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I can’t help it. The dam of emotion breaks open, and right in front of everyone, I start bawling. Overwhelmed, I’m hit hard by a myriad of feelings, ranging from worry to happiness and everything in between.
“Oh, El, don’t cry,” Sienna murmurs.
“Sorry.” I sniffle back my sobs. “Thank you.” I glance around at the room decorated in blues and greens. Balloons everywhere. There’s a huge cake, tons of desserts, and food laid out on tables. And standing behind Sienna are the people who mean the most to me.
parents, Donna and Michael, are both here, smiling softly. It started out rough, but I quickly learned that Donna was more upset with Lincoln thinking he manipulated me. When they learned it was all me, they opened their arms, offering love and support.
My nieces are jumping up and down, holding gifts in their hands. Micah is standing next to them, looking a mixture of happy and pissed off—so, pretty much how he always looks. A few girls from the dance studio are here that I’ve become close to. And then, standing in the corner of the room, is my best friend.
“Raelyn!” I shriek, running over and attacking her. We text and talk and video chat almost every day, but I haven’t seen herin person since I left California after we graduated, and I miss the hell out of her.
“I can’t believe you’re here!”
“And miss my bestie’s baby shower? Not a chance.” She pulls back and places her hand on my belly. “I can’t believe how big you’ve gotten.” Her gaze flits behind me, and then she says softly, “And holy shit, girl. It seems when we talk, you leave stuff out. Like the fact that your baby daddy is in love with you.”
I glance back at Lincoln, who’s smiling at me, and feel my cheeks flush. “I was afraid it wasn’t real or that he’d change his mind,” I admit to her. “I didn’t want to look stupid.”
“Oh, Ellie, when will you realize how lovable you are?” She hugs me again and kisses my cheek. “We’ll catch up later. Right now, you have a baby shower to enjoy.”
“Later?” I ask hopeful.
“Lincoln booked me a room here for the week.”
“Yay!” I cheer, so excited to have my best friend for the entire week.
The baby shower is beautiful. Sienna planned everything to a T, including the delicious lunch and desserts. They make me open gifts, and Lincoln surprises me by showing me that the nursery has been painted without me knowing.
I couldn’t ask for a better day, and I can’t believe Sienna did all of this, less than a month before she’s ready to pop.
“You made mine just as special,” she says when I thank her after everyone but Raelyn and Lincoln have left. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become, El, and I have no doubt you’re going to be an amazing mom.”
“You’re gonna make me cry,” I half-joke.
“I’m serious,” she says, giving me a watery smile. “Thank you for coming home. I know Micah forced your hand, but you could’ve left. I’m so excited to raise our babies together. I love you.”
“I love you more.”
Once she’s gone, Lincoln insists Raelyn and I go relax by the pool while everything gets cleaned up and says he’ll order something in for dinner later.
“Thank you,” I tell him, giving him a quick kiss. “Today was perfect.”
Raelyn and I change into our bathing suits and are lying out by the pool, talking about everything that’s been going on with her in Colorado, when my phone rings with a call from Sienna. “It’s time!” she squeals. “Apparently, the excitement from the baby shower was too much, and my water broke!”
“Oh my God!” I sit up. “Do you need me to watch the girls?”
“Could you, please? Donna is on her way to stay with them, but she just got home, so it will be a little while.”
“I’m on my way!”
After letting Lincoln know I’m heading over to Sienna’s place, Raelyn and I take off over there. I give Sienna and Micah both a hug, wishing them luck, and they depart for the hospital. Donna arrives about an hour later, but we stay and hang out, keeping the girls entertained while we wait to hear from Sienna and Micah.
About three hours later, after the girls have fallen asleep, Micah video calls to let us know the baby has arrived and that both mom and baby are doing fine.
“Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” Lincoln says, having joined us about an hour ago. “Is it a girl or a boy?”
“It’s a boy,” Micah chokes out. “A beautiful, strong, healthy little boy.”
He moves the phone, bringing Sienna and the baby into view. She looks exhausted, but in the best possible way, as she holds her little bundle of joy and waves to us.
