Captain Diapers

The day of the baby shower arrived as everyone was packing into the condo. Since I was due in a few weeks and because Easter was next week, my sisters decided on today. The Hawks had an afternoon game at the United Center against the Blues before finishing up the final 4 games against Nashville, Detroit, and a home-and-home series against Columbus. Jonathan doesn’t know which team the Hawks are going to play during the playoffs but hopes it’s someone close just in case I go into labor.

It’s great to have everyone under one roof. Mallory and Jonathan’s mom Andree controlled the food, Skylar controlled the gifts and placed them in Cam’s room, and Sunny controlled the funny baby games. I even got a chance to meet her partner, who is expecting a baby later this summer through in-vitro. The other Hawks wives and girlfriends were here; including Sharpie’s wife Abby, Duncan’s wife Kelly-Rae, and Brent’s girlfriend Dayna. I bet the boys were wondering where their better halves are at.

“Who do you think the Hawks are going to play in the playoffs?” Skylar asked as we watched the game. “Too bad they’re not playing against the Blues.”

“That’s because the Blues are most likely to finish 4th.” Mallory giggled as she gave me a slice of cake. “TJ’s very excited to be an uncle. He can’t wait to spoil little Cammy.”

“Already with the pet names, Mally?”

“Well, he’s going to be my nephew and godson. Why not!”

“Plus, he’s getting a mom who will be pretty busy finishing school come this Fall.” Sunny added, knowing I got accepted to University of Chicago’s Law School and will be attending in September. “I wonder how everything is going to work out, Wonder Woman.”

“Johnny and I decided to spend the summer here.” I smiled as I took a bite off my cake. “We’re going to visit Winnipeg and Grand Forks for a week but for the most part, we’re staying in town.”

“Plus, you can leave Cam with me.” Abby suggested as she rubbed her bump. “I’m sure our kids will get along just fine.”

“Not if Patrick Kane gets a hold of them.” Kelly-Rae added, knowing that he’s a big kid at heart. “He already announces himself as ‘Uncle Kaner’. All he needs now is a Big Bird costume.”

“Oh my goodness.” I started to laugh, as I was scared to knock down the cake. “Listen, I want to thank all of you for being here. It’s been a crazy 9 months but I wouldn’t be able to survive without your help. One thing I do need once Cam is out is a pedicure. I haven’t had a good one since our trip to the nail salon in January. Been so busy at work.” I excused myself as I head to the bathroom. I’ve been going there a lot lately, especially today.

I look at myself in the mirror and see how different I look now than I did on my almost wedding day in Michigan. I’m always a slender girl but now my face is chubbier, my boobs are huge, and my once flat tummy now sports a very big bump. If this was me 9 months ago, I would’ve been disgusted with myself. But now I really like what I see. I’m not the snobby and spoiled girl who demands to get what she wants. I’m now a woman who’s about to give birth and with a man who loves her, even though our love story is odd. I wish Mommy was here to say me. I’m sure she would’ve loved Cam.

As I turn the knob, I felt something was leaking. I look down to see a puddle of water coming from me. I knew what was happening but afraid to open the door.

“Candace, are you alright?” Andree called out as she knocked on the door. “You’ve been in there for quite some time now.”

“I think you need to text Jonathan.” I stood there, looking at the puddle. “My water broke.”