a/n: I took some time to find out how long it takes for a priest to be laicized and learned it can take YEARS! Since that won't gel with my story, it's just not going to take that long. Another thing: I'm not posting hundreds of chapters for each and every single day of a pregnancy like some authors on here do! This chapter is taking place at the beginning of the second trimester.

"I think Arabella's happy about finally being off bed rest," Alex told Rachel. "But Philip still acts like she still needs bed rest. He waits on her hand and foot."

"It's kind of cute how he's always doing that," Rachel answered. "He's always getting her something or elevating her feet."

Alex smiled. "Just the way a man is supposed to treat a pregnant woman. Anything and everything she wants. He'd get her the moon if it was within reach."

"And is that how Derek is treating you?"

"I woke up with breakfast in bed this morning. The whole nine yards, complete with flowers. Actually, he does that every morning."

Rachel giggled. "It sounds like he's gearing up to give you a ring."

"Could be. Speaking of rings, Philip has been trying to give Arabella a ring. She's just not taking it."

"An engagement ring? I'm not sure if she's that type of girl. If she wanted to get married, I would think she would have said yes to him before."

"If it's an engagement ring, it's not a regular one. The stone is pink. Her favorite color. She was also born in October. With how many times he's tried changing her mind, if that ring is just a gift, she's not seeing it that way. Derek took the ring away from him yesterday. It was bothering her that much."

"Oh, Philip's not easing up too much, is he?" Rachel asked.

"So then you think it's not just his attempt at a gift?"

"Not if it's bothering her. I really don't think she's getting used to the idea of having a baby."

"Well, she does still think Derek should let her go back to college right now. Not that there aren't women who don't have babies in college, but she wasn't in a condition to go back after what happened."

"What are you doing?" Arabella asked Philip as he pulled out a chair for her in the kitchen.

"He's just pulling out a chair," Nick said. "If he hasn't stopped doing stuff for you by now, he won't stop any time soon."

"I don't need people pulling chairs out for me!"

"You will by the time you're ready to pop that baby out."

"What happened to the 'obedience training' you were giving him?" she asked.

"Your dad made me stop."

"Sit," Philip said to her.

"But I don't need to yet," she protested.

"Please?"

"Just sit down before he decides to feed your lunch to you by hand," Nick whispered to her.

"If he tries that, I'll kick him in the sac," she whispered back as she went to sit down.

"You know what, Philip? I think maybe you should feed her by hand," Nick said out loud and got glared at by Arabella. "Then again, the way you feed her, I'm starting to think there's two babies in there."

"You're an asshole, Nick," Arabella said as Philip began looking at her belly oddly. She looked at Philip. "Stop it! I'm not having two babies!"

Nick leaned close to her. "Don't say that until you have the ultrasound. Hey, isn't that today? You might want to watch how much you feed her, Philip."

Arabella kicked Nick in one of his shins. "Stop it!"

"Did you have your rabies shots before he got you pregnant? You're getting mean."

"And you're being an annoying asshole! So, when was your last asshole shot?"

"That's enough," Philip said. "Get out, Nick."

"Hey, I eat too!" Nick protested.

"You have her using curse words!"

"That baby isn't going to be born swearing, Philip. Maybe I should bring back the obedience training."

Derek came into the room. "Stop it. I swear, it's like I have three children instead of one. So stop bickering."

Arabella kicked Nick's shin again.

"Right now," Derek added.