cordelianewman

[cordelianewman]

Of course she does, I feel like we shouldn't take advantage of that though, even if the girls do make her laugh. But don't worry I'll make sure to hide it from them mainly because I don't want to have to share, though I would absolutely tell them you're made of money if they found out and could have bought them one while running off with my slushee for you to deal with the aftermath. No the girls don't need that much sugar before dinner or before bedtime really, unless you want to have them running around outside in attempt to burn off the energy before bed. Though... we could probably talk the boys into doing that... but, no, we'll keep it just for me tomorrow. Mainly because I know I can't keep living off of slushees.. I'm loving them, really enjoying different flavors, but I'm basically living off of liquid sugar and ice -- which there's worse things I could do. At least I'm staying hydrated which is the biggest thing. Can't really think of anything right now that sounds good except... it's more of a fast food and I'm not even sure we can get them around here. Maybe the grocery store has them, but you know chicken fries? Those sound really good but only if they're really cooked but not burned. It's really great, little bean is growing and thriving and apparently my uterus is comfy enough for them to stick around for the ride. That's all I care about right now, that everything is happy and healthy, even if food is the common enemy right now. I've no doubt that you'll have moments where you get more protective, think it's that whole animalistic thing seeing your partner pregnant and the belly and the whole 'I did that' thing. Don't worry I will absolutely make sure that you are acceptable when going into appointments. We don't want other pregnant ladies of Merrock slipping on wood chips that have been tracked in, that'd be really bad. Exactly, that's the point is that I wouldn't be out hiking on a regular day let alone heavily pregnant in the middle of winter. For infants? Looks like I see the smallest you can get is 6 months but they have really cute full little body suits that look like them for infants and babies that would be equally adorable with little hoods. I am excited to tell them but I'm still not ready in the aspect I want to be a little further along just because of everything. If anything is going to give us away it'll definitely be me not wanting certain foods, and pizza sounds awful right now. Don't think the grabbing the thighs matters babe, it's not like you can get me double pregnant right now. Also yes, let's teach the kids that touching legs get people pregnant so that they won't even get close to anything else because they're thinking it's just touching legs. We don't have to tell Rafael what we may or may not be getting up to in the early morning distractions prior to me doing a little work. New York at Christmastime sounds so nice, think I'd really love seeing all the lights, maybe a show, just the general stuff. I don't know depending on how far along I am, I'd have to look at is it safe to ice skate but something tells me it's an immediate -- no, from you. No, I definitely do not want to miss the carnival or anything like that, given it's one of my favorite times of years, and seeing the excitement it brings the kids. I'm guessing this is also a hard no of me going on rides? Think the timing works out perfect, actually. You think he will? I don't know I've heard your boss is kind of a pain in the ass and really difficult sometimes.

Oh no, here's the thing: she likes it. You can see her entire face light up when we walk up to the Shack window, 'cuz she just knows that the girls are going to make her laugh. I'll bring one home from work with me tomorrow night if you promise to hide it from the kids, so they don't expect me to walk in the door with five slushies, 'cuz dad's not made of money… and also you can have the sugar, but I'm not sure that the girls need that much before dinner time. We'll pass on the dairy, then, but I am determined to find some meals you can eat this week that I can make for dinner, so if anything sounds good, let me know. Okay, good. That's good, that's -- great, actually, so the little bean's in there doing their thing, growing away, that's… amazing, baby. Really. I'm trying not to, I can't guarantee I won't have my moments, especially when you're further along, because it's going to be hard to see you with a bump and not want to protect you a little bit more, but I'll do my best. You always ruffle the wood chips out of my hair, anyway, so I trust that you'll keep me looking mostly acceptable. I love you, but you're not the type to hiking when you're not pregnant, so no. Hm, yeah, a winter baby… we're going to have to buy them their first Carhartt coat, do you think they make them for infants? I bet they do, they make everything these days. I'm not even ready to think about telling the kids. I mean, I am, I really, really think we're going to be bad about hiding this because I'm me and you're… not able to eat pizza half the time, but we can do it, right? I mean, we'll just get good at glaring at each other when we slip up or squeezing each other's thigh at the dinner table. Actually, no, you shouldn't touch my thighs. … I probably shouldn't touch your legs, either, that's how babies get made and what got us into this predicament. Right, and I totally will not be distracting you in a big hotel bed during those early mornings or late at night, of course. I'll make it happen. We can do a long weekend for Christmas time in New York City. Might not be able to go ice skating, but there's a lot of other things to see and do. I think you'll need a break by then, I know I will. Next month? After the carnival? I don't want to miss any of that, and I know you don't, either, and we can fit it in before Archer's birthday, since I want to be here for that, but that gives us a decent chunk of time, right? Does that work for you? I think my boss will let me take off.

