Chapter 1: Philadelphia Story
She was two whole weeks overdue and she didn't like that much at all. Her ankles were swollen to the size of cantaloupes and her breasts were extremely tender and worst of all, she had to pee every two minutes it seemed. The only thing that made this more tolerable was Nick. Nick Marone who was like her own knight in shining armor as much as that cliché had always bothered her. He was always around, bringing her drinks and snacks, massaging her feet, asking her how she felt. He even read to her from baby books sometimes. It was sweet and Agnes generally didn't "do" sweet but she liked this nonetheless. No one had really ever spoiled her before but Nick did and the most interesting part was, sometimes she thought he did it not just for the baby growing inside of her but because he cared. About her. It was such a silly thought and she tried to convince herself she was imagining things but sometimes he looked at her in just such a way that she had to wonder, what if... what if he liked her more than just as his baby mama?
She looked up as he called her name, jarring her from her convoluted thoughts. She was resting on his sofa with her feet up on the dining room table (he had said he didn't mind that in the least) and he was standing in front of her, offering her a plate of crackers and brie cheese. Agnes grinned. "Won't that make me fat?" She joked.
Nick laughed and said, "No. You look just great to me."
Agnes actually blushed at that. "I'm a whale anyway so what does it matter if I gorge myself yet again?" she said as he passed her the plate. "But don't tell Bridget, okay? She really hates that I'm twenty pounds over the limit."
Nick smiled and dropped down beside her on the sofa. His arm brushed hers lightly and she shivered involuntarily. If he noticed, he didn't say anything thing about it. "It's our little secret," he said instead and mocked zipping his lips. "Now dig in while I find us something to watch on TV. It's Wednesday so that leaves us a choice of sitcoms or ... sitcoms."
Agnes laughed. "You know you don't have to babysit me. I am sure there's a bunch of things you could be doing instead of waiting on me hand and foot."
Nick shook his head. "Nah. There's nothing I like better than waiting on you," he said and looked at her and she saw that look again. The one that always made her wonder "what if". What if Nick Marone really liked her as a person, as a friend or even more, and not just the receptacle carrying his and his wife's seed?
Speaking of his wife, she thought. I should remember he has one even if she's not around a lot anymore. It seemed Bridget only appeared to harass Agnes and start petty fights with Nick over every little thing. She resented that Agnes spent so much time here but Aggie figured, she should deal it. It's not like Agnes and Nick ever did anything crazy. They just talked. And watched cheesy sitcoms.
Nick grabbed the remote next to her feet and clicked on the TV before also grabbing the TV Guide and flipping through it. "What'll it be? The Big Bang Theory again?" he asked with a little smile directed at her.
"Yeah, sure," Agnes said. "Those guys are always good for at least a smile. Maybe if it's funny enough tonight I'll laugh so hard this watermelon in my stomach will finally come shooting out."
Now, any other man would likely have been offended by her vernacular but not Nick. No, he just threw back his head and laughed, adding, "You should have a sitcom yourself."
Agnes laughed too and they turned to watch the TV as Nick flipped on The Big Bang Theory. At one point, she felt him watching her intently but she forced herself to keep her eyes on the TV screen.
XoXoXo
They ended up watching a string of sitcoms and then a movie; one of Aggie's favorites actually. Philadelphia Story. She wasn't a big romantic but that movie got her every time. Hepburn and Grant were just that good.
As the movie credits rolled, Agnes glanced at the clock. It was midnight. How had she stayed so long again? She sometimes got too comfortable here, way too comfortable. She was surprised though that Bridget hadn't come stomping in yet demanding to know why Agnes was taking up residence on her couch.
"Well that was great," Nick said.
"Yeah it was," Agnes said. "And I'd better get going. I'll call a taxi."
"No way, Agnes. I'll take you home."
"But -"
"But nothing. Cab services don't run this late and besides, I would be happy to drive you."
"Nick, you have better things to do."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Nick said. "What's important than being there for my good friend Aggie?"
Agnes's eyes filled with tears at that and she looked away from him. She had never been thought of as anyone's friend; she had never really had anyone in her life besides Oliver that actually wanted to be near her. It was so humbling but she would blame it on her hormones if Nick asked. Which thank god, he didn't. Rather he reached for her hand and gave her a light tug upwards. Her fingers tingled in his and then he was dropping her hand and grabbing his car keys. "To Aggie's house we go," he said and smiled at her. He had a great smile, she couldn't help but think. Anyone would agree.
XoXoXo
They were halfway to Agnes's place when she felt the first painful contraction rip through her. "Oh shit," she murmured.
Nick looked at her in the darkened interior of the car. "What? What is it?"
"Uh ..." She suddenly felt a stream of warm, sticky liquid creep down her thighs.
"Agnes?"
"Let's just say you're going to need a cleaning service in here," Agnes answered through clenched teeth. "I am pretty sure my water just broke."
"Okay ... Well let's get you to a hospital and find out for sure," he said and offered her an endearing smile before reaching for her hand with his free one. She squeezed it very tightly as another contraction sliced through her body and she whimpered in pain.
"Just squeeze my hand," Nick said as he flipped a U-turn and headed towards Cedars Hospital. "I can take it."
Agnes nodded and did as she instructed. She then remembered Bridget. "I have to call your wife."
Nick nodded. "We can call her when we reach the hospital. Just focus on breathing like the Lamaze instructor taught you to, okay? Just relax."
That may have been a lot easier said than done but Agnes appreciated the sentiment none the less as they raced to the hospital and towards their own brand of fate.
TO BE CONTINUED
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