"If you tell me to sit down one more time, I'm going to call Karma and tell her to breakup with you." 

Nate crossed his arms over his chest. His expression was all manly and bossy-pants. "I read that list, Danielle. You need to relax so your blood pressure doesn't spike again. Scared the hell out of all of us and—"

"It scared me, too!"

"—we don't want to go through that again. So sit down, girly, and I'll fix you something to eat."

We had a staring contest. Both of us refusing to break eye contact. I knew he was right, but damn. That whole fainting scare was two weeks ago. Since then all my friends have been taking shifts babysitting me. Sometimes I liked it. Others, like now, made me want to scream. 

It wasn't that I didn't love Nate like a brother. But he was being a very overprotective brother! Which was not needed. I. Was. Fine. And I was finally at thirty-two weeks. Impatience had me counting down the days until I could hold my little girl. 

But that was a little ways away. For now...

"Fine!" I threw my hands up. "You win this round, Nate. I'll just take some fruit, I guess." 

"Fruit? That's not a meal. Shouldn't you be eating, you know...more?"

"No. This far along the doctor said its better to have smaller meals. So just fruit is good for now." 

Nate snapped his fingers and headed for the kitchen. "You got it." 

Leaning back against the couch, I grabbed my phone and scrolled through Facebook and Instagram. I wasn't even really interested in social media. Not lately. I was just bored. I was so bored. I know that taking it easy was what I needed, but I was an active person. 

Even while pregnant I would go for long walks and to the gym. I would just go out. 

My phone buzzed in my hand. 

My Man: Hey baby. How are you feeling? Nate taking good care of you?"

I glanced at Nate in the kitchen. He was singing the theme to Space Jam while fixing my plate of fruit. 

Yes he is. He's the over-protective brother I never wanted but am grateful to have. I miss you. 

My Man: I miss you, too, Dani. I won't be late tonight. Maybe we can take a night time swim to get you out of the house for a bit? 

His offer had me smiling hard. Yes! I'm going stir crazy in here. I need to get out.

My Man: It's a date. I love you. Gotta get back to work.

Love you, too. 

I set the phone down and looked up to see Nate in front of me with a plate full of watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple. My mouth watered. 

"Yummy. That looks so good, Nate. Thank you." 

"I'm happy to be of service," he breathed, falling into the love seat across from me. 

I grabbed my fork and plucked some watermelon off the plate. "Nate, I really appreciate you being here. It means a lot to me." 

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "Danielle, if it wasn't for Ryan, Jackson and their dad, Ayden and I would have probably never made it home. And if we didn't make it—" he squeezed his eyes shut at the memories before taking a shuttering breath. "If we didn't make it, it would have killed Lanie. And I wouldn't...I wouldn't have Karma." 

Sitting back again, he shook his head. "God. Sometimes when I can't sleep at night, I'll just look down at her and think of the possibility of that being true. Of missing out on a life with her." 

"Nate, I know this is the phrase of the year with us, but you can't think like that. Especially in this situation because you did make it back. You're here and you have the love of your life."

A sudden cramping in my stomach had me dropping the plate of fruit and cradling my belly. "Oh! Shit!"

Nate was on his feet in an instant. "What is it? Do you need me to call Ryan? An ambulance?" 

"No," I groaned. "It's...fine. Just Braxton Hicks contractions."

"Contractions! That means the baby's coming. We need boiled water and...and stuff. To deliver. Like doctors. And Ryan. And one of those chairs that you prop your legs up in." 

I reached out to him. "I'm not in labor, Nate. It's just cramps. Help me up. The doctor said this can happen and that walking around might help." 

He clasped his hand around mine and gently gripped my upper arm to help me get to my feet. "Are you sure this is normal? I can call Karma. She's a nursing student, you know. She can help." 

Even though the cramping hurt, I chuckled a little. "Thank you, but I'm sure. Just help me walk around a little." 

