A/N: Sorry for the delay, internet issues. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews.
Samantha had fallen asleep after she'd devoured her donut and milk. She was puffing softly, her head on Edgar's shoulder. Edgar hadn't taken his eyes off of her since she got into the car. Norman turned around in his seat and glanced at Edgar and smiled.
"What?" whispered Edgar.
"You look happier than I've seen you in a long time" said Norman. "Probably since you glued Matt's ass to the toilet seat."
"This is way better than a glued ass" said Edgar.
His hand drifted down and brushed a stray hair out of Samantha's face, she smiled softly at the contact.
"Did you see that?" asked Norman.
"See what?" asked Edgar.
"Her stomach just moved" explained Norman. "The donut bag just moved."
Edgar and Norman stared at Samantha's belly and sure enough the bag moved slightly.
"Maybe he doesn't like having the bag on him" said Norman.
"I wonder if he can kick hard enough to knock it off" said Edgar.
"If he's anything like you I'm sure he can" mumbled Samantha.
"Sorry to wake you" said Edgar.
"You didn't, the soccer player in my stomach did" said Samantha.
Edgar's hand slipped to her stomach and he felt the baby kicking up a storm.
"Does that hurt you?" asked Edgar.
"Sometimes, it depends on where and how hard he's kicking" said Samantha.
Edgar leaned down and placed his head next to her belly.
"Lay off kicking your mom" said Edgar.
"You're just making him kick more" said Samantha.
"How?" asked Edgar.
"Probably your voice. He's really only heard me talking to him and I'm sure my voice sounds different since he hears it more internally" said Samantha with a smile.
"Hey buddy, I can't wait to meet you face to face" said Edgar, his lips pressed against her stomach.
Samantha squirmed slightly.
"What? Did he kick you?" asked Edgar.
"No, you're just tickling me" said Samantha.
Edgar moved his lips down again and whispered conspiratorially to the baby. The baby loved the vibration and was soon kicking exactly where Edgar's mouth was. After one particularly powerful kick Edgar pulled away.
"Definitely a soccer player or perhaps a kick boxer" said Edgar rubbing his mouth.
Later that evening Samantha was in Edgar's kitchen with a stove full of pots. She had stripped off her sweater and taken off her shoes. Edgar was sitting on the counter next to the stove alternately passing Samantha spices and sneaking tastes of the sauce.
"I hope you don't get offended but you are barefoot and pregnant in my kitchen" said Edgar with a smile.
"I know, I should have brought slippers, but I didn't think about it" said Samantha.
"It's a good look for you, very domestic" said Edgar.
Samantha just rolled her eyes and shook her head a little. But the next time Edgar reached out to taste the sauce he got a sharp smack on the knuckles. He turned a hurt look to Samantha who just smiled sweetly at him.
"When are the other guys going to be here?" she asked.
"Pretty soon" said Edgar.
"Like pretty soon I have enough time to take a shower or pretty soon I have enough time to finish making the salad" said Samantha.
"Um, you can take a shower and I can make the salad" said Edgar.
"Sounds good" said Samantha.
Edgar watched her stretch her back as she walked out of the room. In his mind she'd never looked more attractive. He turned back to the stove, stirred the sauces and checked the pasta before starting to make the salad. He heard the shower start and it took all his strength not to join her. He was saved from himself by a knock at the door. Checking the sauces one more time he quickly went to answer the door. The guys all piled into the house carrying gift bags and flowers.
"What's all this?" asked Edgar.
"They're for Antha" said Matt.
"Is she still here?" asked Nick looking around.
"Oh Edgar, what the hell did you do now" said Sig in disgust.
"Nothing, she's still here. She's taking a shower" said Edgar.
"What smells so good?" asked Norman.
"It's chicken marsala" said Edgar.
"You made chicken marsala? I didn't know you had it in you" said Matt.
"Antha made it, I passed her stuff" said Edgar.
"You made the 8 month pregnant mother of your child cook for you?" said Sig in shock.
