It all started with Freshers.....

Part Fifteen - Lazy Sundays

"Awk he still moans about it. That's probably why you remember." Cathleen giggled helplessly.

My own laughter soon filled the air as I thought. I was a terrible person when I'd been drinking. The worst I was was when we just did shot after shot which is what we'd done on the night of my eighteenth.

"You're hilarious when you're drinking and we take the stuff off you."

"Yous are dickheads doing that!"

"Aye but sure that was a great night."

"It's a blurry one if I'm honest. There's chunks I don't remember. I mind going out and not being able to walk. Then getting to Kelly's a little bit more sober, drinking more. Dancing. Making out with some guy, what was he called? Aw aye Martin. Then doing more shots. Being absolutely paralytic. Blurry. Then waking up in your bed cause Cormac was like she is not fit to go home so you and me shared a bed and he slept on the sofa."

"That's pretty much it but you forgot the bit where you went round everyone and told them you loved them."

I shrugged. "What can I say, alcohol brings out that wonderful side of me where yous are all great people."

Cathleen nodded. She was much the same. She loved everyone when she was drunk. We were very similar in that way. I'd seen us come in from a night out and the pair of us just falling onto the sofa and sleeping beside each other all night. We had a strange relationship.

Cora gave me a little poke and I grinned. She leaned up to give me a kiss. In their family, the gave Cora a proper peck on the lips. I wasn't one who liked that but I did that for Cora because I loved her.

Cora then patted my tummy again and smiled. Just about eleven weeks to go. I wasn't expecting to go full term if I was honest. My life didn't work that way. Bubs would come when I was least expecting it.

"She's excited you know," Cathleen told me as she nodded at Cora.

"Hmm she's not the only one." I grinned and I nodded towards the living room. "Cmon in and sit with me. I'm making breakfast anyways. He's still sleeping."

Cathleen smiled at me and I put the kettle onto boil all whilst holding Cora.

"Cheese on toast missy?" I asked Cora with a soft smile.

Cora nodded as did Cathleen. So I made us cheese and toast and Cathleen made us the tea.

It was a chilled out morning. Something Cathleen and I loved to do, a pyjama day. Just laze in your pyjamas until you've no choice to take them off.

We actually out on frozen and watched it with Cora who was buzzing about it.

It wasn't until Stephen got up at one that Cathleen considered heading home.

"Damn, that's the day half over," she sighed.

"But sure it was well spent. Good company. Good food. Lazy day."

Cathleen smiled broadly at me and said bye giving me a quick hug. Then her and Cora left.

"What do you want to do today?" Stephen asked me.

"I'm not fussy."

"Would you be keen on a run over to mines? Mammy wants to see us..." Stephen trailed off. He ran a hand through his hair and shot me a crooked grin.

"Yeh that'll do." I thought for a second. I'd need time to tie my hair up and put in my makeup. Shower. Get dressed. "Leave in an hour?"

"Perfect."

"I call first shower," I told him as I headed for the stairs.

I got ready and did my makeup and we headed over to his family's house.

At his they were all bustling. His house was always packed on a Sunday. Cali brought Cathy over with her boyfriend Mark. Cathy was bouncing around under foot. I almost tripped over her as she laid out her toys around the floor. My heart raced as I reached out for the counter.

"You alright?" Cali asked as I regained my balance.

Cold sweat trickled down my back. "Yeh. Good. You?"

"Yeh. Course. How's bubba?" She asked nodding at my bump.

I smiled and rubbed my bump seeking comfort that everything was alright. Three months to go.

"Bubs is good. Just one more scan then hopefully they'll just hurry along."

"Sickened of being pregnant?" She asked raising an eyebrow. When she did that I saw Stephen in her. They had some of the same expressions.

"Little bit. I just feel a little heavy but that's all part of it. Ain't it?"

"Yeh it's all part of it." Cali rubbed her forehead. "When I was pregnant with Cathy I felt heavy at the end I felt heavy. I bet if you get pregnant quickly the you barely notice feeling heavy at the end..."

Stephen appeared behind me and rested his hands on my bump. "Hmm that's a good idea."

"What is?" I said with a frown turning to look at him.

"Not having a big gap between kids...."

My face just have been worth a thousand words which I couldn't speak or get out properly because Stephen whitened at the sight of my face and then grinned at me sheepishly.

"But your call. You're the pregnant one..."

"That is more like it!" I joked but I was really being serious. I knew he'd be able to tell by the look on my face.

His Mammy came bouncing in a big grin on her face and her hair being tugged by little Ally who was cuddled up in her arms.

"Oh Ciara," Vera began. "Me and Richard have just been dying to see you... So darling are you all ready for bubby coming? Is there anything else you two need?"

"We've got the cot, pram and sone bits of clothes, the car seat. Do we need anything else?" I asked as I frowned.

"A Moses basket?" Vera suggested. Her smile was getting bigger with each passing second.

"No don't be so silly. Not every baby likes them and I wouldn't want you to waste your money," I started to protest.

With a wave of her hand she silenced me. "Now no silly arguments. We have one in the attic. I'll get it all cleaned out for you and if bubby doesn't like it that's fine. If bubby does then even better. There's no money involved so don't panic about that."

I smiled in relief and rubbed my stomach. "As long as you're sure. Thank you very much."

Cali was grinning from beside me. "Actually I was wondering could we have a baby shower for you?"

"No. The girls at tech wanted to have one but I've told them not to so please don't."

Cali tutted. "I'm glad you think we listen to you but we don't so you'll probably have one."

"No do not!"

My arguments were squashed by everyone.