Roxanne pressed her hand against her forehead and swallowed, hoping this was the last of it. It took her a few minutes to finally get up off the floor, flush the toilet, and brush her teeth. Morning sickness. She’d been lucky with her first two pregnancies with the boys. After a few weeks of nausea in the first trimester, it’d tapered off. Not this one. Roxanne was eighteen weeks pregnant, and her morning sickness was still going strong. The hypocrisy in the term had her rolling her eyes. Morning, midday, and evening was more accurate. It was a relentless bitch.
Usually, she’d take it easy and rest. Today, that wasn’t an option.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her makeup was still intact, but her face was flushed.
“What was I thinking?”
Thanksgiving had always been a big deal growing up. For the most part, she’d spent holidays with her dad and brothers. But as everyone’s families expanded and kids grew up, traditions changed. Except for this year. With everyone in town, family on both sides, she insisted on hosting. They certainly had the space. The complete renovation of the entire house wrapped up a year after their first son was born. It took some time to get used tonotliving in the construction.But I don’t miss it.
Roxanne took a final look in the mirror, shook out the wrinkles of her dress and walked out of the bedroom. The housesmelled amazing.It should. I’ve been cooking since four this morning.Everyone was bringing the side dishes, but she was in charge of the turkey. She’d gotten it in the oven on time and done other prep work before anyone else was up.
The short hallway from their bedroom opened into the huge dining room. Originally, it had been two rooms with the den, but Jonah knocked down the wall to open it up to one large room. She liked the idea of having a big enough space to host their entire family. Cassie had been a tremendous help the day before, coming over and setting it up, complete with a kids' table, which was almost as big as the main one. As it stood, the children outnumbered the adults.
Roxanne rounded the corner and stopped near the foyer.
“Well, traffic was a bitch.” Cord lifted a case of beer and a bottle of wine. “Need to get these in the cooler. Where do you want the wine?”
“I’ll take it,” Jonah said, and Cord handed it to him, leaving his date standing on her own.
Typical Cord. He’d matured over the years, but no one held out hope that he’d eventually settle down. A bachelor for life. They didn’t see him often since he moved to Dallas, but he made a point of visiting, especially when their sons were born.
“Come on in.” Jonah waved his hand, and Cord’s date took a few steps into the foyer.
“Jonah, right? Cord’s told me a lot about you.”
Roxanne flattened her lips watching her husband’s awkward smile. In fairness to Jonah, his brother had a constant revolving door of women. They never met the same girl twice, which meant that without a formal introduction, Jonah wouldn’t know her name.
Roxanne rushed forward and held out her hand. “Hi Becca, I’m Roxanne. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You too. Cord’s told me so much about you guys and the kids. Almost feel like I know you.”
Roxanne shared a look with Jonah. Interesting.
“Well welcome, we’re so glad you could join us.” She pointed toward the kitchen. “Drinks are in the back if you want to grab something.”
“Thanks.”
Her husband waited until she was out of earshot and turned to Roxanne. “How’d you know her name?”
“I texted Cord last night.”
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her against his chest and resting his hand on her belly. “Smart woman I married.”
Roxanne went into the living room, greeting her brothers and her sisters-in-law. Her father and Pearl had shown up early to help. After Pearl’s first Christmas with her dad, she never left.
It took Roxanne a few minutes to get across the room. She’d been dodging children left and right when she finally made it to the corner near the kitchen. She gave T a hug, and he glanced down at her stomach.
“It’s a girl.” T sipped his beer, turning his attention back to the football game.
Roxanne steeled her features, trying to mask her expression.
Cassie chuckled, arching her brow. “He hasn’t been wrong yet.”
T had an uncanny way of predicting the sex of everyone’s babies, and he was right again. They hadn’t told anyone yet, but they found out they were having a girl at their last ultrasound. But for now, it was their little secret.
“Well, if this pregnancy is any indication, she’s gonna be a wild one.” Roxanne forced a smile and walked into the kitchen. Surprisingly, it was empty, but through the window, she saw Bogs and Kenzie talking with Cord and Becca while lots of kids ran through the yard.
“Hey Rox.”
