"Adrienne, Adrienne!" she heard from the left. She turned to see Mrs. Trousdale strolling out of her apartment building, waving and smiling. Rina pulled her car into an empty parking space and placed it in neutral.

"Hi Mrs. T," Rina greeted out her car window as she rolled it down. Mrs. T gave her a strong hug. "How's Chris?"

"He's good," she replied, her brown hair slicing in front of her eyes, "He's got a Broadway Kids performance next week. He's really excited. Listen...I want to throw you a baby shower."

Rina's ears were perked up at those words. "You do?" Rina asked, gently ripping her sunglasses from her eyes.

"Yes, I think it would be fun and you deserve it...at my apartment...how's the 23rd?" She asked, taking out her leather personal planner and scanning over pages of dates.

"That sounds fine of the top of my head," Rina replied, adjusting her rear-view mirror.

"Great!" Mrs. T shouted, throwing the planner back into her pocketbook. "I will call you later to talk about this more in depth. I'll see you soon."

"OK, Bye," Rina replied as Mrs. T walked down the street like she owned it. She's changed her outlook on me, Rina thought. I thought she wasn't as fond of me since our announcement. It's kind of strange what a baby can do to people.

~*Saturday the 23rd*~

"Mom, MOM if you're not ready in 2 seconds, I'm going over without you!" Rina threatened as she carefully crouched down for her tan bag.

"Beauty takes time," Cindy replied with a chuckle as she emerged from the bathroom decked out in a blue floral sundress and cork sandals. Cindy's smile was evaporated away at Rina's icy eyes. "Why are you so tense?"

"I'm just," she started, fumbling with her tied-back hair. She glanec around as if she lost something. "I'm just nervous."

"There's nothing to be nervous about," Cindy informed her, placing her arm over Rina's shoulder, "This is your day. Have fun."

They walked across the perilous street and into Chris's apartment building. A tan elevator was waiting to take them up to the 6th floor. Patiently, the two held hands and watched numbers light up until it peaked at number 6. Sweat started to prickle at the back of Rina's neck when the elevator door opened. They arrived at the Trousdale apartment at 1:38.

They knocked and Chris answered, handsomely dressed in khaki shorts and a black button down shirt. "Hey Mrs. L, Rina," he greeted, placing kisses on both their cheeks. Rina gazed in awe at the pink and blue streamers and balloons slinging among the room. A big sign that said 'Congradulations' was platered on the back wall.

Mrs. T was setting up the snacks of triscuits, cheeses and vegtables in an orderly fashion on the coffee table. "This is hard work," she joked, pausing from her task and giving Rina and Cindy hugs. "You look divine, both of you."

"Yeah?" Rina asked, looking down at her green spring dress, "Us pregnant girls have to keep fashionable."

It was about 2:30 when the final of the guests arrived. Everyone was having a ball, dancing to the music and chatting it up. Rina was busy bee, making sure she talked to her friends, family, and thanked everyone for coming.

"Sharon," she gasped. Sharon looked over her shoulder, her eyes and hair shimmering like diamonds. "I'm so glad you came," Rina admitted, embracing her friend softly in a hug.

"We got to stick together," Sharon replied, straightening her khaki drawstrings with her hands. Both of them looked to the left at Chris talking to Danny. "He's cute," Sharon whispered with a chuckle. Sharon scrutenized Chris delicately, grazing her lips over her cup until Chris looked over to them, smiled slightly, and waved his hand in the air. "He's a keeper, definately," Sharon said confidentally, shaking her head in envy.

"What?" Rina replied, surprised that Sharon would say that.

"I can just tell," Sharon informed her, taking a sip of her punch and licking her pale pink lips. "Do you see the way he looks at you? That look is something special. Maybe not love but...I wouldn't let it get away."

"Thanks," Rina responded softly, her eyes immoble from Chris. "I'll remember that."

It was about 3:15 when she sat down on the Trousdale's light purple couch to begin opening presents. Devon and Danny's was first. She opened the box to reveal a rattle, a bib, set of 3 bottles, a nook and baby whips. Rina glanced over to her friends, blew them kisses and thanked them. She received so many wonderful and thoughtful gifts, she could barely keep her head straight about who gave her what.

Mrs. T helped Rina to raise from the couch and approach the counter where a beautifully-crafted vanilla cake layed to be eaten.

"Would anyone want to say something," Mrs. T shouted over the crowd of people.

"I would," Chris interjected, weaving towards the front. He took Rina's hand and moved closer to the cake. Rina looked away for a second, waiting for a sign that this was OK. Devon smiled at her. Rina's face softened and she whispered 'Thank you' to Devon. Devon nodded her head, holding onto her brother and Vanessa. Rina looked back at Chris's beautiful eyes. She lost her way in them and Chris directed them to the audience. "Adrienne...I've known this girl for 11 years, over a decade. Even thought we've been distant in the past, we've always been the best of friends. I remember making snow angels in the winter, going to Long Island's beaches in the summer with my Dad, eating her great cooking." A few laughs shot from the crowd. "Who knew that our friendship would be tested at her pregnancy. I know it's been hard for you, Rina. It's been hard for me, too. And I know we've fought about it numerous times. But if we can get through this, we can do anything. You are amazing, Rina. I'm sorry I got you in this mess. But a real man, which I hope to be, will never leave you cold and dusty."

"Chris," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes like salt stings an open wound and he whiped the tears away carefully. Thunderous applause followed that heart-warming speech as he laid a kiss softly on her lips.