A ballerina spins around to a song that I think is from The Nutcracker.
“This is beautiful.”
“I ran across it in an antique store, and I had to get it because my grandmother gave me something similar when I was a little girl. It only seemed appropriate that I give my granddaughter something like it.”
“It’s perfect,” I breathe, handing the box to Xander so I can wipe away my tears. “Can you put it in the car so we don’t forget it?” I ask him.
“Sure thing. I’ll be right back.”
He grabs the car keys and dashes outside into the cold.
“Come on.” Sarah tugs me toward the kitchen. “Now that you guys are here, we can eat.”
An hour later, we’re all stuffed and don’t want to move.
“The dinner was delicious,” I tell Sarah, helping to gather dishes.
“I don’t know,” Xavier interjects with an impish grin. “It could’ve been better.”
Alexis smacks the back of her brother’s head. “Don’t be a dick,” she scolds him.
“Kids,” Sarah groans. “Can’t you get along for one day. That’s all I ask.”
“No,” they answer simultaneously.
Sarah sighs and shakes her head. “I tried.”
Xander stands and helps me gather the dishes and together we carry them to the kitchen to start watching them.
“No, no, no, you guys are guests. You don’t clean the dishes,” Sarah cries, running into the kitchen. “And you’re pregnant.”
“Exactly,” I snort. “I’m pregnant, not handicapped. I want t
o help.”
She sighs.
“Mom, it’s not a big deal. It’s just dishes.”
“Yeah, let my servants take care of it,” Xavier jokes, carrying in some more dishes. “Thea, you know you’re supposed to get the water in the sink not on the floor.”
“What?” My brows furrow at his joke. “But we haven’t even started washing dishes yet. Oh.”
That’s when I feel the trickle between my legs and I look down to see a puddle of water on the floor.
My horrified eyes fly up to meet Xander’s. “Did my water just break?” I ask him stupidly.
He stares open mouthed from the puddle to me. “I … I don’t know. I guess. Are you having contractions?”
“No … I don’t think so. What do they feel like?”
Sarah snorts. “Trust me, you’d know if you were having contractions.”
“But … what is that?” I ask. “It has to be my water, right? But it’s too early! Xander,” I beg, panicking now, “it’s too early.”
“Calm down.” Sarah takes my face between her hands, forcing me to look at her. “In my honest opinion, as a woman who’s given birth to three children, I think you just peed yourself.”
“What? No, that can’t be it. I just peed not too long ago.”