Page 95 of Nitro

“How do you feel about that insane fit she had when you told her about Nitro and the baby?” Nina asks.

“It hurt. But I expected it.” I gaze out the window at the forest. “But you know what, I’ve got you and Julia and Daisy. I don’t need her approval.”

“You’re right. However, I will ask for final approval rights on your son’s name.” Nina’s eyes twinkle mischievously.

“Denied. We already have a name.”

“You do?” Daisy sits straighter in her seat.

“Yep. But it’s a secret.”

All three women groan while I giggle. I knew they’d be frustrated by this, but Nitro and I agreed that we wanted to keep it to ourselves for a little longer. We’ll tell them when we’re ready.

“Can we stop for coffee?” Daisy asks.

“Haven’t had your ten shots yet?” Nina signals to get off at the next exit.

“You should just get Doc to hook up an IV of caffeine every morning.” Julia turns to look at her.

“I tried asking him about it, but he said something about how I’m going to have a heart attack if I keep guzzling lattes. Personally, I think the milk does something to offset the caffeine, but I can’t drink it black.” Daisy scrunches her nose.

“Doc said I can only have a cup a day because of the pregnancy.”

“Of coffee or espresso?” Daisy asks.

“Coffee.”

“Remind me never to get pregnant. The caffeine withdrawal alone would kill me.”

“You have to have sex to get pregnant. Are you having sex?” Nina asks in her oh-so-innocent voice.

“Nina,” Julia warns while Daisy blushes furiously.

“Never mind. I’ll know when you are. I can just look at you and sense it.”

“That’s kinda creepy,” Julia says.

“It’s just one of my many special abilities. Let’s go inside so Holly can pee.” Nina parks outside our favorite coffee shop in Bozeman.

After making sure Daisy’s sufficiently caffeinated, we stroll into the new baby store. It’s overwhelming. There are so many options I don’t know where to start.

“Get the checklist and we’ll start at the top,” Julia suggests.

“Good idea.” I pull it out of my purse and hand it to Nina since I know she’ll be the ringleader of our little circus.

“Let’s start with a crib. You need a place to put the baby down for a nap.” Nina leads the way to the crib section.

I’m too confused by all the options that I wait until Nina narrows it down to two. The prices are both outrageous, but close enough that it doesn’t matter which one I choose. Based on that, I go with the four-in-one convertible option. It will transform into a toddler bed, a day bed, and a sofa. Our son will be able to use it for a few years before it becomes too small for him.

“Next stop, strollers,” Nina announces.

“What about sheets and a mattress and blankets and—”

“Daisy, breathe. We’ve got all day, honey.” Nina gives her a soft smile before turning to Julia. “Remind me to find baby-safe Xanax when we take Daisy baby shopping.”

“I don’t think that’s a thing,” Julia says. “If it were, Doc would have given it to me when I was pregnant and freaking out.”

“Less coffee means less anxiety,” I say.

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