2.10 Nine months… No baby yet, but a lot of surprises

Dr. Anderson finishes her exam and tells them, "Not bad." She smiles because they're all still apprehensive. "The baby is looking great and so are you."
Everyone in the room exhales at the same time. Fanny finally sits down in the guest chair. She had been pacing relentlessly. Christian kisses Michelle's hand and she looks at the picture of the ultrasound.

"I can't believe he's almost here," she gushes.

"Well, your due date isn't for another two weeks, but it could essentially be any day now. He's still high and moving a lot, so you probably have a little time left," Dr. Anderson tells her. She's been so nice, Michelle thinks. Dr. Anderson took over for Christian when he decided he couldn't be her doctor anymore.

"If you have any questions or feel any serious contractions– any time of day– feel free to give me a call," she smiles at Christian, "of course, I'm sure Dr. Evans can answer any questions, assuming he's around."
"I will be…" he laughs. Michelle is a little embarrassed by this. She wanted to go slowly, but they're a month into a relationship, and he already has a toothbrush at her place. He offered to get one for her too, but she prefers to be at her house, so he always sleeps over. (Her fridge has better food anyway.)

"Is the amniotic fluid better, or is he still cramped?" Michelle asks.
"It is better. I think because you didn't show for so long it got tight in there. I was worried about his kidney functions before, but as you've progressed it's evened out, so he seems to be okay." Michelle doesn't look convinced. "He's perfect Michelle."

She smiles weakly.

"I'll see you soon. If he's not here by your due date we should have an appointment then. Otherwise I'll see you before!"

"Thanks Dr. Anderson."
"Thanks Melissa," Christian says. Dr. Anderson leaves and Michelle puts her shirt down. She's made up for showing late this past month. She's very pregnant now. Lately everyone has been asking her if she's overdue. She has to tell them that she hasn't reached D-Day yet. Used to being a slim dancer, the comments really bother her.

"Ready?" Christian asks. He helps her jump down from the exam table. He leans in for a kiss and Michelle obliges reluctantly. She pulls away quickly, aware of her mother-in-law in the room.
"Are we still on for tonight?" he asks.

"Yeah. Dinner and a movie."

"Maybe something more?" he teases.
"Yeah, like dessert…" she shoots a glance at Fanny and Christian suddenly realizes what her problem is.

"Exactly what I was thinking…" he says, lacking the necessary nonchalant tone.

…

"So things are getting serious between you two…" Fanny states rather than asks.

"I'm sorry, Fanny. He was being inappropriate at the doctor's today…"
"Michelle, I'm not a prude. I know you're doing stuff."

"Not much, honestly. I don't have the energy to," she laughs. "I just… I'm in an awkward spot because I think I really am starting to fall for him, but I shouldn't be. I'm having Hubbell's baby. I love and miss Hubbell more and more every day. I'm so confused…" Michelle starts to tear up with worry.

"Michelle," Fanny says, taking her in her arms, "you have enough love in your heart to care for this child, love Hubbell, and find happiness with Christian. He's a great guy. I absolutely approve. He has a cute butt."

"I still feel like I'm cheating. Every time I think about a future with him I start to cry. How can this work?"

"I see that you have him wrapped around your finger. He obviously loves you. Who would spend time with a pregnant woman without being in love? Some days you're borderline bipolar. I think he's a little crazy, but I also think he really loves you."

"I don't appreciate the bipolar comment, but thank you."

…

They pull into the driveway after a long date night. Michelle is exhausted. Christian gives her a hand getting out of the car.

"Well, good night," she says.
"Michelle wait." He pulls her close and kisses her passionately.
"Wow, where did that come from?" she asks.

"I was saving it up all night," he whispers. He wraps his arms around her and they slow dance to the night's sounds. "When you opened the door I felt like this," he says while he gives her a quick peck. "And when we were driving and you were singing along to the radio, I wanted to do this," he grazes on her neck. She starts to melt in his arms. She doesn't feel sexy, but his sweet caresses feel so good. "And when you dropped popcorn down your shirt and couldn't find it…" he says as he delves into her cleavage.

"Okay, you can come in…" she moans.
They crash through the door, and she kicks off her shoes as he rubs his hands all over her body.

"Christian… Chri…" she says through sloppy kisses.
"Yeah?" he asks as he starts to pull her dress off.
"What are you doing?"

"Well, I'm starting by getting you naked, we'll see what happens after."
"I can't do this," she insists.
"Why not?" he asks, completely taken aback by her reluctance.
"I'm nine months pregnant! I can barely put pants on, and haven't been able to put socks on in a month. I don't exactly feel like having sex."

"Oh that wasn't my plan…" he smiles. He sheds his clothes as he walks across the room, leaving a trail. He turns on the tub and puts a large amount of bubble bath soap in the basin.

"Your bath is drawn, m'lady," he jokes in a bad British accent.

"You may continue, good sire," she answers regally.

He takes her hand and kisses from the tip of her finger to her neck as he leads her across the room.

She gets in the tub slowly and he slides in behind her. It's a little cramped, especially since she's so pregnant.

He massages her shoulders with little circles.