"She suggested it, I told her we could order take out. But she said I looked like I hadn't had a decent meal in months" said Edgar.
"Well she guessed that one right" said Matt.
"Yes, well if you'll excuse me I need to finish making the salad" said Edgar completely ignoring Matt's comment.
"I have something that needs to go in the freezer" said Jake.
"What is it?" asked Edgar.
"An ice cream cake" said Jake.
Edgar opened the top of the box and looked at the ice cream cake completely decked out with a pale blue baby carriage and pacifier.
"Very cute, but I don't even know if Antha likes ice cream cake" said Edgar.
"Oh she will, she's pregnant" said Jake knowingly.
Before Edgar could quiz Jake about his knowledge of pregnancy he heard the shower shut off and hurried to finish the salad before Samantha came out.
Samantha walked out into Edgar's living room wearing another dress, this one was pale blue with capped sleeves. It gave her the sense of innocence but the unmistakable mark of pregnancy. She was once again barefoot. Samantha watched the guys as they set up a small stack of presents on Edgar's low coffee table, they were all talking at once and they reminded Samantha of a pack of hens. Jake was the first one to notice her and immediately broke away from the group and approached her.
"Antha, you look amazing. Motherhood really suits you" he said with a smile. "Can I touch your bump?"
"Sure" said Samantha.
"Come sit down" said Jake leading her to the couch.
The other guys in the room watched with envy as Jake led her to the couch and helped her sit. Then he sat down next to her and placed his hands on her stomach moving them around looking for the baby. Next he laid his head down on her listening. Samantha smiled down at him and moved his hand to where she felt the baby. As if responding to her silent command the baby kicked.
"He's really strong" said Jake sitting up.
"Yep, and he's not afraid to let me know" said Samantha.
"Can I get you something? Water or juice, maybe a pillow for your back?" asked Jake.
"Just help me up. I need to check on dinner, you know make sure Edgar didn't eat all the sauce" said Samantha holding out her hands.
Jake stood and hoisted her off the couch and gave her a gentle hug before releasing her.
"What the fuck Jake? When did you learn to be such a nice guy?" asked Matt.
"I was raised by 4 sisters, I know how to be a nice guy" said Jake smugly.
"No kidding. We should have taken you to the airport" said Norman.
"Why? Did you guys do something to her at the airport?" asked Jake.
"Sig asked if I was sure I wasn't carrying twins" said Samantha.
"Oh shit. Please tell me you didn't say that" said Jake.
"Oh shut the fuck up. I didn't mean to say that she was fat, just that she looked really pregnant" said Sig.
"You aren't winning back any points with your explanation" said Samantha in a sing song voice.
Sig opened his mouth to respond and Jake put a hand on his arm.
"I'd just quit trying to explain. She's got a lot of hormones floating around and you don't want to get hurt" said Jake. "And trust me she'll hurt you."
Sig sneered but held his tongue. Samantha stood in the kitchen watching the interplay between Jake and Sig. She'd never seen Jake like this and frankly she found it rather amusing. Edgar drew her from her thoughts by telling her the salad was done. She looked over at it and smiled her approval.
"I think that's everything. We should probably sit down and eat" said Samantha. "I'm starving."
The last of the dishes were being dried in the kitchen while Samantha sat on the couch with her feet propped on a pillow. She craned her neck to check out her legs trying to see if they were more swollen than normal. Leaning forward she desperately tried to reach her glass of water but her stomach impeded her reach. Norman took pity on her and handed it to her.
"Thanks" she said.
"You're welcome, I wouldn't want you squishing my nephew" said Norman.
"He's fine, a little squishing will just remind him who's boss" said Samantha.
"Is he moving around?" asked Norman.
"Yep, he always does after dinner" said Samantha.
Samantha noticed Norman's straying eyes and grabbed his hand placing it on her stomach. Norman's eyes widened as he felt the baby moving beneath Samantha's dress.
"It's amazing" said Norman in quiet reverence.
"It really is" said Samantha quietly.
