New Years Eve.

Danny and Jessica laid in bed watching movies and eating pizza.

"It's crazy to think that last year we were drunk at a party.. I wore that skin tight dress.." Jessica says looking down to her round belly.

"Hey the dress was sexy, but you in a bra and my underwear is by far much much sexier."

Jessica giggles and takes a bite of her pizza.

"I like being here with just you.. and Marlowe." She chuckles.

"Me too." Danny kisses her lips softly. He then moves over and intensifies the kiss.

Jessica pulls away and giggles. "What do you think you're doing?"

Danny smiles. "Dessert."

"No sir, I'm still eating."

Danny looks down and grabs the pizza before feeding Jessica. "Well let's hurry this along."

"Stop it!" Jessica laughs.

***

Two weeks later.

"I really don't like this idea. I don't want people to drive by and see how big I am."

"They're going to drive by and see how gorgeous you are!"

Jessica looks to Danny with a miserable look on her face.

Danny laughs. "I know you're miserable, but you look so damn cute."

"Danny, I'm serious!  I told my parents I didn't want a drive by baby shower, and they didn't listen!" Jessica pouts.

"Because they love us!  Come on, this is a strange time to have a baby.  We stay in all the time and no one can even see how cute you are all pregnant."

"I like it that way!"

"Jessie.."

Jessica sighs. "I know they're just being nice, but I'm so nervous!"

"Why?"

"Cause I have to sit there while people drive by and honks.."

"Honey.. I know you have anxiety but.."

"But what, Daniel." Jessica gives him a look.

"I don't know."

"Danny, I know it's a stupid reason to be nervous about, but like.. what if no one shows up and I'm sitting there like a big fat whale all alone?"

"Stop talking about yourself like that.  Jessica, I'm not trying to say that your way of thinking is crazy.  I'm not saying that at all!  But this is our first baby, love.  Enjoy every moment because it's gonna go fast.  Marlowe will be here so soon, and before we know it, it'll be her baby shower we're going to!"

Jessica's bottom lip quivers. "Marlowe's baby shower?"

"Yeah.."

"Oh my gosh!" Jessica cries. "My baby's having a baby!" She then leans forward and holds him tightly.

Danny rubs her back and chuckles softly.

"You are officially SO pregnant."

"I know!  It's just such a beautiful time!" Jessica cries even harder.

**

Jessica had nothing to worry about.  Tons and tons of people drove by to celebrate baby Marlowe.  Jessica ended up having a really great time.

After the shower Dorothy had a mini shower for her at home with food and cake.  Jessica's siblings were there, along with Danny's parents and his siblings.

"ATTENTION!  No one get too close to Jessie!  We can't risk Marlowe getting sick." George says.  

"Remember, there is NO taking your mask off around Jessie! Do not breathe air around the baby." George says.

"Aw look at you caring about your big sister." Jessica smiles.

"Not you. Marlowe."

"We kinda share the same body these days, George."

"I don't want anything to happen to my baby princess." George rubs her bump.

"Aw isn't he the sweetest?" Dorothy smiles.

"Real sweet.. Oh Jess! I forgot! I have one more present for you guys." Ann says.

"Ann, you've already given us so much!"

"But you really need this. I signed you and Danny up for online birthing classes!"

"Ooh!"

"I have a birthing ball and a few other things I meant to bring.  I'll drop it off tomorrow."

"Thanks, Ann!"

"Jessica, you're gonna need it. Those breathing techniques will be such a big help!" Dorothy says.

Jessica looks to her mother and pants like a dog.

"Yes, just like that, sweetie." She says.

"She's so cute!" Danny cracks up.

"Thanks for laughing at my joke when no one else did." Jessica smiles.

***

A week later.

"How do I look?  Is this proper attire for an online birthing class?" Danny asks.

"Yeah Danny, you look fine."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm nervous."

"Why?  You know this zoom stuff."

"But I don't like talking to people."

"Isn't talking a part of your job?"

Jessica gives him a look.

