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“You won’t use this until about three months or so but time’s going to fly fast,” Heidi says. “Alexa loved this.”
I open the box she hands me. Tummy Time Water Mat.
“You fill it with water, and it’s got all these cool shapes floating inside the mat,” Heidi explains. “Makes tummy time a little comfier.”
“That’s so cute. I love it. Thank you.”
Heidi added a bundle of hooded towels with the mat. I pull each one out of the bag and shake them out—a panda and a fox.
“I begged her to get the flamingo one.” Shelby runs her fingers over the soft black terry cloth. “But Heidi said we should do gender neutral items.”
Heidi laughs. “It was super bright pink.”
“Boys can like pink,” Shelby protests.
“It’s fine. I love pandas and foxes,” I assure Heidi. “Thank you.”
I’m overwhelmed with all the boxes and packages the girls pass to me. Some of the things they chose were on my radar. Other things—like baby mittens—had never occurred to me.
“If you ever need advice on something or want someone to go shopping with you, just call me,” Lilly says.
“Thank you.”
By the time Hope hands me the last present, I’m buried under a mountain of tissue paper, bows, and ribbons. We hear squealing from the hallway and feet pattering over the floor.
“Mommy!” Alexa bursts into the room and launches herself at Heidi.
Charlotte catches Alexa in her arms and picks her up. “No love for your auntie?”
“Yes!” Alexa presses her hands to Charlotte’s cheeks and kisses her nose.
Chance lingers in the archway, observing the room.
“What’s wrong?” Lilly asks him.
“Nothin’.”
“Who set the little guys free?” Heidi asks. “Hmmm?” She kisses her daughter’s cheek. “How’d you get loose?”
“Daddy!”
“Uh-huh. I suspected.”
“You can join us, Chance,” I wave my hand at him. But he glances over his shoulder and runs away.
“He suddenly has this aversion to anything too girly,” Lilly explains in a low voice. “I swear, if he picked it up from Ravage, I’m going to strangle him.”
Z appears in the archway, carrying Chance. “We kept them entertained as long as possible.”
“We’re fine.” I stand and excuse myself to find the bathroom.
In the hallway, I run into Gray. “How’s it going?” He stops and kisses my forehead.
“So great. Let me pee and I’ll be right with you.”
He chuckles as I hurry away. When I emerge a few minutes later, he’s waiting outside the door for me. “You didn’t have to wait.”
“Come here.” He pulls me into his arms, his big, warm body providing comfort and security. “I missed you.”
I sigh and loop my arms around his neck. “I’m right here.”
When we return to the living room, the kids are busy picking up the paper and stuffing it in a bag.
“I’m going to be so sad when they stop thinking this is a fun game,” Lilly whispers.
“You want us to help you load your truck?” Murphy asks Gray.
Gray finally notices the pile of presents. “What happened here? Where are we going to put all that?”
“Sorry.” Lilly hugs Hope to her side. “We went a wee bit overboard.”
“Little bit,” Hope agrees.
“We have the spare room you can use, Serena,” Emily says.
Gray’s jaw tightens for a second but he nods.
While the guys work on taking things to the truck, I pull Lilly into the hallway. “I really can’t thank you enough.”
“It wasn’t just me.”
“I know but hosting at your house was a lot. Thank you so much.”
She hugs me tight. “Anytime. And I meant what I said. If you need to talk or want advice, don’t hesitate to call me.”
I feel the sincerity in her words. Lilly’s always been kind to me. She’s not offering only because I’m with Gray. “Thank you.”
Outside, it’s almost dark.
Gray walks me to the truck carefully.
“You had a good time?” he asks.
“I really did,” I gush, still buzzing with happiness. “You know it was bugging me that I don’t have anyone to talk about this with. Any female relatives, I mean.”
“Feel better now?”
“Yes. Everyone’s experiences were so different, so that helped a lot.”
He opens the back door and tosses one last bag inside, then stares at all the stuff. “What…are we going to do with all of this?” He shakes his head. “My parents brought me home from the hospital and used a dresser drawer as my crib.”
I can’t tell if he’s joking or really annoyed. “Well, today we have no need for dresser drawers. We have soft cuddle blankets shaped like pandas, rainbow bouncy cushions, and a generous family who gave us lots of useful gifts.”
He steps back, and one corner of his mouth twitches. “I love you.” He curls his arm around my waist, and gently pulls me closer. “Thank you.” The emotions in his voice are clear—hope, sincerity, and true gratitude.
Like I’m the one who’s given him the most precious gift.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Serena
Certain people are meant to be part of your history. Not your destiny.