For a good twenty minutes Nate helped me walk around my condo. It took awhile before the cramping settled. I was so thankful for the appointment we had this morning with the doctor. She explained Braxton Hicks in detail. If she hadn't and this happened, I probably would have told Nate to call an ambulance. 

"Better?" he asked when we got back to the couch. 

I nodded. "Much. Thank you." I glanced down at the plate I dropped. Fruit was everywhere. "I made a mess." 

"Don't worry about that. I got it. You concentrate on you and that baby." 

While Nate cleaned up the spilled fruit, I sat on the other end of the couch so I wouldn't be in his way. I couldn't seem to stop rubbing my belly. All these things that have been happening lately, the fainting spell and the Braxton Hick contractions...they feel like signs. Signs that this baby wasn't going to wait until forty weeks. Signs that she was coming early. I just hoped it wasn't too early. 

"All done," Nate called as he carried the plate of ruined fruit to the kitchen. "Want something else instead? Oatmeal? Cereal?" 

"How about a banana?" I couldn't make a mess with that. 

"You got it."

He returned with the banana and I scarfed it down. I guess I didn't realize how hungry I was. "Thank you, Nate. Can you see if we have any apple juice in there?" 

"Yes, ma'am." 

He brought me a large glass and I savored every drop. I handed him the empty glass and he set it on the coffee table. 

"Wow. That was delicious. We definitely need to get more of that." 

Nate chuckled and reached for the glass again. "Want some more now?" 

I held up my hand. "No, no. I'm good." 

"How about some television? Or we could play a game?"

Something Ryan told me a week ago popped in my head. "Actually, Nate, I was thinking we could do something else fun to kill the time." 

He smiled wide. "What did you have in mind?" 

Sitting back against the couch, I patted the seat next to me. "Why don't you sit down and I'll tell you about it."

Completely clueless, he did as I said. I was trying to think of the best way to start this. I wanted to have a little fun with it. But I knew there was no beating around the bush. He wasn't an idiot and I know he would figure it out as soon as I broached the subject.

"So what's this game?" 

I placed my hand on his knee. "Well, it's not so much a game, really. But I could really use your help...picking out a name for the baby." 

Just as I expected, his face went white as a ghost. 

"You need my help...with picking a name? Why me? I mean--I don't think...I'm not the best at names. How about we play Monopoly? Or Jenga!" 

When he started to rise from the couch, I moved my hand from his knee to his shoulder. "Sit down, Nate. We need to talk." 

Coughing into his hand, he sat back down but didn't meant my gaze. The poor boy was terrified. 

"Ryan told me you had some...suggestions for the baby's name? That you wanted her to be named after you in some way?" 

He eyed me cautiously. "He said that? Those words? Nothing...more?" I nodded. "Uh, yeah. You know, I thought it would be meaningful. But it's completely up to you guys. Obviously. It's your kid. Not mine." His eyes went wide with panic. "Not that I want a kid. No way am I ready for that. Oh, shit. Did Karma say something about—"

"Slow down, Nate," I chuckled. "This has nothing to do with you having a kid. And to ease your mind, no...Karma didn't say anything. This is about naming my baby." 

Nate exhaled a relived breath and put his hand to his chest. "Thank god. I don't know how I would have handled that conversation with her." 

I patted him on the shoulder. "Nate, I think it's sweet that you wanted the baby to have your name included."

The shocked expression on his face didn't surprise me.

"You do?" 

"Yeah. It shows how much you care." 

"I do, you know. Care. About you and the baby." 

With a smile I replied, "Of course you do." My smile widened when I continued to ask, "So if you care so much, Nate, why the hell would you come up with Nathan-ella?" 

Cursing under his breath, his head dropped back against the couch. "I knew I would get in trouble for that one." 

"Oh yeah." 

He turned his head towards me. "What's my punishment?" 

I answered with a mischievous smile. This was going to be fun. 

***

Who wants to know what Nate's punishment was? Keep an eye out for the next chapter to find out! Go ahead and make a guess in the comments section!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter btw. I loved writing it and I thought it was time for Danielle and Nate to have some bonding time.