CHAPTER 30

~ All About the Meatballs ~

It is the middle of July and the girls have an idea to throw Nicole a Shore Baby Shower. She has been a little down with Jionni being gone again. So, Deena says she will take her out for a Meatball Dinner while Sammi and Jenni plan things out. Deena would catch up with them later.

At Luna Rose the girls order their food and then they talk.

Nicole, "We haven't done this in a while."

Deena, "I know. I thought we would be full out Meatballing it this summer. I don't know what the hell I was thinking. I must have forgotten what being pregnant was like."

Nicole, "It's depressing. No one understands what it's like and now that Jionni is gone, I don't have anyone to really talk to."

Deena, "You have me. That's why I thought tonight would be perfect to let it all out."

Nicole sighs and takes a sip of her water then places it back down.

"I didn't want to bitch to you about it when you were stayin with me because I know you were dealin with your own drama."

Deena, "Well what is it?"

Nicole, "Jionni…this new baseball thing he has going on is annoying. It takes up all of his time and he doesn't get done until late. Sometimes he doesn't even come back here because he's tired."

Deena, "That's not cool. You need him right now."

Nicole, "I know right? He just doesn't listen to me anymore, I feel."

Deena, "You should just be up front with him about how you feel."

Nicole, "I just don't want to add any pressure to him. I know it must be hard dealing with a fiancé and a baby on the way."

Deena places her drink down and responds.

"As if that's your fault. If he doesn't want to marry you then he should say so and it takes two to make a baby. I did not let Pauly back out of his responsibility to us. If I felt he wasn't doing what he was supposed to, I let him know about it. He may not have listened most of the time but he knew what was right and what was wrong."

Nicole, "Yeah but Pauly laid up with you your last month in the pregnancy without question. I want Jionni to do the same. I kind of feel like I'm left during the day to wander around and find something to do."

Deena nods. This sounds similar to what the Housemates were discussing earlier but now she knows that Nicole feels the same way.

Deena, "Like I said, if you just talk to him I'm sure he will check himself and be there for you more. How are you feeling physically?"

Nicole, "It's like you're reading my mind Dee'. (Sighing) I'm so tired all the time and I'm getting little nagging pains here and there. I don't know what that's all about."

Deena, "It's your body getting ready for delivery. I went through the same thing. I would do some light stretching to help out. I can help if you like."

Nicole, "Ugh, I'm almost ready to ask you to move back in and I kick Jionni out since he didn't hold to the agreement of being at the house."

Nicole takes another drink and continues.

"Well, I have to say you look much better. How are things in the house?"

Deena smiles, "So much better. I told you Pauly and I talked for a little bit. We've decided to keep what's most important in the forefront of our minds, Pauleena, instead of this drama junk."

Nicole, "That's good. When are you bringing 'Leena here?"

Deena never really thought about bringing her to the Shore but since Nicole is having a pre-baby shower, she just might. The Housemates have not seen her since they came to her welcome home party, only pictures.

Nicole, "If you don't feel comfortable bringing her into the Shore House, you know she'll be okay being at the Mother Shore House with her God Mommy."

Deena smiles, "It'll be good practice for you too instead of the dolly-thing you were luggin around before with Jenni."

Nicole, "Wasn't that the worst? Oh God, I think a real baby will be better. Seriously though, bring her. I want to see her."

Deena, "I'll strongly consider it."

Deena and Nicole toast to Motherhood with their non-alcoholic drinks, since Deena (now in her mind only) is still not drinking either, and then their meals arrive and non-too soon, Nicole is starving. Deena just laughs remembering the feeling.

-Later on at the House-

Deena finishes out her one-on-one Meatball day with Nicole and leaves her to rest while she catches up with the girls on the Shower planning. Sammi is just about to go out shopping for baby gifts when Deena arrives back at the house.

Sam, "Oh good. I was just about to go to the baby store. Jenni is finishing up phone calls and I really didn't want to go alone. Perfect."

Deena, "Okay, let's go. I just gotta pee first."

Deena does her business and then she and Sammi head to Childrenswear.

Deena parks the Navigator and they step out to go inside.

The whole thing doesn't take too long, besides them ogling over cute baby items. They find what they need thanks to Deena.

Sam, "Do you think she'll need this? It's a bottle warmer."

Deena, "Yeah, they come in handy for the middle of the night."

Sam tosses it in the basket and then looks at something else.

"What about these bibs? Aren't they adorable?"

Deena smiles, "Yes. You can never have too many bibs, onesies, or burping towels. Hell, I might get some more for Pauleena. I'm sure she's due for some more underclothes."

Deena is now shopping for both her and Nicole. She goes over to another area and squeals.

"Oh my God, baby keys! Every baby loves these things. If there is one thing I remember about being a baby…it's the keys."

Sammi laughs a little but Deena is serious.

Deena continues, "I used to (gesturing tossing them around her head with her hands) Merp and have a blast with 'em."

Sammi laughs as Deena tosses them into the pile. She also grabs some made for teething, for Nicole's baby and again for Pauleena.

Soon enough, they are done and they go up to the register to pay for everything. Deena is glad she came. It really reminds her how great it is to be a mother.

-The Next Day-

Nicole wakes up late in the afternoon wanting to go to the baby store. She makes her way over to the Shore House after getting Jionni to agree to go. When she tells the girls they freak out because they know they have already bought her baby stuff.

Jenni tells them to head Jionni off and stop them from going. Sammi and Deena go over to Nicole's and just in time because Jionni arrives not too much longer thereafter.

Sammi tells him that they are having a baby shower for Nicole and that they already shopped for baby stuff for her. She says that he should just take her to dinner instead. He agrees and soon, Sammi and Deena head back to the house to get ready for their night out at a new club.

Before getting ready, the girls show Jenni what it is they bought. While looking over everything, they hear movement on the steps. Sammi hears the heels and reacts gathering up some of the items.

Sam, "Oh..my..God. I hear her."

Jenni, "Who Nicole?"

Sam tries to whisper, "Yes!"

Deena, "What the hell…"

Jenni jumps up to help, "We are destined to get caught."

Jenni and Sammi work to put everything in the bathroom while Deena blocks the door. With success, they get everything hidden and Nicole walks in.

Nicole, "I need the address to Gabrielle's."

Nicole sits on Deena's bed and the whole time she looks miserable while Deena looks it up. The girls feel bad for her because they know she's upset about not going shopping but they know she'll be happy she didn't. She just needs to hang in there one more day.

After fretting and being mopey, she and Jionni finally take off after being told to make the most of the night from the girls' teasing. Nicole bellyaches but she knows she's going to get it in at the end of the night.

The plan is still in motion but first, it's time to party.

A/N: OMG, technical difficulties! I am away from home as usual so this is my first time getting online...drama I would not like to bring up but I am Thankful on Tuesday that I am here now! Updates may or may not come again this week but here is a breather Chap before I possibly "check out" again. *Smiling*...really hope I can update soon...