[cordelianewman]

I'm pretty sure it's not too late to say no, the poor lady can't pour all the colors into the slushee and only pick two. That woman absolutely is going to quit if you come in again to do this, which may happen more than not because I'm really enjoying them. Smoothies definitely not great with the stomach, think it might have been the dairy. So, think it's gonna be slushees saving the day. At least I was willing to try the smoothie but going to be a strong no for now, because that is not good ending up with a full on sour stomach. Maybe sugar is the only thing that is keeping me going right now. Got the results back, the last ones, and they jumped even higher than they were looking for so we are officially all in the clear. We just got back to regular appointments going forward! Means everything is going well in there and little blip is looking to stick around. You're always going to be welcome at the doctors appointments, and I don't think you've been overbearing at this point. We'll see how that gets to be in the next coming months. Think it'll depend on how covered in wooden chips you show up as, you may have to shake out in the parking lot before coming in. Like that plan, you not passing out and letting me hold your hand, but we have a long, long time before we get to that point. I've not even thought ahead to birthing plans other than going with what naturally feels right unless otherwise told by the doctor that things need to change. Do I look like I'm the type to go hiking when I'm heavily pregnant? It was bad enough working on feet in a diner when I was pregnant with Ros, I'm going to enjoy things but I don't do things like that -- plus I'll be due in the middle of winter. If I'm looking to go hiking in the middle of winter, trust me, I'm not the same person you married, report me missing. Definitely think the kids first, then our family, and we'll figure out others around later, because I'm not ready for any of that. I would always plan to take work with me, because I know that there'll be time early in the morning or late at night when the kids are in bed that I could work on some paperwork, things like that. Christmas shopping in New York City? I am going to say you said it, now you gotta make it happen. A girls dream Christmas in the city, or at least the shopping. Babe, I've never been anywhere other than the places the Benefactor has taken us or around Maine, and now Canada. So, this begs the question when are we heading to Boston because we at least have to tell the boys, and I need to pack for not only us but the girls.

Well, when you're standing at the front counter and the woman asks you what flavor you want and both girls shout, "all of them!" it's too late to take it back, at that point. Thankfully, she didn't have any arguments. I tried explaining that their slushies were just going to be purply-brown by the end of it, which they were, and they pouted the whole way home… but they don't care. I'm glad that it brightened your day a little bit, though. At least we know that's a good place to start. Maybe we could try a smoothie, something with a little protein and fruit to it, instead of just sugar? … which is the same thing I asked the girls and they also said no, so I kind of know what to expect here. Good. Good, thank God, that's really good to hear, you know? I never want to be the overbearing husband that keeps tabs on your every move, I know we agreed I wouldn't do that, but I also want to be there, so don't ever think you can't call me to leave work early. As long as the doctor doesn't mind me showing up covered in wood chips, I'll be there. The only plan I have for birth is to be there holding your hand and making sure you have everything that you need. And possibly also trying not to pass out. And you're not allowed to go hiking close to your due date. We learn from Lucie's adventures. I think that makes sense, we can tell them, then tell our families… tell everyone else once we get the all clear, start of the second trimester? If you want to, I'm kind of following your lead here. Offer to take some work on the road, uh, well, unless you get car sick, and then no. But there might be some downtime in the hotel, too? If you needed a day to yourself, that kind of thing. Me too, that just feels like a lot of traffic and a lot of little hands to hold on to in New York, but maybe we could swing something like… Christmas shopping this year? You've never seen New York City at Christmastime, have you? Baby's first visit to the great big tree… I can do Boston in three hours, probably four with stops -- five tops if we take a big stop to eat. We could definitely do that.

[cordelianewman]

[cordelianewman]

Thank you for my slushee at work, it was the right pick-me-up that was needed around lunch time. Especially since it was nice out that we could spend some time outside, the girls were very happy to have theirs and I see someone got suckered into letting them mix all the flavors their little hearts could handle. Might have to make that a weekly thing since that actually was something that didn't make me feel awful afterwards. It's been incredibly nerve wracking wondering if things are just going to be the same but to see this little tiny blip growing and happily tucked and safe inside me, knowing that the blood counts look good, got the call from the doctors this morning they didn't just double they tripled this time that they're happy to say we're going to be graduating from needing more blood tests after that one. I'm always happy to have you there if you want to be, and if it makes you feel more comfortable asking questions. I mean we don't need to have a birthing plan in place yet but you had some really great questions about when we do get to the birth. I'm really looking forward to telling the kids, I would love to tell them maybe at the end of the vacation like when we get home from it? Like we take the trip then surprise? It usually is but I'd like to keep my job, hopefully there just won't be any issues. It's not like I'm looking to take vacation time with pay or anything. Would love to go to New York City but I agree, think I want to do that just the two of us. See a Broadway show, go all fancy. Not Mystic, Mystic makes me think of Mystic Pizza and pizza makes me -- nope. How about Boston? Think I'd really love to see there?

I'm... bringing you a slushie tomorrow, Cordelia. No one's going to suspect anything, I'll bring the girls with me and they'll have theirs and we can blame them, say that they wanted mommy to share a slushie with them on a Friday afternoon. But we can sit outside to have them, I think that'll be nice. Just let me know what flavor you want, they still have the rainbow ones, but the girls who work there know me way too well, they'll make anything if you ask. Good, you deserve to feel a little more steady, I know the whole... getting to this point was a little neve wracking for you. I feel good. I'm excited, I'm happy to have this time for just us, but I'm looking forward to telling my family. And the kids, I think the boys will be excited, especially. Thanks, though, by the way? For letting me go with today and be annoying with my questions. I thought it was sexy to watch your man fight someone for your honor? By your honor, I mean vacation. Yeah, well... they have stuffed animals in the gift shops of zoos. I thought about New York City, but I think that's a little too big city for the girls, I don't know. And I feel like maybe that's a you and me thing sometime. Providence has a big zoo, Baltimore for the aquarium and the zoo in DC, but that's pretty far south... Boston has zoos and an aquarium, or somewhere like Mystic, Connecticut.

