One Hundred Sleepless Nights

I don't know why everyone seems to think Vic and I can't be friends. I mean, I'll admit it's not something we have much practice with. I wasn't even his friend when I got pregnant. When we did finally decide to be friends we had the occasional rough and tumble - or whatever it's called. I can do friends. If I'm not Vic's friend he might kick me out. Then I'll hate him so much I won't want the baby and will have to sell it on eBay.
According to Jemma who I've gotten quite close to since the whole I'm in labour ordeal, I'll be under Vic's arm within the week. She knows not what she says. We're having coffee at this little place not far from Vic's apartment. She's drinking a latte. I'm drinking fruit juice. Caffeine makes me loopy these days.
"Have you seen Austin lately? Since you're back together." I asked sneakily.
"I saw him this morning. We went to the library."
"The library?" I echoed. Oh no, she's not joking.
"Yeah, I wanted a book on anthropology. It's something I'm really interested in." she said enthusiastically.
"Erm good." I nodded.
"Austin got something too."
"Was it a comic book?" I asked and she nodded in between giggles. "You just went to the library?"
"Well..." she trailed away and started blushing. Not on the books, Austin, not on the books. "What about Vic?"
"We don't go to the library." I said looking very confused.
"No, I mean when are you getting back together."
"We're not."
"Come on." she sighed.
"I mean it, we're not."
"But the baby..."
"Yeah! What do you think it'll be?" I use this kid to get out of so many uncomfortable conversations.
"Oh, I think a boy!"
"Ugh, you sound like Vic. I think a girl."
"So does Alan. He's so sure it's a girl. That's why he's been making everyone bet against it."
"What?" I suddenly asked.
"You don't know?" she gasped. To put it likely be looks rather terrified. Bless her.
"Know what?"
"Alan has asked everyone. He thinks it's a girl. He's been making everyone bet that it's a boy so when the baby is born he'll get some money out of it."
"How much are people betting?" I asked seriously.
"Around $20." she shrugged.
"Who's betting?"
"Everyone." she gasped. "All of the boys from Of Mice. All of Pierce The Veil. Kellin. Katelynne. Loads of other people. Alan went around asking everyone to bet at that show the other week." she explained. I should be angry. But honestly I'm just jealous that I haven't had some of the action. No one told me that my womb is turning into a casino. I should move to Vegas.
My phone bleeped so I looked down. Vic had text me. It was only one word - Walk. Walk. Walk? What does that mean? "Hey, I need to run." I told her.
"Me too, I'm meeting Austin now." she explained. I stood up and she pulled me into a gentle hug. Don't crush the baby.
"Bye." I told her.
"Bye, Zee. I'll call you." she promised.
I went to the door and walked out of the coffee shop. I looked around and saw Vic standing at the end to the street. I walked over and he fell into step with me. "You know people are betting on our baby." I said.
"Yeah, I know. I put $30 on it being a boy."
"Really?" I asked.
"You're not mad?"
"No, I want to put a bet down!" I sighed.
We walked a few blocks to Vic's apartment building. Vic opened the door for me and I sighed loudly. "What?" Vic asked.
"I can open a door for myself." I grumbled.
"Um... Sorry?" he tried.
"How sexist are you? Why do women need to be treated like we're weak? If we have a girl will you open every door for her so she will be incapable of doing it herself?"
"Zee, I was being polite." he sighed.
I ignored him and started off towards Vic's apartment. I am a strong independent woman, who don't need no man.

Seeing as the weather is nice - ha when's it not? - we're all having a picnic. It's December. Christmas in a few weeks time and it's still no winter coat weather. Everyone has brought food and joined us. We're all sat on mismatched picnic blankets at the park. By all of us I mean - Vic, Kate, Kellin, Cope, Austin, Jemma, Alan, Mike, Condom Girl, Jaime, Jess, Tony and a partridge in a pear tree. It's quite the family gathering.
"Hey, have you chosen godparents yet?" Condom Girl asked. Damn you.
"Yeah you have to choose." Jess said.
"It's important." Tony added. Now everyone wants to be one.
"We were going to wait after the baby is born." Vic explained. "But we've thought about it a lot."
"Don't be disappointed." I quickly said.
"We'd like to ask Katelynne, Austin and Mike." Vic said.
"Me!" Mike gasped. Oh dear God.
"Well, Kate was the only one who didn't freak when she found out." I explained. "Austin has been there for me through everything. Mike... well Vic chose Mike."
"You're my brother. I want you to be one." Vic said to which everyone awh'd quite loudly.
"Thank you!" Kate grinned. She came over to hug me excitedly. When she pulled away I saw she was crying. No, she'll set me off! She went to Kellin and he hugged her.
"I'll do the best job." Austin told me and hugged me. Then Mike hugged me too. It's one huge hugfest.
"What about the fourth?" Jemma asked. Everyone was suddenly alert and excited, as if to say pick me pick me.
"We're not having one yet. We're waiting until the child is old enough when they can decide who's important in their life and who's been there for them. They can choose." I explained. There was a meaningful silence around us. It was nice.
"How far are you again?" Tony asked.
"Eight months on Christmas." I explained. Speaking of Christmas I should really do some shopping. But I'm eight months. Eight whole months. One more to go. Fuck. Can't I live in Kate's bathroom living off of toothpaste and bath bombs like I originally planned?

Notes

Hey! What did you think? It's nearly time! Who wants to bet on the baby? Boy or girl? Will Zandra go and live in Katelynne's bathroom? :)