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Tim just grins, his eyes flicking to the discarded flower on the coffee table, its stem still slickly wet.
“But we weren’t finished yet, honey. Do you want to…?”
With that, I throw my cushion at him, revealing my lush curves once more, and the love my babydaddy showers on me reminds me that my stepbrother is a good man, a loving one, and also completely mine, at long last.
Epilogue
Lina
* * *
Eight months later.
I’m as big as a house now. I’m in my third trimester, and I can’t see my toes over my huge belly anymore. I’ve read tons of books about pregnancy these last few months, but none of them fully prepared me for my crazy mood swings, my incessant need to go to the bathroom every hour, and the general discomfort of a baby playing kickball in my womb. According to the doctors, our baby is bigger than average at this stage of the pregnancy, but considering how tall Tim is, I’m not surprised.
But today, we’re having a gender reveal party, and it’s going to be fun. Yes, Tim and I are those parents. We’ve decided not to find out the sex of the baby beforehand, so everyone’s had to buy us yellow or green-colored baby gifts, and trust me, quite a few people have hinted that they prefer pink or blue.
Humming with pleasure, I set out a variety of snacks on the kitchen island: there are deviled eggs, olives, cheese and deli meats sliced into small squares, as well crackers. I imagined we’d do more dinner food like barbecue or pizza, but Tim insisted on snacks only. I know he’s afraid the guests will stay too long and I’ll become overtired. I smile happily while rubbing my belly. My boyfriend loves me so much, and it shows in his every gesture.
After all, our life is perfect now. I moved in with the handsome EMT shortly after the dust-up with our parents, and we were a couple from then on out. Of course, it was a bit awkward given the circumstances, but Ed and Judy took it with grace. What were they going to say, after all? We’re adults, and we can choose our partners in life.
Against all odds, Ed and Judy are still dating too. Neither Tim nor I can believe it because their first marriage was so short-lived, but hey, people change, and this time at least, it seems to be going a bit more smoothly.
Satisfied, I survey the spread. It looks delicious, and in the corner of the table, there’s a bouquet from Amazing Blooms as the perfect decoration. My business has taken off and I officially quit the Krazy Kat, although I’m still friends with some of the girls there. It’s not a bad job, and I’m not ashamed that I used to work there. If anything, the other women were really nice, and I’m hoping that they meet the man of their dreams someday too, even if the guys at the Krazy Kat aren’t exactly the type you take home to Mom.
Suddenly, the doorbell rings as I finish setting out the chips and salsa. Right in time! I shuffle to the front door in my ballet flats because there are no more high heels for this former stripper; I couldn’t fit into my old stilettos anyway. I round the corner right as Tim opens the door, and my new friend Jessa wraps me in her arms. She’s married to Sam, Tim’s partner at work, and we hit it off like two peas in a pod after being introduced.
“Girl, we’re so excited!” Jessa cries, her fiery hair flying. She’s got her youngest son, Aiden, on her hip, and Sam is right behind her holding their daughter’s hand. “We need more kids in this town!” she says with a welcome smile.
“Thanks,” I giggle, patting my stomach. “But let me give birth first before we schedule any playdates.”
Pepper and Rob are next through the door. I’ve always thought that they make a great couple because Pepper is incredibly elegant, and Rob is always impeccably-dressed. Their daughters, Emily and Emerald, are also very well behaved in matching green outfits.
“How is the baby?” Pepper asks with a gentle smile. She’s an ultrasound tech, even if right now, she’s staying home to be with their children.
“He or she is okay,” I chirp happy. “The baby gets the hiccups all the time, which is a little weird to feel, but it’s normal, or so they say.”
Pepper nods with a smile. “It’s definitely normal. When I was pregnant with my first one, she’d get hiccups morning, noon, and night. It’s a little surreal, but it means the baby’s definitely healthy.”
I giggle and am about to reply, but then Mindy and Jake step through the door. They’ve been married the longest of the group. They have four children, all with names that start with “J.” Even more incredible, they have two sets of twins. Mindy is a very fertile woman, and she and her husband have their hands full with four sets of tiny feet.
