Chapter 45
Brian had been gone for a few days, and for some odd reason, Briana was enjoying the quiet for a change. It allowed her to rest without someone either constantly bothering her or a bunch of ruckus in the house in general; she was now very pregnant, and it never failed about the same time every night the twins would be actively moving inside her.
Briana had been dozing for about an hour when the phone rang, jarring her awake.
"Just checking in on Mama," Brian said cheerfully. "How is it going?"
"Talk to your twins," she replied. "Three a.m. each night, we have an in utero wrestling match between them. I think your daughter may have handed your son's ass to him last night, though."
"Ah, they're getting started early. How was your doctor's appointment?"
"Well, for the most part, everything seems fine, though Dr. Edwards says there's a chance I could deliver early."
"Oh, Jesus. I knew I should have asked for time off earlier."
"No use getting into a panic. I haven't even 'dropped' yet, so things seems to be okay so far. And yes, before you ask, I've been resting."
"Good girl. Now in case something should happen–"
"For the love of God, Brian, I have your whole itinerary, every phone number where you can be reached, the suitcase is packed, and Nadine can take me to the hospital. Will you calm down? You're worse than I am and I'm the one who's pregnant."
"Well, what if you pop them at home by yourself?"
"Not going to happen. Now settle down. And they're not going to be 'popped'; they are going to be born."
"Sorry. Did the carpet installer show up by any chance this week?"
"Yes, and bless his heart, Paul managed to put everything back in the right place without breaking anything once the new rug was put in."
"Let me look and see if hell froze over yet," Brian replied with a laugh. "He didn't fuck up his back again in the meantime, did he?"
"No, he's fine. The carpet people handled the real bulky stuff."
"Oh good, I was hoping he wouldn't be anywhere near the new furniture, especially after the fiasco with putting the cribs together. Ah, and to think El Stupido will be joining me here very soon."
"A few hours, in fact," Briana answered. "Paul's flight left about forty five minutes ago."
"Better to drive me nuts than you. Paul would send Satan into early labor."
"Oh come on, Bri, don't rag on him so much; he actually took Lamaze classes with me during times you've been gone."
"Knowing Paul, it was probably to meet chicks."
"Maybe, or to prepare on the off chance he was here and you weren't home."
Brian then heard an ungodly noise from his end as his wife let go a belch. "What the hell was that?"
"Pepperoni and sausage pizza talking back," Briana giggled, excusing herself. "Apparently someone in here wasn't crazy about that either."
"There's Moose Tracks ice cream in the freezer," Brian reminded her. "Maybe that will help."
"There's a jar of pickles out there in the fridge too," she said. "Those can be my midnight snack."
The next day:
"Dude, why the hell did you drag me out of bed and to a damn mall before noon?" Paul grumbled as he and Brian made their way into the entrance. "I was having a good dream about Briana Banks."
"I need help finding a something for Bree for when the twins are born," Brian replied stopping and gazing around the mall with a lost look on his face.
"Couldn't we have done this at home instead of some bum fuck nowhere town?"
"Yeah, but at least here I can shop in peace without being practically mobbed like we are at home."
"Any thoughts on what you want to get her?"
"I haven't got a clue," Brian said. "I was thinking some kind of jewelry."
"Lingerie would work instead. It'll benefit both of you," Paul grinned, nodding toward a store.
"Now I know why you've never been married," Brian replied, quirking a brow. "Dude, the last thing you want to get a woman right after she's given birth is lingerie. They're usually feeling fat and tired afterward, and with good reason. You want me to get killed and not see my twins get married? Jesus Christ."
"Jewelry could work," Paul finally agreed. "What did you have in mind?"
"I haven't a clue yet, but something special that would commemorate the birth and she'd remember for years to come."
"Family ring?" Paul suggested, eying a display once they'd found a jewelry store.
Brian shook his head. "Too cheesy, and if there's any more kids, I'd have to add to it. No, I was thinking something a little better."
"More kids? Jesus, are you planning your own wrestling team or something?"
"I said 'if', ass wipe. Here, let's look at some of this stuff."
"Fucking hell, you could probably get something just as nice and for a cheaper price at Wal-Mart."
Brian glared at Paul. "Seriously, dude, stay single. I'd feel sorry for any woman that married you otherwise. There's lots of things a man can skimp on, but this isn't one of them."
He finally brightened, spotting something in another display case. "This is it!"
"What?" Paul asked.
"Eternity ring. That would be perfect."
"What the fuck is an 'eternity ring'?"
"Jesus, Paul, just when I wonder if you can't get any dumber, and to think you were the one that went to college. Eternity rings are usually used for wedding bands, but now are getting increasingly popular as anniversary gifts and symbolizations of many special moments. I think the birth of twins would be a special moment, don't you?"
"Oh, okay. Which are you getting Bree?" Paul studied the case.
"The diamond and white gold one right here." Brian tapped on the glass. "Let me find someone to see if it comes in Briana's size. It will be freaking perfect."
"Get the redhead over there," Paul grinned, jerking his thumb toward a full-breasted, attractive saleswoman not far from them.
Brian rolled his eyes. "Only you would be ogling the sales help.I'd rather get someone who looks like they know what they're doing."
"Spoilsport," Paul sniffed.
"Just stay here," Brian shot him a look. "For once, do something with me where you aren't making an ass of yourself."