My smile grows wider. “That’s right. Two little baby brothers who are going to adore you and look up to you.”
“Well, that’s because I’m taller.”
I laugh and pull him in for a hug. “I hope you realize how much I love you. Nothing will ever change that.”
“I know, Mom. I love you too.”
“There have been a lot of changes this year, and it hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of the young man you’re becoming,” I tell him honestly, hardly believing he’ll be eleven soon. “I wasn’t prepared for you to grow up so fast.”
He giggles and rolls his eyes. “I’m almost taller than you.”
“Ugh,” I groan with a laugh. “Don’t remind me.”
Noah pops his head in and grins. “You guys ready to go?”
“Yep. Everleigh will probably be late, which means I can’t be.” I snort.
The three of us pack into the car, and after we drop off Owen, Noah drives me to the town hall.
“Owen knows about Anthony,” I say once we’re alone. “That’s what we were talking about in his room.”
Noah’s brows shoot up. “How’d that happen?”
“He overheard it at Loretta and Elliot’s. Honestly, I’m kinda relieved. He and Anthony could have a genuine brotherly relationship. I never wanted to keep that from him, but I’m worried about what Brittany told Anthony about Gabe.”
“You mean, about how he died?”
“Yes. I have no doubt she fed him some bullshit story, and if so, it’s only a matter of time before Anthony repeats it to Owen.”
“What do you wanna do? If you want me to tell him, I will.”
A small smile appears on my face. “I know you would, but I think he should hear it from me. That way, he can ask me questions right away if he has any, and you’ll be close by if he wants to speak to you.”
“I’ll support whatever you wanna do, sweetheart.” He takes our interconnected hands and kisses my knuckles.
“That’s why I love you.” I smile wider, then sigh. “There’s never a right time for that sorta conversation, so I’m not sure when. Perhaps after we move, so it’s not one stressful thing after another?”
He nods in agreement. Though I hadn’t planned on ever telling Owen the details of what happened, I also don’t want to risk him finding out from someone else. If he easily overheard about Anthony, it’d only be a matter of time before he hears about this too.
“Don’t forget you have to come back and help us load up everything,” I remind him when he parks in front of the building.
“I won’t. Just call or text when you need me.” He leans in and cups my face, pressing his lips to mine. “And I know you won’t listen anyway, but please take it easy. Belinda, your mom, Loretta, Everleigh, and Ruby will be there. Let them do the work.”
I grunt. “I’m the co-host. I can’t just sit on my ass.”
“But you’re supposed to be staying off your feet,” he reminds me.
“I know.” Groaning, I nod and grab my purse from the back seat. “I’ll be careful.”
A couple of weeks ago, after my ultrasound, my doctor called and said that due to having high blood pressure, being over thirty, and carrying multiples, I’m at risk for developing preeclampsia. To avoid swelling up like a balloon and gaining too much weight, she advised me to elevate my feet, drink a lot of water, and get more rest. Seeing as I have a mortgage, rent, bills, and a family to support, I can’t risk being put on bed rest. I don’t want to waste my maternity leave lying in bed before they’re born because I only get twelve weeks.
“Love you,” he calls out.
“Love you too,” I say through the window. “Have fun at the house today. It’s hotter than hell and half of Georgia.”
He smirks with a wink. “I’ll be fine. Stay off your feet.”
Once I’m inside the hall, I find relief with the cool air conditioning. Considering Gemma’s due in a month, I don’t know how she’s surviving in this heat. I remember being so miserable at the end of my pregnancy, especially since Owen was born in August, the hottest month of the year.
Belinda’s catering the lunch, and I find her in the kitchen getting everything ready.
“Everything looks delicious!” I exclaim as I steal one of the rolls. Taking a bit, I double-check my list to make sure I didn’t forget anything. With my baby brain, I’ve had to write everything down, or I simply don’t remember.
Mrs. Wright made cupcakes, and Alessandra delivers them just as Everleigh prances in.
“It’s party time!” she shouts.
“Finally…” I scold.
“What? We said noon. I’m fifteen minutes early.”
“Noon for the guests, eleven for the hosts,” I clarify.
She shrugs. “Potato, potahto.”
“At least you’re here before Gemma,” I say just as Gemma strolls in, beaming.
We all exchange hugs and smiles. “You look gorgeous!” I tell her, admiring her adorable pink sundress. “We have a crown and sash for you to wear too.”
“Oh my gosh, you didn’t!” she squeals. “Okay fine, I’ll wear it.”
“And since you two bitches can’t drink, I’ll be drinking for tree.” Everleigh smirks, holding up a bottle of vodka.
“Everleigh!” Gemma scowls. “It’s noon.”
“Ever hear of mimosas…?”
I snort. “You’re a handful. Gonna pray for the poor man you end up tying down someday.”
“Oh, he’ll be tied down alright…rope, handcuffs, cable ties…”
“Not the kind I meant, Ev.” I chuckle.
Once the guests arrive, we chat and mingle until it’s time to eat. Everleigh was in charge of the games, and after the first one, I realize what a mistake that was.
“Baby Advice Mad Libs,” she sing-songs. “Fill out the card, and whoever has the most creative answer wins this lovely gift basket of lotions and bath bombs.” She holds it up. “You’ll get twenty minutes while you eat, and then I’ll read them aloud.”
“How’re you feelin’, sweetie?” Loretta asks as I chug water.
“I’m great. Constantly tired and I still get nauseous a few times a day, but I honestly can’t complain that much.”
“It’s going to be so nice having so many little babies.” She smiles.
“Imagine if Everleigh gets pregnant next,” my mom chimes in.
“Imagine if I had a girl, and she falls for one of your little boys,” Everleigh adds, waggling her brows. “Or both.”
“This sounds like a naughty Hallmark movie.” Gemma snorts.
“Your children aren’t allowed near my boys.” I place a protective hand over my belly. “Especially the girls.”
“I take offense to that!”
The group of us laughs.
When the twenty minutes are up, Everleigh collects everyone’s cards and begins flipping through them.
“Alright, I think we have a winner,” Everleigh announces with a shit-eating smirk.