Nash’s heart squeezed. Embrie was the best big sister. Always looking out for Camilla, always wanting to be in her orbit. She’d never once been annoyed by the age gap that existed between them. Never jealous of the attention a newborn—who turned into a toddler faster than any of them expected—needed.
“Do you want a hand with any of that?” Lacy asked as she tickled their daughter’s sides and got the best giggle out of her.
“No. You carry Cami. I’ve got everything else.”
They walked quietly to the back of Seb and Emma’s yard, past all the vehicles in the driveway and the pink and blue decorations everywhere. Their crew, which had thrived through a boom of baby girls, was slowly seeing the tides change. Nash was still Team Girl, but Lacy thought their friends would be having a boy.
“How are you feeling?” Lacy asked as she hugged Lily, Cami and Magnolia giggling as they spread out their dolls on the picnic blanket in the grass. Nash set the armful of bags and gifts down on the table before his hand went to Gunner’sshoulder and gave a squeeze. His friend had been a Nervous Nelly when Lily was pregnant with Magnolia, and it hadn’t gotten any better this time around.
“Like I’m about to pop. I don’t know how it’s possible that this baby is even bigger than Magnolia was, but Birdie said I’m measuring forty-three weeks at my check yesterday. I cried the whole way home.”
“And that’s why we have a plan in place now, right beautiful?” Gunner pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“God, yes. Just one more week. If he’s not here by then, Birdie said Dr. Hayes would induce me. I’m so excited.”
“And until then, you two are doing all the things to get him to come?” Mae wiggled her eyebrows as she walked up to the group. Nash knew if he didn’t move quickly, Gunner would swoop in.
“There’s my sweet niece.” Nash held his arms out and Mae laughed as she handed Quinn over.
“Nice to see you, Mae. How are you doing, Mae?”she teased.
“Yeah, yeah. It is good to see you. But this girl…” Nash maneuvered into a one arm hold and tickled Quinn’s belly with his free fingers. “This girl is such a doll. Lacy, don’t you?—”
“Don’t even start.” His wife liked to pretend that she was immune to his request for more kids. But Camilla was so grown now—don’t even get him started on Embrie—and it just felt wrong to not have a baby in the house any more.
“What if I beg? I know you like that. I could get down on my knees…”
“Oh lord, Lacy. You are done for,” Mae laughed.
“Don’t do it. Don’t fall for those puppy-dog eyes,” Lily groaned. “Look at me. I’m a cautionary tale.”
“More like a fairy tale.” Gunner smiled as his eyes dropped to her belly.
Nash caught Brie walking back toward them.
“Dad, how did you get your hands on Quinn already? I just saw Aunt Mae walk over here,” Embrie laughed.
“You can’t fault me. Don’t you remember when Camembert was this little? I miss those days. Both my girls are so big now.”
“Well, if you aren’t going to hand over Quinn, then I’m going to see Uncle Jake. He just got here with Aunt Kara! I want to say hi and see if she’s showing yet!”
Nash chuckled. “I don’t know if they’ve shared about the baby with everyone yet, Cheese.”
“I can be sneaky about it!” Embrie threw her hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms. Thirteen was flying towards them at an alarming rate, and their sweet girl was growing up fast. There were tough moments, but seeing her feel comfortable enough to express all her emotions, to be free, and bold, and sassy, and goofy… Nash knew they were raising a young woman who would walk into the world confident in her place among her peers and ready to change things for the better.
“That child hasn’t stopped collecting family members since you guys got to town,” Stone chuckled.
“I know. She’s the sweetest. I’m so happy that she’s thriving even with our constant traveling between here and Goldfinch Falls.” Nash watched as Lacy’s smile faded.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I knew I was forgetting something!” Lacy sighed. “Jessie helped me finish Kara’s quilt and I completely forgot to bring it today.”
Nash leaned to kiss Lacy’s temple. “Just pack it for our trip back to Montana. I already told Jake I’d help him with that garden Kara has him building out back. They’ll be farther along with the nursery, and you can give it to her then.”
“God, I knew there was a reason I married you.” She pressed up onto her tiptoes and kissed him.
“I don’t think my gift giving skills are what sealed the deal for you, wife.”
