CHAPTER 32
~ Baby Shower Blues ~
It is now Sunday at the Shore House and that means it is time for Nicole's surprise Shore Baby Shower. The night before was a blur for the housemates and now, the girls have to be the first ones up.
Jenni let Roger out and goes back to their room. She then rouses Deena. After finally waking her, she goes to make sure Sammi is up. When all three girls get dressed, they head over to Rivoli's to prep the party room with all the party supplies they bought.
At Rivoli's they grumble while working through the decorations.
Jenni, "Oh God, I feel like shit. Do not have sex and then have to get up soon after that to go do shit that requires standing up."
Deena looks into space and nods.
"I've been there…"
Sam replies, "I feel like I'm gonna throw up."
Jenni smiles, "Does anyone remember anything from last night? All I remember was Roger trying to molest me and I'm like, dude I seriously have to get up to get shit ready for Nicole's party today."
Sam, "I was wasted, sorry. I barely made it into bed. I think Ron had to help me up."
Deena remains quiet while the girls complain.
Soon enough the decorations are up and the presents are in place; Jenni is very pleased. They take pictures of everything and then they head back to the house.
Jenni calls Roger to let him know what time to come get her. She has to be there before everyone else to make sure the guests are ready to surprise Nicole and that all the food is in preparation, the cake, etc…
While Jenni gets dressed, Deena decides to clear her head. She goes into the front room to sit down but Pauly is there. Well, she doesn't want to seem rude so she takes a seat opposite of him by the stairs.
Deena, "Hi."
Pauly, "Hi."
Awkward silence until Pauly breaks it.
Cleaning his sneakers and putting them on, "So, what's the plan for today?"
Deena, "We just need to tell Nicole that we're going to Sunday dinner at Rivoli's. We've got everything all set up so make sure everyone else knows."
Pauly, "Cool."
It goes quiet again and then they hear the door open. Nicole walks in and takes a seat next to Pauly.
After small talk she responds, "So what are we doin today?"
Deena, "Sunday dinner at Rivoli's."
Nicole makes a gag face. Deena smiles.
"What?"
Nicole, "I just don't want to feel like puking after I eat."
Deena, "Ask for small portions."
Nicole, "I guess. Where's Jenni, sleeping still?"
Deena, "Showering."
Nicole, "She coming too?"
Deena, "Nope. She's got a date with Roger I think."
Pauly takes this as his exit.
"That's nice." He gets up.
Soon enough Jenni steps out in a flowing, Leopard sarong dress. Nicole goes crazy.
Deena, "Pretty."
Nicole, "I know right? I need to borrow that ASAP."
Nicole then goes into question mode.
Nicole, "Do you know where he's takin you?"
Jenni, "I don't know all I know is he told me this morning he had to leave but to be ready by three 'cuz he is coming to get me."
Nicole gasps. "Do you think he's proposing?!"
Jenni, "Quiet."
Nicole smiles, "I'm serious."
After the investigation Roger comes to get Jenni and they leave. Soon after, everyone gets dressed and is ready to leave for Rivoli's.
-At Rivoli's-
Nicole has no idea what's in store for her. Deena tells her to go to the back room when they step inside.
Nicole, "Why? Let's get our normal table."
Deena, "Just go. We're expecting extra people today."
Nicole, "Who? I don't feel like socializing."
Nicole is being extra difficult today unfortunately but it's almost over.
When she finally makes her way there, she lets the curtain back and everyone in the room yells.
"SURPRISE!"
Nicole is totally floored. She instantly gets teary. Here she thought no one cared about her being pregnant and no one wanted to do baby things with her but it was all in preparation for this.
She hugs Deena and then she sees her best friend from back home.
Nicole yells out, "Steph!"
She runs over and engulfs her in a hug. The two shed tears and don't want to let go. Nicole then says hello to her other friends and all the while pictures are taken. Everyone is just about there but after dropping off his or her presents, it is just the roommates and Nicole's two friends Danielle and Stephanie plus Danny seated at the party table.
Most of the dinner is quiet with chatter here and there. Vinny is going to choose today to talk to Jionni. The guys know it and the house has had words about it, so they are just waiting in anticipation but it seems like Vinny is waiting until the very last minute.
Pauly clears his throat and jokes.
"Awkward…"
Ronnie and Vinny snicker and Mike just looks on bored, trying to stay awake basically. Everyone continues eating and Sammi turns to Deena.
Sam, "No Chris?"
Deena nearly chokes on her drink. She composes herself and responds.
"No. He had to work today."
Sam, "Oh."
Vinny looks at her but she keeps her head down avoiding any eye contact. Soon enough, Nicole whispers to Jionni that she has to use the bathroom. He gets up to go with her and when they walk out, Ronnie comments.
"Way to wait until the last minute."
Vinny, "I know."
Pauly, "You gonna do it now?"
Vinny, "I guess so."
Jenni then looks to Mike, "Wait, have you talked to Jionni yet?"
Mike shakes his head no. Mike not only has to apologize to Jionni but it seems another talk with Nicole is in order too. This is the most awkward Baby Shower in the history of Baby Showers; everyone seems to have current issues. Neither Mike nor Vinny think they have anything to apologize for.
Vinny was just being a guy and what went down between Nicole and him was mutual. Mike, well, there is no need to harp on that situation again. In order for things to be cool again and to have a relationship with Nicole again, this obviously has to be done.
Vinny now gets up and heads out the room. He stands around and waits until the two come back and then he stops Jionni.
"Can I talk to you outside for a minute?"
Jionni, "Yeah."
Jionni and Vinny head to the front of the restaurant and then they step outside…
A/N: Jumping July everybody! I am HOME! Now I can get some normalcy somewhat. Not much to say, just keep up the support and we will keep it moving :-)