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“Want to binge that show you were watching the other day?” I ask, knowing it will lead us to where everyone waits.
She hooks my arm in hers. “Sounds great. Maybe I’ll start one of my books after.”
I lead her to the living room. Just as we breach the entrance to the space, a booming “Surprise!” fills the air. Shelly slaps a hand to her chest as everyone steps up to her and wraps her in a huge embrace. Individual hugs and happy birthday wishes are given. And when Shelly sidles up to me again, her eyes are rimmed in tears.
“Did you do this?” she whisper-asks as she takes in all of our friends.
“Not just me.” Micah approaches us. “Your brother actually reached out.”
“He did?” I nod and she swipes a hand over her cheeks. “Oh my god.”
“Hey, sis.” Micah pulls Shelly in for a hug. “Happy birthday. Hope this is okay.”
She sniffles. “More than okay, big brother.”
The remainder of the day goes by in good conversation, hearty laughter, great food—with cake, of course—and time well spent with people we care about. As the sun sets, we congregate outside and lounge in the back. Since Shelly moved in, we have slowly added more to the backyard. More seating and plants. A firepit and grill. A wooden fence around the perimeter for privacy. An array of colorful flowers near the swing under the large oak.
One day at a time, Shelly turns this house into a home. A place I want to share with her always. A place where our child will grow and laugh and wonder. Color with crayons and paper. Play hide-and-seek. Bring more definition to our lives.
“Have you picked a date for the baby shower yet?” Cora asks Shelly.
Shelly tucks her feet beneath her butt and leans into my side. “Not yet. Should I?”
“When are you due?”
“The date changes with every appointment.” IhearShelly’s eyes roll and I bite my cheek to resist laughing. She isn’t wrong, though. “Basically, anytime between September twenty-first and October eighth. Your guess is as good as mine.”
Autumn chuckles. “Clementine’s due date changed seven times. Inevitably, she arrived on the original date the doctor said.” She smiles at Shelly, then me. “But they come out when they’re ready.” Autumn looks over at Jonas, who is chatting with Gavin and Micah. “Take advantage of your free time now. You’ll wish for more after the baby is here.” Autumn shifts her gaze to Cora. “Maybe we should plan the shower for her?”
“You don’t have—”
Cora cuts me off. “Count me in.” My best friend meets my gaze with softened eyes. “Let us do this for you, Shell.” Her hands come together in prayer, inches from her lips. “Let us take this on. It’ll be fun. And zero stress for you.”
“We won’t take no for an answer,” Autumn adds.
Beside me, Shelly fidgets. But not so much anyone looking would take notice. I feel the slight tremble in her limbs, though.
I kiss her hair. “Your choice, but I think they would enjoy doing this for you.”
Her frame relaxes into me more. “I swear I’m not a control freak.” She laughs without humor. “But after giving up so much, it’s hard to give up more.”
“Wish I could relieve that burden for you. I would, if possible.” I kiss her hair again. “A little more than three months. And then, once you’re cleared, you can do everything and I’ll sit back with the baby and relax.”
“Ha ha.” She shakes her head. “Fine,” she huffs out like an annoyed teen. “You can plan the party.” Cora and Autumn clap as giddy smiles stretch their cheeks. “But…” Shelly adds. “I want in on the plans too. I don’t want it to be some big secret that I walk in on” —she waves her hand around us— “like today. If you promise to keep me in the loop, you have my permission.”
“Done,” Cora says at the same time Autumn says, “You got it.”
Jonas comes up behind Autumn and rests his hands on her shoulders. “We should head out. Let Mom and Dad get home.”
Babysitters. Another thing we should look into—although I am positive Shelly’s mom will want every possible minute with the baby. With my flexible schedule, a babysitter will only be necessary when we want or need alone time.
If we are lucky, it won’t just be Shelly’s family and our friends who will watch the baby for an hour or two. Maybe, hopefully, my dad will be in the mix too. Only time will tell.
NINETEEN
SHELLY
“Ready for thenext photo session, Mom and Dad?”
