“No, babe. He’s trying to give you everything you want, even if you say you don’t. That’s how much he loves you.” She gives her opposite hand to the lady in front of her as she starts attacking her nails.
I let out a wet giggle. “God, I feel like an idiot. It must be all these hormones messing with my brain.”
The lady doing my nails taps my hand. “Don’t worry, honey. I asked my husband for a divorce when I was pregnant because he bought me the wrong-flavored ice cream. We all go a little crazy while carrying.” She winks and gets back to work as everyone laughs.
An hour later, we’re finally pulling up to the gate as I open it, and immediately, I know that Noah and Ronnie were telling me the truth. Because from the gate all the way to the front of the house are rows of cars. If I had to guess, I’d say the whole team is here, including the coaching staff and anyone else who plays a part in Shane’s everyday hockey life.
Noah drives us down to the front door and parks in front of the garage doors where I notice all our friends’ cars nearby. Noah helps me out of the car just as Shane shows up. I wrap my armsaround his neck once he’s in reach and tell him I love him with emotions in my voice.
His groan is followed by a chuckle. “Who told her?”
“Noah did.” Ronnie points at him.
“I didn’t have a choice. She thought you were having an affair,” he defends himself with a glare directed at his girl.
Shane holds me back, looking me over. “You thought that?” he asks, sounding hurt.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to! I just… You seemed so distant all day, and you didn’t seem to care when I asked you about the dress… I was just emotional and thought the worst.” I look down, ashamed of the thoughts that transpired in my head.
“No, I’m sorry, Angel. I was just so busy trying to get everything ready in the short amount of time we had. I should have known you’d pick up on it.” He cups my cheeks and kisses my forehead. “Come on, sweetheart. Everyone’s waiting for you.” He takes my hand and guides us inside.
“Ah! There’s my beautiful sister!” Eden is the first to greet me right at the door, throwing her arms around me.
I giggle and hug her back. “Hi, Eden.”
“She talks like she doesn’t have any other sisters.” Leah comes in next, rolling her eyes and kissing my cheek. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Hi. I’m so happy you’re all here.” I grin as Phoebe appears.
“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world. How are you doing, Aubrey?” She hugs me as well.
“I’m doing all right. Exhausted and ready to get this beauty out.” I laugh, rubbing my belly and blushing.
“Oh, I know the feeling.” She smiles and steps away. “You don’t have much left to go.”
“But not before the wedding!” Eden points a finger at me, then down to my belly. “You stay in there, little girl, until after they’re married.” She then looks back up at me. “Understood, Mama?”
I laugh again. “I’ll try my best,” I say, then groan when I’m hit with a pain in my stomach, bending over slightly as Shane gives me his arm to hold on to.
“Oh God! Please tell me I didn’t just jinx it!?” Eden gasps.
“No, no. They’re those fake ones. She’s been getting them a lot lately,” Shane answers her. “Let’s get you seated, sweetheart.”
I nod as the pain finally subsides, and he helps me over to the second sitting room we rarely use. It’s an enormous space with multiple different seating areas and two fireplaces. When we enter the room, I’m greeted by so many familiar faces, all saying hello and wishing me congratulations. A lot of them I haven’t seen since the season ended, so it’s nice to have them around again.
“Wow, everyone is here.”
“Mostly, yes. Octavia was supposed to be here as well, but she called me this morning saying she wouldn’t be able to attend. Something about her mother having an accident,” Shane says.
“What!?” My eyes widen with alarm.
“I’m not sure exactly what happened. She just said it was nothing major to be worried about. It has to do with her disease, and they are keeping her under observation at the hospital. You might want to call her later to check in,” he reassures me. I know Tavie’s mom struggles with Alzheimer’s disease, and last I heard, it’s been getting worse.
Shane sits me down in the center of the room near all my friends and our families, making it easy for people to come around and say hi without me having to get up every two seconds. He’s so thoughtful about these things, always looking for a way to make my life easier, and I adore him for it.
The entire room is decorated in pink and purple. There are tables along the walls with food and snacks, little guessing games with prizes for the size of my belly, when I’ll give birth, if our daughter will look like me or Shane.
Drinks are flowing and all staff seem to be on deck today because I see them passing around, cleaning up and handing out more drinks. There even seems to be a bar with a menu on top, and from what I can read from here, all the drinks have baby-themed names.
