“Mission accomplished.”
He pecks me one last time before grabbing his helmet off the corner of my desk and winking at me on his way out the door.
???
The smell of lasagna greets me the second I step in Sydney's door, along with a happy bark from a very excited Amy.
“Amy! Who’s such a good girl to come see me?!” I coo, rubbing behind both ears as her tail wags and her tongue lolls out with excitement. Bitsy lazily makes her way down the steps, and Amy turns on her, playfully splaying her paws and getting low like she’s ready to chase. Surprised, Bitsy puffs up, hackles raised and back arched. She takes off running like a bat out of hell the second Amy barks with glee. You have to just laugh at their crazy. Her bottle brush tail disappears behind the living room wall, followed by a blur of chocolate.
When I step into the kitchen, four pairs of eyes are glittering at me with anticipation forallllthe dirt. Brynleigh pushes a glass of red wine across the table toward the empty chair they expect me to sit in. The inquisition has begun.
“Do we even have to demand it all at this point?” Jane asks with her shoulders shrugged up toward her ears. I sigh, sitting and shaking my head. I notice Ava is drinking water and quirk a brow her way.
“No. I don’t know. Can’t test yet anyway, but figured I’d start getting used to saying no to the wine. I’m going to miss it.”
“Yeah…” Jane and Sydney sigh in unison before giggling. Jane gladly takes a gulp. She did her time. Three of us left. Two with all the bright possibilities. Brynleigh looks contemplative but doesn’t elaborate. Just sips along with us.
“Wouldn’t it be cool if the two of you get pregnant together?” I ask, considering the havoc those little cousins would cause one day and smiling to myself.
“That’s the hope at least,” Brynleigh mutters, and everyone at the table makes little sounds of delight.
“Babe! We’re back from our run!” Garrett hollers from the foyer with Colin, and Jane jumps up from the table. She takes a whole five steps before freezing and turning to point at me.
“You’re not getting out of this, and don’t you dare start without me.”
“I wouldn’tdreamof leaving you out of this conversation,” I answer, dramatically rolling my eyes for emphasis.
“I’m dishing out lasagna. Who else is ready?” Ava asks. Sydney tries to stand and help, but Ava’s not having it. “You sit.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sydney draws out slowly.
“Do you have everything ready for the big day? What else do you need help with? Bags packed? Carseats?”
“All done,” Colin answers, walking into the kitchen and beelining for water bottles in the fridge as Syd nods.
“He’s been a helicopter,” Sydney whispers, doing a double take of Colin’s bent-over figure in the fridge. The sound of the fridge door latching snaps her out of it. Bryn and I are snickering as he cracks the top and chugs. Sydney was not near as randy as Jane during her pregnancy, but it’s still there. I mean, can you blame her? Colin is the epitome of a thirst trap. He smirks knowingly at her flushed face.
“Little Miss!” Brynleigh exclaims when Jane makes her way back into the room with Garrett trailing behind her. Colintosses the unopened bottle of water from the countertop to him. He nods in thanks and proceeds to chug his as well while Jane hands off the smiley baby to Bryn.
Ava serves out plates of lasagna around the table and sets two aside on the counter for the men while Jane warms a bottle for Charlotte. She notices, and her little grabby fingers start excitedly flailing around. She knows it’s dinner time. Brynleigh and I both giggle when she eyes the lasagna. She’s not to the point she’s reaching for our food yet, but she’s definitely started to notice it. Garrett comes over and holds out arms for Charlie, and she smiles happily, excited hands jerking around for daddy as Bryn offers her up to him.
“Baba and playtime? Mommy says there’s an important discussion not suitable for tiny ears.”
Colin grabs the two plates of lasagna and comes to the table, pressing a kiss to Sydney’s cheek and asking her how she’s feeling.
“I’m all good. Not too many Braxton Hicks. They’re both quiet for the moment.”
Colin smiles and rubs her burgeoning belly before strolling out of the room after Garrett.
“He’s going to be the best daddy,” Ava says in a swoony tone. We all nod in agreement.
“He’s scared. I see it. I’ve noticed he’s not sleeping well, but he hasn’t said a word about what’s going on in his brain.”
“He’s scared something’s going to happen to one of you three. It makes sense with his history,” Ava notes, and we all nod again, watching Sydney’s hands swirl over her belly, rubbing her babies protectively.
“I know, but I don’t know how to make it better.”
“You can’t. Nothing will help until they’re both here and he can see that you’re all okay. What week are we at now?” Jane asks.
