AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. And I’m going to ignore that comment about for once because you’re my best friend.” I lie back down in the bed and curl up with my pregnancy pillow. Jace had gotten it for me a few weeks ago and it’s been like a godsend.
“You know what I meant and you’re getting out of this bed today.”
“But why? It’s cozy and I don’t have anything to do today.” I sigh.
“You have plans with me and I want to look nice with my best friend.” She stands at the foot of my bed, giving me puppy dog eyes and waiting for me to say yes. I hate how well she knew me because of course I am going to give in.
“Okay, fine.” I roll my eyes. I don’t get up but I give her permission to keep looking through my closet. A few minutes later she’s throwing a dress at me and telling me to get dressed and get downstairs. I do as I’m told, moving as fast as I can for someone with a balloon belly. It is crazy that I am only halfway through the pregnancy at this point.
“Chelsea?” I call out, walking downstairs.
“Backyard!” she calls out and I wrinkle my eyebrows. What is she doing back there? I slip on a pair of flip flops and walk outside to find her and about twenty other people, including Jace in the backyard.
“Wh—what is all this?” I look at Chelsea and Jace, confused.
“It’s your gender reveal.” Chelsea smiles.
“Look, I know you thought no one would come, but I wanted you to know you have support from my friends and family too. For you and our baby,” Jace whispers.
“You did all this?” I look around at the tables of food and decorations in blues and pinks. Sure we already knew it was a girl, but we hadn’t told anyone else yet and I guess this was why.
“Yeah.” Jace smiles, and I feel the tears starting to build that I quickly wipe away. I am glad I didn’t come outside in my underwear and tell Chelsea to just go home even though that was the kind of mood I had been in.
“Come on, come meet people.” He smiles and takes my hand. “Ma, Pop, this is Aubree.” Jace and I stand in front of an older couple that must be his parents. I take them both in, realizing they are now family to me. Jace is the spitting image of his dad except without the gray hair and wrinkles. His mother is beautiful, with curves like me and long blonde hair. She doesn’t look old enough to have a son Jace’s age.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” His mom throws her arms around me and pulls me in for a tight hug. Well, as tight as can be with my belly between us.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” I smile. His dad shakes my hand and they both look at my belly, smiling.
“We’re so excited to be grandparents. And I don’t know if Jace told you but we only live a few minutes away. So we’re happy to help as much as you both want and need,” his mother says happily. It is like meeting the opposite of my parents. I’ve never seen someone so happy to be becoming grandparents.
“Thank you.” I nod. Having them nearby seems like it could be a really great thing for us.
“Come on, there’s more people for you to meet.” Jace pulls me away from his parents and introduces me to his teammates.
They’re hogging all the food and messing around until Jace and I walk over. Tatum, the captain, gives everyone a look and they fall into line instantly. I guess that captain thing works on and off the field. They all shake my hand and smile like it’s great to meet me and I realize these too are Jace’s family. He hasn’t said it, but you can’t spend as much time as they do together and not be. Jace continues introducing me to people until he gets to a crowd of people I know. Chelsea’s standing with people from some of my classes. Girls I’ve tutored, some I’ve had lunch with, and they all look happy to be here. None of them are putting on a show or pretending. They just want to support me and Jace.
“There’s just one more thing we need to do.” Jace’s hand is still locked with mine as he pulls me across the yard.
“Guys! It’s time!” Chelsea cheers and she runs over to hand me a hockey stick.
“Uh, thank you?” I look at it confused and everyone laughs.
“We’re going to hit the puck and the color smoke tells us if it’s a boy or a girl!” Jace explains.
“Oh!” I go to hand Jace the stick but he shakes his head.
“That’s all you, mama.”
“What?” I have the center of gravity of a broken down vehicle. I can’t hit a puck when I can’t even see my own feet.
“I got this.” Jace takes the puck from Chelsea, putting it on the ground in front of us, then hands me back the hockey stick. He gets behind me, wrapping his large arms around me and helps steady me. “On three.” He counts and we hit the puck together, emitting a big cloud of pink smoke.
Despite Jace and I already knowing, I can’t help but be excited by the cloud of smoke. With all of our friends and family cheering for us, it makes all of this become more real. It is like this is actually happening. We are actually having a baby. In that moment, I feel the baby kick again and I know she’s tying to say she’s here for this moment too.
Chapter9
22 weeks…