"Mmmm," she moans, "that's wonderful…"

"We're just getting started…" He works down from her shoulders and presses on her lower back. It's right where all of her pain is and she groans in delight.
"Are you sure you're a doctor?"
"I'm pretty sure, yeah," he laughs.

"No, no. I think you're secretly a masseuse. You're too good at this. Ohhh right there." She grips the sides of the tub as he really works his knuckles into her lower back. It hurts a little, but it's releasing all of her tension and pain that's built up over the past months.

"Here, turn around. Rest your back on the other side of the tub." He tells her.
"Oh my god, I would do anything you told me right now. Your hands are magic."

"How do your feet feel?" he asks her.

"I don't think I have feet anymore. I haven't seen them in a while," she jokes.

"Well, you're in luck. I found them," he says as he picks up one of her feet. He gently massages her toes and works his hands down the arch into the heel. She's in ecstasy.

"This is the best date I've ever been on," she admits. "I wish I could return the favor, but I could never massage like that."
He smiles and says, "That's okay. This evening was about you."
"That's so sweet. Isn't there something…" she teases as she reaches for his dick in the soapy water. He shudders, surprised by her hands.

…

"Good morning" he says sweetly as he wakes her with a kiss.
"Morning," she smiles as she snuggles into her big pillow. "What time is it?" she groans.
"A little past nine," he says.
"Nine?!" she jumps up and starts to get dressed as quickly as she can.
"Where did you have to be?"

"Dress rehearsal for the fall festival! It's the first time we're performing at the amphitheater. I have to be there!"
"I'll give you a ride," Christian says hurriedly.

…

Michelle waddles up to the director's platform where Fanny is standing.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Michelle asks, out of breath.

"You needed sleep. We haven't even started yet. Truly took too long with the costumes so some of the dancers are just getting dressed now."

"Oh, good," Michelle sighs.

"Michelle, go sit down."
"I'm fine," she wheezes.

"Truly!" Fanny yells, "Get Michelle water and find her a comfy chair."
"Fanny, I'm fine."

"The doctor said you need to take it easy. The longer the baby is in there, the better it is for him, so you are going to go sit down… now."

"Fine," Michelle submits. "Can I sit on the edge of the stage at least? They're still shaky on the newest dance, and I want to make sure the steps are right."

"Sounds perfect. You watch their feet– be really picky; I'll watch the overall performance from out here."

…

Dress rehearsal goes very well and they finish without any major mishaps.
"I'm going to go take a nap," Michelle tells Fanny. Christian pulls up to the clearing in his convertible.
"What's he doing here?" Michelle asks Fanny.
"He asked me to text him when we were almost done. He's going to take you out for the afternoon."
"Hey beautiful!" Christian cheers from the car.
"What's the plan, Casanova?"

"We'll see where the wind takes us!" he laughs as she gets in the car.

They drive around for a long time. She notices that he's going in circles.
"So you really don't have a plan?" she yells over the wind that's whipping her hair all over the place.
"No, I wasn't kidding. Fanny just asked me to take you out for the afternoon. Usually it takes me at least a day to figure out how to sweep you off your feet."
"She told me you asked to take me out…"

"Um, yeah, that's what I meant."

"Let's go back, Christian. I know they're setting up a baby shower. You two are so bad at keeping secrets."
"Okay, you caught us, but I can't take you back yet. Fanny's orders."

"Are you more scared of Fanny… or me?" she whispers into his ear.

"Definitely Fanny," he says honestly. They both laugh like crazy.

"Okay, smartass… Who would you rather keep happy?" He thinks for a second to tease her, but she reaches over and rubs her hand over his bulge. His tight pants allow a lot of access and she feels him grow instantly.

"You!" he squeals desperately.
"Let's spend the rest of the afternoon at your place…" she suggests.
He does a U-turn so fast her head spins.

...

They pull onto Fanny's road and she grabs his shoulder. "Wait, she whispers. Let's mess with them."
"What do you want to do?"
"Turn the lights off and stop at the foot of the driveway. We can sneak in the back door. It's in the studio, right?"
"Yeah."

"I'll sneak in the back while everyone is hiding. You go around the front so they think I'm with you. They can jump out at you and I'll surprise them from behind."
"That's hilarious! Okay."

Michelle sneaks around the building while Christian goes to the front.
"They're here!" Fanny shushes everyone. "Get down, get down."
As they crouch down, Michelle opens one of the other doors and sneaks in behind a table. Christian walks in the door and they all jump out.

"Surprise!" They even throw confetti.
"Where is she?" Fanny asks, irritated.

"Um, she fell asleep in the car and I just didn't want to wake her, so I put her to bed," he lies convincingly.

"Surprise!" Michelle leaps out from behind the table and they all jump, not expecting her.
"You two…" Fanny spurts, giving her an annoyed hug.
"I was about to kill you, Christian," she tells him.
"Thank you, everyone," Michelle announces. "This is lovely."

