Ugh. I was hoping to get away without one of those. I’m excited about the baby and usually happy to be the center of attention, but I don’t need to sit around in a room full of women secretly–or not so secretly–judging me for having a kid out of wedlock. And yes, Iknowwhat year it is, butsomepeople in this town still don’t seem to. While many have been quick to offer their congratulations to me now that my bump is showing, I’m not oblivious to the looks I’ve received from a select few either.
“Do we have to?” I whine.
That pulls Steph out of her funk and she chuckles. “Absolutely,” she says.
“Okay, fine, but we need to keep it small,” I request. “Those historical society ladies are absolutelynotinvited.”
“Sure, sure,” Piper nods in agreement. “I’m just thinking us, your girls from The Bean, Nora, of course, and Noah’s mom. Anyone else?”
Noah’s mom.
I haven’t even met the woman. I know he has his issues with her, with both his parents, but he still sees them. Isn’t it strange that we haven’t been introduced yet? I mean, I’m carrying theirgrandchild.
“What’s going on?” Piper asks.
“Huh?” I glance up at her, then at Steph. They’ve both got looks of concern on their faces.
“You don’t like the Peter rabbit idea? It’s a classic children’s book–I actually have the whole series set aside for you for the nursery. And I thought it would be, you know, a good neutral theme, and we could decorate with woodsy stuff …”
I make a vague gesture for her to stop. “It sounds great, P. Sorry, I wasn’t even listening. It just occurred to me that I still haven’t met Noah’s mom. Or his dad.”
“Oh,” she says with a sympathetic smile.
“It’s weird, right?”
Steph and Piper exchange looks and then she shrugs. “Maybe a little, but … he doesn’t have a great relationship with them, does he?”
“No, he doesn’t, but he still sees them somewhat regularly, regardless.”
Piper nibbles on her lip thoughtfully. “You should talk to him about it,” she suggests. “I’m sure they’re excited about the baby and dying to meet you.”
“Somehow I doubt that or it would have come up before now.”
“Well, you won’t know until you ask. Tell him about the shower and go from there.”
“Yeah, okay. I will.” I’m not exactly sure why, but I’m filled with a sense of foreboding.
“Let’s circle back to New Year’s,” she says. “You didn’t tell us what you’re doing, Luce.”
“Hmm? Oh, um, Noah’s making me dinner. Just a quiet night in together watching the ball drop. He promised a massage and a foot rub too.”
“Aww, that’s so romantic,” Steph smiles.
“Yeah, I know. Never thought I’d be into all this cheesy romance stuff, but damn me, the man makes me swoony. It’s totally embarrassing,” I complain–but I do it with a silly-ass grin.
???
Twenty-eight Weeks
Noah:Did you take your walk today?
Lucy:Yes, sir. Exercise complete.
Noah:Hmm. Call me sir again.
Lucy:LOL. Nope!
Noah:**sigh**
