Her eyes light up as soon as I’m back inside. She reaches for the malt like a woman who hasn’t had food in days.
“Oh, this hits the spot.” She moans as she takes another sip, which gives me the urge to demand everyone leave so that I can be alone with her.
She’s sipping a malt, for crying out loud.Pull it together.
Tripp clears his throat.
“Let’s move this stuff to the baby’s room for now.”
They both nod and help me move all of the baby’s gifts. By the time we are done, there is just enough room to walk in and stand.
“How did we get so much stuff? I don’t remember putting all this on the registry.”
“I think people just wanted to spoil you guys,” Lennox says from the sink.
“Why are you doing the dishes?” I ask.
“Because that’s what friends do at their friend’s baby shower.”
I glance at Syd. Her eyes are starting to glaze over, and now mine are too.
“I’m glad she has you,” June says, bringing in more items to put in the trash. “She can hang out with Mark all she wants, but a girl needs girlfriends.”
“Mark,” my sister says, appearing from the dining room, followed by my mother.
“You made it,” I say with a giant grin and hug them both.
“We can’t stay long, but I’m glad we came. Sydney is just lovely.”
“Yes,” my sister agrees. “I really like her.”
“I think I’ll keep her around.” I shoot a wink at Syd, who looks away and starts gathering some dirty paper cups.
Everyone stays for about a half hour before Syd and I are finally alone.
She stands at my side as I close the door to the last guest.
“Today was amazing, but I’m glad it’s over. You will not believe how much smiling I did, and not to sound ungrateful, but I can only hold my happy surprised face through the first maybe ten onesies. After that, it was completely forced.”
I chuckle and kiss the top of her head, relieved when she doesn’t move away from me like before.
“I’m glad you were spoiled. You deserve it.”
“Thank you.”
She moves for the couch, and I follow her.
We sit on what I’d say are our new designated spots, and she leans into me like she always does.
I rest my arm on the back of the couch and she snuggles in close.
After the day we’ve had, I can’t imagine a moment any more perfect than this one.
“Syd,” I say calmly even though my heart is racing.
“Mark.” She starts to tickle my arm.
Here goes nothing.
