“Ohhh?” Kaya raises a brow in question. “Do tell.”
I roll my eyes as I fail to hide my smile. “Quentin and I are dating.”
“What?” Clara and Kaya both squeal.
“Yeah, it’s new, but we’re happy. We’ve gotten to know each other really well by living together and we couldn’t fight it any longer. I just hope it works out,” I say wistfully.
“I knew this would happen.” Clara claps her hands together happily.
“Everything’s going to work out exactly how it’s meant to, and I’m positive it’s going to be great,” Kaya assures me.
“Is everything ready? Let’s get out of here before I actually cry,” I say with a teasing tone.
“Clara really outdid herself,” Kaya chimes in.
“I’m sure it’s beautiful,” I say as we make our way downstairs.
Ever since Clara texted and asked about a shower, I’ve known nothing other than the date it was happening. She wanted everything to be a surprise, and I can’t wait to see what she’s pulled together.
Once I reach the bottom step, I can see the living room and kitchen, where there’s a banner that says ‘Welcoming a Berry Sweet Baby’ with blueberry balloons attached to it.
The entire place is decorated in blueberry fixtures, with a mix of blue and purple balloons all throughout.
It’s the most perfect theme, and this time I let the tears fall without a care in the world.
“Clara…this is amazing. Thank you so much.” I pull her into a side hug.
“I know, my creative brain is pretty cool sometimes,” she muses as she rests her head on my shoulder.
“Teagan!” Olivia squeals as she runs toward me in her pink dress and hugs my leg.
I hug her back. “Hi, Livy, how are you?”
Getting to know and love Olivia has been such an eye-opening experience. I never had much experience with children before this past year, and spending more time with Quentin’s niece has been one of the best things in this new chapter of my life. It’s shown me that despite everything that’s happened to me, I’m going to be a good mother. I may not have had the relationship with my mom that I wanted, but I can choose differently in my relationship with my own child.
“I’m good, but Mommy said you may not be my coach once you have my cousin.” She pouts as she looks up at me.
Camille enters the room in a lavender maxi dress, and it’s the first time that it hits me that she was once a princess. The family dynamics are a bit wild, but I’m thankful to be a part of it.
“I was just trying to prepare her, because she loves you,” Camille says, and her words make my chest pinch. Olivialovesme?
Pride blooms throughout me that maybe I’m doing a decent job at this whole coaching thing and family thing.
“Well, I’m going to take a year off once the baby’s here, but I plan on returning once I’m able to,” I tell Olivia.
“Yaaaaay!” She jumps up and down, unable to contain her excitement.
The rest of the shower goes well. With the games Kaya prepared, we’re laughing and having the best time.
I don’t open any gifts, wanting to wait until Quentin’s here to go through them with me. That way we can make a list of things we still need to get before she’s here.
We’re in the middle of eating dessert, a blueberry cheesecake, when the boys stroll through the door.
“There are my girls.” Ryker smiles, walking right toward his wife and daughter to give them hugs and kisses.
Pauly and Cole wave to everyone, then make a beeline for the leftover cheesecake on the counter.
Ian’s the first to approach me, helping me stand as we hug.
