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When we pull into the driveway of Nick’s house, Marie and Veronica are busy setting up a table in the backyard. They pause and look at the car hesitantly. Maia sticks her hand out the window and gives a thumbs up. They both clap their hands and get busy again.
I throw open the car door and the hot, stagnant August air engulfs me, suffocating me and making me instantly nauseous. Maia’s lucky she didn’t have to be pregnant in the warm weather. She got to wear all the cute leggings and bump-hugging tees. I wish I could peel my skin off.
Sweeping my long hair up, I tie it in a messy bun at the top of my head as Nick shuts my door and takes my hand, smiling brightly. His smile is always vivacious and infectious, but it’s extra vibrant today.
I feel a slightwhooshin my stomach and pause. I love feeling our baby move. It’s incredible.
“Hi, honey, are you excited?” Veronica asks, giving me a hug.
“I am.” My hands fall to my stomach. I’m so ready.
“Heyo! There he is. Walking down the driveway on his own two feet. No cane. No crutches. Ladies and gentleman, Braden Hale!” Nick yells as we all turn to look at him.
“Thanks for making it weird,” Braden calls.
Vince sets Harper down and we all watch as she toddles over to Braden, who slowly squats down, scoops her into his arms, stands up, and keeps walking.
I never thought watching something so simple would give me chills, but knowing how hard he’s worked over the last eight weeks to get back to some sort of normal, that was beautiful to watch. Not to mention seeing some true joy in his eyes for the first time in a while.
Some days I still feel a little pissy at Braden, but it’s impossible not to appreciate how much he’s grown. That shit is hard to do—it’s something my mother and Nick’s father could never do. It takes determination, dedication, and inner strength. Watching Braden slowly transform into a stronger, more self-assured version of himself has been incredible.
Nick walks over to Braden and pulls Harper from his arms, twirling her around as she giggles. Braden steps over to me and pulls me into a hug. “Hey. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. Nervous. Excited. I don’t know.”
“Pretty much sums up teen pregnancy,” he says, stepping back.
Can’t deny that.“What were you hoping for with Harper? Boy or girl?”
He shrugs. “I think I felt like you did. Mostly just excited and nervous. But when I found out we were having a girl… I don’t know. I melted on the spot.” He glances back at Harper.
“No idea how I’m going to feel—besides nauseous.”
“Sounds about right. Well, I’m gonna go steal my daughter back from Nick. You should probably be hoping for a boy, by the way.”
My eyes narrow. “Why?”
“Because if you have a girl, she would inevitably be just as sassy as you, if not more. And I’m pretty sure there would be some sort of universe-destroying explosion if you were going toe-to-toe with someone just like you.”
He smirks at me and walks away as I grimace. “Asshole!” I call after him.
But he just throws his head back and laughs.
Well, at least we’re back to normal.
Leo strolls over to Abuelita and wraps an arm around her. “Are you all ready?”
“We’re all set up over here,” Maia calls.
Nick walks over and grabs my hand, and we walk over to the table.
Nick flips the top open on the cupcake box. “Ready, Señorita?”
Smiling, I nod. It’s finally time.
“I’m ready whenever you are,” Micah says, his camera poised and ready to catch this moment.
He’s been building his portfolio as a local photographer, and I have to say, he’s taken some beautiful photos.
Nick and I each grab a cupcake. “On the count of three,” he says.
“One,” I say.
“Two.”
“Three,” we say together, then take big bites.
I stare at his lips until I see it.Bright blue.
It’s a boy.
