“All of you?” Jessie asked.
“Oh, yeah. The family group chat was a mess for a while. I mean, I think he gave you the bracelet before everyone knewabout the baby, but on the days when you still didn’t feel good, he was blowing up the chat asking for help. Still does from time to time.”
Jessie shook her head. “I didn’t know you all had one.”
Mae’s mouth dropped open. “I just figured my dumb ass brother asked you and you didn’t want to deal with the chaos. And it is chaos, Jessie. I’m going to add you!”
“No! Maybe he doesn’t want me to be in there.”
“Too bad!” she laughed. “Should have thought about that before he made a baby with you. You’re family, forever. And from the insane number of times I’ve had to reassure him today that you are absolutely fine, this was likely just an oversight on his part.”
Mae pulled her phone out of her bag and started typing. Jessie shifted the way she was sitting, pulling her legs in criss-cross and straightening her back again. Bee was getting so big as the weeks ticked by. Her little girl laid heavy in her belly, a sensation Jessie truly hadn’t gotten used to. That weight meant more things were hurting than ever, but a few stretches here and there, according to Birdie at her last appointment, would help.
Jessie’s eyes traveled to the edge of the park as she lifted her arms over her head and lengthened her spine, where she saw two familiar faces smiling back at her. Jessie waved as Lily and Sloane walked over just in time for her phone to start pinging with notifications.
“That husband of mine will never learn,” Lily grumbled as she looked at her phone. Curiosity got the best of Jessie and she had to see what Lily was talking about.
Mae:
Adding Jessie to the family chat because Hawk is an idiot and hasn’t done it yet.
Hawk:
I want Jessie all to myself.
Mae:
Too bad.
*221-555-0515 has left this chat*
*Lily Brooks has added 221-555-0515 to group chat*
Lily:
Not so fast, handsome. This is for everyone in the family. Including you.
Jessie looked up and smiled at Lily, who was still typing away, clearly ready to really press into Gunner if she needed to. It only took a minute, but Jessie stored the new number under his name in her phone.
Mae:
It’s important for Jessie to have everyone’s numbers, so make sure you send a text in here with your names so she can put them in her phone. Again, not sure why Hawk didn’t take care of this before, but I’ll step up for my niece andher mama.
Hawk:
Stop making me look bad. Also, completely unrelated to Mae pointing out my shortcomings, I’m sorry.
Hi! Thanks for letting me crash the chat. I’m happy to be here. Bee says hi, too. She’s kicking up a storm today. Must be she’s excited to meet all her aunts and uncles.
“Here, let me see your phone,” Mae offered, her hand stretched out to Jessie.
“I’m so sorry!” Lacy panted, clearly out of breath as she sat down with Cami snuggled under a blanket draped over her chest. Jessie was amazed at the thought of Lacy nursing a baby while almost jogging over to the group. “I thought Embrie was going to come with us, but Sebastian brought Addie into the office, and you know those two are inseparable! And then Cami had an upset tummy and needed a surprise change… I’m just a frazzled mess today!”
“Girls’ night out just isn’t what it used to be,” Mae sighed. “I mean, Cami’s got the right idea… being milk drunk. I can’t believe there isn’t alcohol here.”
“We’re having a picnic in the middle of town, Mae,” Lily laughed. “I did bring some sparkling grape juice.”
“It’s not the same.” She rolled her eyes.
