Samantha
The ringing of the doorbell caught my attention as I folded the last of my clothes into my suitcase.
" Sam, are you ready?" Elle's voice sounded in the hallway next to the bedroom a few moments later.
" Almost," I crooned.
She opened the door, rolling her eyes to find me wearing only panties and a bra and a towel wrapped around my hair.
" You're not even dressed yet! That's typical," she sighed, "hurry up your little bit of pregnancy, or you won't look presentable in time. Soon the girls will be here!”
" Do you realize how crazy this is? " I let out, looking for an outfit that fit me. “Besides, it's not my fault, I spent the last few minutes kneeling on the bathroom floor next to the toilet. I didn't have much of a choice.”
When they found out about my pregnancy and my move to Aspen, the girls from work decided to have an early baby shower as a goodbye. Although I said I thought it was crazy, I was only three months pregnant, but I felt grateful for this gesture. They were the closest thing to a family that I had at the moment, and I would walk away from them as well.
Anxiety threatened to overwhelm me for a moment as I thought about the next day that I would be flying to Denver, where Theon would pick me up in his car and take me to my new town. I didn't know what to expect from my life after tomorrow, I was just aware that everything would change.
" You look pale," Elle approached, frowning.
" I'm fine," I pushed those feelings away, putting a smile on my face as I thought about the night that awaited me with my friends.
" That green one? " she rummaged through a small pile of clothes I had sorted out to put in the next bag I would be filling.
" Yes, that's the one," I grabbed it from her hands, getting dressed to help Charlie get everything ready.
Elle went into the living room, leaving me alone to finish getting ready. A few minutes later, I was with the two of them, arranging the donuts and bottles of beer for the girls, and orange juice for me, in a Styrofoam container with ice on the counter. It would be nothing elaborate, we would order some pizzas, finish packing my last boxes, and enjoy each other's company.
They didn't take long to arrive, each bringing a gift that would be useful for my baby. Soon we were gathered on the living room floor, eating pizza and donuts, talking and laughing, remembering some of the moments we had spent together.
" Come on, I bet she goes skiing all the time, I'm jealous," May sighed at one point, commenting on my impending move to Aspen.
" May, don't be stupid," Kim laughed, "do you really think she will ski pregnant?
" She won't stay pregnant forever " she insisted " in seven months the baby will be born!”
" And she's going to put the baby in a kangaroo and ski with he? " Charlie teased her.
" Well, there's always the father to take care of him for a while," she sighed, trying to justify herself, while I decided to put an end to the whole thing.
" No matter, I don't plan on skiing for the next few months," I assured her, "but you can visit me and ski if you wish.”
" Enough of this subject," Elle stood up, walking to Charlie's room as she spoke, "the girls and I have prepared something special for you, Samantha.”
I frowned, waiting for her to return to the room, carrying a basket full of various products and placing them in front of me. I knelt down and rummaged through the basket, taking in my hands some bath oils, moisturizers, makeup.
" We put together everything you need to maintain your beauty, even if you are pregnant," Carrie smiled, picking up a book next.
" "Baby, Owner's Manual" “ I read the title aloud " what is it?”
" It's instructions on how to take care of your baby, Sam," Charlie clarified.
" And you think I'm going to need this? " I rolled my eyes.
It's not like I need to take a baby care course, right? People have kids and don't know what to do all the time and they are fine!
" I think it's always good to have some help," Elle insisted.
" I think this is nonsense, we'll be fine without any books," I assured, stretching to pick up one of the packages the girls had brought, "can I open it?”
" Of course you can," May smiled wryly, before handing me a reasonably sized package.
I tore open the gift wrapping without much ceremony, looking at some sort of dog bed. I smiled in appreciation even though I had no idea what it meant.
" Thank you, May.”
" Is this for the baby's dog? " Katie voiced my doubt, leaving me a little relieved.
" No " May laughed " the lady at the store said it's for putting the baby in, it's a reducer nest.”
" Isn't that what the crib is for? " I frowned.
" Don't look at me, I bought the one the saleslady said would be useful," she shrugged, as I picked up another present.
" This is mine and I know it's useful," Elle hummed as I pulled a strange machine out of the box.
" Electric milk extractor? " I read the description shocking me a bit.
" To express milk," she stated the obvious.
" Isn't that the baby's job? " I insisted.
" Samantha, trust me, you'll need it " she assured me " my sister has it and says it's the best thing she's ever bought.”
" Fine," I agreed a bit disbelievingly, still looking at the machine.
That looked uncomfortable!
" This is mine" Charlie pushed me another present, and this time I didn't really know what it was, since it was all written in Chinese.
" What is it?
" It's a sterilizer," she explained only to further my confusion.
" Somebody give me that baby manual," I muttered, drawing giggles from the girls.
The next day Charlie and Elle drove me to the airport, waiting for me to board my flight to my
new life.
" Have you told your parents about the move? " Charlie asked as we waited for my flight to call.
" Yes. My mom liked it, she always thought I was better than Vegas," I answered with a sigh, feeling anxious.
" I suppose you haven't told them the reason for the change," Elle hinted.
" No, they don't need to know," I shrugged.
" Really? Your parents don't need to know they’re going to be grandparents? " Charlie raised her eyebrows.
I let a tired sigh escape me as I looked around. I knew my friend was right, but she didn't understand how scary my parents could be. If they find out about the situation I've gotten myself into.
" I'll tell them when the time is right," I assured her.
" And when will that be? When the baby is born? " Elle teased me.
" That might be a good idea," I sneered, "I can also wait until the baby starts talking so that he can tell the grandparents.”
" You're hopeless," Charlie shook his head, "and how will you manage?
" I don't know, I'll manage, I guess. My parents will help me for a few months, I just need to get a job.
" I'll come visit you soon," she promised as she heard the announcement of my flight, causing me to stand up, "I hope this place is really worth it.”
" I hope so too," I admitted hugging them both, "I'll miss you both.”
" Let us know when you arrive," Elle instructed, "and tell us every detail of your trip.”
" I promise," I assured them, pulling away from them.