“Y’all are saints. Thank you again.”
“Where’re the boys?” Loretta asks.
“I think they’re in Owen’s room putting his clothes and stuff away,” I respond.
“Where do you want us to start?” my mom asks.
“How about the kitchen? Then the bathrooms? Then maybe my room and the nursery?”
“We’re on it, sweetie. You just eat and rest.” My mom pats my head as I mumble another thank you around a mouthful of food.
After another hour goes by, Everleigh pops in. “We need to plan a house party!”
“Well, since you mention it, we’re having Owen’s eleventh birthday party in two weeks. Think you can get off work?”
“I’m the boss, remember?” She grins. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I smile. “Great! No inappropriate gifts this time, okay?”
“What do you mean? He loved his back massager for Christmas!”
Closing my eyes with a sharp inhale, I remind myself not to get worked up because my blood pressure is already high. “That wasn’t a back massager, Everleigh!” I grit between my teeth.
“Well, he doesn’t know that…” She waves me off.
“You just wait till you have kids. I’m gifting them condoms, lube, and a subscription to PornHub.”
Everleigh rolls her eyes. “Please, that sounds like the perfect gift.”
“It won’t be for you.”
She scoffs.
“Mom, come look at my room!”
“Okay, hold on. Might take me a minute to get off this couch.” The sectional I’ve always dreamed about is so damn comfortable that I sink into it. With the extra forty pounds added to my body, I can hardly roll off.
“C’mon, Mama. Let me help you,” Everleigh says, pulling me up.
“Thanks. I would’ve been stuck there till I gave birth.” I laugh.
After Owen gives me the grand tour, I check on my mom, Loretta, and Belinda. My emotions bubble over at how sweet they are for helping me, and soon, I’m full-on crying.
“I think someone needs a nap,” Everleigh says.
“Sweetie, go get some rest. We’ve got this,” my mom says.
I glare at Everleigh, who pokes fun every time I overreact. “You just wait. I’m praying you get knocked up with triplets.”
“Don’t you dare wish that for me! I can hardly take care of myself and my dog.”
“Adding back massager to your birthday list this year. It’s time you learn how to properly take care of yourself…” I waggle my brows as she gives me a death stare.
“Ha…oh, I can take care of myself like that just fine. But I might not need to anymore with Archer coming soon.” She crosses her arms over her chest, and I swear Tyler is somewhere cursing her name.
“Who’s Archer?” Loretta and my mom ask simultaneously.
“Everleigh’s future heartbreak,” I taunt, grabbing a glass of water.
“Future baby daddy, future boy toy, future husband…” She releases a dramatic, dreamy sigh.
My mom furrows her brows, confused. “I’ll explain later.”
“Don’t forget my invite.” Loretta grins.
“I’ll bring snacks,” Belinda adds, and we all laugh at Everleigh’s expense.
“A puppy!” Owen screams so loudly when Noah brings him inside that I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire block heard him. “Oh my gosh, he’s so cute!”
Owen’s nearly in tears as he holds out his arms to take the two-month-old golden retriever pup. He’s been begging for one, and I finally caved for his birthday.
“What do ya think, bud?” I ask.
“I love him! What’s his name?”
“Whatever you want. Your choice.” I smile at how happy he is and hope to God we can keep up with the little monster. Granted, it probably wasn’t the best time to get a puppy, but there never would’ve been with how much we have going on. So rather than making Owen wait, we surprised him at his party.
“He looks like a sweetie,” Everleigh coos. “I volunteer to dog sit anytime. Sassy would love him.”
Our friends and family are all here at the house to celebrate Owen’s birthday. Tomorrow, he officially turns eleven, and I’ve been an emotional wreck about it. I don’t know where the years have gone.
“Since Mom and Dad won’t name the twins Darth and Vader, maybe I can name him that?” Owen asks, squeezing the furball to his chest.
“He looks too sweet to be called that,” Gemma chimes in.
“Nah, he needs a good rugged name. Like Maverick,” Noah suggests.
“Yeah! Maverick!” Owen exclaims, loving the idea. He brings him over to me.
“Maverick it is.” I pet his little furry head. “Better be a good dog.”
“He will be! I’m gonna train him to do all sorts of tricks.” Owen beams.
“Well, can the first one be how to go potty outside?” I cringe at the wet spot on the floor.
“Uhh…I don’t think that was Maverick,” Gemma says. She holds her stomach, and my eyes lower down her sundress, then to her feet.
We’re all staring in disbelief.
“Uh…did your water just break?” Everleigh squeals. “I knew you were having contractions! You looked miserable all afternoon.”
“Yeah, I think so.” Gemma’s eyes widen in fear. “They weren’t consistent, though, so I thought they were just Braxton Hicks.”
“We gotta get you to the hospital.” Tyler takes her hand.
“Call the doctor first and tell ’em we’re on the way,” Gemma says.
“I can do that,” Belinda interjects. “You guys go, and we’ll follow you. I’ll make sure they know you’re coming.”
Once I manage to stand, I give Gemma a quick hug. “Good luck. I love you.”
“Love you too. I’ll text or call you as soon as I can.”
The party doesn’t end for a few more hours as we anxiously wait to hear from Gemma and Tyler. After they admitted her, it was confirmed she was already five centimeters dilated.
“Won’t it be cool if they have their baby on my birthday?” Owen exclaims as he and Anthony run around with Maverick.
“I wish I could get a puppy,” Anthony says. “I’ve never had one before.”
“You can come and play with Maverick anytime you want!” Owen offers. “Right, Mom?”
“Yes, of course. As long as you don’t track mud in the house.”
“We can take him for walks and teach him how to play fetch!” Owen’s face lights up, and it brings me tons of joy to see him so happy. Noah also got a dog crate, bed, and tons of chew toys. I’m just crossing my fingers he doesn’t chew on the new furniture.
Once the party’s over and Owen’s tucked in for the night with Maverick asleep next to him under the covers, I finally make my way to bed. Noah rubs my shoulders, back, and feet. Though I’m exhausted after the long day, I’m still waiting for an update on Gemma’s progress. I’m dying to find out what the baby is. An hour ago, she was at eight centimeters and high on an epidural.