July 5th.
10 weeks pregnant.

"Was dat sound?" Heidi asks.

"That's the baby's heart, Heidi!" Arvilla smiles.

"Das a monster in mommy's tummy!" Joseph widens his eyes.

"No!  You silly boy!" She laughs.

"Look at that little thing on the screen you guys." Robert lifts them and brings them closer to the monitor.

"Das da monster?"

"No that's your brother or sister!" Robert laughs.

"No it not!  It scawy!"

"It's not scary.  They're cute!" Arvilla smiles.

"We can leabe an go buy Heidi puppy dog?" Heidi asks.

Robert chuckles and turns to Arvilla.

"Can you two be happy for your sibling, please?" She laughs.

"I happy mommy!" Joseph says as he sees the baby move on the monitor. "AHHHH! It mobing! Da monter mobing!"

"Jesus Christ." Arvilla chuckles and nods her head.

***

Two weeks later.

"I am officially in my old maternity pants. I'm twelve weeks and I'm in maternity pants. I'm gonna be huge with this one too, Robert."

"Aw baby." Robert chuckles and sits her on his lap. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks.."

"I love this little belly.  I can't believe how cute you are." Robert hently runs Arvilla's bump.

"Stop being so sweet." She giggles.

Robert smiles and kisses her cheek.

"Hey Arv?"

"Yes?"

"Can I move in here?"

"You're here most nights."

"Can I be here every night?"

Arvilla pauses and her eyes travel down.

"Are we not there yet?" Robert says patting his hand on her stomach.

Arvilla rolls her eyes. "No we are.. obviously. I just worry about moving a man into my husband's house."

"Oh.. Well alright."

"Honey please don't get offended!"

Robert takes a deep breath and pats Arvilla's thigh. "I'm not. I better go. I have stuff to do at my apartment. Then I've gotta work.. I'll call you later."

"Oh Robert stop! Come on, stay!"

"No Arvilla. I have to go."

Arvilla sighs and watches Robert leave.

**

Later that afternoon Arvilla had lunch with Carol and Margene.

"And what are you ordering today mister Joe?" Margene asks Joseph as he colors his kids menu.

"I going to eat cheese!"

"Ooh yummy!"

Arvilla chuckles. "That's Macaroni and cheese."

"Macroni n sheeeese!" Joseph gives his mother a big cheesy smile.

"Silly boy."

"Arvilla.." Carol says. "What's the matter?  You look like somethings wrong."

"Nothing.. everything is fine." She sighs.

"Okay, spill it sister." Margene says.

Arvilla sighs once again but in a more dramatic way. "Robert wants to live with me."

Carol and Margene stare in silence before turning to each other.

"I can see why you're upset. Moving in together is a pretty big step. Hey tell me.. how's your baby doing?"

Arvilla rolls her eyes.
"Margene, I would love to live with Bobby! But it's Joe's house and.."

"And you don't want to move another man in?" Carol says.

"I just don't know how he would feel about it."

"Well." Margene starts. "If he were still here I don't think he'd be too thrilled, but since he's not I don't think he'd mind."

Arvilla gives Margene a look.

"Arvilla, why don't you and Robert get your own place?" Carol asks.

"And sell my husband's home?! No!"

"Right. I'm sorry!"

"I just don't know what to do." Arvilla starts weeping softly.

"Don't get upset, sweetie." Margene says.
"The baby will be here in a few months, and you'll of course want Robert with you for that! You don't want him to miss a moment of this pregnancy, do you?"

"No! He spends almost every night with me anyway!"

"Honey.. I know how much you loved Joe, and how much you still love him. But he's gone and he's sent you this amazing man, and a baby! I feel he would want you to make room for them in your home."

Arvilla sniffles and wipes her nose.
"I feel bad for hurting Bobby's feelings. I didn't wanna do that!" She cries harder.

"Aww Arvilla, just go talk to him.  He'll understand!  Robert loves you more than anything!"

"I know he doooooeeeessss!  That's why I feel even worse!"

"Arvilla, we'll take the kids and you go talk to Robert."

"It's okay.."

"I go wih auntie MARGIE!" Heidi smiles.

"ME TOOO!" Joseph shouts.

"Hey what about me?" Carol asks.

"Not YOU!" Heidi makes a face.

"Are you ladies sure?"

"Yes!  After lunch we'll switch off cars so I'll have their car seats.  You have to talk to Robert."

"I do.  Thank you both so much."

"My mommy's saaaad." Joseph pouts.

"I'm sorry baby!  Mommy's okay!  The baby just gets me a little emotional, but I promise you I'm okay." Arvilla smiles and softly caresses his cheek.

"I lub yew mama." Joseph pats his mother's arm softly.

"Aw baby boy I love you so much more!"

Joseph smiles and lays his head on her arm.

Arvilla smiles.

"He is his daddy." Carol says.

"He is.. I have a little Joe with me now.. their personalities are identical!"

"That makes me wanna cry!" Margene chuckles with tears in her eyes.

"No cwy!  That makes me do this." Heidi says before rolling her eyes.

"Oh my gosh!" Arvilla laughs.

"And that one is you!" Margene says.

"Hey I'm not as sassy as she is!"

Margene laughs. "Yeah right!"

***
I've missed this story.  I hope you guys are still enjoying it. 💛