The moment was broken by Jake appearing with two large slices of ice cream cake. Samantha's eyes lit up when she saw the tasty treat. Taking the plate from Jake she carefully balanced it on her stomach while she grabbed a napkin.
"That's a pretty handy little table you've got" said Nick.
"I know, it's very cool as long as the occupant isn't feeling frisky. He can kick a remote off my stomach if he tries hard enough" said Samantha.
"How are you feeling?" asked Nick. "You look absolutely amazing."
"I'm feeling good and very pregnant. It's really nice to see all of you again" said Samantha.
"Yeah, I'm really glad you're here. I hope you stay" said Nick.
"We'll have to wait and see" said Samantha.
"What have you been doing with yourself?" asked Nick.
"Freelance work, it's really nice not to have to drag myself into an office everyday. It was especially helpful when I was throwing up ten times a day" said Samantha.
"I bet. I hope you had someone there to hold back your hair" said Nick.
"Just a hairband" said Samantha.
Nick looked apologetic but let the subject drop. He leaned over and pulled a gift bag out of the pile and handed it to her. Samantha opened it and extracted a set of pajamas with little boats on them.
"Thanks Nick, these are adorable" she said.
"Open mine next" chirped Jake.
He passed Samantha a box wrapped in rubber ducky paper. Samantha tore into the box and pulled out a picture frame and a teddy bear.
"Thanks Jake, these are beautiful" said Samantha.
"Mine next" said Matt.
Samantha pulled out an under the sea baby crib soother.
"Wow, this is very cool. I'm beginning to sense a pattern" said Samantha.
"Look at mine then" said Sig.
Samantha opened the bag and pulled out two onsies. The first had the Northwestern logo on it and the second said shut up and fish. Samantha smiled to herself and pulled the shut up and fish onsie up to her belly as if checking if it would fit.
"It looks perfect" said Samantha.
Norman handed her a small box. Samantha pulled off the ribbon and carefully opened the lid, inside was a silver spoon and cup.
"I wanted to get them engraved with his name, but I didn't know what it would be. Once you have the name I'll get it done" explained Norman.
"I haven't picked out a name yet" said Samantha.
"Why not? What do you call him when you talk to him?" asked Sig.
"I just haven't thought of a name. I call him Pele or my little kickie monster, basically just nicknames" said Samantha her cheeks bushing with embarrassment.
Everyone in the room was quiet for a moment before Edgar handed her his gift. It was a small envelope. Samantha opened it and immediately closed it.
"I can't accept this" she said trying to hand it back.
"You have to. I missed supporting you this whole pregnancy. There is enough there to buy all the baby stuff you need" said Edgar.
"Edgar, there is enough here for me to buy a baby" said Samantha. "It's too much."
"Please just take it, I feel terrible for not supporting you both personally and financially. At least let me make up for the financial part" said Edgar.
"Can we just talk about it later" said Samantha. "Possibly without an audience."
Edgar looked around and noticed all the guys were watching them with rapt attention. Seeing that the discussion wasn't going to continue Matt and Jake cleaned up the cake plates and said their goodbyes. Norman and Sig were the next to leave giving Samantha gentle hugs and kisses. Nick pulled Samantha aside telling her if she needed anything to call. Samantha gave him a fierce hug and walked him to the door. Once everyone was gone she walked back over to the couch and laid down.
"You look exhausted, lets get you to bed" said Edgar.
Samantha acquiesced and let Edgar lead her into the guest room. He pulled out a nightgown for her and turned his back while she changed. After a quick bathroom pit stop Samantha climbed into bed. Edgar stepped up and tucked the blankets around her loosely before dropping a tender kiss on her forehead.
"Good night Antha, sleep well" he said.
"Good night Edgar, we'll talk in the morning" said Samantha sleepily.
"What ever you want" said Edgar.
He walked to the door and turned off the light before walking into his room.
A few hours later Edgar heard the distinct sound of shuffling feet trudging down the hallway. He sat up in bed and listened. The sound of the fridge opening and a glass being set on the sink. He assumed Samantha was getting a glass of water and laid back down. He heard the same sounds again an hours later so he decided to get up and check to make sure Samantha was alright.
