"I think this is the first "Happy Maternity Leave" party that has ever been thrown in the history of the world," Austin chuckled with a shake of her head.

"It's really a baby shower but if I would have called it that, the guys never would have shown up," Jo replied with a grin. Everyone was gathered in the small back room of a restaurant, eating cupcakes and trying to figure out who was going to deliver a bigger baby.

"Either way, it's pretty awesome. Of course at this point just getting out of the house is awesome, but this includes ice-cream," Lindsay commented. Austin nodded and gave her a fist bump while Jo chuckled.

"I was hoping that maybe all the baby talk would force Lindsay to tell us what she's having."

"She won't tell. I've tried Jo. Everything I can think of and she won't tell."

"You'll find out soon enough. Just be patient."

"I even tried asking Colton and he said "No, it's a secret, you have a big mouth." I don't think he came up with that on his own."

"Not entirely but you do have a big mouth, Aust. And how dare you try to manipulate a toddler into spilling the beans?"

"If the roles were reversed you'd ask Isa wouldn't you?"

"Absolutely."

"Well I've got a feeling," Jo said, playing with her necklace. "I think it's a girl."

"I dunno," Lindsay shrugged.

"You do know," Austin accused with a crook of her eyebrow.

"Yeah, I know, but saying that I don't is the only answer I can say."

"You don't know. You're just telling everyone that you know to drive us all crazy, but you really don't know."

"I do know, I just can't say, so it's almost like I don't know."

"But you DO know."

"Yes but pretend I don't."

"But I know you know!"

"Then you should know that just because I know, doesn't mean you're gonna know."

"You know what…"

"I know something you don't know?"

"You're lucky I love you so much Linds."

"Yeah. I know."

"You two make me dizzy," Jo laughed.

"Maybe that's why are we the…" Lindsay trailed off.

"What?"

"I don't know."

Jo laughed and shook her head as Jess walked over.

"First, how do I always end up in conversations with a bunch of boys?"

"Because you're one of them."

"Second, guess who's here?"

"Who?"

"Well look!" she said pointing to the door.

"Stella!" Austin squealed, jumping off her chair and crossing the room, Lindsay right on her heels. They both crashed into her with hugs and giggles, completely surprised.

"What are you doing here?"

"Touring Rikers. What do you think I'm doing here? You're both about to give birth, I wasn't going to miss it."

"I missed you, I missed you!" Austin said with a grin. "I feel totally like a fangirl right now."

"I'm missed you guys too. So much. And the kids are all grown up and huge huh?"

"Completely grown up. Driving already," Lindsay teased.

"Oh stop it."

About that time everyone seemed to notice the presence of their New Orleans counterpart and converged on her with hugs and stories of what she had missed.

"Okay cat who ate the canary," Lindsay started, looking at Jo who had an enormous smile on her face. "What did you do?"

"I wanted to do this party for you guys and I called her to see if she would come up. I know you both miss her, especially Austin. Anyway, Stella said she wasn't going to miss both of you this pregnant so… here she is."

"You have no idea how much… thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Where's she staying?"

"With me. She got in last night and told me Mac stories until one a.m."

"Nice. I'm glad you get along."

"It's no wonder you guys missed her so much."

"We'd miss you if you left too."

"Really?"

"Yes. Especially me. No one else understands when I confess that All Jacked Up was my college theme song."

"Glad to be of service."

"Mama, I have cupcake?" Colton asked, hugging Lindsay's legs and staring up at her with huge eyes.

"How many did you have already?"

"Daddy give me one."

"Then you don't need any more right now. Besides you had cake for your birthday yesterday."

"I have juice?"

She gave him her glass of juice and he guzzled the whole thing, finishing with a smile.

"All gone. It tasty mama."

"Tasty huh? Where did you learn that word?"

"The TV. Yummo."

"You've been watching Food Network without me?"

"Bam!"

She snickered as Jo leaned down and picked him up.

"You're too cute for words. Do you know that?"

"I very cute, Jo. Mama says."

"I'm sure she does."

"Mama say daddy cute too."

"Well that must be where you get it."

He grinned proudly.

"Mama, that Stella," he said, pointing over at her.

"I know. Do you remember Stella? It's been a long time since we saw her last."

"I know Stella, mama. She gives candy."

"Oh that's right. If it weren't for her you wouldn't be obsessed with Skittles."

"I love Skittles," he said with a nod.

"You have a sweet tooth like your daddy."

"Tooth like daddy?" he asked, wrinkling his forehead.

"It just means… oh never mind."

Jo chuckled and put him down, watching as he raced over to Adam, presumably to ask for a cupcake.

"Are you ready for number two?" Jo asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I'm ready to be done being pregnant at least. But yeah, we're ready."

"You're going to love it. Seeing siblings together… I just remember how Tyler was after we adopted Ellie. I think we got lucky but he just loved her immediately."

"I hope it works out that way. Colton seems to be pretty excited."

"He'll be a good big brother. Just look how he is with the girls."

Lindsay glanced over to see him helping Sarah off of a chair. He made sure she was safely on the ground, then gave her shoulder an affectionate pat and ran off to find Isa.

"Yeah, he'll be fine."

"So tell me the truth Bonasera. You still happy with your decision to move?"

Stella sighed and spun the ice around in her cup.

"Mostly. I love it down there and the work is good. I miss everyone here though."

"We're missable," Lindsay said with a smile.

"I can't believe how big the kids got in just a year. You need to send more pictures."

"I need to take more pictures. I barely have enough. Or we just need to have you visit more."

"Or you guys need to visit me."

"That's not a bad idea. We could use a vacation."

"Just don't come down on Mardi Gras."

"I have no problem with that," she chuckled. "How long are you here?"

"A week. So make sure you have that kid before I go."

"Don't jinx me, I'm already past my due date."

"Oh kiddo…"

"It's not so much fun, let me just say that."

"You're keeping your cool pretty well."

"I'd rather be late than early."

"Very true."

"Tomorrow I might not feel this way."

"Tomorrow you might have a baby."

"Or I might," Austin said as she sat down.

"Think so?"

"I just had a contraction."

"WHAT?"

"Shh. Danny's getting the girls and we're going to go but I don't want to make a big deal of it."

"You're going to call us later and let us know then right?"

"Yes."

"Good luck," Lindsay said, reaching over and hugging her. "I love you."

"I love you too. And you'll be soon, I know it."

"I hope so. Want us to take the girls?"

"Both grandma's are coming. We'll be okay."

"Love you, sweetie," Stella said, giving her a hug. "Let us know when it's over?"

"I will. Bye."

"And they're off," Lindsay said as she watched them leave. She could have felt left out, but the excitement for her friend was too great and she grinned. "How long do you think? Three hours?"

"I'm guessing before midnight."

"Danny's finally going to have his boy."

"I love this."

"I'm glad you're here. It would be incomplete without you."