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“Why not?” Palmer asks.
She’s got him on speakerphone. We’re at my parents’, and Palmer, Jade, Kennedy, and my mom all decided that we should go to movie night in the park. Willow Park has this event once a month through the summer months, and my brothers and I loved going as kids. Alyssa and I have been before, but it’s been a couple of years since the last time.
“Because I’m working, and you’re due in a week. What happens if you go into labor?” he asks her.
I can hear the frustration in his voice. My brother has been a worry wart the last week. He’s made sure to call us—his brothers—and tell us to be on standby in case he’s not home and is at work when Palmer goes into labor. It’s a request he didn’t have to make. I think it made him feel as if he was in control, but we all know, even Brooks knows, that there is no controlling when a woman goes into labor. His baby girl will make her appearance when she’s good and ready.
“Brooks.” Palmer sighs. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be in town, close to you and the hospital if something happens.”
“Son,” Dad speaks up. “I’ll stay with her. We’re all going. Your mom and me, your brothers, and your sisters.” Dad never adds the in-law to sisters. Our wives are family. End of story. “I won’t let her out of my sight.”
Palmer smiles at my dad, and he winks. “I promise I feel great. No contractions, and it’s better than sitting home alone in case something happens when all our friends and family will be at Willow Park.”
“Dad?” Brooks asks. There’s resignation in his voice and also a hint of warning. Not that he needs to warn our father. Maybe someone needs to remind Brooks that there are nine of us boys and Blakely. This isn’t my parents’ first rodeo when it comes to babies coming into the world.
“I’ll be with her until you get there.”
“I hate that I have to work late,” Brooks grumbles. “I’m trying to pick up shifts because I know I’m going to need the time off when the baby comes.”
“I know, big guy,” Palmer tells him. “I’ll be sure to save you a seat right next to mine.”
“Don’t let her carry chairs, and she shouldn’t be sitting on the ground,” Brooks says to whoever will listen.
“Brooks.” Mom says his name with that same gentle touch she’s always used with us growing up. “Relax. Palmer and your baby girl will be just fine. Finish your shift, save lives, and then come and join your family. Palmer won’t lift a finger except to eat that funnel cake she’s been talking about.”
Brooks laughs. “Wait until I get there, beautiful. I’ll make sure you get your funnel cake.”
I know there was something about them doing food truck dates in Harris when they were dating, so I assume funnel cakes were their thing.
“I promise.” Palmer wipes beneath her eyes. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Palmer taps the screen on her phone and places it on the table in front of her. “Thanks for the assist,” she tells my parents.
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
“What time are we leaving?” I ask.
“The first movie starts at seven.”
“How many are there?” I ask my mom.
“Three. The first is kid friendly. We figured, once Brooks gets there, we’ll bring Blakely home with us, so Declan and Kennedy can stay later.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Kennedy tells my mom.
Mom waves her off. “We’re too old to stay up that late.” She laughs. “We’re happy to do it. Soon you’ll have two to run after, and trust me, you’ll need these kinds of breaks.”
Kennedy places her hand over her baby bump, and she, too, has tears in her eyes. “I love you both. All of you.” Her gaze scans the room.
Palmer, Jade, Kennedy, Maverick, Merrick, Archer, and I are all here. The others have confirmed via text that they’re in. Orrin and Declan are both at work like Brooks. When you run your own business, there’s no such thing as nine-to-five hours.
“I still can’t believe you let Rush take Blake,” I grumble playfully. “Now I’m going to have to work harder to be her favorite uncle today,” I tease.
“That’s between you and my daughter,” she jokes.
“Is Alyssa coming with us tonight?” Palmer asks.