"Hey" said Edgar as he stepped into the hallway.
"Oh shit" said Samantha dropping the glass on the floor.
"Sorry" said Edgar. "Hey, don't pick that up, let me get it."
Edgar quickly picked up the glass and grabbed a towel from the bathroom to sop up the water.
"Are you ok?" asked Edgar.
"Yes, just a little startled" said Samantha.
"I didn't mean to scare you" said Edgar. "But I was worried, you've been up to the kitchen twice already."
"I know, I get up to go to the bathroom, then I'm thirsty so I have to get some water, drink it go back to bed then have to get up to pee. It's a vicious cycle" explained Samantha.
She stretched her hands clutching at her lower back. She was wearing a short nightgown which was slightly sheer when backlit by the bedroom light. Edgar tried not to stare at her breasts as she arched her back.
"Does you back hurt?" asked Edgar.
"Everything hurts at this point" said Samantha.
"What hurts the worst?" asked Edgar.
"Probably my feet. I never wear shoes anymore because they just feel so uncomfortable" said Samantha.
"You look cute barefoot" said Edgar.
"Yes, you've already said so" said Samantha. "Barefoot and pregnant that is."
"Come in and I'll give you a back rub" said Edgar.
"You don't have to" said Samantha.
"I want to. We don't have to talk about anything, I just want to help you feel better" said Edgar.
Samantha reluctantly agreed and followed Edgar into his bedroom. The first thing she noticed was the sheets were different.
"You changed your sheets" said Samantha.
"Yeah, I threw the other ones out" said Edgar.
"Oh" said Samantha.
"Listen, I had someone staying here and I just didn't want any reminders of her" said Edgar.
"I understand. Sig told me about your special lady friend" said Samantha.
"I wouldn't really use any of those words to describe her" said Edgar.
"Then how would you describe her?" asked Samantha.
"I wouldn't" said Edgar evasively.
"You don't owe me an explanation. We weren't together, you're an adult and can do whatever you want" said Samantha.
"Did you date anyone?" asked Edgar.
"No. Between the throwing up and reestablishing my career I was kind of busy" said Samantha.
"I don't know what to say" said Edgar. "I'm sorry."
"There is nothing to say, it is what it is. It's the past and you didn't know I was pregnant" said Samantha.
"I wish I had known" said Edgar.
There was a brief silence where both people in the room felt sad about what they'd missed out on. Edgar broke the tension by coaxing Samantha onto her side and began to rub.
"Wow, you've gotten really..." began Edgar.
Samantha cringed at what the next words were going to be.
"soft" finished Edgar.
"Soft?" repeated Samantha.
"Yeah, your skin is ridiculously soft" said Edgar his hands slipping along her shoulders.
"Oh, well I've been using lotion all over me in an effort to stave off stretch marks. So far I've been pretty lucky" said Samantha.
"Did you bring your lotion with you?" asked Edgar.
"Yes, it's in my room" said Samantha.
"Do you want me to use it?" asked Edgar hopefully.
"If you want to slather lotion on me in the middle of the night then go ahead" said Samantha.
Edgar got out of bed and quickly returned with the bottle of lotion. He squirted a fair amount of lotion into his hands and rubbed them together to warm it up. The moment his hands touched Samantha's back she sighed. Edgar smiled to himself as his hands roamed over her body. He lifted the nightgown exposing her back and began to rub there. His hands glided over her hips over the top of her butt.
"I suppose there is no way to ask you to roll onto your stomach" said Edgar.
"I'm afraid not. There is a huge bump preventing me from rolling" said Samantha.
"How about laying on your back?" asked Edgar.
Samantha responded by rolling onto her back.
"Is that comfortable for you?" asked Edgar.
"I need to put my feet on something, it makes my back feel better" said Samantha.
