Who would have thought

34

"There's my favourite sister," Derek smiled to Sophie as he walked up behind her.

"Derek!" Sophie grinned, turning to wrap her arms around him, her pregnant belly preventing her from getting close to him. "It's about time you came home!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," he rolled his eyes, his hands falling to her stomach. "Someone looks like they're ready to come."

"Oh god, I hope so," Sophie groaned, a smile playing at her lips. "I swear she's trying to kill me."

"She's already my favourite."

"You're an ass," Sophie smacked his arm and then frowned as a group of kids ran by. "Brandon Michael Thompson, I thought Daddy told you to slow down!"

"Sorry Mommy!" Brandon shouted as he continued to run.

"Of course he's sorry," she rolled her eyes. "I bet Brian didn't even tell him to slow down. They're partners in crime."

"And you love it," Derek laughed.

"I do," she echoed his laugh, rubbing her stomach. "He's convinced she is actually a he and the doctors were wrong. Apparently, he's all about breaking the Shepherd curse of tons of girls."

"No," he shook his head. "You definitely need a little princess."

"Why? So you can spoil her and send her tons of gifts?"

"Basically."

"Just for that, I hope she is a boy," Sophie rolled her eyes. "Or maybe a girl. Maybe you'll come to New York more if it's another girl."

"Hey, I have a busy job, I come as much as I can," Derek protested. "And maybe you could come to Seattle sometime."

"Can I point out that I have been very pregnant?" she defended. "And Brandon is terrified of flying. You try taking a three year old on a plane."

"Have you explained Uncle Derek's on the other end?"

"Yes. He actually was more willing when I mentioned Uncle Mark was on the other end."

"That hurts."

"That's what you get for sending him the wrong Power Ranger for his birthday," she shrugged.

"I said I'll make it up to him," Derek rolled his eyes. "Maybe this summer I'll kidnap him and take him to Disney World."

"You would actually be my favorite brother if you did that," she laughed, her hand rubbing her back.

"I'll see what I can do," he nodded, rubbing her stomach. "He'll need some attention with the little one here."

"And you'll spoil him to no end," she shook her head. "Mind if we sit? I swear she's going to kill me before she actually gets here."

"God, of course," Derek nodded, leading her over to the chair. "Sorry that I didn't even think of it."

"Mark thought of it earlier," she teased him. "You're just a terrible brother."

"Mark isn't even your brother."

"Try telling him that. And Mom."

"Yeah yeah," he groaned. "Have you talked to Addie about him?"

"You mean about the fact that he's a complete chickenshit?"

"That would be a yes."

"I plan on torturing him about it," she smiled. "He can't yell at me. I'm pregnant. He could send me into labor. Not that I would actually mind that."

"Maybe you'll get it out of him. Mer and I have tried."

"Oh really?" Sophie raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "You're calling her Mer again."