There was a large piece of Rae that regretted not being able to see Elliot with AJ. Men and babies were an adorable sight. She knew, of course, that she'd have plenty of opportunity to see that in a few months, but that didn't change the fact that she looked forward to the first time Rory wanted some alone time. Or maybe some time with that guy who called her a cookie robot. Rae's love connection radar was usually spot on, and the romantic chemistry between those two was pretty ridiculous. So maybe their time to co-op babysit AJ was coming a little sooner than they thought. She didn't bring that up, though. What was talked about in girl time, stayed in girl time.
Unless it was amusing anecdotes about one's marker-covered boyfriend. She'd had a hunch that the paint-filled misadventures she and Rory had that evening would ease Elliot's mind a little bit, especially when he saw the green streaks in her hair, the blue on her face and the bright purple spots on her shirt. A little purple and orange on one's face was not so bad.
He spoke of a new respect for Rory and Rae nodded. "She wouldn't have it any other way, either, you know? That boy is her whole world." A little grin. "Makes me a lot more confident about our odds, too," she added. "If she can do it? Balance being a doctor and raising an awesome kid on her own? We can do it. We're the best team in this place, babe." And that was said with the utmost sincerity. Sure, she was still a little nervous about being a mom. She would probably be for the rest of her life, to be honest. But Rory's ability to be an outstanding mom, like it was just breathing for her? It made her feel a lot better.
"Aw, you wouldn't allow me a little fun at your expense? You're such a dictator." Her tone was completely playful. She'd never do something like that, but it was still fun to tease him about.
A little smile crossed her face as she glanced sideways at him. "You realize that we're in for a good long while of moments like that, right?" Another small wave of worry hit her; will I be a good mom? was just about the only question she'd been asking herself these past couple of months. Elliot's reassurances that she'd mothered both Zimmerman brothers since she met them was a little reassuring, but this was still... a huge deal. They were adults. This was an infant, that she was going to raise from birth. Worry about "messing the kid up" had crossed her mind more than once. "We're going to have to enforce a strict 'no marker on mommy or daddy's face' rule, I think. Or else we'll be in for a little fun. And not the fun kind of fun."
Rae laughed a little at Elliot's next question and shrugged one shoulder. "You ask me, you're already presentable. As presentable as I am, anyway," she mused, gesturing vaguely down toward her paint-blotted body, pointedly ignoring the very slight protrusion of her belly. She'd need new clothes soon. For now, she was wearing some of her older skirts and dresses to avoid having to get maternity pants, but that could only last for so long. "Besides, what better way to look foolish than with someone who always thinks you're gorgeous?"
And besides that... the mention of mud puddles piqued her curiosity. "All right," she agreed, though her grin went a little bit mischievous. Those mud puddles were easy enough to reach from the sidewalk, after all. "It's been too long since we've taken a real walk together."