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“Those Bishops do love to multiply,” Mrs. Betty adds, who’s been quiet all day, but the moment more babies come up into the conversation, she’s all attentive.
“Well, let’s see if I can even survive this Bishop.” She points at me and everyone laughs.
Jackson walks toward me and pats me on the shoulder. “It’s funny because it’s true.”
“If anyone’s having multiples, it’s you,” I retort, shrugging his hand off me.
“Nope. I’m always packing.”
River snorts and giggles. “So did Alex.”
“Okay, well let’s take those pictures so we can cut the cake,” Mama interrupts flawlessly as she tends to.
We finish up the party with lots of photos and cake. As the guests eat, my brothers and Aaron and I load up all the gifts. Bags of diapers, clothes, and toys take over my back seat, then we put the bigger pieces in the bed of the truck. My parents bought the crib that River picked out as well as various other things but mostly just clothes that say I love Grandma. Aunt Patsy gifted us a swing and bouncy seat. Benita stocked us up on baby toys, diapers, and wipes, and told us she’d have lots of boy clothes to pass down to us as well. Between all that and all the other random gifts, there’s no way we’re going to need anything else for a while.
“Are you ready?” I ask River as she stands around and chats with the guests who haven’t left yet. “Truck is locked and loaded.” I flash her a wink.
“Yes! I need a nap.” She chuckles. “You can put all the furniture together while I sleep.”
“Or we could both nap?” I tease.
“Funny. Take me home, cowboy.”
I love hearing her say that. Home.
“Yes, ma’am.” I tilt my cowboy hat at her.
“Oh wait,” she squeals, holding her belly. Benita, Mama, and Aunt Charlotte all freeze in place. “He just kicked really hard.”
The three of them crowd around River in seconds, placing their hands all over her stomach.
“Where?” Benita asks.
“Over here by my ribs,” she says, placing Benita’s hand over the area. We wait for a few minutes, and when no more movement happens, they give up. “Maybe next time.”
“All right, you kids.” Mama walks over. “Get on goin’ so we can clean up.”
I thank her and kiss her cheek. She swarms River and hugs her. “Take care of my grandbaby in there.”
“I will, ma’am.” River smiles.
Grabbing her hand, I lead her out to the truck, and before opening the door for her, I push her up against it and kiss her deeply. One of those soul-crushing kisses I know she likes.
“What was that for?” she asks, catching her breath.
“Thank you for today. It meant a lot to my family. And to me.”
She tilts her head. “You don’t need to thank me. I should be thanking you and your entire family. I wished my mom had been able to come.”
“Me too.” I brush a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. “Hopefully, she can fly down once the baby’s born.”
“I hope so.”
River and her mom have a complicated relationship, and I’m doing my best to tread lightly when it comes to it and how disappointed River gets anytime she brings it up. I understand that she’s the one who moved away, but I wish her parents would make an effort to come and visit her at least.
I drive us home, and River nearly falls asleep before we make it there.
“I’m going to take a nap. Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” I kiss the top of her head. “I’ll bring everything in.”
“Okay.” She smiles before walking down to her room.
I jog back outside and grab as many of the gift bags in my hands as I can and carry them to the nursery. Just as I’m hauling one of the larger boxes in, I hear River calling out my name.
“Alex, hurry!”
I set the box down and rush down the hall until I’m in her room. “What is it? Are you okay?”
She’s lying on her side with a hand resting on her belly. “Hurry, come here.”
Walking over, she pulls up her shirt and reveals her stomach.
“He’s kicking.”
She grabs my hand and places it near her ribs. “Say something,” she tells me.
“Like what?”
“Anything.”
“Should I read another one of your romance novels?” I tease, but before she can respond, I feel a big kick against my palm. “Whoa!”
“You felt it!” Her eyes light up. “Keep talking.”
“Uh…okay.” I kneel on the floor next to the bed and place both palms on her belly. “Maybe I should tell him about the first time I saw you.” I grin and shoot her a wink.
“He’s a little young to be hearing about the birds and the bees, don’t ya think?” She crooks a brow.
“Not the first time we did it. The first time I saw you,” I clarify. “It was the morning we were both at the continental breakfast, and when you looked over at me and saw that I was already sizing you up, you blushed and looked away like I had creepy-crawlies all over my skin or something.”
