Valerie didn’t look convinced, “It’s just that I was moving around the apartment a lot and Ava is horrible at eating food. It gets everywhere except her mouth.” She accusingly pointed at the baby, “What’s her problem anyway? Why does she put her hand in her mouth when she just had a spoonful of orange drab?”
Rachel laughed, the sudden sound alarming her baby girl, “It’s okay.” She whispered, rocking her a little, “Aunt Valerie doesn’t mean anything by it. She’s just a bit confused, that’s all.”
Valerie sighed, sounding like her soul just escaped.
“I’m not a mommy, Rachel. I can’t do it.”
“What?” She asked, confused as to why they were suddenly back to this subject which they had discussed weeks ago. Valerie was fine then. If babysitting Ava messed up her plans with Gabriel she’d hate herself, “So what if you’re not that kind of mommy? Gabriel definitely is. Then you do the calm and collected part of parenting and Gabriel does the orange drab part of parenting. You two balance each other out.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Valerie, please look at Ava.”
Her sister trailed her eyes to her niece, looking uncertain about as to why she had to look at her niece, “Why exactly am I staring at Ava?”
“You took care of her all by yourself. None of us were here and you managed to keep her happy. The most important thing is that she’s happy.” Rachel smiled down at her baby girl who did look like the happiest baby in the world right now. She knew in a few minutes that could change but right now she was being cute and cuddly which won both of them over, “You’ll be fine.”
“I’m the sales manager at Hunter and Starr.” Valerie muttered, “Thinking about me walking into the office wearing yoga pants makes me itchy all over.”
“You don’t have to give up your designer clothes.” Rachel told her, “I haven’t.”
“But you don’t wear them that often either.”
“Why would I wear designer clothes when serving people coffee?” The thought of looking as fabulously put together as her sister while serving people coffee and tea made her laugh, “Anyway, I just wear what makes me happy. If yoga pants and sweatshirts make you happy then why don’t you wear them to the office? Who freaking cares about what you wear?”
“We do.” Ethan told them, “Hunter and Starr would mind.”
“Hunter and Starr should stay out of this conversation,” Rachel told him.
“Valerie meets with VIP clients and I hate to break it to you, but yoga pants are not going to cut it no matter how cute your butt looks in that tight pants.”
“Thanks.” Valerie told him, “I always wanted to know if you thought my butt looks cute in tight pants.”
“You girls are the worst.” Ethan tiredly sighed, “I’m drinking this tea.” He told Rachel, “You owe me that for teasing me this entire time. I just got out of the hospital, Rache.”
“I’m sorry.” Rachel whispered, “I shouldn’t have been so mean to you. But Valerie is freaking out about being a mommy again and I just tried to reassure her.”
Ethan turned to her sister, she could tell he was squaring his shoulder. She couldn’t see his face but she was certain he was being serious Ethan right now. The type of guy you couldn’t waltz over. As she glanced at her sister she could tell that Valerie was intimidated by this Ethan. Her sister tried to hide it, but she saw right through that impassive mask.
“Ava survived. She’s not cranky, stinky or hungry. You took good care of her so you’ll be fine. All that other stuff you can worry about when you get there.” He placed his hand upon her shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze, “And the most important thing is that you’re not alone. Gabriel will be there for you every step of the way. And speaking of Gabe, he’s here so I should let him in.”
He gave Valerie a firm tap against the shoulder and then moved past her, teacup in hand. It was odd that she was so freaking attracted to her fiancé right now. She had to calm down and forget about the dirty thoughts which suddenly popped up in her head.
“I love it when he gets all serious,” Rachel told her sister.
Valerie chuckled, “I can tell.” She stepped to the counter and took her cup of tea in her hand, taking a careful sip from it, “He shows me that side of him a lot more often. When it comes to Gabriel, he gets all protective and dominant. It’s almost weird how much they love each other.”
“Just as weird as us being sisters and marrying the guys who are awfully close friends?”
Valerie tilted her head to the side, wrinkling her nose as she thought about it, “I don’t want to go there.”
Rachel grinned, “I’m ordering take-out, what do you want?”
“Pizza!” Nearly screamed, clearing her throat in embarrassment.
“Someone sounds excited about pizza.” Ethan chuckled, “We’re heading to the office for a bit.”
“Sure, I’ll order you mozzarella pizza.”
Gabriel walked up to his wife and kissed her quickly on the lips and then turned to her. Rachel knew it wasn’t her he wanted to greet. They’ve been around each other a lot when they went to see Ethan in Boston. Gabriel took Ava from her and kissed the little girl.
“I missed you.” He told her quietly, “Have you been good to your aunt?”
“She was great.” Valerie told her husband which made Ethan and her share a look, “Well, she can’t keep her food in her mouth, but other than that, we had a great time together.”
Rachel laughed, “She’s a baby, Valerie. Of course, she has no table manners.”
Gabriel looked amused as well. He handed Ava back to her, “Okay, we should head out.” He told his friend.
Ethan agreed, “Yeah, the car is already waiting downstairs.”
“Yeah, you shouldn’t make it too late. Ethan has a vibrator awaiting him.”
Rachel choked in her tea which made Ava squeal, not expecting her mother to suddenly make those loud noises. As she patted Ava’s back, trying to calm the little girl down she noticed how shocked both Ethan and Gabriel looked. For once Valerie made the guys eat their own words. She knew Ethan never expected Valerie to say those words out loud. She couldn’t help but laugh, giving her fiancé a pat on the back.
“I’m ordering pizza, have fun at the office you two.”
She sat down in the living room and started to make the order. A few minutes later Valerie joined her, both of them in a good mood because both Ethan and Gabriel were lifelessly heading to the office, needing some time to pull themselves together. They’d probably never tease Valerie again. She couldn’t be more proud of her sister.