[cordelianewman]

Annnnnnd just like that I'm sad and disappointed that we don't have a twenty-four hour everything store. Think showing up at work with a slushie may be a dead giveaway bringing the most random thing into my job. It's okay, I'll survive, ginger ale has been holding steady and I'm at least on a crackers, buttered egg noodles, and rice diet. But how about this, text me tomorrow and I'll see how I'm feeling maybe I can pop out and we can sit outside for lunch and I can enjoy a slushie. No they probably aren't as good and who knows depending on if it's that one gas station just on the edge of town, how often they clean those machines -- let's not risk anything like that. I'm feeling a lot more... steady. Getting to see a tiny little blip knowing that things are good, that my blood draws are continually jumping up number wise which means everything right now is healthy and strong. How are you feeling now that we have an arms length of sonogram photos tucked away showing a little tiny combination of you and me? You fighting my boss, that will be an interesting one to see. Can you do that when I'm not on the clock. That way I'm not copable for anything? You realize them begging to go to a zoo is hoping they'll be able to convince you to bring the zoo animals home, right? I would love to get to do some ... fancy shopping, new outfits for work that are you know fashionable, some new heels, maybe a new bag. Would love to explore some historical places, take the boys somewhere they can run a little wild too. Be prepared to come home with what I can only imagine will be another trove of stuffed animals.

Snack Shack is definitely closed at midnight, baby, but I can always stop by the office tomorrow for lunch and bring you one? I was going to take the girls over to the shop at lunch time to check in, anyway, so it'll be good timing. I don't really think I could make anything comparable ... well, the gas station might be open and they probably have slushie machines, but they're not as good. All air, no flavor. Speaking of cravings, how are you feeling post-appointment? He'll let you. Or I'll fight him. And he's an old man. We have two girls under five, and two teens that like energy drinks, we'll be making stops -- I was thinking somewhere bigger, city-wise. The girls keep asking... well, begging to go to a zoo.

[cordelianewman]

"That's just my opinion, but I do love a good book, it's pretty much my go to while enjoying a nice long bath while my husband tends to our kids." It was one of her favorite times, setting up their bathroom like a spa, putting on some music and grabbing a good book while she leaned back and just relaxed in the tub. "Bookends is really good, it may be a small shop but they have the best stuff, I'm partial to here any way, I swear I spent so much time in here as a teen, not nearly as much time as I would like to now." Cordelia knew raising four kids, having a career, making time for her husband, the farm, it left for a busy life but something she wouldn't change for anything. "Think everyone should expand but I'm also a strong believer in enjoying what you like to read, after all, isn't that the point of reading? Choosing books that you look forward to reading. If you have to struggle to push through because you think you have to live up to something then it defeats the purpose." But if she ended up loving non-fiction then maybe it'd be for her. Cordelia loved a good biography from time to time. "The writing style, it really drew you in, it also did it in a way that made you alternate at the end where you think you were listening to a podcast, and I love a good podcast."

"If it's a little better, color me interested," Siobhan exclaimed. She put the books back on the shelf and stepped closer with her glasses at the ready to see what the other woman had chosen. She wasn't sure how she had missed this one but she was known for glancing around and reading too fast in general. "Oh wait, I think I saw this on that best selling list last week, I'm surprised Bookends managed to get a copy so fast." From Siobhan's time out in California that was where a lot of the big publishers stocked books first including New York. She always was surprised when a smaller town like Merrock was leaps and bounds alongside larger cities and in a lot of ways even better. "I really am, I have too much fiction and I need to expand," she explained. "I always like to learn. I think maybe I will get mostly nonfiction as I have plenty of fiction waiting for me at home. You know how it is," Siobhan joked. "What did you like so much about it?"

[cordelianewman]

The girls never mind going because you let them run around the shop like they own the place. Especially if they know you're going to stop and get them slushies. Oh -- slushies sound really good right now... like that sounds like something I could keep down. But of course it is nearly midnight so I may as well count that one a lost cause. Think it would be nice to get that all planned out, I will need to see if Rafael is even willing to let me have some time off. I could probably manage a car ride of say four to six hours as long as we make a couple of stops? Do you have any top places you want to go? You know I haven't really been anywhere that the Benefactor hasn't taken us so I'm pretty much not going to be disappointed with anywhere.

Plus, on the off chance that I have to head into the shop to check on things, the girls won't mind going along. They know that I'm going to stop and get them slushies, every time. I also want to sit down with you sometime and go over some ideas for vacation, speaking of summer. Some place fun that everyone will want to go to? Yeah, no, there's a soft glow under Shawn's door, I'm pretty sure they're playing video games, but that's fine. I've got ginger ale for you and a shirley temple for me, so I can commiserate with you, but... with flare.

