Page 20 of A Trident Christmas Baby

The others were all laughing, but they all understood.

“Let’s do this, ladies!” Arianna announced and started handing out the papers with the families to the others.

For the next three hours, it was nonstop wrapping, eating, and laughing. They all worked to the rhythm of cheerful Christmas music as they wrapped gift after gift. The floor was practically buried under all the presents.

Alex went to reach for another roll of tape, and that same pain that she had been dealing with for the last two days shot through her lower back again.

She made sure to mask her pain as she didn’t want to draw attention to it. Again, the last couple of days have been nothing but go, go, go. After today, she could relax.

She picked up her cup of hot chocolate and took a sip. No sooner had she swallowed it the baby gave her another swift kick—this one nearly took out her kidney.

Rubbing her belly, she murmured softly, “Alright, little one, give Mama a break here. I’ve been feeding you all day. Can’t you just relax a bit?”

Tenley walked over with another plate of food and sat down. She eyed Alex as she popped a chip into her mouth.

“So…how’s momma doing,” Tenley asked.

“I’m doing good,” Alex said as she placed the last piece of tape on the gift she was working on.

“No. I mean, how are you really doing?” Tenley pressed.

Alex quirked one of her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t think I haven’t seen you wincing now and then.”

Alex froze, knowing that she was busted.

“And don’t try and blow smoke up my ass.”

Alex knew she couldn’t lie. She shrugged, trying to downplay it. “It’s nothing, just a tiny pain in my lower back. Probably Braxton Hicks. You know those fake contractions,” she said, waving off Tenley’s concern.

Tenley raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. A tiny pain that makes you wince?” She gave Alex a knowing look. “Come on, friend, you’re not fooling me. I’ve known you since kindergarten, and you are the toughest woman I know. And a tiny pain wouldn’t make you wince.”

Alex sighed. “Alright, maybe a little more than tiny.”

Tenley became serious. “Alex, did you ever consider that you could be in labor?”

Alex scrunched her eyebrows together. “But I’m not due for another two weeks.”

Tenley laughed. “That doesn’t mean anything.” She pointed to Alex’s belly. “That baby in there is like a ticking time bomb. They aren’t like a package being delivered on a specific date. When they are ready, they’re going to come.”

“But the pains I’m having aren’t contractions,” Alex argued. There was no way she was in labor. She couldn’t be. Ace wasn’t home.

“Labor comes in all different forms. I’m just saying, if the pain continues, you might want to get it checked out.”

Alex caved, nodding her head. “I promise, if it gets worse, I’ll call my doctor.”

Tenley grinned like she had just won the argument. “That’s all that I ask.”

Another hour passed, and after plenty of laughs, the wrapping was winding down. Piles of gifts, sorted by family, lined the room, the floor practically carpeted in wrapping paper scraps, tags, and little red and green ribbons.

Alex was about to sit down and rest when Derek walked in, his expression a mix of surprise and awe at the sea of presents filling the room.

“Well,” Derek said, chuckling as he took in the sight. “Looks like you all went a little overboard. Santa’s toy shop has nothing on you ladies.”

The room erupted in laughter as Derek walked over to where Alex was standing.

“How are you doing, kiddo?” he asked, pulling her in for a hug. His brows knitted when he noticed her wince as another pang hit her lower back.

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