She starts to really feel the baby at a little over three months. She's still working, and that day they're doing the large group number of the week. Dianna's once again overjoyed with the fact that she doesn't have to carry the burden of a gaudy, uncomfortable costume and pulls on her black pants smiling in relief. Carlie's found her a pair that's exactly the same as the others, only with an elastic band so they're easier to pull over her just barely protruding bump. She likes going unnoticed, but resents rehearsals like these.
Zach and Brook are drilling them back and forth, firing commands on either side of the cast as they go through the simple steps they learned earlier that week. It's the last sort of rehearsal before they film the scene, and they want to make sure they get everything perfect. Quinn even has a little solo moment, and as it's her turn to come on Dianna steps up in pride, mouthing the words along with the recording while turning in time to the music. She goes a bit slower than she was taught, more than nervous about spinning in the heels she's wearing. Zach stops the song and they have to start over, Dianna trying to go faster the next time around. The blonde still isn't going fast enough, and Zach starts them over again, giving her clear instructions to do the spin like he's asked. Dianna tries not to roll her eyes and complies, adding a little unnecessary snap along with the twirl. He doesn't stop, though, and she finishes the song relatively unscathed.
They get a small break before they have to film and she immediately has Chord checking up on her. She smiles as she sees him make his way over to her from the other side of the room, and before she can ask she tells him she's fine. Dianna sits in one of the theater seats and watches as the crew sets up for their number, testing the lights and sound systems as Zach paces in back of the stage, undoubtedly going over the steps in his head again. Chord sits next to her and watches along with her, laughing as Darren begins to mimic Zach's pacing, receiving a light-hearted smack from their choreographer before running off to find something else to entertain himself. Lea and Chris soon join them, both eager to talk to the soon-to-be parents.
"Hey mommy, feeling alright?" They know Chris is coming by the unmistakable tone in his voice and Dianna whips around, giving him a semi-nasty look while miming the zipping of her lips.
"Chris! Not here, not everyone knows and I sort of love my job too much to let it go this soon." She doesn't realize how harsh she's been until Chris's face falls, and she immediately snaps out of it to give him a quick hug. "I'm fine, though. Zach's just killing me and these heels are a bitch." She gestures to a pair of strappy black stilettos sprawled across the aisle in front of her. Her feet are dangling from the chair, happy for their newfound freedom. They're already beginning to swell, and Dianna starts to think she'll grow a shoe size if this dance continues much longer.
Filming goes much better than the actual rehearsal. Zach and Brook have to stand on the sidelines quietly, so there's not much nagging from either as the cast performs their dance. Next to Dianna, Kevin sings along with the song quietly, wheeling around the group in his wheelchair. She's the one who's been assigned to wheeling him in the number, but she has the privilege of waiting until the very last chorus to help him. She performs her spin perfectly and moves to grab hold of his wheelchair, but stops dead in her tracks. One hand is on Kevin's shoulder, the other on her stomach. She gasps and flicks back into character but the damage is already done. The director yells cut and looks straight at her, drawing everyone else's attention as well. Dianna immediately removes her hand from her stomach and stares straight back at the director, ready for whatever comment he has for her now. He simply shrugs and moves to set up again, instructing them to take it from the top. Her hand is still on Kevin's shoulder and he turns to face her, quirking his eyebrow at her.
"Am I too heavy for you?" His tone is lighthearted as they move to their first position and Dianna laughs, grabbing both handles of the wheelchair to prove him wrong.
"No, I just froze up a little." Kevin's known her long enough to know that she's lying but he doesn't tell her that. He knows it must be for a good reason so he just sits back in his wheelchair and smiles at the other cast members as they pass.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine, Bee." She hates lying but she does anyway, setting herself up to start the number again.
When all is said and done and the director yells cut for the last time, she rips the heels from her feet in triumph, letting them dangle from her hands as she walks quickly across the stage on her bare feet. On her way by she catches Chord's arm and he follows her, looking down at her bright smile curiously. She stops around a corner, where their surroundings are quiet and people are scarce. Dianna grabs both of his hands and squeezes them hard, her eyes lighting up.
"He kicked!"
"What?"
"The baby, it kicked!" Before she knows it she's wrapped in a hug of celebration, Chord trying not to squeeze too hard. After all, his son or daughter is in there and he's never been happier.
They go home late that night, exhausted from a grueling day of dancing. When they get into the apartment their stuff is thrown on the nearest table, Dianna immediately collapsing on the couch. Chord joins her a minute later holding a glass of her favorite juice and a bowl of popcorn, pulling a blanket over both of them. Shifting positions, she moves so her head is on his chest and turns the TV to a random movie channel, yawning as she feels the subtle beginnings of sleep was over her. Chord sets their food down and moves one hand around her waist, draping it across her stomach. He notices her eyes drooping and laughs, dropping a light kiss on her forehead before returning to the movie.
It's a strange independent film, the plot drifting back and forth between sci-fi and romance, and he finds it hard to follow. He's distracted by the girl resting peacefully next to him, not quite asleep and struggling to stay awake. As the credits begin to roll her breathing is deep and regular, her eyes shut gently. Her mouth is agape and she's leaning on him more than she had been before, gripping the blanket he's draped over them and pulling it up to her chin. He smiles gently, pushing a few loose strands of her hair that are covering her face before moving his hands gently under her tiny frame, picking her up while trying not to wake her. In this moment she looks peaceful, as if she's in the middle of a fantastic dream she'll be disappointed about waking up from the next day. The blanket shifts from her grip and exposes her stomach, Chord stopping to take it in. She's growing, he can't deny it. As he lays her down on their bed he traces the thin beginnings of a silvery stretch mark, placing a gentle kiss on her stomach before getting ready to move. He feels a light jolt of movement against his hand and stops, wondering if he was imagining things.
From her place on the bed Dianna stirs lightly from her sleep, opening her eyes just well enough to see her boyfriend's surprised face looking down at her stomach.
"You felt it too?" He is pulled out of his trance by her soft, tired voice and he looks at her, nodding his head as a smile spreads across his face. He climbs into bed next to her and kisses her ear, pulling the covers over himself.
"I love you." He pauses and then moves his hand to her stomach again, rubbing it soothingly. "Both of you."