[cordelianewman]

Happy Father's Day @cagenewman

I appreciate the man that you are to continue to prove that it takes a special person to be a father, I've seen you be an amazing father to Colton, you effortlessly stepped into the father role for a little girl who didn't know what a father was, took it in stride and held that spot in her heart these last nearly four years without once flinching. Then you continued to amaze me when Shawn and Cienna entered our family and you took it at their pace, meeting them at their level and understandings, never once belittling their feelings, encouraging their hopes and dreams, listening to their fears and it continues to prove me that you're going to be the best father to this little one. Would have loved to do more this Father's Day but I figured you've always loved something more simple and heartfelt. First of all the best breakfast in bed anyone could ask for, just please keep it way on the other side of the bed. Last was a little gift that was handmade from a leather maker in town that made this keychain and I've put photos of all the kids, a day of us on our wedding, and there's a waiting spot for an ultrasound in the near future. I know the kids are looking forward to a fun filled day with you filled with ice cream floats and movies so to having the best day ever that you deserve, and every day after. Love Cordelia and little squish ( aka baby bean )

Happy Father's Day to the Best Dad Ever!

Celebrating the best dad that anyone could ever ask for. Shawn and Colton put together a making memories with dad jar when you can't figure out what everyone wants to do, or no one agrees just pick one of each different color block to make a whole day of it, the little ones had some input on it too. Rosalyn and Cienna added their expertise to a little arts and craft making this star covered rainbow dad mug and it better be the highlight of your mug collection or else!

-Colton, Shawn, Cienna, Rosalyn

[cordelianewman]

It'll be good for them to have someone home during at least one full day for the summer, even if they're busy for a good portion of the summer with different activities. You're not wrong, that will give us a lot of time to enjoy on the weekends for the summer which is the most important thing for the summer. Don't worry I won't hold back on the list, you can trust me on that. I doubt the boys are sleeping, it's the weekend, school is out. But that sounds nice, before you come up could you grab me a ginger ale actually? Think it's better to be preemptive.

It's mostly for the kids, I know they're keeping pretty busy all summer, but I figure the more I can get done on Fridays, the more time we have to spend with them on the weekends, right? Please do, even if it's just laundry that needs done or grocery shopping if you didn't get to it. Sorry, baby... I'll come up with you, I'm bushed after this week, anyway, and the kids are all in bed. Ish, I don't actually think the boys are sleeping, but I'll lay down with you, we can put a movie on.

[cordelianewman]

Look at you being the big bossman in charge, getting Fridays off for the summer. No, really, I'm happy that you'll have the extra day off to get to spend time around the house and I'll definitely be leaving a list of to-dos for you on the fridge, so no take backs now. Know it's a bit early for a Friday night but I'm not feeling so great right now so I'm going to head up and lay down, my stomach is not happy.

Starting today, I am officially off on Fridays. I've got the crew trained well enough that they can handle Jace's place, it frees me up to help out at home, spend some time with the kids, which means that you get to officially leave me a 'honey-do' list on the fridge Friday mornings before you head to the office. @cordelianewman

[cordelianewman]

Cordelia wouldn't deny it had been effort to get here, there had been a real part of her life that thought she wouldn't have more children, let alone children with Cage. Rosalyn and Colton meant the world to her, they would always be the people they needed in their lives at the times they came along. It had been a long battle back and forth between Cordelia and Cage about children, how many, when, and everything else in between. While there was no denying that Cordelia still wasn't ready to settle that this would be their only child together, she took the battle that they had both agreed that they would 'let things happen if/when they were supposed to happen' whether that be more biological, adoption, fostering, or whatever other options there were out there. Something she appreciated was that Cage understood, and it wasn't even so much the idea of making children biologically, it was the idea of carrying a child.

Finally realizing that this was happening, that she was carrying their future son or daughter, was a feeling that she didn't think she could begin to describe to someone. It was something she sure people understood, those that had been through it, but to describe it was impossible. Every feeling hit you at once, the highest of highs, but some lows knowing how scary it was to raise a child in the world, knowing that they were responsible for that little human's safety well beyond the age of eighteen.

"Well, actually I didn't know, but I took the test at work and found out." Pointing out the difference, even if she could tell he wasn't mad or disappointed. "I knew I was late, thanks aura ring tracking." she said with a shrug, "But I also knew that things have been stressful, I started a new job, and being nervous and stress can cause things like seeming like you're late. I didn't want to take a test and it be negative and feel all that disappointment at home." She admitted, there was no point in lying to him. "I knew you'd do the most amazing thing and take care of me if it had been negative and part of me just needed to move on if it had been negative, but -- not today." she grinned, picking up the test. "It's stronger than the line we had with our first pregnancy." To her that little baby was sticking, "I'm going to take another one tomorrow morning, if the line gets darker that's a good thing."

A laugh left her lips, "Your dad wasn't wrong, he just definitely thought you were going to bring me home pregnant at sixteen or seventeen. The relief he probably felt when he realized that wasn't going to happen." After all he left before Cordelia turned eighteen so there had been no teenage pregnancies for them. "Does that mean you're going to worry about any time in the back of your truck going forward?" Cordelia teased, "Still, there's worse ways a baby could be made."

Reaching up she brushed the tears from the corners of his eyes, Cage wasn't one that loved showing his emotions. He was open with it, but she knew he didn't love it either. "I'm sorry, that was kind of cruel of me to do that, but I wanted to make sure that you came home and didn't get any suspicions on why I needed you to come home." she admitted, it was the only way she could think without him becoming suspicious or thinking it was a booty call. "We're really doing this. I'm pregnant. Don't try and change your mind now." she teased, "Too late you already put that baby in me so you're gonna have to leave with it." she glanced down to his hand on her still flat belly.

