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Rita and Grayson joined the other guests, and Ariana took pictures. Everyone was having a great time, and Rita looked so pleased with how everything had turned out.
About ten minutes later, Damon came over and pulled Ariana into his arms. “I think this is the most elaborate gender reveal party in the history of forever.”
She beamed. “I’m glad. I wanted to make it special for Rita. She’s been through so much, she deserves to celebrate big.”
“You’ve succeeded.” Damon pointed toward the snack table. “You even managed to wipe the scowls off her parents’ faces. I saw her mom actually smile when Rita entered.”
“Did you get a picture of that?”
“I wish.” He glanced at the time. “When are we doing the reveal? People keep asking me. Everyone is eager to find out.”
“And I’m dying to tell someone! Do you know how hard it’s been to keep this a secret?”
“No idea. But I’m guessing the fifty thousand times you almost told me was a clue?” He looked like he was trying to hide a smile.
She gave him a playful shove. “To answer your question about when, I think we’ll give it a few more minutes. Everyone is having such a good time. I don't want to interrupt.”
“To be fair, I don’t think anyone would object. They’ve all been incessantly asking me about it.” Ariana mingled with the guests for a little while before cutting the music and calling for everyone’s attention.
She and Emerson handed out the confetti cannons to the guests. Rita stared at hers with so much anticipation, it looked like she might burst.
“On the count of three, everyone pull your string!” Ariana held up three fingers before closing her fist and getting in position with her own cannon. “One… Two… Three!”
Little pops sounded all around before confetti in every shade of pink filled the room. Rita squealed and spun in a circle, waving her arms around. She and Grayson hugged.
Everyone else cheered, whistled, and called out congratulations.
Ariana and Emerson moved to the white cake decorated with cute little ducks. When they cut into it, the inside was magenta.
Rita squeezed Ariana. “The cake too?”
Ariana beamed at the surprise. “Now we can all walk around with pink teeth for the rest of the day to celebrate your little girl!”
“I can’t believe I’m having a girl.” Rita squealed again. “We’re going to haveallthe manicures and spa days as soon as she’s old enough!”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.” Ariana handed her a piece of cake.
The rest of the guests crowded around for their pieces. By the time everyone had a slice, there was barely enough left for the maid of honor and best man.
“Congrats on being an uncle again,” Ariana said.
“Thanks.” He looked around and frowned.
“You aren’t excited?”
“What?” Emerson turned to her. “No, it isn’t that. I can’t believe Mateo missed this. He can be a bonehead, obviously, but skipping out on Grayson’s hunting party and this too? He’s agroomsman. If he can’t support my brother, the least he could do is own up to his irresponsibility and step down.”
“Maybe he will.”
“That’ll be the day.” Emerson marched away.
Damon joined her. He gave her a pink-toothed grin. “How are you doing?”
Ariana couldn’t help chuckling at that. She took a bite of her cake before answering. “I’m fine, but Emerson’s pretty ticked at Mateo.”
“He isn’t alone. Everyone is talking about him. I overheard some of his relatives planning to hogtie him and shave his head.”
“That’s oddly specific.”
