The doorbell rings again, this time with a twist of the knob, and I know for sure who’s on the other side. As I open the door, I see Adam standing there with half a smile, sporting a T-shirt and jeans. His girlfriend stands next to him, bright in a yellow sundress, holding a gift bag.
“Hope we’re not too early,” she says, stepping inside for a hug.
“Not at all. Come on in. We’re just getting the food ready.”
“The food!” Silas’ eyes widen as he jogs back out to the grill.
I don’t smell anything burning yet, but that doesn’t mean anything. Where most women’s noses get more sensitive during pregnancy, I’ve gone nose blind.
Adam snorts under his breath and follows Silas out back. “Classic. I’ll see if he needs help.”
His girlfriend, Bethany, smiles sweetly and hands me the gift bag. “It’s a new candle from the shop on Main. They have this new wildflower line. I thought maybe it would give you ideas for your flower business. This could be something you make with beeswax.”
“That’s super thoughtful,” I say, genuinely touched. “I’ve been brainstorming a lot lately about what knew products to make. We’ve got bouquets, honey, soap, satchels, but I hadn’t thought about candles. I love it!”
She beams and settles onto the chair next to the island, snacking on watermelon that Silas and I started cutting up before we got distracted by the grill and… each other. “So how are things with you guys? Are you excited for the baby?”
I rub my hand over my stomach and nod. “Excited is an understatement. We’re over the moon! I mean, I think we would’ve liked some downtime after the wedding craziness and getting the business started, but babies come when they come.”
“They sure do!” Bethany nods, grabbing another bite of melon. “My sister had a baby last year, and she was going crazy at first wondering how she was going to fit everything in. Then… everything just worked itself out. It was like the baby was always there.”
“I’m hoping that happens with us too, especially with Adam. We really want this little one to know its brother.”
Bethany twists her auburn hair to the side of her shoulder. “I’m not going to lie, Adam was weird about the baby thing at first, but last week I caught him looking at baby stuff online. I think he’s coming around.”
My chest tightens at the thought. “That, or he’s pre-planning for you guys.”
“No way.” Her blue eyes widen. “Not anytime soon. I prefer a proposal first. Then, I think we’ll wait until he’s done with active duty. His time is up in two years.”
I nod as I listen to Bethany talk, though my gaze draws back toward Silas and Adam in the backyard laughing. I don’t know when all this got so easy, but it is.
The wedding was hard. Adam was there, but he would barely make eye contact with me. He stood stiff in his suit, jaw clenched, hands in his pockets like he was holding himself together with sheer force.
We were thankful he was there, but I knew he wasn’t happy.
Since he met Bethany, though, everything has looked up. He’s happier, more stable, and he hasn’t been as weird about coming over and hanging out. I mean, even now, he’s out back with his father, flipping burnt burgers and laughing like he means it.
“Are your parents coming over today?” Bethany asks as she grabs a knife to help cut some more watermelons.
“They should be here any minute. My dad texted that they were stopping at Josie’s to pick up bear claws on the way over. I’m mildly addicted to them thanks to this little peanut.” I smile, though a flutter of nerves sits in my stomach. In less than thirty minutes, we’ll know the sex of our baby.
“They must be excited for their new grandbaby.”
“Very much so,” I say, piling watermelon into the dish to take out back. “I can’t wait for the gender reveal. Both myparents think we’re having a boy. They have two girls, so it might be wishful thinking. My dad always wanted a fishing buddy.”
Bethany smiles. “Your dad, too? That’s why I know way more than any woman should about catfish.”
“Oh my God, same!” I laugh. “They like cut-bait and worms, they bite best at night, and they’re always up for a fight, so be ready.”
Bethany’s smile softens. “Either way, sounds like this kiddo is going to have a whole crew waiting to teach him or her everything.”
My chest warms as both our attention shifts to the backyard where Adam is flipping burgers and Silas is pointing down to his boots for some unknown reason.
“We should go check on them,” I say, sliding open the patio door.
Warm air wraps around me as Adam smiles in my direction. “I just told Dad that I’m here if you guys need anything. I might need pointers on babysitting, but I’m willing to try.”
Emotion stings my eyes and my chest tightens with warmth as I try to act normal. “We’ll definitely take you up on that.”