"I had the boys take the girls to Jason's summer group. I think we should wait to tell them, I don't -- after everything, I don't want to risk telling them something just in case." she admitted. "Which means we have to clean all this up before they come home."

Before now, Cage had never wondered what this would feel like. When he told his wife a few days ago that he had at one point thought that the Newman line would only continue through Colton, he had meant it. Then Rosalyn became his, and then Archer was born, and then they added Shawn and Cienna, and now this little guy, and he had never thought in a million years that he had wanted it… but a part of him had always known. When his father would sit on the porch and watch him so patiently teach Colton how to ride a bike or throw a football, chase him around the yard, and then gently tell his son, 'you're a good father, it's like you were meant to do this, Cage' he had taken it to heart, had always held on to that. He was made to do this.

But it was a gift, a blessing, something that he had thought he had given up the right to long, long ago to be able to do it with her, with his wife, the person he had loved longer than he could remember. To be able to have a child with her, to add to the family that they had created… he stood there in the middle of the room with his hands cupping her face and his lips on hers and he felt like the luckiest person on the planet, like he had won something without deserving it, but he did, he had tried -- they had tried, and they had gotten so, so lucky. "At work," he let out a disbelieving laugh, dropping his hands from her face to rest on her waist, "you devil, you knew this morning before you left!" but he wasn't angry, there was no anger to his tone, only joy, amusement, a laugh slipping past his lips. He hadn't noticed, he had been rushing around to get his coffee, to pack his bag for the day, to steal that one last kiss before he headed out with a call over his shoulder to text if she needed anything. And then she had.

"Dad always said I'd get you pregnant in the back of that truck if I wasn't careful," he laughed again, the skin behind his ears pinkening just a little bit when she brought up the truck, how lucky it had been, remembering that afternoon. The way that the sun had cast shadows through t he leaves of the trees, making shapes on her skin that he had traced with his fingers in the lazy afternoon heat, counting down the moments until he had to go back to work, until he'd kiss her at her car and tell her that he'd see her soon, reminder her of how proud he was that she had taken the interview, was taking the job… and they had made a baby that afternoon. Just like two lovestruck teenagers of yesteryear, hands on hips and kisses on the curve of a jaw, whispered promises and the heat of sun-blasted metal where his fingers pressed into the truck bed through the blanket she had spread.

"I can't believe," the words trailed off as he shook his head, the hand at her waist sliding around to rest gently on her stomach, almost timid, knowing that there were no changes yet, it would take a while, but there was a baby there, a little of him, a little of her, a little bit of them. It sobered him for a moment, not that he felt any less joy, any less excitement, but his smile was softer, his eyes a little wet as he studied the way that his hand looked against her stomach, the light, flowing fabric of the dress that she must have changed into after work. His hands were dirty, dusty, something he knew would transfer onto her dress as he let out a half laugh, the sound low, cracking, a little more filled with emotion than he had intended for it to be as he blew out a breath, "I'm so dirty, I'm sorry, I got your text and I rushed over because I thought you were hurt, I got," he laughed again, reaching into his back pocket to pull out the handkerchief he kept with him, clean, brushing at a smudge of dirt on her jaw, but his bottom lip trembled and his fingers shook the tiniest bit, and some of the tears he promised himself that he wouldn't cry slipped out of the corner of his eye and he lifted a shoulder in vain to try to brush at his face. "God, sorry, I just -- you're pregnant, we're really, really doing this? This is happening?"

[cordelianewman]

There were never any concrete timelines for them, it had always been when the time was right. She appreciated that they had come to the table to “let whatever is meant to happen, happen” within limits of course. That they would handle life as they needed and wanted to, they had been handed some pretty difficult things in life, but also some amazing ones and sometimes it really was just about going along for the ride. After all, it had led them here hadn’t it? Now expecting the newest little Newman.

Part of her wondered if Cage would be a little upset that she hadn’t told him that morning. She had played it off like nothing was wrong, that she wasn’t anxious or nervous or any of the things she normally would have been. Would he have been disappointed about not being there right as she found out? Given the look on his face, seeing him take every little piece in, she didn’t think so. Who wouldn’t love to be surprised that you were about to become a new father all over again? “I bought that caution tape thank you, from a party supply store.” Mainly because she hadn’t thought that far ahead that she could have gotten that out of his work tools, but oh well, it wasn’t like it was expensive. “And I have a flair for the dramatics remember?” Though she wasn’t actually taping off the crime scene but that would be amusing, and tucked that in the back of her mind for latter.

She wanted to give him time to take it all in, she had had — at least eight hours to absorb this. Which wasn’t long at all but at least that hardcore initial shock had settled a bit. When he said her name she smiled, knowing it was settling in. Still in shock but settling, and he seemed happy. Which she didn’t think he’d be unhappy but it was a lot of emotions and feelings to settle in. She hadn’t even said it out loud, “I’m pregnant.” She nodded a thickness in her throat.

Feeling his lips on her she leaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around him for a brief moment. “We’re having a baby, I took the test this morning at work. It’s faint but it’s still a stronger line than the last pregnancy.” To her it was good, it was proof this baby was holding on and going to join the Newman clan. “If I did the math right … apparently the back of your truck is a far more lucky spot than we realized.”

