Can you keep a secret?

A very heavily pregnant Marie stared at her sister Nina warily, blowing her bangs out of her eyes and wondering why Nina wasn't acting outraged at what she'd told her a few minutes ago.

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“Sis you've got to believe me!” Marie wailed in frustration.

“I should believe you that Tim is seeing another woman?” Nina asked, confused.

“Yes! He's been somewhat distant and acting strange” Marie replied.

“Strange? How strange?” Nina asked.

“I don't know, okay? I know my husband and I know he's hiding something” Marie said, pouting her perfectly shaped lush lips.

Nina bit back a laugh and stared at her beautiful kid sister. Apart from Tim being her brother-in-law, he and Nina had been best friends since High school, and she knew Tim didn't do things like this.

“Baby sis, Tim loves you to the moon and back. He'll never ever do anything to hurt you, and you know this” Nina said looking at her sister intensely.

“I know, but he's hiding something and behaving strange. For example, he wouldn't let me use his laptop last night and a few days ago he tried to sneak into the house with a package” Marie said.

“Okay…did you ask him about it?” Nina asked.

“No I didn't because if he's guilty, he'll only lie” Marie replied.

Nina immediately decided to stop by Tim's office on her way home to have a chat with him about this matter. She highly doubted her sister was right, but you can never be too sure…

“That's why I've come up with a plan” Marie said mischievously, “I'll ask his secretary and driver to keep an eye and report back to me”. Marie said.

“Seriously? That's a bad plan. What other plans are floating about in that cute brain of yours?” Nina asked, getting up to leave.

“I'll let you know as soon as I come up with a back-up plan. But for now, we'll stick with this plan. Where are you going?” she replied.

“Home to prepare lunch for my boo and the boys” Nina who was also married to a wonderful man named Luke and a mother of twin boys Ryan and Jayden replied. “Call me later, love you bye”

“Extend my love to my nephews and brother-in-law. I hate you bye” Marie said, kissing her sister who was giggling on the cheek.

---

After exchanging pleasantries with Tim and discussing a bit about business. Nina stylishly brought up the discussion she'd hand with Marie, and she was dumbfounded when Tim burst out laughing.

“Tim, it's not funny” she chided, but pretty soon she was also laughing.

“Sorry Nina… I guess I have to tell you my little secret then” Tim said. “But you have to promise not to say a word to your sister”

“Please do, and Marie won't hear a word of it. She'll even kill me if she knows I told you about our conversation” Nina said mimicking locking her lips and throwing the key away.

---

One week later…

Nina was just about to head out when her phone started ringing. The caller ID showed it was Marie, and Nina groaned in frustration and excitement. It hadn't been easy trying not to laugh at the daily reports Marie delivered to her every evening from the secretary and the driver. She answered the call:

“Hello Marie, what's up?” Nina said, clearing her throat.

“I've come up with a plan B. You were right the first plan didn't work” Marie said.

“Okay, so what are you planning this time?” Nina asked sweetly.

“I'm going to hire a detective” Marie said in a tone that she might have used to announce she was going to run for president.

Nina banged her head gently on a wall. She couldn't let this happen, it would ruin things.

“Great idea! I know a good detective. Let me handle this for you, dear” Nina replied.

After fifteen minutes of convincing Marie to allow her to handle the detective issue, Nina got off the phone with her sister and immediately called Tim. They made their own plans and Nina was all smiles as she headed out to her parent's house.

She stopped by at her husband's office to pay him a visit.

“Hi Honey” she said excitedly, jumping on his lap to give him a kiss.

“Hi gorgeous, you look great” Luke replied.

“Okay, I need a favor and this couldn't wait” she replied.

“What's going on? Are the boys okay?” Luke asked worriedly.

“Everyone is great. I need someone to act as a detective for Marie's sake” Nina said.

“Why?” Luke asked confused.

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“I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell Marie or the boys because they might mistakenly tell Marie” Nina said.

“I promise my love. Now spill the beans” Luke commanded mockingly.

“Yes Boss, so…” Nina began the story.

---

Three days later, Nina called her sister in the afternoon and asked if she could come to her house immediately. Thirty minutes later, she opened the front door before Marie could ring the bell.

“What's going on? And where are my nephews and Luke?” Marie asked.

“Oh, boy's night out. They should be back by 7pm or thereabouts” Nina replied.

“So any news? Did our detective call you?” Marie asked.

“Um…yes, and he asked us to meet him at a restaurant. I hope all is well” Nina said.

“Okay but why a restaurant, is Luke there?” she asked getting agitated.

“I think so…um…you can't go there dressed like this” Nina replied gesturing at Marie's baggy shirt and shorts.

“Why?” Marie asked.

“Nothing, I just think you should look your best, okay? You know if Luke is there with someone else, you have to look drop-dead gorgeous and more beautiful than… Just follow me, I have a dress for you” Nina replied feeling exhausted.

They hurriedly changed clothes and shoes and did something to their hair and face that left them glowing. Then jumped into Marie's car. The car was silent and Marie kept tapping her nails on the car door.

Immediately they arrived, Marie raced out of the car. Her sister hurriedly parked the car and raced after her.

“SURPRISE!!!” voices shouted as Marie stormed into the restaurant ready for battle. She looked around in amazement at the banners displaying “TIM AND MARIE'S BABY SHOWER”. Her nephews ran to hug her, and she realized all their family and friends were present.

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“Close your mouth Baby sis” Nina said laughing “For a pregnant woman you move really fast”.

“You're dead. You and Tim!” Marie replied blushing.

“You vehemently refused to have a baby shower, but Tim and mum wanted one, so here we are. Sit down and enjoy yourself” Nina instructed, going to search to her husband.

“Not until I have Tim's head on a platter” Marie called after her laughing.

“I'll deliver him to you as soon as I find him” Their mother who had materialized behind Marie said guiding her to a soft cushioned seat.

Marie looked around happily, even though she hated surprises she had to admit Mum and Tim had truly outdone themselves in planning this Baby shower. And Nina had brilliantly helped them keep their secret from her.

“Marie, I love you, and I'm sorry. I just wanted to…” Tim began explaining.

“Shh…sit down, everything is perfect. I just realized that this baby shower thing is wonderful, and it was the hormones talking when I refused to have one” Marie replied kissing her husband.

“The hormones eh… I can't believe you thought I was seeing someone else” Tim said laughing.

The rest of the evening was spent having fun, eating and opening presents, and Marie sat on her special seat glowing and smiling. She looked at her mother who was smiling proudly at her and mouthed “I love you mum, thank you”.