Chapter 72

David's phone rang bright and early at 8:00am. He reached over to his bedside table and grabbed it. "Hello?" he asked sleepily

"David?" the tenor voice said.

"Yeah, who's this?"

"I know I sound like shit, man, but don't you recognize the voice of your brother- in- law when you hear it?"

David sat up a little. "Oh, hey Matt. How are you feeling?"

"Like hell, but I wanted to say thank you."

"For what, bro?"

"Saving my ass."

"Believe me, it was my pleasure. Your sister never would have forgiven me if you had died and I could have saved you. I like getting laid, you know what I mean?"

"Is she even giving you any right now? I know she's pregnant and all."

"The first and second trimesters are awesome. Whenever I want it, I get it." David laughed.

"That's cool. I need to find a woman like her. She's an inspiration, isn't she?"

"That she is. I tell her that every chance I get, but she doesn't believe me."

"She's too fucking modest, that's why. Keep trying, you might get her to believe you some day."

"I will not be detoured. I will make her believe me one day. She just doesn't know it."

"Good for you, brother. Hey, can you tell 'Chai happy birthday for me. I know I missed it yesterday."

"Not a problem, and the only reason you missed it is because you were bleeding to death."

"Yeah. Is there any cake left?"

"Maybe a piece or two, why?"

"I want it when I get back."

David laughed. "Sure thing, bro. I'll tell Malachai and I'm sure he’ll stand constant vigil over it to make sure that you get it and no one else... unless it's his mother. Then you're shit out of luck."

"And I'll find myself stupefied, coming back again", Matt said with a hoarse laugh.

David laughed with him. "Well, Matt, I'd love to chat some more, but your energy needs to be on getting well, and I need to make sure that your sister and niece and nephews eat something."

"No problem. I'll call back later and chat some more. This place is really fucking boring, just so you know."

"I'm sure it is, just like any hospital."

"Worse", Matt said and hung up.

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David leaned over and kissed Brie on the temple. "Good morning, sleepy head", he whispered.

"Go to hell, butt munch", she whispered back. "I'm not getting up until I'm damn good and ready. My sleep is being interrupted too damn much."

He laughed. "That's fine. I was just saying good morning." He settled back into bed next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist, his hand resting on the bump in her abdomen. He felt a thump under his hand. "Brie, did you feel that?"

"Yeah, I feel it all the time. I've got a fucking soccer player in my womb." She rolled into her back.

He scooted down and laid his head on her stomach. The joy in his eyes was undeniable. It affirmed to him that there really was a baby in there. His baby. "Hello, in there", he said. "This is your Daddy speaking. We can't wait to meet you for the first time, little Maddie."

She smiled. It was too cute. "You've decided it's a girl?"

"Yep. It's got to be."

"And why do you say that?"

"Because I said it's a girl."