It would not be the first time that a text message from his wife had caused him to rush home from work. Sometimes, it was something as simple as one of the toilets not working right, sometimes the chickens got out and they needed help corralling everyone back in, every once in a while, the kids were out and she just wanted to see if he could sneak away. Helping out with broken glass and cuts and bruises was not exactly his cup of tea, but she called, and he ran. Metaphorically, anyway. There was a ball of nervousness in the pit of his stomach, wondering how hurt she was, if she was playing it off so he wouldn't worry worse, but thankfully, he heard her voice. That, alone, sent a wave of relief rolling through him.

Heading for the room that he heard her voice calling from, he gripped the door frame as he stepped into the doorway, eyes landing on the blonde before anything else, scanning immediately for signs of injury. "Are you okay?" he asked in a rush, stepping to her side and reaching for her hands, turning them over in his own as though looking for cuts, bruises, furrowing his brow when he realized that there was nothing there. Maybe she had cleaned herself up, maybe he had taken longer to drive home than he thought, "I don't see any cuts, are you sure…" he trailed off when caution tape caught his eye, letting out a laugh as he turned to look from that, back to her face, "okay, I know that I told you that you can always use my stuff from work if you need, but caution tape at the scene of the crime might be a little dramatic." But his words sort of drifted, becoming a little confused as he noticed the cones on the floor, too, realizing that there was no broken glass, and definitely no picture frame waiting to be cleaned up.

Something wasn't right.

Or, something was very, very right.

Cage let the hand that had come to rest at the back of his wife's arm fall to his side, half afraid to move from where he was standing, although he could very clearly see the table laid out, the boots, the onesie, the pregnancy test, the little tools and toys and the donkey. He knew what this was, and that made him all the more afraid to take another step, as though he'd break some sort of illusion, ruin the fantasy, wake up and find her with a cut finger or a bruised arm and it really would just be bandages and sweeping up glass, and not the culmination of the last few months of trying for a baby, the worry and excitement and stress and concern and joy and love all rolled into one. "Cordelia," he said her name softly, barely above a whisper, willing his feet to move towards the table and stopping just short, reaching out to touch the words on the onesie, his heart pounding in his chest. Reaching for the pregnancy test, he saw the two lines and felt something heavy wash over him -- relief? Relief. He had watched her throw the negatives in the trash not that long ago, had been handed a positive once just to have it all fall apart, knew in his heart that without a doubt, it would be different this time. "You're pregnant," he said, plainly, matter of factly. Straightforward and to the point.

And then he smiled. Slowly, just a little pull of his lips across his teeth, before it stretched into that wide, signature lopsided grin, the one that brought out the sparkle in his eyes as he crossed the floor to find her again, not waiting for her response, not needing a confirmation, both hands finding her face as he kissed her. Once, twice, a third time, letting out a laugh against her mouth, "we're having a baby?"

[cordelianewman]

Waiting was probably the most painful part of this, in this moment, because she was excited but also trying not to get too ahead of herself — which maybe was hard to do given she had already grabbed up a onesie and little knitted cowboy boots? But was she mad about it? No. Well aware there would need to be doctors appointments to confirm everything, blood tests, ultrasounds, monitoring her closely after everything back in January and February. But for now, she wanted to hang onto the hope that was filling her that they’d actually be adding the next little Newman to the family.

It was a big reason she has wanted the kids out of the house. With doctors appointments that would be inevitable to confirm everything, she wasn’t willing to get the hopes of the kids up — just in case. There was still a part of her that worried that they’d have the same event happen again and again. She was around the same time she had been with their first pregnancy, of course it lingered in her mind.

Glancing at the clock she saw on her phone that Cage had read the message, which meant she had worried him and he was somewhere flying down the countryside roads to get home. It was a touch mean, but she didn’t want to leave it to chance that he could catch on to anything. She wanted it to be a surprise. Hearing the familiar crunch of tires pulling up the drive way she rushed into the room where the “accident” had supposedly happened.

While she has been waiting she had slipped into a simple summer dress, one that still fit her curves but flowed at the same time down to just above her knees. Half of her hair was pulled up but the curls still fell in parts of her face, feeling the coursing of her heartbeat in her chest. The familiar sound of feet echoing up the stairs. “In here.” She called out her voice a little shaky, more from excitement than nerves but it made it sounds more believable. “No, no, think I’m okay without the kit.” She called out. “I’m still in the spare bedroom, can you come take a look at this?” She called out before shifting to slide over to the side so that him walking in would show the most important things first.

Who: Cordelia Newman & Cage Newman ( @cagenewman )

What: Cordelia surprises Cage with the news

When: June 9th, 2025

Timing was everything in their relationship, the timing when she had come into his life both as toddlers that made it impossible to break the bond deeply made as they grew up. Waiting till they were both older to find each other again when life was ready for them to have more than a simple relationship of dating. Now, just like everything, it had been the right timing to get pregnant. Something about this pregnancy, even if she only knew about it for a mere eight hours, felt different. After saying her goodbye to the office she had gone to the store, picked up the supplies she needed before heading home. Cage wouldn't be home for a few hours, but the kids were wandering around. Something she knew that Cage and her would want to wait to a certain point to tell the kids. After what had happened, something they didn't know anything about, she still wasn't willing to risk it.

