Other than the pastel crepe paper and some balloons, the party decorations are going to be fairly basic. A couple of months ago, I got word from Sadie that Mom was researching baby showers and proposing elaborate ideas, so I had a talk with her, told her I wanted to keep things simple, and to my amazement, she immediately agreed.
Along with my husbands’ muscles, I also have my eye on the cupcakes that are on the counter, but I’ll wait until more guests arrive before I snag one.
“How’s Adam doing?” I ask Sadie as she arranges bowls of snacks on the coffee table.
“He’s good. He and Alexis are actually going to visit their mom today. If there’s been one silver lining to everything that happened, it’s that he and his mom are closer than they’ve been in years.”
“That’s good.”
“Yeah, it really is. He had a lot of anger to work through about his dad, along with other emotions. It’s been like a grieving process, really.”
“I’m just glad you’re there for him.”
My sister flashes a smile. “Always.”
Over the next hour, I talk with Aunt Iris and make attempts to pitch in on party preparations, but each time I do, either Max or Miles immediately takes over for me.
“You know I don’t like sitting around,” I tell Max when he takes the stack of paper plates from me.
“I’d suggest you and your aunt walk down to the beach, but people will be arriving soon.”
So I hover around for a bit until the bell finally rings, and I’m excited to see that it’s my former roommates, Marissa and Ana. Their lives—or more specifically, their men—have taken them in different directions, and they’re no longer roommates with each other either, but all three of us have remained great friends. They’re going to be honorary aunties.
We manage hugs, even though my belly and the gifts they’re holding make it difficult.
“You’re glowing brighter every time I see you,” Marissa tells me.
“I could say the same about the two of you, and I know neither of you are pregnant, but I have a pretty good idea what’s making you so radiant.”
The two of them exchange looks and then crack up. “When I went to pick up Ana to come here,” Marissa says, “I didn’t think her men were going to let her leave.”
“We had a busy morning,” Ana says with a shrug and a grin. “And it’s more like they weren’t going to let me get dressed.”
As the three of us laugh, someone else arrives behind them. Ms. Collins. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, even though Maxand Miles check in with her regularly, and still help out around her home and rental.
People start to flow in steadily after that, including Max and Miles’s mother and sister, and other relatives and friends including my former bosses from Big Daddy’s, who bring along a platter of mini sandwiches, which I suppose could be called Baby Daddies?
I get caught up in mingling, chatting, and snacking, and I’m not sure how much time passes before I happen to run into Max and Miles, who are stationed in the kitchen, refilling food and drinks.
“How are you doing?” Max asks, with the look of concern in his eyes that I’ve been seeing ever since we found out we’re expecting.
“I’m having a great time.”
“Did you see Ms. Collins and Aunt Iris talking?” Miles asks. “Apparently, your aunt asked her for her brownie recipe, and I overheard Ms. Collins telling her about the secret ingredient she adds when she makes a batch for herself.”
“Oh my gosh, no. Those two might be trouble together.”
“Yeah, they might,” Miles agrees.
“We were thinking of slipping out and going into work for a couple of hours, if that’s okay,” Max says.
“Sure. We’ll be fine here.” Despite my shock when I first found out about their profession, I’m so proud of the work my husbands do. They’re helping to make the world a safer place for our future kids and everyone else’s, and it’s so admirable, even if it does entail some sneaking around.
“We’ll be back in time to clean up,” Miles says. “Don’t you dare touch a single dirty dish.”
“So bossy. But don’t worry. We’re about to start playing games, and that will probably go on for a while. The first one’s going to be about guessing the baby’s gender and arrival date.”
Both of my men give me private smiles, their eyes sparkling. We know we’re having a daughter, but we haven’t shared the news with anyone else yet.
“Call us if you need anything,” Max says, as each of them gives me a tender kiss and a gentle caress on my belly.
What could I possibly need, when I have the two best men in the world? They keep proving themselves to me day after day, even though I don’t ask it of them. They’re steady, dependable, and loving, and they’re going to make wonderful dads.
I have everything I’ve ever wanted.
