“Wish me luck,” he told Hamish.
“Better you that me. They’re planning a baby food tasting game.”
He gagged. “Oh, goddess help me.”
“Yep.” Hamish clapped him on the back. “Have fun, Boss.”
He strode into the front room proper, noting that Reed fluttered around fixing this bouquet of flowers and that tablecloth.
“How’s it going, Reed?”
“Well.” Reed smiled at him, looking so much more… present than he had when he’d first arrived. More confident. Definitely happier. “Do you think there’s enough llamas?”
“Oh, I think the theme is clear,” Des said, looking at the llama pinatas and the wild Christmas tree that had llamas all over it, along with rainbow ribbon threaded through the branches.
“Thanks. Kumar and I really worked at it.”
“I can tell.”
Reed beamed, then he frowned at the sound of the camera chime. “Looks like folks are arriving.”
“I’ll go get Starry.” He had insisted that he carry Starry down this morning for the shower. He was so out of balance on the stairs, and Des was taking no chances. In fact, he was thinking of putting a little elevator in the back of the house where it wouldn’t hurt the old-world aesthetic, just so when Starry was pregnant, which he hoped was often, he would have an alternative.
He climbed the stairs, smiling when he found Starry sound asleep. Poor love was so tired of late. The midwife said it was normal, but?—
Des worried.
“Love. Your guests are arriving. I would say that Lila is here, judging from the noise down there.”
“Oh.” Starry sat up, smiling. “How does it look down there?”
“Like a llama herd exploded in glitter.”
“Nice.” Starry stretched, adorably sleepy and rumpled. “Am I presentable?”
“Let me run a brush over your hair.”
“Okay.” He yawned. “I was just so sleepy.”
“That is to be expected. And if you get overtired today, you will tell me so I can shoo all the guests off.”
“You just want me to so you don’t have to do this party.” Starry let Des brush his hair into a semblance of order.
“You know I detest this, but for you, my love…”
“Grumpy old mate.” Starry held up his arms, and Des picked him up easily, loving the feel of Starry in his arms, and the way he could feel the baby move, pressed to his ribs as everything was.
“I am. I have much to do and would rather spend my time off with just you.” He carried Starry down the stairs, then set him on his feet.
Starry glanced up at him, green eyes flashing with merriment. He offered up his lips for a kiss, so Des took it, lingering over it. Starry had been… enthusiastic the last few months, and Des would never not take what Starry gave him.
“Okay. Off I go.” Starry lifted his chin before sailing off toward the front room.
Gods help him. He was going to do this, even if he got eaten by a zombie llama.
Starry laughedat the sheer number of socks he got with his shower gifts.
Teeny tiny socks. Dozens of them, as well as blankets and onesies.
