Halloween.
25 weeks and 6 days pregnant.

"Mommy, when is Bobby coming home?" Heidi walks up to her mother.

"In about twenty minutes."

"Him at work?"

"Yep! He works so hard, doesn't he?"

"Yeah.. Mommy?"

"Yes Princess?"

"Is you and Bobby getting married?"

Arvilla smiles. "What makes you ask that?"

"Cause him gave you a wing and got down on his knee. Das what happens in my pwincess movie."

"Oh! This ring is a promise ring." Arvilla holds her hand out so Heidi can see.

"A pwomise wing?"

"Yes. Bobby promised me that he'll always be here for us... and maybe one day when mommy's ready.. we can get married."

Heidi gasps and bounces up and down.

"But mommy isn't ready just yet, so don't get excited." Arvilla laughs.

"But why? You lub him, wight?"

"I do. Very much. It's just complicated, Heidi."

"Complicated?" Heidi tilts her head.

"Yes."

"But he live here. You guys having a baby! Why not get married and wear a pwetty dwess?"

Arvilla smiles softly. "Like I said.. it's complicated. And I don't expect you to understand. It'll happen one day, Heidi.... Maybe."

"If you get married, will Bobby be my daddy?"

"Well that's completely up to you if you want to call him that. But yes, he would be your step father."

"Oh.. Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Bobby da baby's daddy?"

"Yes love."

"So he not mine an Joe's? How he not be ours too?"

"Because I met him after your father and I conceived you and brother. Remember?"

"Oh yeah.... But he kinda like my daddy."

Arvilla smiles. "Yeah. He is. He's really stepped up, hasn't he?"

"Mhm! I love him so much, mama!"

"And he loves you too. He really does, Heidi."

"Yeah." Heidi giggles. "Me know that too."

Arvill smiles and kisses her cheek.
"Where is Joe?"

"Pwolly makin' a mess."

"Probably." Arvilla giggles and stands.

"You kay, mommy? You got it by youself?

"Yeah I'm okay baby."

"Baby brother or sister is getting SO BIG!"

"I know!" Arvilla laughs. "I'm pretty huge, huh?"

"A wittle bit." Heidi covers her mouth and giggles.

"Come." Heidi takes her mother's hand. "Let's go find bwother!"

"Yes and then we'll go outside so we can take your picture before we change and go trick or treating!"

"YEEEAAAAH!"

**

Later that evening.

"You tired after all that trick or treating, mommy?" Robert asks.

"Exhausted! Baby Abrego is kicking my butt!"

"Aw, I'm sorry." Robert pouts.
"Why don't I run you a nice hot bath?"

"Will you be joining me?" Arvilla smirks.

"If you want me too!" Robert says with a goofy giggle.

"Why not?" She shrugs.

"WOO!" Robert runs to the bathroom shouting, "I LOVE BATH TIME!"

**

Robert sat back and Arvilla laid her naked body against his. Robert placed his hand on her belly that was poking out of the water, and Arvilla placed her hand on the opposite side.

"Mmm.. this is nice." Arvilla closes her eyes and has a soft smile on her lips.

"It is.. I love having these moments with you."

"Me too."

".. You gonna fall asleep?" Robert chuckles.

"I just might."

Robert laughs and kisses her head.

There were a few seconds of pure silence.  Then the baby started kicking.

"Woah!  They're like, hey where'd all the noise go!" Robert says.

"Right?  I think the noise actually relaxes them." Arvilla giggles.

"Arv, we've really gotta pick a name for this baby."

"Well if it's a boy I say we go with Robert. Joe is named after his dad, and I want our little boy to be named after you."

"Aw." Robert kisses her head.

"And if I'm wrong, then I'm sorry but you're just not going to have a son, because I'm done!"

Robert laugh.
"I have a son. I have three."

"Aww!" Arvilla tears up.

"I have Joe.. and I have Alan and Miguel I've come to really care about and love."

"You're so sweet. Man, do I know how to pick a man or what?"

"Yes you do!" Robert chuckles.

Arvilla laughs and looks up to kiss his lips.

"Now if it's a girl.."

"I like the name Hadley."

"That's cute."

"I also like River!"

"River? That's different."

"You don't like it?" Arvilla pouts.

"No I think it's beautiful! I just said it was different." Robert chuckles.

"It is.. What do you think about Theodora?  But call her Theo."

"Theo is cute."

"Well hey why don't we name her.. if it is a Her, something from your background?  Do you have any good Italian or Hispanic names?"

"None that I can think of right off the top of my head, but I'll think about it."

"I guess we have a little time, huh?" Arvilla relaxes onto him and looks down to her belly as she gently rubs her hand back and forth over it.

"A little bit.  Gosh, I can't wait til they're out!"

"I know!  Are you ready for the home birth?" Arvilla smiles.

"You know I'm nervous." Robert chuckles.

"Yeah and I don't understand why."

"You're my girl and I don't want to see you in pain again."

"You should have thought of that before you knocked me up."

"Arv, you know what I mean.  The thought of taking the pain med option away just scares me.  But I know you're a freakin' tough ass woman, and I know you'll be okay."

"I'll be fine."

"I know." Robert lightly scratches his nails on her belly, and kisses her head.

"We better get out before I fall asleep and you're stuck in here."

Robert chuckles. "Okay, let's dry off.

***

IF the baby is a girl, what do you think her name should be?