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Blake shakes his head and calls JD a not-so-nice name under his breath, and I can’t help but snort.
“It’s definitely giving moody preggo at the moment,” I yell, and I think I hear Tenley giggle on the other side. “With a side of happily engaged couple.”
Blake’s still silent.
“I’m not sure if that’s the answer you wanted me to give them,” I say, taking a step forward. “But you can correct me if you want.”
Blake grabs my arm and stops me. “We’re not done with this conversation.”
“Everyone’s waiting,” I remind him.
“You’re not leaving this room until you at least hear me say this: I love you, Loren. I’m truly sorry for not going after you that morning, and for all the other times I’ve screwed up. For the record, not a minute has gone by in which I don’t regret letting you go. Regardless of whether you want to marry me or not, I still plan to spend the rest of my life trying to make the last couple of decades of stupidity up to you.”
“Okay,” I whisper, trying to focus on not crying again. “I love you, too.”
He heaves out an exhale before he opens the door. And JD’s expression falls as soon as he sees our faces.
“I took the liberty of telling a few people I ordered you to put your feet up for a while, since you’re supposed to be on bed rest,” Tenley begins, her toned concerned. “In fact, I think it’s time for the ‘thanks for coming, but it’s time for us to retire’ speech.”
My eyes dart over to Blake’s, and he stuffs his hands in his pockets, looking nervous. “I certainly don’t feel the need to see anyone again.”
I sigh. “Same. I’m actually pretty tired, now that you mention it.” I rub the underside of my belly. “And I’m feeling a bit more pressure than usual.”
Tenley glances between us carefully. “You two didn’t sneak away to celebrate, did you?”
“Nope,” I declare while Blake stares at his feet. “No hanky-panky here. My fiancé’s beenverydiligent about making sure we uphold those rules.”
“Then why is his belt undone?” JD whispers loudly, raising his eyebrows.
“Why would you even notice that is the better question,” Blake grumbles before he turns and refastens the buckle.
My face flushes, and Tenley steps in line behind me to run her hand over my hair, presumably to smooth it down. “You sure you’re okay?” she whispers. “You’re starting to worry me. Maybe you should just lie down now.”
“I’m fine,” I say, probably unconvincingly. Because I’m not fine at all.
We reach the doors to the backyard and step outside anyway. JD addresses everyone first, thanking them for their presence and their presents before declaring his love for Tenley and reminding them about how much he’s looking forward to watching Ethan become a big brother-cousin while having the great honor of becoming a first-time father alongside his best friend, i.e., his brother, and yada-yada. It’s the classic JD cheese we’ve all grown to both love and barely tolerate.
Blake’s eyes meet mine for a second and he rolls them. I stifle a laugh. Then he reaches over and clasps my hand in his as he picks up the opening his brother leaves after congratulating the “happily engaged couple with a side of tired preggo lady.”
“Yeah, um, thanks again everyone. JD said it best, but I just want to add how much we love all of you and appreciate your support, especially since Loren’s had to endure so much throughout this high-risk pregnancy. And we hope you’ll keep us in your prayers now that she’ll be getting closer to delivering the twins.” He squeezes my hand, and it feels like he’s forcing the air out of my lungs. “I just need the three of them to be safe, more than anything. We’ll worry about the rest later.”
Then he lifts my hand and kisses it, looking over to make sure I understand he was talking to me. I sigh and nod, adding my own wary line or two of thanks and goodnight.
Everyone begins clearing out then, coming over to embrace and congratulate us before they leave. By the time most of them are gone, I walk into the kitchen to find Mrs. T, Lilley, and my mother wiping down the counters and setting the dishes on the drying rack.
“You should be resting,” my brother says when he joins me. “You’re looking pale.”
“I’m fine,” I repeat.
“If you say so.” He nods and wraps me up in an unexpected hug. “And congratulations. I love you, Lo. Be safe, and call me if anything changes. I want to be here when my girls arrive and check them out myself.”
“Yeah, yeah, we get it. You’re a doctor,” I say, rolling my eyes.
Lilley, Emmett, and my parents come over next, each of them congratulating me. I look to the side and find Blake watching carefully when my mom approaches, and I give him a small smile to let him know I’m okay before she embraces me. He walks over and stands beside me anyway, shaking my dad’s hand, who looks surprisingly happy about our engagement. My father pulls me in for a hug and a cheek kiss for the first time in as long as I can remember. Maybe I should have started dating the quarterback a lot sooner.
Blake’s arm drops from my waist as soon as they shut the door behind them, and we’re left with JD, Tenley, and their family.
“Go, put your feet up, please?” he asks me quietly, kissing me on the temple.