Tucking the bag of supplies into the spare room they hadn't set anything up in, something she knew would now become the nursery. "Boys?" Cordelia called out grabbing another bag, watching both Colton and Shawn stumble down the stairs, "Do you mind taking the girls and staying with them to Uncle Jason's summer program?" There were no complaints, "You can even bring these along if you aren't up for enjoying the program along with the girls." Which maybe they wouldn't given it was for younger kids, at least she was pretty sure, but for two teenage boys they seemed to really enjoy spending time with their siblings. But that didn't stop her, holding up two books in each hand. "Your summer reading material!" she grinned, "Oh come on, mom." Shawn said, groaning, him calling her mom was a relatively new thing -- but she tried not to focus on it too much, if he felt comfortable, she was comfortable. "School just ended." A laugh leaving her lips, "Yes well, it's better to have the books now then rushing last minute. These are for you, and these are for you. I promise I picked out good ones from the list."

She spent an hour cooking with Shawn while Colton played with the girls, something they were doing frequently as of late. Once they were done, it was just about time for them to leave. "Alright, believe dad is going to be a little late he's working on Uncle Jace's home but you all are gonna go spend time with Uncle Jace and have some fun." she murmured, helping get them dressed and out the door. Once they were pulled out of the driveway, Cordelia took a breath.

Moving upstairs she dug out the small little onesie and knitted cowboy boots for a newborn. The newborn knitted boots had been just extra, the baby onesie saying 'caution: baby on board' before digging out a few more things. Taking out little tiny cones, fake caution tape she stuck it up over the one side of the wall, placing little cones leading up to a small table where she placed the onesie, the boots, the pregnancy test and a few little toy tools. Grabbing the last piece, a crocheted soother plushie in the shape of a donkey, after all this new baby would be joining this crazy family and need to enjoy the farm animals sooner than later.

Then it was time, she grabbed her phone, grinning before shooting a text.

Cordelia: Fuck I broke glass all over the spare bedroom I was trying to move that big glass picture frame by myself after the boys left and it's all over, I maaaay have a few cuts and bruises. Cordelia: Think you could come home I'm worried about the animals and the kids when they get back from Jason's.

Now it was all about waiting for the rest to unfold.

[cordelianewman]

Who: Cordelia Newman & Cage Newman ( @cagenewman )

What: Cordelia surprises Cage with the news

When: June 9th, 2025

Timing was everything in their relationship, the timing when she had come into his life both as toddlers that made it impossible to break the bond deeply made as they grew up. Waiting till they were both older to find each other again when life was ready for them to have more than a simple relationship of dating. Now, just like everything, it had been the right timing to get pregnant. Something about this pregnancy, even if she only knew about it for a mere eight hours, felt different. After saying her goodbye to the office she had gone to the store, picked up the supplies she needed before heading home. Cage wouldn't be home for a few hours, but the kids were wandering around. Something she knew that Cage and her would want to wait to a certain point to tell the kids. After what had happened, something they didn't know anything about, she still wasn't willing to risk it.

Tucking the bag of supplies into the spare room they hadn't set anything up in, something she knew would now become the nursery. "Boys?" Cordelia called out grabbing another bag, watching both Colton and Shawn stumble down the stairs, "Do you mind taking the girls and staying with them to Uncle Jason's summer program?" There were no complaints, "You can even bring these along if you aren't up for enjoying the program along with the girls." Which maybe they wouldn't given it was for younger kids, at least she was pretty sure, but for two teenage boys they seemed to really enjoy spending time with their siblings. But that didn't stop her, holding up two books in each hand. "Your summer reading material!" she grinned, "Oh come on, mom." Shawn said, groaning, him calling her mom was a relatively new thing -- but she tried not to focus on it too much, if he felt comfortable, she was comfortable. "School just ended." A laugh leaving her lips, "Yes well, it's better to have the books now then rushing last minute. These are for you, and these are for you. I promise I picked out good ones from the list."

She spent an hour cooking with Shawn while Colton played with the girls, something they were doing frequently as of late. Once they were done, it was just about time for them to leave. "Alright, believe dad is going to be a little late he's working on Uncle Jace's home but you all are gonna go spend time with Uncle Jace and have some fun." she murmured, helping get them dressed and out the door. Once they were pulled out of the driveway, Cordelia took a breath.

Moving upstairs she dug out the small little onesie and knitted cowboy boots for a newborn. The newborn knitted boots had been just extra, the baby onesie saying 'caution: baby on board' before digging out a few more things. Taking out little tiny cones, fake caution tape she stuck it up over the one side of the wall, placing little cones leading up to a small table where she placed the onesie, the boots, the pregnancy test and a few little toy tools. Grabbing the last piece, a crocheted soother plushie in the shape of a donkey, after all this new baby would be joining this crazy family and need to enjoy the farm animals sooner than later.

Then it was time, she grabbed her phone, grinning before shooting a text.

Cordelia: Fuck I broke glass all over the spare bedroom I was trying to move that big glass picture frame by myself after the boys left and it's all over, I maaaay have a few cuts and bruises. Cordelia: Think you could come home I'm worried about the animals and the kids when they get back from Jason's.

Now it was all about waiting for the rest to unfold.

[cordelianewman]

Who: Cordelia Newman ( self )

What: early morning at work at Bardales'

When: June 9th, 2025

Earlier than normal hours weren't something Cordelia wasn't used to, when she had worked at the school she often times had arrived by six in the morning to start getting work done and be there till long after four or five in the afternoon. Today, was different, very different. Arrival at work this early was needed given the office was so quiet as she let herself in at just barely after six in the morning. Heading up into the area that had her office tucked inside she opened the door, slid in, and over to her desk area, slipping inside and placing her bag down. She was aware some were already there in their own separate offices or in different spaces, but thankfully none of her co-workers she shared this space with would be there for at least another thirty minutes.

