Emily

Cora is finally over the flu, but unfortunately mine is lasting much longer. It's been a week and I'm still exhausted and feeling nauseous on occasion.

My only saving grace has been Braxton, he has helped me with Cora and getting her to my parents, before I go to work.

It's been nice to have help though. It's so hard to care for your child when you are both sick. He stayed at the house the past few days to help around the house and running to grab food.

Luckily he didn't get sick, but he even took off from work for us and I know how difficult that is with working with kids.

I just picked up Cora from my mom and we are in the kitchen baking cupcakes. I decided that Braxton deserves a thank you for helping us out this week. He once told me lemon was his favorite, so here we are.

"Can I mix it, mommy?" I set her at the table and place the bowl and a fork in front of her.

"Sure, just be careful." I know half of it will probably get on the sides, but she is adorable and wants to help me.

Braxton told me all about the first time she called him 'daddy', he sounded so proud and every time since he smiles so big when she calls him that.

Surprisingly she keeps most of the ingredients in the bowl and I pour the batter into two cupcake trays. When the oven beeps, I slide them in and turn on a timer.

Cora and I play dolls in her room until the cupcakes are done and then we start on the icing while the cupcakes cool.

My phone rings and I see that it's Julie, so I pick up.

"Hey girl, what's up?"

"Not much, I just wanted to get the scoop on you and Braxton."

"Well, he has been super great. Especially since Cora and I had the flu, he was here and helped out so much. Also, he took me out on two dates a few weeks ago."

"And? How were the dates? Did anyone get lucky at the end?" I laugh and stir the icing.

"They were really fun, not to mention he's amazing with Cora. She started calling him 'daddy'. We even made it official. Oh and yes, someone may have gotten lucky. Twice."

"No way!! I'm so happy that he is good with Cora and the daddy thing is huge! Tell me is he good in the sack? He looks like he would be really good. Don't tell Ethan I said that." We both laugh and I added in yellow food coloring to the icing.

"You have no idea. Best ever. Before I forget, you know our cousin, Stacey? She's having a baby and invited both of us to the baby shower!" I finish the icing and put it into piping bags, so we can decorate the cupcakes.

"Great, tell her we'll be there! I'm so happy for you, Emily! Ugh these cramps are killing me."

"Sorry girl, we've all been there." That gets me thinking though. When was the last time I had my period? I check my app and see that I am over 4 weeks late.

Oh my god.

The only time I have been this late was when I was pregnant with Cora.

Could I be?

"Yeah, I gotta go. Ethan just got home and we're gonna eat dinner. Enjoy him! And don't worry about him leaving, he's made it clear he plans on staying. Love you, bye!"

"Love you!" I hang up and think about it for a second. Could I really be pregnant again?

"Mommy, can we ice the cupwakes?" her voice pulls me out of my thoughts and I focus on the task at hand.

"Yep. Are you ready to do some cool designs?" I hand her the mini piping bag and we spend the next hour designing cupcakes.

"Hey girls, what are we up to?" Braxton walks in the door. Yes, I gave him a key, it was just supposed to be so he could get in without making me get up when I was sick, but now he keeps using it.

"We made you cupcakes! To thank you for helping us when we were sick. Why are you here though?" Shouldn't he be at his apartment or something?

"What? A guy can't want to spend time with his girls? Mmmm, those cupcakes smell delicious."

"Eat one, daddy!" Cora grabs the one she was decorating and hands it to him. We both watch as he takes a big bite and sighs when he swallows.

"Those are delicious. Seriously so good. You guys are very talented!" He picks up Cora and spins her around. She giggles and my heart feels full.

He sets her down and kisses me quickly. We smile at each other for a moment before Cora asks for a cupcake.

We sit down as a family and eat a few cupcakes. I heat up some leftovers for dinner and Braxton tells us about his day.

Then Cora starts telling us about her day and asking all sorts of questions. We end up laughing and talking for two hours before we start eating more cupcakes.

Eventually, we read Cora a bedtime story and then cuddle up in my bed.

I start thinking of being pregnant again and I wonder if I really could be. I decide to pick up a test tomorrow after work and then I'll know and have the weekend to process the results.

"What's wrong, Em? I can practically hear the gear spinning in your head." I can't tell him until I know for sure.

"Nothing, I'm just tired." I can tell he doesn't know whether or not to push, but he must decide not to because he just holds me closer.

"Okay, Goodnight Em."

"Night, Brax."

With his arms around me, it really doesn't take long to fall asleep.