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She snorts, then laughs louder. I join in because it is a pretty out-there display. “Stop,” she says, and bumps me with her elbow. “Stop, I'm going to pee my pants.”
“Sorry!” I put on my most serious face and go as silent as I can.
Mags breathes in deep, then lets it out slow. “Where is the bathroom in this place, anyway?”
“Behind us.” I point. “Do you think you can make it, or should I pick you up and carry you?”
She rolls her eyes at me, and we detour to the bathroom, which luckily is only a few steps away. Mags takes a minute to catch her breath afterward.
“Even pulling up my pants is a workout,” she says, grumbling in a lighthearted way. Her cheeks are pink just from our slow walk, and she glances down at her belly and gives it a smile.
“So, for the sip and see...” I continue as we leave the bathroom.
Mags makes a face. She's resistant to the idea, and I can tell. It's probably because of her last pregnancy and the way the town spread rumors. That's the downside of living in a small town. Everyone knows your business, and sometimes they don't take news the way you hope they will. And we all know people who can blow just about anything out of proportion in the wrong direction.
“Come on, Mags.” I use my gentlest tone with her, because she's my friend and she deserves gentleness...and also because she deserves everything else that comes along with welcoming a new baby. “When the little one is here, everyone is going to want to see him or her, and it'll be so nice if you could get pampered along with the baby.”
“Ugh. I don't know.” We turn down the next aisle, which is full of baby clothes in every color of the rainbow. Tiny overalls and even tinier onesies. Socks that fit in the palm of my hand. Sleep suits that could fit a teddy bear. My heart does a slow flip-flop thinking of holding Mags' baby in one of these outfits. Mags holds up a pair of baby shoes, her eyes shining. “Babies can't walk, so it's not even practical to buy shoes, but this stuff makes me teary-eyed.”
“They're so cute. Anything in miniature is cute.”
“I don't need them. The baby probably won't need them either. I want to buy everything in this aisle so much.”
I wait a minute. “What if you let the rest of us buy you some of it? It doesn't have to be a big deal. Just a calm, casual sip and see while you relax and show off your little baby. We’ll tell you how beautiful they are in quiet voices so they don’t wake up from their nap.”
Mags looks at the ceiling, then back down at those shoes.
“Just think about it?” I offer. “I'd be thrilled to plan it for you. You wouldn't have to do a thing, and I'd really love to do it.”
“I—”
“Don't decide now. Seriously, just think about it, okay? And I think Bridget would have so much fun with it.”
Mags looks at me, a hesitant smile on her face. She's beautiful. When they talk about pregnant women glowing, this is what they mean. She looks almost radiant, and it's so different from the last time. Her happiness is right on the surface.
Mags got her happily ever after, and I've never been happier for anyone. It almost makes me feel like I'm glowing, too. Compared to her last pregnancy this is night and day, and nobody deserves this day more than Mags.
“Butter,” she says.
“What?” I laugh.
“Belly butter,” she says tapping a single finger on her swollen belly. “I need some. The biggest tub they have for the biggest belly I've ever had.”
“Your perfect belly,” I tell her, and we make our way around to the section for moms-to-be before heading out with only the tub of butter. The cashier compliments her, too.
Then we head out to the car. A gust of December wind flies right into our faces on the way, and I grab for Mags' arm to make sure she's steady.
“I'm fine!” she shouts, laughing. “I've done this before, remember?”
“Besides,” she says as she opens the car door, “I don’t think a gust could blow me over.” I have to laugh at her joke.
In the car I get behind the wheel and turn the heat up full blast. Somehow it feels like the car's been sitting out here for days instead of forty minutes. The heat works well, though, so we won't be cold for long.
There’s a peaceful quietness as we drive off.
I check both ways at the exit of the parking lot and make the first turn toward the highway. We cruise along listening to the music as we head back toward town.
“So,” I say, after a mile or two. “Did you decide on names yet?”
