Eight months and counting. Courtney could barely get herself up from the couch and that feeling itself had her in a terrible mood. She was irritated and just ready to have her precious baby already.

Bridgette, Gwen, and Leshawna were practically walking around on eggshells when near her. At one point Courtney had snapped back so hard that even Gwen felt a lump forming in her throat. Pregnancy was scary.

The three girls sat in the kitchen as Courtney took a nap. Bridgette had taken the initiative in forming multiple lists of ideas, dates, and a set budget. They were going to plan their best friend's baby shower!

Leshawna peered at everything laid out on the counter before looking up, "Remember when Duncan said you sounded like Courtney?"

Bridgette huffed. That memory certainly wasn't one she enjoyed. Not that Courtney wasn't someone who she'd like to be compared to, but because Duncan had meant it as an insult.

"Yeah, I remember."

Leshawna pointed at the very detailed list in front of them, "Well, I think she's rubbing off on you a little more now."

Gwen picked up one of the lists labeled Guests with a total number of 60 people, all women.

"You're not inviting any of the guys? Kinda harsh."

"Court's very traditional!" Bridgette defended.

"Oh yeah, given the circumstances that makes perfect sense."

"Well Geoff's planning a little something for Duncan anyway," Bridgette said choosing to ignore Gwen's sarcasm. She took the list back to show Leshawna, "Plus, he would come at the end anyway."

"I think that's what got her in the situation in the first place," Gwen muttered as Leshawna read over the list.

It was a respectable one. Everyone listed held some type of important relationship with Courtney. They had her closest friends, some members from her clubs that she actually liked, and some of the women she befriended during her internship. One female was noticeably missing.

"You're not inviting Elena?"

Bridgette tensed. "No."

She had come up with various scenarios about inviting Courtney's mother but all had the same outcome– disaster. Elena had not reached out once within the past four months. It was a sensitive conversation topic and the last thing she wanted was for her best friend to be ridiculed on her special day.

The silence the girls shared was obvious. They dropped the subject and moved on to the next, themes.

"I think she'd like something cute and classic." Leshawna pointed to the cluster of cut-up magazine pictures of neutral themes. "Like this."

Gwen and Bridgette peered over to the neutral colors and arrangements Leshawna had picked out. It wasn't over the top and left room for accents of rose gold to be used.

"So no black?" Gwen laughed before Bridgette scared the living shit out of her with five words.

"We'll save that for you."

"Don't wish that upon me."

Trying to plan a secret baby shower for her best friend was harder than she expected.

Bridgette had opted out of trying to hide decorations at the house. Courtney was far too smart, and nosey, to not figure it out.

"We can have it here. I'll just take the guys to the bar."

She smiled at her boyfriend but shook her head, "No offense, but Court's not going to want to come here."

"What? Why not?" Geoff asked, hurt in his voice.

All Bridgette had to do was point to the stack of empty alcohol bottles Geoff insisted on collecting and then at the wall covered in beer box labels.

A loud slam on the front door was heard, accompanied by a very familiar voice.

"What are you two losers up to?" Duncan said as he popped out from the corner.

"Trying to find a spot for Court's baby shower."

"Why not my place?" He suggested.

"You'd want a bunch of women at your place?" Bridgette immediately processed her own words and quickly added, "Don't answer that."

"For your information, Malibu. I'm actually in the middle of a pretty big surprise for her."

"Really?"

"Making a nursery for the baby." He shrugged as if it was no big deal.

"Awe, man! You're warming my heart!" Duncan punched Geoff's shoulder before slouching down on the couch, "Shut it!"

"That's really sweet of you, Duncan."

"Yeah, whatever. Are you down for that plan?"

"Sounds great!"

Now Bridgette could really start planning. She was excited to get everything going. The trio kept their conversation going to get the special day down perfectly.

Almost a full month later the day had finally arrived. All the girls came up with excuses as to why they were busy that morning, leaving Courtney at home alone. She didn't mind. The peace and quiet was something she was holding onto due to multiple horror stories her pregnancy books were giving her.

She heard some commotion downstairs and called out to Bridgette, she must have gotten done her errands early. No response came, only heavy footsteps getting closer to her closed door. They definitely were not Bridgette's, not even Geoff's.

The door swung open and nearly gave her a heart attack until she saw who it really was.

"Sup mami, I wanna show you something."

"Duncan I don't have time to play your silly little games." She snapped as she made herself comfortable on the bed again.

"It's not a game, Princess."

"No."

"Come on, don't be like that," Duncan whined. Courtney remained on the bed, unfazed.

He walked over to her closet and opened it. This got her attention.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting something for you to change into." He reached for the hook that Bridgette specifically left for him to pick. "No offense, but you look homeless."

"Don't tempt me. I'll still kick your ass."

"I'm sure of it. Now get dressed."

When Courtney stepped out of the room she looked like a brand new person. Her hair was brushed, some subtle makeup was on, and her outfit was perfect. He had to give it to Bridgette for picking it out.

Courtney's new dress was an off-white that hugged her bump perfectly. It had half sleeves and reached just above her knees. Courtney chose to slip on some black flats which he preferred considering she'd break every bone in her body if she attempted to wear some heels right now. She was quiet literally glowing.

"What?" She asked, annoyed that he was staring at her without saying a word.

