This is great. Do you want to put it on our list or just get it?" he replied.
She looked at him surprised. "Really?" she asked excited.
He laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side, kissing her temple. "Whatever you want" he replied.
She leant up and kissed his cheek. "Okay, lets get these then. We can get the matching set" she stated before rushing off to find a salesperson.
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Once they had ordered the furniture and some of the bigger baby items from the store, Clay set up a delivery to each of their houses.
Then it was time for the serious conversation. Clay took them to his apartment and made some dinner for Mia and himself so they could talk about the baby.
Mia could tell that Clay was stressed and that he wanted to say something. She sat at the table and watched him cook when she broke the ice.
"So, what do you want to talk to me about?" she asked as she helped herself to some club soda and lime.
He looked over at her from the stove. "I don't want to tell you what to do or put any pressure on your pregnancy, but I have two requests" he said.
She nodded, "okay, what's up? We have a relationship, Clay. This baby connects us forever and as much as I have a say, so do you" she stated.
He smiled and nodded. "Okay, well, I want the baby to have my last name. I just think it is important. And the second thing is that I would like Sonny to be the godfather" he explained.
Mia smiled and nodded, "that's fine Clay. I want the baby to have your last name. I think it just solidifies that we are a family. As for Sonny, that's fine. But just so you know, I want Grace to be the godmother" she informed him.
He dished out the chicken and vegetables and nodded as he joined her at the table. "Great, I was nervous about bringing it up to you" he replied.
Mia grabbed his hand and directed his attention to her. "Clay, for this to work, we have to have open communication and be on the same page. We can't be nervous about talking to each other about anything" she explained.
He nodded, "I know, it's just an adjustment. I didn't have anyone but my grandparents to rely on after my parents split so this is going to take me some time" he said honestly.
"Well, now you have me and the baby, BRAVO, and my family. Watch out, pretty soon you are going to be so tired of us, you are going to want to get rid of us" she teased.