And then she starts crying too. After a minute, I pull myself together enough to make some lame arse excuse about the cake, and then before anyone can say anything, I keep my eyes down until I’m in the confines of the kitchen.
Nathan follows me. I know this because I felt him. He doesn’t say a word, his palm gently cupping my shoulder for me to turn around, and he brings me in for a hug.
Usually, I’m the one who initiates hugs. I like them to be on my terms, but there’s something about the way Nathan knows what I need before I even know it, myself.
“Are you upset because they asked me to be a godparent too? Are you worried they’ll like me more than you?” he asks, his tone playful.
I lean back and stare up at him. “Yeah, you wish,” I reply, unable to hide my smile.
“Nah, it’s a given. Everyone loves me,” he says with an easy shrug.
Shaking my head, I stare at his chest and then back at his face. “I’m not usually this emotional. I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I admit.
“Nothing is wrong with you, Tink.”
“Really, because I seem to be losing my shit left, right, and centre at the moment.”
He kisses the tip of my nose. “Come on, before people start wondering where we are,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
The thing is, I don’t care what anyone thinks anymore.
* * *
Watching grown men change nappies on dolls while blindfolded was the highlight of my day, but I know what’s about to happen will supersede that tenfold.
Okay, time for the grand finale.
I clap my hands together to capture everyone's attention as Nathan joins me with the two helium-filled balloons on weights.
“Charlotte, Ethan, if you’d like to come and stand over here where everyone can see you.”
Charlotte would hate being the centre of attention under any other circumstance, but this is special.
We decided on black balloons with gold question marks, rather than pink and blue.
“Okay, let's count down from ten, and then together, you pop your balloons,” Nathan says between Ethan and Charlotte.
Nathan starts the countdown, and everyone joins in. Silence falls over the hall as they each bring their pins up to the balloons and prick them with a loud bang.
Whistles and applauds break out as blue confetti rains down all over them. Ethan pulls Charlotte up off her feet, kissing her in a way that even makes me blush.
Charlotte is crying happy tears, and I let them have their moment, but not for long.
“I just want your attention, please,” I yell over the applause and then wait for everyone to quiet down again. “As you know, Nathan and I organised this gender reveal, but there’s something else we haven’t told you yet.”
I look to Nathan, who nods. When did we become such a good team?
He doesn’t miss a beat, continuing where I left off. “This is a double-gender reveal because they’re having twins.”
There’s more clapping, cheering, and gasps echoing around the hall. It’s palpable with excited energy and adrenaline. I wonder if Henry gets this kind of buzz when he fights.
“So, we know baby number one is a boy, but we still need to do the reveal for baby number two,” I announce loudly, causing everyone to pause.
Nathan ushers Ethan and Charlotte to the table and hands over the cake knife. It’s one I bought especially so they can have it as a keepsake afterwards.
Everyone waits, low murmurs float across the hall as, together, they cut out a wedge to reveal the pink sponge inside. Ethan puts his finger on the top as they raise it for everyone to see, and then I hold out a plate for them to drop it on.
I stand back, allowing them to embrace, whispering words of awe that they’re having a boy and a girl. Honestly, if anyone deserves a happily ever after, it’s Charlotte, and I think it’s only just beginning.
