“Here, I have something that will make it better.” Lacy wiggled her hand under the blanket for a second, before it moved down and she hoisted a very sleepy baby into Mae’s arms. “She needs a good burp and Auntie Mae is the best at getting them out.”
As the baby settled against her chest, Jessie could see Mae visibly relax. “Yeah, forget what I said before. This is perfect.”
“God, I miss those days so much,” Lily’s facefilled with an emotion Jessie hadn’t seen from her before. Wanting? Yes. But it was deeper than that. A tear-filled longing.
“Lil?” Sloane asked, gently placing a hand on their friend’s arm.
“Oh god. This is not about me. I’m being silly.” Lily brushed at her lashes. “It’s just that… you guys all know Gunner and I are trying for baby number two and it’s just not happening. I don’t want to put any stress on it. It’s only been a few months since our vow renewal.”
Jessie’s hand landed over her very pronounced bump. When Lily’s eyes tracked the movement, she winced.
“I’m sorry.”
Lily shook her head. “There is nothing to be sorry about. I am so excited for this little one to come into our lives. I’m nothing butthrilledfor you and Hawk. Gunner and I will be just fine. Sometimes the second baby just takes a while. He’s taking it harder than I am, but trying not to show it. I keep hearing him talk to Sage about being a big sister one day. She’s adamant that she’ll get a little brother, and I think that makes Gunner even more sad.”
The girls laughed. “Who would think Gunner of all the guys would be such a girl dad.”
“He loves it,” Lily admitted.
“So does Nash.”
“And so will Hawk.” Mae patted Jessie’s knee. “I’ve been training him since the moment I was born.”
“We appreciate it. And honestly, I would have put money on us having a boy. I think I’m still in shock.”
“It is quite odd that Gage would be the only boy dad in the group.” Sloane smiled as she brought her water bottle to her mouth.
Oddly, Jessie heard a soft meow come from under the bush they were all sitting next to.
“Do you guys hear that?” she asked.
The women all stopped talking, but the sound disappeared.
“That’s so weird. I could have sworn?—”
A fluffy ginger cat walked out from the brambles, a little worse for the wear, and made a beeline right towards Jessie.
“Well, hello there,” she cooed as the cat brushed up against her. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing!”
“Jessie, be careful. A cat scratch is a serious thing, even when you aren’t pregnant,” Lily warned.
Jessie’s heart tumbled for a second before the cat looked up at her, purred, and climbed into her lap.
“Uh, I don’t think we need to worry about that, Lil,” Mae chuckled. “Looks like that kitten just picked her person.”
“I think the little thing just needs some affection. Probably missing their family.”
“Poor baby,” Sloane smiled. “Does it have a collar on?”
“Nope. Nothing,” Jessie replied. “I wonder if their owner lives around here somewhere.”
“Dr. LeMott would be able to tell if they’ve been chipped, or if someone local has reported them missing. I can run over there after this…”
“Actually,” Jessie looked down at the kitten, now fast asleep on her lap, “I’d love to bring them. Do we have to go right back to the apartment after this?” Jessie looked at Mae, a smirk forming at the corner of her mouth.
“I am all for this. Hawk is going to die when he comes home and you have a kitten. Please say you’ll record his reaction.”
“Oh,” Jessie frowned. “Is he not a cat person?”