"Nothing. Let's go, you're going to love this."

Courtney insisted she was perfectly capable of getting herself into the car herself. Duncan watched her trying to angle herself trying to get into the car and sighed in defeat. She turned around and reached her hand out. Duncan took ahold of her and helped her lower into the seat. She quietly thanked him before he closed the door for her.

When they pulled up to his house she automatically rolled her eyes. What type of surprise could possibly be in there? She had made her visits there sparingly considering it was still Scott's place too. Their interactions had been civil, he seemed to be focusing on his GPA a lot more, and when he reiterated that there were no hard feelings she felt at ease. Still, if she could avoid being at their shared home, she would.

As they walked up the steps and to the door she recognized a great deal of vehicles along the driveway. What was she about to step into?

When the door opened she almost cried at her friends jumping out and yelling surprise. As she looked around the room she noticed all the decorations that indicated this was her baby shower. Everything looked amazing.

She noticed Bridgette, Leshawna, and Gwen step out of the crowd to greet her.

"I love you guys." She said with tears in her eyes from the pure emotion of it all. Seeing everyone come together to celebrate her baby before she was even there meant everything in the world to her.

"We love you!" Leshawna said as she pulled Courtney into a group hug.

Duncan left the girls to it and promised to come back within a few hours for presents. Gwen had set an alarm on his phone to remind him just in case.

Courtney went up to everyone there and thanked them for coming. She was in shock her friends were able to pull this off without her realizing. Then again, everything that led up to this moment made a lot more sense now. She was grateful to have them in her life and knew her daughter would be just as lucky to grow up around these strong, loving women.

Gwen had picked out some games that she deemed were not totally stupid to play. The day just continued to get better when the food was ready. Bridgette had set up a slideshow of many memorable pictures of Courtney growing up, and a few of Duncan that she managed to pull out of him.

Up until that moment, Courtney had not put much thought into how their daughter would look. Now, seeing the baby pictures of Duncan and herself had her wondering. Would she have her eyes or Duncan's piercing blue ones? What about her hair? Would she have the same frame of freckles or none at all?

Another question popped up in her mind. A name. They both had a list of names, though Duncan's were absolutely atrocious being that he stupidly suggested Jack Daniels. Then, when Courtney shut down the suggestion due to it being a girl, Duncan only asked for Jackie Daniels instead. It was an exhausting two-minute conversation.

Speaking of Duncan. His reappearance only meant the day was coming to an end. They sat in his living room surrounded by different size gifts. The girls took pictures of every gift and saved the strings and bows to make Courtney a fun little baby shower hat. Duncan laughed at the ugly thing sitting on her head but shut up when Gwen slapped one on his too.

Once everything was unwrapped and stacked away properly Courtney said her goodbyes. Everyone and everything had been perfect. The girls stayed behind to help clean up as Duncan took the awful attempt of a hat off of Courtney's head.

"So, was this the surprise?" She asked with a laugh as he threw his own into a large garbage bag.

"One of them." Duncan reached his hand out to help her up. Once she was on her feet he pointed down the hall, "Come with me."

When they reached the end of the hall Duncan slowly opened the guest bedroom.

Courtney stood in shock. The once-guest room was completely transformed into a nursery. The walls had been repainted and the main one where a white crib stood had pink roses painted on the right side. Almost as if the wall painting was wrapping around a single framed canvas above the crib that read "Every good and perfect gift is from above." To the left of the crib was a single recliner white sofa with pale pink ceiling drapes around it. It was neatly opened and tucked behind the chair. There was a changing table with drawers underneath, and on the opposite wall were little shelves with storybooks. It was beautiful.

"Duncan."

"It's okay. You can say you hate it."

She waddled over to him and hugged him. The sudden contact caused Duncan to stand in shock before squeezing her back slightly. When they pulled apart she was smiling.

"I love it."

He smiled back at her. She loved it. That was all he could hope for. As Courtney looked at him something overcame her. Here she was, standing in the room he had fully confessed his feelings to her in and something clicked. After all those months of constant back and forth and confusing moments, one thing became clear. She loved him.

"I love–"

"Courtney."

She immediately froze. She recognized the voice. As she slowly turned around she came face to face with the woman who hurt her more than anyone could know.

"Mamá."

"You look beautiful." Elena gushed as she pulled her daughter into a hug. Courtney remained tense, not knowing how to react.

"¿Qué quieres?"

"Come home, sweetie."

"What?"

"Please. I left your Papá." Courtney said nothing, she was sure she was hearing things now. Elena continued, "He was having an affair, imagine that." She said with a fake laugh.

"I redid the guest room into a nursery. I want you home, I want to meet my grandchild. Let me make it up to you, please."

Courtney tried to wrap her head around everything her mamá had just said. Her papá, the man who shoved every Commandment down her throat ever since she was old enough to comprehend anything, had broken a big one. She could not just forgive her mother like this. What would it be like if none of this was happening? Would she truly want her back home?

"Say something, anything." Elena pleaded.

There were too many emotions surrounding her right now. Anger, confusion, shock, maybe even a bit of happiness. Duncan's hand on her back brought her back for a split second. He was still there with her. Courtney opened her mouth and a sharp gasp escaped her lips. She palmed her bump and looked down, "My water just broke."