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I step past and smile when Nelly gently pats my tummy as I shed my winter coat. Hanging it in the closet while the other girls follow suit, Nell stops at the entrance to the kitchen. “Let’s come into the kitchen. I’ve been baking up a storm for tonight. I had to beat those dumb boys off all day.”
Kit rolls her eyes. “I bet you did.”
“Jack’s fast becoming the worst culprit.” She laughs. “That boy loves to visit me after school. Come on.” She opens the door. “I want to feed my grandbaby.”
“Gramma,” Evie chirps again.
“No baby, that’s Nelly.” Tina picks her daughter up. “Can you say Nelly?”
“Nelly.” Evie makes a ‘duh’ face. “Gramma Nelly.”
Tina wears an embarrassed smile. “No, honey.” She looks to Nell. “I’m sorry. She doesn’t understand. Baby, that’s Bean’s grandma. But not yours.”
“You can call me Gramma if you want. I sure hope you’re around lots so we can get to know each other–” Her eyes turn wary as Tina angles away. “I mean, if that’s alright with you. You decide what you want her to call me. I didn’t mean to overstep–”
“No, it’s okay.” I get the feeling it’snotokay.
Nelly looks between an almost terrified Tina, to an oblivious Evie. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean–”
“No, I’m sorry. You’re fine.” Tina hugs her daughter closer. “I’m honored you want to know my daughter. Thank you.”
“It’ll be my pleasure, I assure you.” With a soft squeeze of Tina’s arm, she turns to me with her best effort to wipe away her discomfort. “Come on, I’m starving.”
Smiling, she drags me into the kitchen and has me stopping on the spot and slapping a hand over my mouth. Pink and blue balloons and streamers hang everywhere. It’s like a balloon factory had a stomach bug and shit everywhere. On the walls. On the floor. From the ceiling.
It looks amazing.
Evie gasps and wiggles from her mother’s arms to be put down. As soon as her tiny toes touch the floor, she squeals with delight and runs around to kick balloons along the floor.
Kit steps forward with emotional eyes. “Surprise.”
“But… the nursery. You already did enough.”
“I’ll only be a grandma - for the first time - once.” Nell walks to the counter and picks up flutes of wine. “You get apple juice. Everyone else gets champagne. This is your party, baby girl. Enjoy it, because soon, your world will be flipped on its head.”
I want to cry. I want to sob.
I want her to really be my baby’s grandma.
“Come, sit down, eat. Then we’re going to play a few games.”
Before she can drag me to the table, I pull her in for a hug. “Thank you. This means more than you know.”
She smiles and pulls back. “You’re welcome, honey. But this was all Tink. I’m just the hostess.”
I turn and take Casey in my arms. “I love you.”
Smiling like my hug means more than she can express, she nods kindly. “You’re so welcome. That baby is a miracle, Iz. Don’t forget that.”
