I pick up the package; it’s rectangular and surprisingly light. I flip the note open, and Cole's handwriting greets me.
At twenty weeks pregnant, you’re not supposed to lie flat. I got this for you so that you can rest your bump whilst lying on your side. Cole xxx
I rip open the bright yellow wrapping paper to find a vacuum-packed, banana-shaped body pillow that specialises in comfort for the baby bump when lying down.
Hayleigh looks in her rearview mirror, “Is it a twelve-inch dildo? I’ll be disappointed if not!”
I burst out laughing and choke back a sob. “No…it’s…ugh, Jesus, Lacey, get a grip! It’s a pillow for my bump, to keep itcomfortable when lying down. He says in the note that at twenty weeks, I’m not supposed to be lying flat, and it’s banana-shaped because that’s the size of the baby this week…”
“Fuck me sideways, Lacey! Will you climb that man like a tree already?” She laughs at her joke, and my cheeks blaze red hot. Fuck.
Please don’t look back in your mirror, please don’t….Too late.
“OH MY FUCKING GOD!”
“Jesus, Hayleigh! You scared the shit out of me. What are you screaming about?” Emmy presses a hand against her chest, an incredulous look on her face.
Hayleigh safely parks the car and turns round in her seat to stare right at me while Emmy looks on in confusion. “You tell us right now, you dirty little secret keeper. Have you and Cole had sex?”
Emmy gasps. “Hayleigh! Of course they haven’t…have you?”
My face is on fire. Cheeks, blazing. I start to fan myself.
“Is it hot in here? I feel hot.” I fan my face faster, but nothing is getting these red cheeks to go away.
“I’m waiting, Lacey…” Hayleigh’s face is like the cat that got the cream; she knows I know she knows.
Fuck it.
“Okay, technically, we didn’t have sex…”
They both stare at me, comically looking the same with their hands clasped beneath their chins like weird little cherub twins.
“He said some things that I will not– Don’t look at me like that, it isn’t my story to tell. I will not repeat all of them, however…he did tell me he’s loved me forever and he’s our guy.” I rub small circles over my bump and smile; I might as well give them what they want. “He also played me like a fiddle down there and made me come so hard I saw stars.”
Hayleigh screams out loud, and Emmy whoops.
“I fucking knew it! That glow wasn’t just Peanut-related! Does this mean you’re an item now? Do the boys know? Hey, did you know?” Hayleigh’s barrage of questions assaults us, but Emmy shakes her head, laughing.
“Of course, I didn’t know.”
“I asked Cole to keep it between us for now, but if the boys are anything like you two, and believe me, they are, then I can guarantee before the week's out, they’re gonna find out.”
“Why do you want to keep it a secret?” There is no judgment in Emmy’s words, just curiosity.
“Not secret as such, I just want it to be us for a while. I’m…a bit scared he might realise this is too much.”
Hayleigh reaches over and grasps my hand while Emmy holds the other one. Hayleigh’s voice is soft. “Lacey, that isn’t going to happen. Cole isn’t the guy to ditch and run… Ted, 100% yes, but Cole? Never. You also have us; we love you both so much, and Peanut is going to be spoiled rotten!”
I smile back, grateful that we have this family and our friends behind us. Part of me wishes that my dad were here to support us as well.
**********
We arrive and park outside Petals Yoga Studio. The image of a lotus flower on the sign looks peaceful and calming. I’ve never tried yoga before, but it’s something my midwife swears by. She said the exercises are very low in terms of effort, but the positive mental and physical well-being will do wonders; we shall see.
Hayleigh looks up and blows a breath out. “I swear to everything holy, if this turns out to be some middle-aged, long-haired, shaggy-bearded, self-proclaiming expert of a man, I am walking right back out.”
I stifle a laugh at her rant and then internally groan when the sunniest voice rings out.
