“Oh, sorry!” He puts his hands up in an apologetic surrender, and I laugh at his expense.
“And I have not gained fifty pounds, thank you very much,” she says with a scowl. “I’ve gained twenty-one, and the doctor said that was in the perfect range.”
“You’re beautiful no matter how many pounds you put on,” I tell her, but she doesn’t smile.
“You two suck.” She gets up and walks into the kitchen. She’s only two months away from her due date now, and I can tell she’s getting anxious. “Come on, Gryff. Let’s go stuff our faces in private where we won’t be judged.”
Drew and I sit in silence for a moment, and when I’m sure Viola is out of hearing distance, I lean toward him. “I have something to show you.”
I reach into my pocket, and Drew speaks up, “Dude if you whip your dick out, I’m punching you in the throat.”
“Hey, I did thatone time!And I was drunk,” I say in my defense.
Once I’m done showing off Viola’s surprise, I stuff it back into my pocket before she and Gryff walk back in. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Want some help?” I grin, knowing she’ll probably smack me for that one.
“I could use some help shaving. I haven’t seen my vagina in a couple of weeks.”
Drew makes a gagging noise, and Viola laughs at his expense.
“You did that on purpose,” Drew complains.
“That’s what you get for the weight comment!” she fires back. Gryff follows her down the hallway as I stand and set my cup inside the sink.
“I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into,” Drew says behind me. “She’s feisty as hell on a good day. I don’t even want to imagine when she gives birth.”
“I plan to wear a cup that day. And maybe even a helmet.”
“I heard that, Travis King!” she shouts from the bathroom.
“Oh yeah, forgot to mention her super-enhanced hearing. Some weird pregnancy hormone thing,” Drew explains. “Our mom had it too when she was in her third trimester.”
“Any chance she had an overactive sex drive after birth, too?” I chuckle as he rolls his eyes at me, looking horrified. “Hey, you go six months without sex and see what’s on your mind twenty-four seven!”
“Six months, huh?” he asks with an impressed tone. “And your hand hasn’t gone numb yet?”
“Surprisingly not.”
He pats me on the shoulder. “Hang in there, man. You’ll have sex again in eighteen years or so.”
“Comforting. Thank you.”
“I always save my best advice for you.”
Once Viola and I are both ready for the day, we take Gryff for a walk in the park, where families are all set up to enjoy the fireworks when the clock strikes midnight. It’s one of the dog parks around here, and even though it can sometimes be overwhelming, Gryff loves the interaction.
“Are you getting excited about the reveal?” I ask her. We’re walking side by side, holding hands, and I can’t help thinking about how this night is going to change everything.
“I am!” She smiles. “You?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m already thinking of names for the little man.”
She rolls her eyes at me, once again, for commenting about it being a boy. “I hope you aren’t going to be disappointed if it’s a girl.”
“Of course not. I’m not sure I could handle another princess in my life, but I’m sure I could make room.” I smirk, bringing her hand up and kissing her knuckles. “Have you thought of any names?”
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure you’re going to veto them all.”