Everyone in SugarBakers was frozen around the table. Caroline realized that Hadlee looked like she might throw up at any moment. Kevan, who mean mugged at everything except Hadlee, was smiling like a lunatic. Brad was in a hyperactive fit and was being calmed by Kayleigh. Caroline snuck a glance at Dougie. Leave it Dougie to be perfectly calm. Huge news object chaos and Dougie was calm and collected as ever. He might be one of those Canadian robots. You know the ones thought Caroline. Dirty hot ones like the Chicago guy. Duncan Keith…yes that was his name. Caroline was snapped out of dirty hot thoughts by Dougie speaking.


“Is that all” asked Dougie staring at Brad “Win the Cup so Baby Miller can snuggle in it.”


“What like it’s hard” replied Brad.


“Oh my God” laughed Hadlee smiling for the first time since she had sat back down “Did you really just Elle Woods him.” Hadlee was manically laughing as Brad swooped in and kissed her cheek. Kevan was staring at both of them oblivious to whatever had just transpired. “I love you Bradley Keith.”


Caroline smiled that hobbit had just made Hadlee’s day. He was going to be an awesome uncle. Not the kid’s favorite by any means of the imagination. But still a solid go to guy.

“So let me get this straight my idiot brother is engaged to that one” said Jeff pointing at Kayleigh he soon turned towards Hadlee “But this one also loves my brother enough to let him make the announcement about the impending birth of her child. And will say out loud in public she loves him.”


“Damn straight” replied Hadlee “Any man who will quote Legally blonde to make me happy is someone I love. And you Mister are not allowed to make him feel bad or less than for any reason. Got it.” Hadlee then started crying. Kevan shifted behind her. Caroline realized he was making a decision to kill Jeff or not.


“Whoa, hormones” said Caroline.


“Told ya bro” shrugged Brad “They all love me. No more stressing Hadlee out. I hate seeing her cry. And I will feel slightly bad if Millsy beheaded you in front of mom and dad. Because face it he looks like he might pull your liver out through your left eye socket.”


“I’m sorry” cried Hadlee.


“Aww Hadlee Belle no apologizing for saying I’m awesome.” laughed Brad.


“Brad, for Pete’s sake.” said Lynn “Both of you heathens leave that girl alone.”


Kayleigh got up and pulled Brad into the kitchen with the promise of refilling drinks and diminished pastries. Kevin, Freddy, and the boy’s resumed eating breakfast. Caroline was standing beside the table close to Hadlee’s side. Dougie stuck a long arm out and hauled her over into his lap.


“What do you think you are doing Hamilton?” asked Caroline


“Snagging a few minutes of snuggling with my hot girlfriend before practice.”


“Good answer” said Caroline planting a kiss on his face.


“So I’m guessing that you’ve know about this for a while?” asked Dougie.


“Not exactly” she answered “I’ve had about 24 hours to metabolize and digest the fact that I am about to be the world’s best aunt.”


“I’m proud of you” said Dougie smirking.


“Proud of me?” she asked “Hadlee’s the one who is knocked up.”


“Yep, I would have expected your head to explode by now. I mean it took Brad 30 seconds to tell.” Caroline shook her head no and kissed his scruffy cheek.


“Hey” called Kevan “She isn’t knocked up she having my daughter.”


Hadlee squealed and turned in her seat. She threw both arms around his neck and was kissing his face. Caroline smirked. Hormonal that was for damn sure. And only what nine more months of this roller coaster.


“What was that?” asked Kevan sitting down in the chair with Hadlee in his lap. Caroline had a sneaking feeling Hadlee’s feet would not hit the ground if Miller was around until the baby was born.


“You said daughter” smiled Hadlee.


“It could be a boy” said Kevan smiling at Hadlee. Caroline sighed. That boy really was kind of pretty when he actually smiled. Hadlee shook her head. Kevan just laughed. He turned to his mother “If it’s anything like it’s momma it will do whatever the hell it wants when it wants. And I’ll smile and move anything it it’s way.”


His mother patted his arm and leaned in and kissed his cheek “That’s what good dads do.” She turned towards Hadlee “It might not have been planned but it feels right.”


“Do you want to go with us to the doctor this afternoon?” asked Hadlee quietly “My mom definitely can’t make it. It’d been nice for one of the grandmothers to hear her heart beat for the first time.” Hadlee then looked up at Kevan “And you Mister are going to call and tell my daddy.” Mrs. Miller nodded excitedly.


Kevan looked at Caroline. “Oh no Mr. Tall, Hot, and soon to be a dead man. You are on your own. I kept West from driving up here and murdering you at Camp Out.”


“Camp out?” asked Dougie.


“Camp Out is when our sorority went out in the woods rented cabins and got really wasted in the name of sisterly bonding.” explained Kayleigh.


“Doll we were having pillow fights in our underoos. That was serious team building.” Said Brad in an exasperated tone.


“Of course not” said Kayleigh.


“Damn Rader” laughed Dougie “Not going to help Kevan at all.”


“Not a chance I am totally her Daddy’s favorite” replied Caroline “He is his own. Hadlee’s daddy will…”


“Be perfectly happy if I am happy” finished Hadlee “We’ll call them together. Besides if we don’t tell them soon West will. And I am really sure that isn’t how we want them to find out.” She shrugged “then again this wasn’t plan A for your family either.”


“I think we might be a plan B kind of couple Hadlee Belle.” laughed Miller.


