Chapter 27

"WHAT HAPPENED?" ART'S VOICE quivered. "I'll be driving back soon. Is there anything you want me to bring home for you guys?."

"Arty, Arty! If you could only get my brain, you'd be perfect!" Avery laughed aloud. "We need to talk when you get back."

"Are you sure Shells and the baby are okay?" Art's loud sigh followed.

"Ave has nothing to do but torment us both." I hoped to sound funny, but my voice cracked. For some reason, my tears had a mind and went for the never-ending stream.  Avery cradled me in her arms, "Just get home, lover boy!" and she ended the call.

"I'm good, Ave. It's just freaking hormones, you know." I pulled away from her arms as I wiped my tears. "I hope the baby doesn't get my emotional streak."

Avery nodded as she placed strands of my hair behind my ears. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry. But you know Art, he isn't expressive. Since we were kids, he always needed our pushing."

I nodded. "I know. I knew you mean well. I don't want Art doing something just because someone forced him to."

Avery shook her head. "I was out of line. I'm sorry." I held her hand and looked into her eyes. "Promise me you won't tell him anything about our talk today. Please, Ave." She placed her fingers in her mouth in a zipping motion and made a cross sign above her heart.

A sigh of relief came from me. I knew my best friend would follow her promise. But the uncertainty of my and Art's relationship was still in limbo. Like I told Avery, I wouldn't push things. I wanted it to come from Art. It was knowing if and when he will is the big question.

***

Days turned into weeks, and slowly, my fear of Avery lashing out at the marriage talk to Art dissipated. My best friend kept her promise. Though there were times she tried to open up the topic with her Hollywood gossip, she never directly discussed our conversation.

When Art's third month of internship approached, my pregnancy reached my final month. It made me happy knowing he would be present when I gave birth. Having him beside me made me less worried. On top of that, all the preparations, from my hospital bag to the baby's clothing and the nursery, were accomplished with love by all our parents and the three of us.

Despite my insistent on no baby shower since I had everything I would need from the baby's birth to the sixth month, everyone in the family declined. They bombarded me with sentiments about having the baby shower as a must, especially for the first baby. Our mothers would like to experience how it is to have the first baby shower in the family. Avery does not allow the birth of her favorite godchild not to be celebrated.

On top of all the chaos, Art kept reminding me it would not just be a celebration for the baby but for me as well. Every night, he enumerated how I should be celebrated the most for being a champ in carrying a precious life inside me for nine months, how I was completing his life and filling it with so much happiness for giving him a complete family. After all the never-ending whining from Avery and sweet words from Art, I caved into a baby shower but with one condition.  It will strictly be an intimate family affair: only our parents and us three.

At first, Avery was adamant. As expected, she wouldn't want to settle for less. But my best friend agreed with Art's help and our mother's convincing.

It was surprising, though, when Art insisted he would be hands-on with the preparation. He didn't just shock me but our parents. Not to mention the pronounced eye roll he got from Avery.

In a week, Art and Avery prepared everything for the celebration. The first two days, they were bickering all the time. For some reason, they came like different persons on the third day. Avery was all praise for Art and was unstoppable in proclaiming how Art did great in planning. On the other hand, Art was sweating and turning pale every time Avery mentioned how, at long last, he got her brain. It was amusing yet satisfying to see my two best friends showing their love for me.

***

The night before the event, we drove back to Boston. Despite my numerous attempts to get information, the two were masters in keeping anything baby shower a secret from me. From the venue to what would happen in the three-hour celebration, were all held from me. It was like a top-secret mission the two committed to.

When morning came, Art greeted me with breakfast in bed. He took the lead in making me ready for the day's event. I tried bribing the truth out of him with my kisses and cuddles, but to no avail.

"You won't get any information from me, baby!" Art kept saying in between my kisses and touch. "But you can keep doing what you're doing. I don't mind." His giggles filled the room. Even with no reveal, hearing Art's laughter and feeling his skin in my touch filled my heart with indescribable joy. One I wish would stay with me forever. Marriage or no marriage.