…

"Time for presents!" Fanny announces. "Michelle, sit in the middle there. I'll hand you presents. Boo, will you keep track of who gives what?"
"Sure Madame Fanny." Boo sits happily next to Michelle. Christian stands off to the side. Michelle opens the first few presents. Fanny gives her a beautiful crib and says something about her grandson not sleeping in a hand-me-down crib like Michelle had planned. She unwraps some clothes, pacifiers, bottles, etc. Every time she opens something, she shows it to Christian for approval. He winks and smiles about everything.
Someone unexpectedly comes through the door as they're finishing up.

"Sorry we're late!" Talia screams.
"Ahhhhhh!" Michelle squeals. She gets up with a little help from Boo, and she waddles over to her best friend. Talia grabs her and they share a warm embrace.

"Our flight was delayed… Oh my god, look at you!"

"I know, ridiculous, right?"

"Are you kidding? You look great!"

"Yeah right!"

"She's right Michelle, you're glowing," Rick says from behind Talia. Michelle reaches over and gives him a hug. He's holding Sam in his arms, and he passes the toddler onto her.
"Here's your Aunt Michelle," Talia says to him.
"Sam is getting so big!" Michelle says. "We were just doing presents, come join!"
Addressing everyone, Michelle says, "Does everyone remember Talia and Rick? This is their son Sam."
They all sit down and Michelle opens the rest of the gifts.

"Here's an important one," Fanny says as she takes an envelope from Rick. "I was afraid you weren't going to make it," she whispers to him.

"Us too," Talia whispers back.

"You guys, you didn't have to get me anything."

"Are you kidding? This is an extra-special present for you and my little nephew," Talia reassures her.
Michelle opens the envelope and reads the card. It's sappy and about building a home for a baby. As she folds it, she notices something sticking out of the envelope. She opens it and it's a check for $50,000.

She's so amazed that she drops it.
"What… I don't… Why?" Michelle stutters.
"Did you read the back of the card?" Rick asks. She hadn't.

It reads:

This may seem like a lot,

but it's really not when

you take construction

costs into consideration.

We've talked to Fanny

and this check is to build

an annex that connects

the guesthouse and the

main house so you can

have a place for the baby.

Michelle cries when she reads the note. Everyone at the party starts to whisper about what it could say.

"That's the nicest thing ever… I can't thank you enough." Michelle, Rick, and Talia share a long hug. Michelle wipes her eyes and tells everyone, "They're paying to put an annex on the house so there's room for the baby."

They all cheer and whisper to each other about how nice that is.

"Okay, now you have one more gift," Talia says. She points at Christian, and he finally moves from his corner. He gets a big box out from under a table. She smiles and claps her hands like an impatient child.

"Ooh, what is it?" She wonders out loud as she rips off the paper. She finally gets the box open and there's another box, also wrapped in paper.

"Are you kidding?" she asks him, not amused. He just smiles and watches her struggle through four more boxes. He's practically peeing his pants from laughter, along with the rest of the room, as she gets down to the final box. It's little and wrapped in white paper with writing all over it. She tries to make out the words and sees: "I love you so much. Not anytime soon… I want to take care of you." She looks up at him with her jaw slightly open, not excited. She knows what's in the little box now.
"I'll be right back," she tells everyone.
"Awww," they all exclaim.

"I just… I have to pee. Pregnancy…" She rushes outside and Christian follows her.

"Hey, hold on. Wait up, Michelle!" She turns around with a tear-streaked face. "Oh sweetheart…" He reaches out for her, but she backs away.
"Why would you do that?" She asks. He looks at her, hurt, and softens his eyes.
"I love you."

"I love you too, but that doesn't mean… I can't…" She starts to cry and he reaches out to her again. This time she lets him take her in his arms. She cries on his shoulder for a while.

"I don't want to pressure you…" he says slowly. "I just want to be yours, I want you to be mine, and I want to help you raise little baby Hubbell. I know you're going through a lot. You didn't exactly do this the easy way, but I can't hide my feelings. Please tell me I didn't mess all of this up." He strokes her hair as he waits for an answer.

"I love you Christian." He sighs and kisses her forehead. "I love you, and I love that you understand how complicated this all is. I never had a healthy relationship, and the first great guy I allowed into my life married me and died in less than two days. Can you understand that's my problem? It's not that you aren't wonderful. I can't believe you are asking to be a father to someone else's baby. You're okay with me being in love with you and Hubbell at the same time, and you're even great with my mother-in-law. I can't believe you're real. If I say yes… Can we have a record-long engagement?"
He kisses her and pulls the little box out of his pocket.

"We will wait as long as you want. I don't care if little baby Hubbell grows up and gets married before us, as long as I can call you mine." They hug tightly and he puts the ring on her finger. It fits perfectly and slides right next to her wedding ring from Vegas.

"Are you okay with me not taking this one off?" she asks, pointing at the wedding band.
"Absolutely. I think it's nice to have both. Are you ready to go back in?"
"This is going to be awkward," she says nervously.

"Not at all. Watch!" He puts his arm around her and opens the door. He holds her left hand in the air and announces over all the noise, "She said yes!"
Everyone cheers and she's overwhelmed with congratulations and hugs from all of her friends.

…

That night, she lies in bed with Christian. He's fallen asleep and she's awake thinking about what a perfect day it was.
"Now we just need you to come," she whispers to her belly.