“Who’s going to know?” Her voice calm and breathy. I can feel the heat from her words. On my neck, pulling at my heart, emotions, thoughts… I just sigh and take a step backward. Pulling myself from the closeness of my closest friend. A groan of frustration leaves her lips, as she slams her fist onto the corner of the pool table. A hiss escapes her as it connects to her knuckles, I can’t help but chuckle as her brown eyes meet mine for a quick glance. “I can’t …” The words flow dryly, almost as if I don’t believe them anymore myself. “Daddy?” Kelsi questions from the corner of the basement stairs, looking at me with a confused expression. “Yes, Princess?” I replied, rubbing my neck hoping that she wasn’t there a moment to soon. Of course as I do that she again looks at me with a smile. A pet name I gave her… beforehand. “Mommy wants everyone to come roast marshmallows!” Her nine year old excitement and smile gleaming at the thought of the sweet treats. “Hey Auntie Bliss” She waves and I quickly growl rushing after my oldest daughter. Upstairs everyone else is crowded around the large fire pit in the backyard. Family members mostly, her’s and mine. A few friends, including Bliss who followed us out the door. Her three munchkins at her heels. The pool in the background reflecting the setting sun. “Hey honey” Her smile follows me as I quickly give her a cheek peck. While she hands me an unopened box of gram crackers, while Kasey is busy passing out the prongs. Her belly is showing the late signs of our first edition to our big family. While her son, our middle child is passing out marshmallows. “You have everything…” I think to myself watching the s’mores start. It didn’t seem to take much longer for the kids to all pack into the living room. All the pillows from three full couch’s and the kids many bed pillows, even the basement bean bag chairs made it up there. Family was starting to leave, I could feel my girlfriends eyes on me as we watched Bliss with the kids. “She’s a good mom” I’m startled by her words. “Yeah, she’s a great friend too” Now I’m not looking at either one of them, just casing the yard. “She’s got a nice butt too” “Oh lord” I laugh to myself. “I’m sure she’d love to know your looking” “What’s wrong?” She questions, stopping me with her hands as I look down at her blue and green eyes. Her eyes are begging me for an answer, some explanation for the out of character inner monologue that she can’t hear. It tears a gap in the lines the moment I give her a quick forehead kiss. “Nothing baby. We should probably go deal with the goblins” She smiles but I can feel the unease. “Is it the new baby…. Are you having second thoughts?” “No no no no.” I grab her chin and push it up so our lips meet. “I love you and all of our children. I can’t wait to meet our new edition” “We’ll you better. It’s almost here” She struggles a bit to get out of the camping chair and I laugh. “Quit laughing at me!” Her fake anger only makes me laugh harder. Inside all the goblins are out for the count, except for Kelsi who is on the farthest couch. Grunting as she plays her switch, head phones blocking out all of the world. “Can you help me get them in the car?” Bliss questions behind me, I can feel her close proximity but I don’t turn. “Bliss it’s fine if you wanna just stay in the guest bedroom. I’m sure the kids will enjoy the sleepover.” Kat says with a smile looking down at the sprawled out floor filled with goblins. “Are you sure?” This time she’s looking straight at me, her brown eyes begging me to go with it. I rub my neck unsure of what to say. “That’s fine Bestie” I sigh a bit and Kat starts moving toward our kitchen. Slower then usual, but I can’t tell if it’s the baby or just trying not to wake the rest. “You think we should just leave them all in the living room?” Bliss questions her as I step in behind them. Kay giving me a mysterious look as she grabs a wine glass from the dish washer. I give her a look of “what” as she pulls the wine out of the fridge. “They will be fine. That carpet’s fluffy and new” Kat says to bliss, as she pours her a glass. “I’m sure you can do with a night off” “Thanks…” Bliss accepts the glass full of wine and looks back at me as she takes the first gulp. “It can’t be easy being a single mom.” Kat starts out, putting the bottle back into the fridge. “I remember doing it for a little… feels like forever ago now…” “Yeah having the girls alone sucked too. Thankfully they were still so young” I add in sitting down on one of the chairs that sit around the island. “I’m sure the break is needed” Kat says moving forward into my embrace. Bliss takes two big gulps this time and I feel we are both in an uncomfortable position. The interrogation is coming. The gigs up, my little princess must have spilled the beans. “Did you find out the sex of the baby?” Bliss questions before a sip. “We want to be surprised…” Her eyes looking up at me with a grin starting to form. “Like how surprised I was to hear that Daddy was downstairs kissing Aunt Bliss?” It wasn’t disdain or even anger on her face. More like a bit of playfulness, and a smile that said “ha I gotcha” “Kissing?” Bliss choked on her next sip on wine. “Yes, kissing… anything my love?”