When we arrived at my childhood home, I felt desolate remembering my mom. If my mom were alive, she would be the busiest in all the preparations. She would have been the happiest looking forward to the coming of her grandchild.

I couldn't help but sniffle, looking at the entrance of our house from the outside of the car. I gently rubbed my belly, thanking the precious baby inside me for always saving me every time the sadness and longing over losing my mom crept in.

"Shells, babe, are you alright?" I felt Art's hand on top of mine. "How are you feeling? Is the baby okay?"

I nodded. "I just miss my mom. She would have been the most excited if she was still with us." Tears started falling on my cheeks. My chest heaved as I tried hard not to sob full-on.

Art gently wiped my tears and then kissed my forehead. "She would have been the loudest and the proudest of how strong and more gorgeous you have become going through the loss of her and the pregnancy." Suddenly, Art's lips were on mine. After giving him a sweet response, he kissed my hand too. "And I hope you know how proud, loved, and lucky you made me feel, babe." Then his lips went into my round stomach. "Thank you for giving me the most precious gift."

"Are you crying?" I softly touched the lone tear that fell on Art's cheek. "Come here!" I motioned for him to lean up so I could closely look at his face. When he stood closer to me, I whispered, "Why are you crying?" Art shook his head. "Happy tears. I'm grateful for you sticking to me. Keeping up with all my misgivings..." A loud chuckle followed, and Art was grinning from ear to ear. "And as Avery said, my not having her brain."

I laughed aloud. "Oh! I'm sorry for Ave's words. She's full of jokes, you know, our best friend. We've been keeping up with her since we were in second grade!" Art nodded with an uncontrollable laugh. "We both know! But kidding aside, it was stupid of me not to get her magnificent brain immediately."

I kissed Art's lips. "You shouldn't be bothered with Avery's words." Art kissed back. "But she was right. I shouldn't have hesitated or let it take too long." my brows crinkled. "Right with what? Which took too long?"

"Well, there you are, Mom and Dad!" Avery's voice boomed as she opened the front door for us. "Come inside, you two! Our parents had been waiting for too long now. We all can't wait anymore!"

Before I could get answers from Art, he and Avery held my hands on each side. They led me inside and then toward the garden, my mom's favorite spot in our home. I gave everyone around me a smile. I placed my hand above my chest while the other on my belly. "Guys, I couldn't thank you all enough for doing this for me. Really!"

Auntie Jenny and Avery's parents took turns hugging and giving me kisses. Amazingly, through their affection, I felt my mom's presence. I felt her touch through their pats and embraces. I'm reminded of her love with their faces showing genuine concern for me.

As I looked around the balloons in different colors and unwrapped baby gifts piled at the garden's center, my vision came to Art. He was standing across from me. His eyes were directed to mine. Even with the distance between us, I could feel his body shaking. His chest was heaving fast and deep. He was nervous. What's going on?  I looked for my best friend, wanting to get an answer.

"Shells!" I turned around, hearing Avery's voice. She got the same big smile she always had for me whenever she was to announce good news. But before I could say a word, the enormous flat-screen TV set out in front of the seats started playing.

Videos of the three of us from when we were in grade school started playing. Thirty seconds into the video, it changed into just mine and Art. Pictures of us wearing our different matching costumes from our first Halloween as Ariel and Prince Eric up to our image kissing each other when we reunited in the airport in Washington. All brought back the memories, all the feelings. The videos and pictures showed all the love Art and I have for each other.

It was true; our feelings for each other showed how we looked at each other. The pictures and videos captured it all, even when we weren't aware. When I looked for Art, he wasn't in the spot where I saw him last. I looked for Avery. My best friend was standing beside our parents. But Art wasn't with them.

"Shells, baby." the voice made me turn around. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Art was on one knee with a small velvet box in his hand.

***