30 weeks

The nursery was finished. Dewey and a few of his deputies had slaved over the room for weeks, making sure it fit Gale's very high standards. The walls were a neutral cream color, there was a large crib in the far corner of the room, a soft, comfortable nursing chair sat right beside it. The windows were decorated with soft pink drapes. In another corner, the playing area for their baby. Dozens of stuffed animals and toys sat ready for their daughter to play with when she got a little bigger. He had set up the changing table, stocked it full of everything they would need. If he could say so himself, the room would be perfect for their little girl.

Dewey planned on surprising Gale once she got home. His mother had taken her out for dinner and a little shopping, since Gale wasn't having a true baby shower. He hoped to also show his mother all his hard work, as she was almost more excited for their baby to arrive than they were.

He was putting the last finishing touches on the playing area when he heard the door open downstairs. He heard Gale's intoxicating laugh, his mother saying something softly behind her.

"Dewey!" His mother called out. "We're here! Now show us that nursery you've been working so hard on."

He padded out of the peaceful nursery and walked downstairs. He nearly doubled over seeing his wife. No matter how many times he saw her carrying their child, she always looked so gorgeous. Maybe he was just a big sap, but he swore she got more beautiful as the days went on. Walking down the steps he took Gale in his arms and gave her a big kiss, then bending down to kiss their baby. Next he hugged his mother who looked at him with happiness and pride.

"Alright ladies are we ready to see this nursery?" He asked. Both women smiled brightly and Dewey led them from the downstairs area upstairs to the nursery. He held onto Gale's hand and tried to cover her eyes before they went in. Gale laughed and slapped his hand away, too excited to miss even one thing.

Dewey opened the door and both women gasped slightly.

"Oh Dewey, I love it. It's absolutely perfect." Gale sighed. She walked over to the crib and observed all the details, looking at the changing table, the nursing chair, and all the little details Dewey and his friends put in to make their nursery perfect. "I knew you would make it perfect." She told him, going over and wrapping her arms around his waist, giving him a slight peck on the lips.

His mother also spoke out her approval.

"Look at my son, the sheriff and the interior designer!" Ms. Riley laughed, giving her son a kiss on the cheek. "I'm happy for you two. My son and my beautiful daughter in law, finally giving me a grandbaby."

The couple laughed out and both hugged Ms. Riley.

"I'm going to head out and leave you two alone. Dewey I love the nursery so much. You always did have a good eye for what Gale loves" she joked with him.

"I'll walk you out mom." Dewey left with his mother, leaving Gale alone in the nursery.

She walked over to the stuffed animals in the play area and picked up the plush cat she Dewey had showed her a few weeks ago. She hugged it tight to herself and then walked over to sit in the nursing chair. In under 2 months she and Dewey would be in this room, taking care of and nourishing their baby. It was finally beginning to sit in. Just then her daughter kicked her ribs brutally. Gale rubbed a hand over her belly, trying to get her to calm down.

"Jesus sweetie I know you're excited too but please stop hitting me!" she chastised her. Another soft kick hit her and Gale chuckled. "You really are my daughter, not listening to anything anyone says."

Dewey walked into the room again, smiling at her.

"You look perfect in that chair." He told her.

Gale laughed softly. "Can you come help me up?" she asked.

He walked over and practically picked her up from the chair. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. Gale moaned into the kiss, scratching his fingers through the cropped hair at his nape.

"Don't start something you can't finish." Gale sighed, mouth still close to his.

"Who says I'm not gonna finish it?" He answered before kissing her softly again. Gale wrapped her arms around his neck and let him take over from there.

Gale was sitting on the couch eating what seemed like her fifth meal of the day. Dewey was working the night shift at the station, so it was just her and baby tonight. She kept kicking her in the ribs, letting her know of her presence.

"Babygirl I don't think you've slept all day isn't it time for you to sleep?" Gale groaned, her daughter kicked harder than a soccer player.

Her phone buzzed and Gale look to see Sidney facetiming her. Smiling she slid the answer button over to talk to her.

"Hi Sid!" Gale smiled brightly. Sidney was like a little sister to her now. She loved and respected her so much. "Jeez" Gale thought for what must be the thousandth time. "I really am going soft."

"Hey Gale! How are you? How's my little niece?" Sidney asked.

"Oh I'm absolutely fantastic" she replied sarcastically. "But baby is doing fine. Doctor says she still looks healthy. She kicks me all day, everyday. Especially when Dewey is around. She's not even here yet and she's already a daddy's girl."

"Aw! Of course she is. She probably hears his voice more than yours!"

Gale laughed. "Just about!"

"Listen Gale, I'm going to send in a bunch of stuff for you guys. Don't deny it because it is already on the way. Let me know what you think. I want my niece to know how much I already adore her."

"Jesus Sidney, you didn't have to do that!"

"I did, you guys are my family and like my siblings. How could I not get her something."

Gale smiled and softly thanked her.

"Have you guys thought of a name for her?"

"We have a few names picked out but...I think I want to name her after Dewey's sister. I know Dewey wanted that originally, but he won't say it. I think if I bring it up he'll be ecstatic."

Sidney's eyes went wide and Gale watched as she teared up a little.

"Oh Gale, I love that. Dewey is going to love that. I'm so excited to finally meet her."

"I know and I think the name just fits. It is a gorgeous name."

Sidney smiled, whispered a soft "yeah" remembering her best friend. The two women chatted for several more minutes before Sidney announced she had to leave. They said goodbyes before hanging up, Gale smiling as the call ended.

"You are already so loved little one, so many people want to meet you! Almost more than the amount of people who want to meet me." Gale laughed her own joke. Baby began once again to kick against her ribs, and Gale just rubbed her belly, turned on the TV and relaxed before it was time for her to go to bed.