THEY LAUGHED WHEN THEY PUT CAKE ON MY FACE. THEY STOPPED LAUGHING WHEN MY 'FAMILY' ARRIVED. My mother-in-law, Helena, grinned and called me to the front of the room. I was six months pregnant. Everyone was watching. She cut a slice of the birthday cake, looked me dead in the eye, and shoved the whole thing into my face. Frosting blinded me. The room exploded with laughter. I stood there, shaking, cake dripping down the front of my dress. Then I heard my husband, Derek, laughing. Not a small laug