Free That Baby by Jillian Dodd

huh?”
    “Yours is cute too,” Lori says. “I like the sparkle.”
    I’m waiting—hoping—that someone will ask me what mine says, but there’s an interception and everyone is glued to the TV.  

    At halftime, I take my cardigan off and wait for the fireworks to start. For someone to notice what the back of my shirt says.  
    But no one does.  

    By the third quarter, I can’t take it any longer. I stand directly in front of the TV so that everyone can see my back.  
    Mrs. Diamond looks from me to Phillip and says, “Mac Mommy?”
    I smile. “Cute, huh?” But she still doesn’t seem to get it, and Mrs. Mac is deep in conversation with Ashley.  
    “So he's the Mac Daddy and you're the Mac Mommy?” Mrs. Diamond asks.
    I nod again, an even wider grin taking over my face.
    “Are you pregnant?”
    Phillip bounds across the couch—possibly the fastest I've ever seen him move—and places his hand across my stomach. “We are pregnant.”
    Somewhere along the way, his mom must have overheard part of the conversation because she makes a torturous sound, shakes her head, and says, “No?! What?! You’re pregnant!? No way!” She stands up, her hands in front of her face and starts scream crying, which turns into an ugly cry as she continues to screech. “No!? Really? Is this a joke?”  
    Phillip shakes his head. “It’s not a joke, Mom. You’re really going to be a grandma.”
    “Ohmigawd, I don't believe it!” she yells, flailing her hands in the air.  
    “Believe it,” Phillip tells her, laughing so hard at her reaction he's practically crying. “We're six weeks along.”
    She covers her face with her hands, overcome.
    Then she starts running in place while waving her hands in the air and screaming. She grabs Mrs. D and jumps around her. “Did you hear that? I’m gonna be a grandma! I can't believe it. We'll be grandmas together!”
    She’s clapping now and still crying.  
    Phillip’s dad is smiling big. He gives me a hug and congratulates his son with a slap on the back. Then I notice tears well up in his eyes as he glances toward the ceiling. I know he's thinking about my dad missing this moment.  
    Which makes me wonder how my parents would have reacted to the news.  
    I can't believe they have to miss out on this. It was bad enough to miss my wedding—but this is so much more.  
    My mom would have cried, but in a more dignified way. My dad would have been the more emotional one.
    I have to admit, I'm happily surprised by everyone's reactions. The kid in me was kind of worried they'd say we are too young, that it's too soon. All the things I thought at first.  
    But all I see is joy in their expressions.
    Lori mutters to me, “You have some explaining to do.” But then goes on to say something about our babies being future best friends.  
    Danny rolls his eyes and teases, “Poor Phillip.”  
    Finally, Mrs. Mac rushes over, fanning her face, and hugs us both.  
    Everyone gives us hugs.  
    Well, everyone but Chelsea.  
    I notice she's sitting on the couch, motionless, then she looks me in the eye, stands up and cries out, “I'm pregnant too!” bursts into tears, and runs upstairs.  
    Lori and I rush after her, finding her sobbing on the couch.
    “I’m like a public service announcement for drunken hookups,” she cries. “Don't have sex in the bathroom at a wedding without a condom, boys and girls, or you'll be walking down the aisle at your own wedding in a maternity dress. If he doesn’t ditch you.”
    I sit down next to her and smile. “You got pregnant at my wedding? That’s awesome.”
    She laughs through her tears.  
    Lori asks gently, “Did Joey already know?”
    “Yes, he’s been amazing. But I’m so afraid to tell our families. I want them to freak out like Mrs. Mac did, not question it.”
    “Chelsea,” I say, “if you and Joey are excited about it. Your families will be too.”
    “And I’m sorry I yelled in the middle of your news. I’m so