Page 5 of Trying Not to Need You

“Ellie is going to love it,” I tell them.

“Copeland said they’re on their way,” Kinzie calls out. She saunters over to me and gives me a big hug. “Missed you, Bay.”

“Missed you, too,” I tell her, before rushing to take my gifts to the gift table. Sophia and I drop off our packages, and then I stand and wait for Ellison and Copeland to walk through the door.

I shift from one foot to the next, anxious to see my sister. The last time I was home was for her wedding, and I missed her. I haven’t been here for most of her pregnancy, and that’s been tough. We’re all so close, and I’ve been skipping out on being an active, present part of their lives. Not because I wanted to, but because of the distance I put between us when I ran off to New York to chase a dream I can’t even remember these days.

The door opens, and we all yell, “Surprise!”

Ellison freezes, and I watch as Copeland steps up behind her, gripping her hips to steady her. “What?” she asks, and I can hear the emotion in her voice.

Mary, Copeland’s mom, steps away from the crowd and makes her way toward them. “It’s your baby shower,” she tells Ellison, pulling her into a hug.

“Yeah, so get your behind in here!” I call out.

Ellison gasps. “Bay?” she asks, her voice cracking.

“Bring it in, big sister.” I race over to give her a hug. “Look at you.” I pull back and place my hands on her baby bump. “It’s just not the same seeing you through the phone screen. You’re glowing, Ellie.” My eyes well with tears.

“It’s so good to see you,” Ellison says, tugging me close and embracing me tightly. “It’s been ages since the wedding. That’s too long, Bay.” She sniffs and wipes her tears away.

“I know.” I bob my head. “That’s why I’m moving back home.” The confession slips out. I didn’t mean for it to, but being here, seeing her glowing and pregnant, I’ve missed her. I’ve missed all of them.

There’s a collective drop of jaws around me.

“Did I hear that right?” Courtlynn asks.

“Baylor?” Leighton pushes, her eyes wide and hopeful. “Are you really coming home?”

“I am.” I nod, swallowing hard.

“For real? It’s too close to Christmas for you to joke about this.” Courtlynn stares at me intently, and my smile stretches, less watery this time.

“It’s real. I was hoping my old room would be available.”

“Always,” all three of my sisters reply at once, and my heart almost bursts with love and gratitude for them all. I’m so damn lucky to have them.

“I want details,” Courtlynn says.

I inhale deeply before nodding. “Not today. This is Ellie’s day, but I promise to give you the rundown.”

“When?” Leighton asks me. I can tell by the look in her eyes that she knows I’m not moving back just because I missed them. Leighton is my quiet sister. She’s got a heart the size of the entire state of Tennessee, and she’s an observer. She can see there’s more, but she won’t push. Not today—well, at least not until the shower is over.

I aim for casual and shrug. “I don’t have to go back.”

“What?” Ellison asks, her voice turning high-pitched.

“I brought everything I need. Everything I want with me.” My entire life since moving to New York is currently in the back of my rental SUV, sitting in Sophia’s driveway.

“You’re really staying?” Emotion fills Leighton’s tone, and her voice breaks a little.

“I’m staying,” I tell her, and suddenly, it’s a Moran sisters’ huddle. I hear Copeland chuckle, and then his arms try to wrap around all four of us. I don’t know how long the five of us stand there, but eventually, I pull away to say, “Enough about me. This is Ellie’s day. Come on. Let’s get this party started.”

We ease apart as my sisters lead Ellison to a recliner that is now sitting in the dining room.

“You, too, Cope!” Courtlynn calls out. “This is a co-ed baby shower, as you can see.” She grins and waves her hand around.

“Yeah, if I had to shop for pink, frilly stuff, you have to stick around to open it!” Bowen calls out, and laughter follows from everyone here for the baby shower.