"Sorry, sorry!  I'll do most of the talking, babe.  Don't worry your pretty self."

Just a few minutes later the class began.  When it came time to introduce themselves Danny took over like he said he would.

"Hey everyone!" He waves. "I'm Daniel, and this is my beautiful wife Jessica."

Jessica's eyes slightly widened and she smiled at Danny as he continued.

"And she's currently pregnant with our little princess Marlowe."

Jessica giggles softly.

"Aw what a beautiful name!  How far along are you, Jessica?"

Danny looks at Jessica with a smile as he places his hand on her back.

"I'm thirty eight weeks."

"Wow!  You're close!"

"I am!" Jessica giggles quietly. "Jessie's ready for her to be out of there." Danny smiles and rubs her bump.

"I'm more than ready." Jessica laughs.

"Oh I'm sure you are!  Alright mommies and daddies, let's get started!"

**

Jessica sat on her birthing ball with her legs turned out.

"Gosh, you're so muscly." Danny says.

Jessica chuckles and gives him a cheeky look over her shoulder.

"And your butt looks great."

"We're not muted, Daniel." Jessica says in a low voice.

"They can't see what my hands are doing though." Danny says placing his hands on Jessica's butt.

"Will you please knock it off?"

Danny chuckles and rubs her shoulders.  He then places a soft kiss on her left shoulder and continues watching the screen.

Suddenly Jessica gets a sharp pain in her lower stomach.

She made a low painful noise that startled Danny.

"You okay?"

"My stomach really hurts.  Feel how tight it is down here."

"Why?  Why does it feel like that?"

"I think I'm having a contraction."

"Oh my gosh!  WHAT!"

"Shh!  Quiet!"

"What do we do?"

"It's probably just braxton hicks.  I'm okay, Danny."

"Then how come I almost shit myself?"

Jessica looks up to him and laughs. "Once again, we're not muted."

"Oops."

**

After their lamaze class Danny made dinner and Jessica insisted on helping.

"Your little feet are gonna get swollen.  Why don't you go relax and I'll finish up?  I don't want you to keep getting those pains."

"I'm better now.  But um.. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

Jessica looks down to her hands and messes with her fingers.  She smiles softly and says, "When you.. when you introduced us.. do you know what you said?"

"Our names?"

"You said, I'm Daniel and this is my beautiful wife Jessica."

"Oh!  Heh.. ha, I did, didn't I?"

"Yeah.  I mean, it didn't mean anything.. Right?  I just found it funny.... Ha ha.." Jessica says nervously.

Danny smiles and takes her hands. "I guess it's because I feel we're already married.

"But we're not."

"You're right.  We're not."

"No."

"Would you want to marry me?"

"Is this your way of asking?  Because it sucks and I'm breaking up with you."

"No!" Danny laughs. "You dork!  This is just.. a pre proposal.  Just to make sure you like me like that."

"What?  Are you serious you loser?  I'm pregnant with your baby!"

"Well I didn't mean it like that!  I guess I just wanted to make sure you were in that place.... Are you in that place?" Danny asked in a low voice.

Jessica smiles and wraps her arms around the back of Danny's neck. "I'm in that place."

Danny kisses Jessica's lips.  He then pulled away and pressed his forehead against hers.

"Interesting." He says making Jessica laugh.

"Surprised?"

"Yeah."

"Why.. Stupid."

"I just can't believe someone like you could love me.  Plus you bully me a lot."

Jessica laughs. "Oh shut it!"

The two then fall into yet another kiss.

Danny pulls away when he feels his daughter moving around.

"She's getting jealous that she's not the center of attention." Jessica chuckles.

"Aw Marley.. you're my girl too, don't get jealous.  You're daddy's best friend."

"Heyyyy!" Jessica pouts.

"What?"

"What about me?  I thought I was your best friend!"

"Aw baby, you're my best friend too!  She's just being added to our little circle of best friends." Danny says with a smile.

"Oh my gosh that's so cute!" Jessica cries and hugs him tightly.