**Chapter 5: Preparing for Parenthood**

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Dorothy's pregnancy continued to progress smoothly. She and Lucas were excited to welcome their baby into the world, and they were determined to be prepared. They started attending prenatal classes, where they learned about the different stages of labor, how to care for a newborn, and what to expect during the first few months of parenthood. Their home, a cozy Mediterranean-style house in Miami, was slowly transforming into a nursery-filled haven. Lucas was like a kid in a candy store, eagerly picking out baby clothes, toys, and furniture. Dorothy, on the other hand, was a bit more laid-back, but she was getting more excited by the day. One afternoon, as they were browsing through a local baby store, Lucas turned to Dorothy and said, "You know, I've been thinking... we should start reading up on parenting books." Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "Really? I thought we were just going to wing it." Lucas chuckled, "No way, I want to be prepared. What if we mess this up?" Dorothy playfully rolled her eyes, "We'll be fine, Lucas. We've got this." But despite her confident exterior, she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that had been growing inside her. She had always been a strong, independent woman, and the thought of becoming a mother was both exhilarating and terrifying. As they browsed through the shelves, they came across a book titled "The Happiest Baby on the Block." Lucas picked it up, flipping through the pages, "This one looks good. It says here that babies cry a lot, and that we should try to soothe them with the '5 S's: swaddling, shushing, side/stomach position, shaking (gentle vibrations), and sucking." Dorothy smiled, "That sounds like a plan. But what if our baby doesn't like being swaddled?" Lucas grinned, "Then we'll try something else. We'll figure it out, together." As they continued to prepare for parenthood, Dorothy and Lucas couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. They were ready to take on this new chapter in their lives, and they knew that they had each other to lean on. Their friends, the Golden Girls, were also excited to meet the new addition to their family. Rose, Blanche, and Sophia were always popping by to offer their advice and support. Rose would often bring over little gifts, like handmade baby blankets and onesies. Blanche would regale them with stories of her own motherhood experiences, offering words of wisdom and encouragement. And Sophia... well, Sophia would just grumble and complain, but deep down, Dorothy knew she was excited to become a grandmother figure to the baby. As the due date approached, Dorothy and Lucas felt a mix of emotions. They were ready to meet their baby, but they were also nervous about what lay ahead. They knew that parenthood would bring its own set of challenges, but they were confident that they could face them together. One evening, as they were decorating the nursery, Lucas turned to Dorothy and said, "You know, I never thought I'd be this excited to become a father." Dorothy smiled, "I'm glad you're excited. I'm... well, I'm trying to wrap my head around it all." Lucas wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, "You'll be an amazing mother, Dorothy. I know it." As they gazed around the nursery, filled with all the things they had prepared for their baby, Dorothy felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she and Lucas were ready for this new chapter in their lives, and that they would face it together, as a team. The warm glow of the Miami sunset cast a comforting light over their home, and Dorothy knew that they were exactly where they were meant to be.