Edgar slid a pillow under her feet and began to rub her legs. He reached the tops of her thighs and moved her nightgown so he could rub her tummy. Settling into a stroking rhythm he traversed her stomach rubbing in the lotion. Samantha closed her eyes, her mouth slightly open in awe as her body was rubbed for the first time in almost 9 months. Edgar watched the emotions pass across her face happy that she seemed so relaxed. Suddenly her face changed from a smile to a frown.
"What's wrong?" asked Edgar.
"I have to go to the bathroom again" said Samantha.
"You just went" said Edgar.
"I know, but I'm going 30 times a day" said Samantha.
She struggled to sit up and Edgar quickly reached over and pulled her to her feet.
"Thanks" said Samantha.
She waddled over to Edgar's bathroom and quickly relieved herself. While she was washing her hands she noticed a bottle of perfume on the shelf. She reached up and smelled it.
"Edgar, why do you have this perfume?" asked Samantha.
"No reason" replied Edgar.
Samantha stood in the doorway and looked at Edgar lounging on the bed looking everywhere but her.
"It's the same kind that I use. Did your other girlfriend use it?" asked Samantha.
"NO! replied Edgar vehemently. "I just have it because I like the way it smells."
"Did you wear it?" asked Samantha.
"No, I sometimes sprayed it or just sniffed the bottle. I know it's pathetic" said Edgar.
"It's not pathetic, it's kind of cute" said Samantha.
Samantha stepped back into the bathroom before she walking back into the bedroom. She walked towards the bed and sat down next to Edgar's reclining body. His head perked up when she sat down.
"You smell good" he said with a smile.
"Thanks, someone had a bottle of my perfume so I thought I would dab some on" said Samantha.
"Where did you put it?" asked Edgar sitting up.
"Here" said Samantha pointing to her neck.
"And here" she said pointing to her ears.
After each time she pointed Edgar would place a gentle kiss on the spot. She smiled happily at each kiss. Edgar gathered her face in his hands a placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Samantha's heart stopped, the feelings overwhelmed her body. He nipples hardened and she felt herself get wet. It was like the kiss had flipped a switch in her touch deprived body. Edgar pulled back and looked into her eyes.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I just forgot how much I missed that" said Samantha.
"Do you want to do it again?" asked Edgar.
"Yes. Very much" said Samantha.
They kissed again, their hands roaming around each others bodies. Edgar rolled her onto her back before he stopped.
"What's wrong?" asked Samantha.
"It's just. I don't want to hurt the baby" said Edgar.
"Oh, well I guess I do look a lot different than last time you saw me" said Samantha.
She started to sit up, suddenly feeling very embarrassed about the whole situation.
"No, don't move, just let me get a better angle" said Edgar.
"It's ok" said Samantha sitting up and flinging her feet over the side of the bed.
"Please don't go. I've missed you so much" said Edgar.
"I'm sure you've had a substitute" said Samantha.
"Who?" asked Edgar.
"The special lady friend" said Samantha.
"No, we never did anything. I couldn't" said Edgar.
"Couldn't?" asked Samantha.
"I just couldn't get it up with her. I think my brain knew I was making a mistake" said Edgar.
"Oh" said Samantha clearly surprised.
Edgar looked away clearly embarrassed by his admission. Samantha moved onto her knees and scooted over to him. Her hands caressed his neck and started to kneed his shoulders. He could feel her belly pressed against his back and it made him smile. She rubbed his shoulders before pushing him down onto his stomach. Straddling his back she pulled his shirt off of him and squeezed a bit of her lotion onto his back. Edgar jumped as the cold liquid hit his back.
"Sorry, I guess I should have warmed it up like you did" said Samantha.
Her hands slid over his skin massaging the lean muscles across his back. She smiled as she pulled across the ticklish spot near his side. She giggled softly as she touched it again.
"You're the only one who knows about that tickle spot" said Edgar.
Eventually Samantha's hands got tired and she rolled off of him. When she settled herself back on the bed she saw that Edgar was fast asleep. Shaking her head she went to the bathroom one last time before settling into bed next to him. She pulled the blanket over both of them and closed her eyes.