"Has my nephew made his debut yet?" Darina joked as she hugged me at the airport.
"Eight more weeks," I rubbed my belly and felt Ryder move slightly. "It's better harder and harder for him to move as easily. Pretty sure we're both miserable now."
Well I appreciate you coming to pick me up and agree to touring the college with me." She grabbed her bags and followed me out to my car.
"I'm sure I'm a little more familiar with the whole 'college experience' compared to Hayden," I teased.
"He is old, I wouldn't be surprised if he got grey hairs by the time Ryder arrived."
"Don't tell him that, he's hoping our son gets his good looks."
Darina laughed, "he shouldn't have to worry about that. My nephew is going to be a heartthrob regardless."
"We still have a couple of years I hope before I have to worry about that." I put my hand over my forehead dramatically. "Let's get your stuff to the car. Are you hungry? And remind me again where we meet for the tour tomorrow?"
She prattled off about information while we drove home. Her energy was extremely infectious and I couldn't help but laugh at how I had felt the same when going to college.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing. You remind me of myself when I was touring colleges and learning about the whole "adulting" experience."
"Well hopefully I only want to go to college once and not go back like Hayden did. What a weirdo for wanting to stay and teach." She teased, "it must make him feel young."
"If anything, I make him feel young."
"Touché."
We stopped at the In-And-Out that was ten minutes from our place and ordered fries for me and whatever Darina wanted. She had requested during the trip to visit as many burger joints as possible since Duran didn't have more than two different places with decent ones.
"Mmm," she smiled as she smelled her bag of food. "I told myself calories don't count right now and I can afford to get fat."
"I've been telling myself that for nearly eight months now."
"Yeah but you're eating for two! Does Ryder like certain foods over others?"
"He hates chocolate. I haven't had Oreos or anything chocolate since the beginning of the first trimester."
"What! He can't be my nephew if he hates chocolate. We'll introduce him to peanut butter and chocolate. Then he'll know why it's delicious."
"Possibly. I know Bandit and Jasper are excited to see you. We've been mentioning you coming and they look out the window to see if you've arrived."
"Aww," she laughed and ate a few fries. "Well I've missed them too. Mom and dad don't want a pet. Even though they love your dogs... they just don't want the responsibility. I'm hoping when I'm able to live off campus in two to three years, I could get a dog."
"They would love to have a friend."
I let Darina get settled in the downstairs bedroom while I went upstairs to pee once more. We were definitely thankful to have three bedrooms so that someone could stay while we had room for us and Ryder as well. The dogs had enjoyed running up and down the stairs and finding new places to hide and chew on things too.
I winced as Ryder moved again while I debated if my bladder was empty. "Ryder, quit poking mommy's bladder."
Thankfully he shifted back to where his head was to my left hip area. That seemed to be his most comfortable position and it amazed me that he was already head down. Babies.
Hayden texted me, asking if Darina had gotten in okay. He was up at his office working on a project with other Professors within the history department.
'She's good. Settling in and then I'll take her around town. Tell your son to stop making his mother almost pee herself.'
'I'll be sure to remind him tonight when I'm home. Love you sweetheart.'
Giggling, I rubbed my belly and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Darina? Can I lay down for an hour and then we'll go out?"
"That's fine! Can I go check out that clothing store that's like three blocks from your house?"
"Yeah! Keys are on the table. Just have your phone on in case."
She peeked her head in and nodded before yelling bye and locking the door. I didn't really mind if she wanted to do things on her own too while visiting. She was in a completely different stage of life than Hayden and I.
Scooting back towards my pillow, I shifted to my left side and curled my feet up. Naps were going to be few and far between once Ryder got here unless by some miracle he was an easy baby.
I felt Hayden's breath tickling my ear as he rubbed my back and hummed some tune. My eyes opened wearily before I sat up and looked at him in alarm. "What time is it?"
"Nearly seven. Before you make yourself go into labor," he kissed my forehead, "Darina called and wanted to come see my campus. I showed her around the area and we got to talking about things. So we grabbed dinner and I got you some soup from that hole in the wall place you always like to visit on thirty-ninth street."
"Sorry," I laid back down and rubbed my eyes. "I didn't expect to be asleep that long. I feel like I'm constantly doing a workout with him moving around and trying to keep my bladder from exploding."
"Don't apologize love. She figured you needed the rest. Besides, it gave her and I a chance to catch up like old times."
"What is she up to now?"
"Watching something on tv with Jasper and Bandit." Hayden pulled me closer and rested one hand on my stomach. "Ryder... you have to be nice to mommy and not make her pee every five minutes."
I smiled, obviously it was futile to say anything but hearing Hayden talking to Ryder made my heart burst. He was already such an amazing father and I couldn't wait to see how we would grow into parenthood once I delivered.
"Do you still feel up to going with her for the tour? I can always take her,"
"I can do it. I could use some walking around," I teased.
"Alright. I'll let you girls have your day. Just let me know when you're coming back home so we can figure out food. Oh, before I forget, Nina told me she's already been approved to take off two weeks for work once Ryder arrives. I know our parents will be in for a few days or whatever. But I know she wants to help,"
"Tell her thank you. I can't wait for her to be an Aunt. Maybe it'll give her enough baby fever to have one too."
"That's probably what my parents have been saying to her for the past few months since you've been pregnant." Hayden chuckled and kissed me softly. "Regardless, I just don't want you to feel that we are in this alone. Our support system for Ryder is going to be amazing. Plus with Rose and Sean so close, there will always be someone."
I hugged Hayden tightly and felt Ryder move around briefly while his dad talked. This little one was going to be spoiled and blessed with our families. And I couldn't be more grateful.
**sorry it's short. Will start drafting the next chapter as a lot goes down! Hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying the Holiday season.**