Cooper cleared his throat. He held up his glass of juice. The entire table turned and looked at him “First things first I am totally going to be the favorite uncle. Secondly, congratulations. Not sure how you managed to snag a hot chick like Hadlee but I support your decision to knock her up so she stays. Here’s to mixing the laid back West coast life with the South. May the odds ever be in Hadlee’s favor.”


“Dick” said Kevan swatting at his brother.


“What?” said Cooper “We want this kid to look like her not a caveman.”


Dougie, Brad, Kayleigh, Kevan, Hadlee, Baby K, and Caroline all started laughing. “What?” Cooper demanded again.


“You ever see Hadlee’s twin?” asked Davey.


“You have a twin?” said Freddie suddenly more interested in this conversation.


Brad shook his head at Freddy and Cooper “It’s a dude twin.”


“He’s also a massive. A police. And a solider.” explained Davey with big eyes. Then he shook his head “No he Marine.” Davey glanced at KK and Caroline for confirmation.


Kayleigh nodded “West is a Marine and a Kentucky State Trooper. So are Courtney and Ashley her other brothers. And her daddy.”


Caroline held out her phone and showed Cooper a picture of Hadlee’s family. It was Caroline’s favorite picture taken Senior day for Hadlee and Westlee both in uniform at Commonwealth Stadium. Cooper looked at the picture and then passed it around the table.


“Damn Bro. said Cooper “Been nice knowing you. Ma I totally get to turn Kevan’s room into an Xbox lounge.”

“Cooper Miller” exclaimed Mr. Miller “shut up.”
“Any exciting new you want to share” asked Freddy looking at Dougie and Caroline.


“Not a damn thing” retorted Caroline.


“Well I’d already asked if KK was pregnant” laughed Jeff.


“Nope I just love your brother” she replied kissing Brad’s full mouth “But Caro going back to school is a big deal.”


“Yes” stated Lynn “Caroline mentioned it last night. I am looking forward to our shopping trip today. Dougie said she is good at styling people.”


“She is the best” said Hadlee “She picks out most of my clothes. She also does my hair and makeup a lot.” Hadlee turned to Kevan “You know I’m giving up a lot to move in with you Miller.”


“We can turn the office into Caroline’s room” said Kevan “whatever makes you happy babe. Hell I’ll even make room for the squirrel.”


“We’ll settle for me staying with her when you all are one roadies.” said Caroline “Lynn, did Dougie tell you he wants us to have a spa day?”

“Suck up” yelled Freddie

“You’ll learn” replied Dougie “Mom Caroline needs to find a dress for opening night.”


“Tattle tale” said Caroline “Fine but I am buying you the matching outfit.”


“I think KK, mom, and sis should tag along.” said Brad throwing down his black Amex. “You to doll if you can escape from the bakery.”


“The more the merrier” said Lynn “Hadlee honey do you want us to wait and make the spa appointment after the doctor so you can go too. We can even wait until after work.”


“If you wait until after I can go too” replied Kayleigh.


“Sounds good” answered Melissa grabbing Brad’s card “We’ll make a dent in Brad’s bank account while we wait.”


“You should probably give her a limit” teased Greg. Brad shook his head no. He then leaned in and whispered to Melissa. She nodded in agreement. Melissa had carte blanche to spoil Kayleigh.


“I’m gonna work from home today. I already ran it by Shaunessy.” said Hadlee “I have an appointment for 1 pm.”Brad started bouncing again.

“We have practice. I’ll ride with Brad. He can drop me off at home or the doc your choice.”

“Can you just come home? So I don’t have to drive your Tahoe. Otherwise someone will have to get in the back seat of the Fiat.”


Cooper started crowing and begging for pictures of Kevan in the back of Hadlee’s Fiat. “Please, Hadlee. My niece needs that picture. Think how cute it will be in her nursery. Daddy squished in that tiny car.”


“Boo might appreciate it” laughed Caroline.


“Boo?” asked Dougie.


“Yep” she answered “She will be called Boo until she starts college. And then I will still call her boo but not in the company of friends. Because I’ll be the cool aunt she hangs out with.”


“Boo” said Brad leaning towards Hadlee’s stomach “Hey Boo. This is your uncle Brad.”


“I didn’t say you could call her boo” exclaimed Caroline “Get your own nickname.”


“We are calling the baby Little one” Kevan explained. “Apparently that is better than Spot.”


“Spot” said Brad “She shall be my polka spot”


“That’s polka dot. You dummy” called Jeff.


“Nope she is polka spot” replied Brad “Now to get a time jersey that says Spot.”


“Dear lord” said Kevin Marchand “You do realize this isn’t a toy it’s a human. The baby is Hadlee and Kevan’s”


“It’s gonna be spoiled by everyone eh?’ said Brad smiling Baby K “No getting jealous because you aren’t the baby anymore.”


“I tell Hadlee I baby sit. The panenka is safe with me.” replied Davey.


“Panenka” asked Dougie.


“It mean baby doll in Czech. My sister will be like Hadlee so her panenka”


“The baby isn’t Czech” said Brad


“The baby not Marchand either.” Deadpanned Davey “And you call her spot.” The table began laughing.

“Touché” replied Brad “Touché Pasta.”

Notes

Sorry not a lot of Dougie and Caroline. Next chapter will be the shopping trip and fun with Dougie. By the away he can fly. He got knocked ass over tea kettle into the Flames bench Saturday night.