After dropping her bag down, she shifted through it, looking for the reason she had come in that morning so early. Telling Cage she was working on something that needed a little extra time when no one else was there, just so she could concentrate. Finally her fingers found what she was digging out, a pregnancy test.

Without a doubt she knew she could have told Cage, but she just couldn't handle the disappointment of telling him she thought she might be pregnant only for the test to be negative. Losing a pregnancy was hard, the disappointment each time she thought she'd finally fallen pregnant to just get her period was harder than she liked to admit out loud -- she put on a strong face, dug in, and just didn't over fixate on it like she normally would have.

Slipping into the bathroom she took the test, capping it and sliding it onto the bathroom counter. Washing her hands she took a few minutes gathering everything and heading into her cubical area, dropping the test gently onto the desk, and sitting down. Rubbing her hand over her face, brushing fingers through her blonde hair. If it was negative, she'd be at work where she could distract herself, not hearing Cage tell her it was okay, they'd keep trying -- as much as that sweet, sweet man would tell her anything to keep her mentally well, she couldn't deal with it.

It only took a few minutes for the test to give a result but Cordelia had already managed to make a cup of coffee, grabbed out her breakfast, and anxiously bounced her legs up and down at her desk. "Okay, okay, it's no big deal if you're wrong." Muttering to herself, it was early, maybe even too early to take a test, but she did know that she was late. Barely, or well, not barely but still -- early enough that it could just be her body adjusting back to the demanding life of being in the workforce.

Reaching out she grabbed the test finally, still at least 45 minutes before anyone in her area came stumbling in still half asleep. Turning it over she swallowed before seeing the two lines, the second one was faint, but not faint enough that you were debating if it was really a line or not. "Oh my god... Oh my god!" she jumped up nearly knocking over her yogurt. Tears springing to her eyes, she was pregnant again.

Glancing at the clock, she knew coming in early had been a good thing, it meant that she'd be out an hour earlier, enough time to go to the store, pick up a few things, and surprise Cage. Mainly because there was no way she could keep this to herself for more than a few hours. Carefully wrapping the pregnancy test, she tucked it into her bag, cleaning off her desk and wiping it down, before jumping into work -- trying her hardest to keep herself focused until she could clock out at 2 in the afternoon that day, and somehow she knew this might be the longest day ever.

[cordelianewman]

It was the weekend, and while Cage took the kids for the morning, Cordelia had snuck off to Bookends to do some shopping. There was a goal to pick up some kids book themed around pride to have at home, pick up the four different books, two for each boy, that Shawn and Colton were supposed to be reading for when school returned. Something that they seemed to manage to think they could squeak by as if Cordelia didn't know this was a standard, and while school had just ended she figured at least if they owned the books it'd be a start. "Oh if you think you may like that one, I highly recommend this one." Reaching around and pulling out a book, "Think it may be even a little better." she said honestly. "As far as if you're wanting read more non-fiction, say choose one of each. That way you have a bit of each to enjoy."

LOCATION: Pride Event around Bookends WHO: Siobhan and TBD WHEN: June 8

"This has been said a thousand times I just know it. But I really don't know where to start. I want to read more nonfiction but this one looks too good," Siobhan said. She said it to herself but then she also realized she wasn't alone looking through the different titles on the shelf. She glanced at them and smiled wanly and held up the two books as though she was the shelf display. "Maybe I should both but I don't want to be greedy. But I've been wanting to read 'In the Dream House' forever." That was the nonfiction book.

[cordelianewman]

Fair enough, definitely think the only credit they get is they had sex at least four times to make four children. The rest we had to form and make into our own DNA how about that? I don't think old is bad, Jace, I really don't. Think sometimes it's a sensitive topic, but I do believe it's a privilege to grow old and be older each year. He definitely worked hard and looks amazing -- not that he didn't before but you can tell he's got an extra bounce to his step lately, even if he says the boys are drying to kill him. Oh, I've seen a bit of your house already, stopped by when I told Cage about the new job I got. But I would be happy to stop by see it progressing. Not offer the team free drinks before they came back to work on your house... my bad there. They didn't drink though! At least I don't think they did. Either way! We definitely snuck off a few times but trust me it wasn't all for the whole making a baby vibe, sometimes it was just we don't have four kids let's hang out in pure quiet because bliss. Don't tell me, tell Cage, I've been asking for a baby forever but we've agreed babies, adoption, fostering, it's all on the table right now for whatever happens happens. Right now it's let's see if we can even have a baby.

It's true, it's basically in my DNA. Well... not quite my DNA, we won't give ole Monty and Eleanor any credit for that, but it's something I was born with regardless, we'll go with that. Hey, older doesn't mean bad, Delia! Remember that I've got time on both of you. But even with getting a little older, he's still put in a lot of hard work these past couple of weeks post-challenge, bright and early. You should come by and see the house, it actually looks like a house, I think I might be able to move in by the fall, which will be great. So that's why you've been all... I mean, I feel like I saw you sneaking off to that cabin a couple of times when we were away, not that it's a bad thing! It's about damn time, though.