i think i'm kinda you know...pregnant

to the night that we danced, i was swept off my feet

the door bell rang for what felt like the hundredth time to nini before she could reach the awaiting person on the other side of the door. she had yet to adjust to her new center of gravity being her round bump, and she refused to admit to her pregnancy had began slowing her down. nini had presumed that ricky had forgetfully left his keys in their apartment, explaining the cause of ruckus at their front door. she swiftly peered through the peep hole before answering the door, nini hadn't expected to see lynne bowen with a large smile and travel bags in tow.

"hello, lynne! i'm sorry to keep you waiting, it takes me longer to do things with this belly." nini exclaimed with her hand resting on her lower back as she let the older woman into their apartment. within seconds lynne pulled nini into a hug, lightly rubbing nini's swollen bump. "oh nonsense! you're carrying precious cargo, take all the time you need dear. sit down you should be resting,"

reluctantly, nini took lynne's advice and slowly lowered herself onto the loveseat. lynne took in her surroundings of her son's apartment, it felt so surreal to her that ricky had a family and life outside of their original one. lynne's heart warmed as she noticed the many photos scattered around the living room of loved ones including sonogram photos. nini tried her hardest to maintain a solid relationship with lynne for the sake of ricky, it did not take much effort as lynne was always kind to her. but, sitting on the sidelines of their mother and son relationship was a bitter pill to swallow for nini, at times.

lynne cleared her throat, "i'm sure you're wondering why i'm here... i had been wanting to fly in to visit, i had yet to see your lovely apartment, your pregnant belly or my son prepare for fatherhood. i was so swamped with work i forgot to mention it to ricky, i figured he would take it better from you anyways." nini was more than aware that lynne didn't forget to tell ricky, she knew she wouldn't have been welcomed.

the pregnant woman shifted in her seat slightly, her unborn daughter kicking a few times before she spoke. "lynne, i know you've two have had a complicated relationship since the divorce... but ricky really does want you in our family's life, you're our baby's grandmother. your words even inspired ricky to pick her name. he may not express his love and adoration for you, but i can reassure you he does appreciate you."

lynne's tears turned quickly turned from sad tears to shrieks of excitement. nini hadn't realized her slip up of the baby's gender until lynne pulled her in for a hug. "the baby is a girl? that's wonderful! what's her name?" nini's pregnancy brain had gotten the best of her, but the couple did plan on sharing the baby's gender now that the sonogram also confirmed her gender.

"yes, ricky ordered a gender blood test early on in my pregnancy. we decided on the name lyric. ricky picked it from a baby book after a conversation with you, we wanted a name with meani- oh!" nini's words were interrupted by the baby kicking  the strongest she ever had. lynne's eyes widened until she realized the baby was kicking. the grandmother to be squealed with excitement feeling her grandchild kick for the very first time.

♫

ricky entered the apartment after his workday wanting to be with his wife. especially after the multiple texts throughout the day, he made sure to bring home her current craving, strawberry ice cream with pickles. now that nini was pregnant, leaving her home alone made him feel uneasy. he walked into the kitchen to see his wife singing to herself quietly as she made a rather large dinner for just the two of them. ricky was completely unaware his mother was visiting despite checking his phone seeing multiple texts and missed calls from nini.

ricky fondled his wife's baby bump as he lightly peppered kisses along her neck. nini giggled lightheartedly, ricky couldn't help but kiss her again and again. "how was your day mrs. bowen? how're you feeling? my girls are good?" before nini could answer him, he heard someone gasp loudly behind them. ricky quickly understood what the texts and missed calls were about when he saw his mother's shocked face.

"mom! i wasn't expecting to see you... i guess those missed calls weren't about your cravings-" ricky nervously scratched at the back of his neck as he watched his mother pace around the kitchen trying her hardest not to overreact.

lynne shakily took a deep breath, looking over at her son. "when did you get married? why didn't you tell me? does anyone else know about this richard?" the older woman tried to keep her composure but she was hysterical. her one and only baby boy was married off and she didn't get to witness it. nini's heart nearly broke into two seeing how distressed lynne was, she knew her mothers would react the same.

ricky proceeded to explain to his mother that this first wedding was purely to legalize their marriage, and their parents would have a wedding to witness and enjoy. to ricky and nini's surprise, lynne had understood the logistical reasons why they eloped. but, she was devastated that none of their parents could be involved and the way she found out.

"i could have gave you nana's ring and veil." lynne bursted into sobs, "i'm happy for you two, i am! i love nina like a daughter, i just wish we were all there... i know we will be, with baby girl. i'm just in shock at how grown up you are, rick. a married man expecting a baby living on his own in a different state. i'm proud of you son."

ricky couldn't help but shed tears at his mother's heartfelt speech, this is all he ever wanted from his relationship with his mom. the divorce was hard, he didn't want that to impact the rest of their relationship. having lynne's fullest support meant more to him than the older woman would ever know.