Chapter 20
One Happy Dude
Harley
Missing Darcy’s baby shower is one of the biggest regrets I have from the fallout that was my relationship with Benji.
Now sitting here with my best friends as we tie up party favors, setting up food and decor for Hayden’s first birthday party, I feel that regret slowly lifting off my shoulders.
I’m here now, and I’ve got a man who encourages me to spend time with my friends.
Darcy and Rose–Tatum’s mom have brought the theme “One Happy Dude” to life with the smiley face, checkerboards mixed with yellows envelop the beach house. The guys took Hayden and Bella out for lunch so we could focus on getting everything set up.
“Everything looks so good!” Kodi claps as she rounds the kitchen hallway, a stack of presents wrapped haphazardly in her arms.
“Who… Wrapped those?” Sin asks, her nose scrunched in distaste.
“My son’s father did his best, okay? He asked me not to help.” Darcy volleys back. I know it’s driving her nuts that she couldn’t go back and rewrap the gifts.
“Alrighty then.” I choke on a laugh.
“An hour until party time and everything except the foods that need to stay chilled are set out, wine and girl talk on the deck?” Enid suggests, from the other side of the room, where she just finished setting up the photo area.
“Yes, please. Red or white?” Darcy asks as she pulls both bottles from the fridge. Red is almost a unanimous decision, aside from Kodi, who stays suspiciously quiet as we walk out to the deck, all taking our seats on the wooden furniture.
Darcy passes glasses to each of us, then pours a hefty amount of wine into each of our tumblers.
“Trying to get us drunk before your child’s party?” Sin teases.
“Eh, just something to take the edge off before I have to people.” Darcy shrugs, and we all chuckle at her response.
After twenty or so minutes, we’ve all finished our glasses, but Kodi’s is still full to the brim.
I elbow her while the other girls are talking about how Mace has his first crush and Enid doesn’t know how to handle all the testosterone she’s surrounded by.
“Babes, you better admit why you’re not drinking or pour that into mine before someone says something,” I whisper to her, there’s only one reason she wouldn’t be indulging, and although she hasn’t said it, my intuition knows.
“I don’t want to take away from Hayden, D, and Tate’s day.” The exasperation is heavy in her tone.
“Do you think that your best friend in the entire world is going to be mad at you for your dream of finally becoming a mom coming true?” I encourage.
“No, obviously not.”
“So then spit it out.”
Kodi coughs, setting her wine glass down and grabbing the other’s attention. “I have some news.”
We all sit quietly in anticipation, wondering what she’s doing to say, but I can see all of the hope glimmering behind our eyes.
“I’m pregnant!” Her voice filled with emotion–excitement, fear, anticipation. A cacophony of squeals breaks loose as we all stand, surrounding her, saying our congratulations, and peppering her with questions regarding our future niece or nephew.
The noise draws Rose’s attention from where she sits on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She stands and joins us on the deck, where another chorus of noise ensues as we all share the excitement of Kodi and Maverick’s pregnancy.
“Okay, so to answer questions. I found out right after Christmas, we don’t know the gender, everything looks good, morning sickness does last all day just like D told me and yes you all will obviously be planning my baby shower.” Kodi says after we’ve calmed down.
“This is so exciting! Do you have baby shower themes chosen already?” Darcy asks.
“Duh. For a girl, I’m thinking ‘A Little Cutie is on the Way’ and for a boy ‘Slice, Slice, Baby’ because that’s all I’ve been craving.” Kodi responds enthusiastically.
“Um, love those.” I say.
“Oooooo if we do pizza, we can order New York style from that one place downtown that’s so freaking good and serves the slices as big as your head.” Enid cheers.
“Well, I know what I’m making Mav pick up for dinner tonight.” Kodi laughs.
“Same.” We all decide together.
As soon as Maverick and Bella arrive for Hayden’s party, we once again broke out in congratulations.
Strong arms wrap around me from behind as I stand with Enid and Conrad, as party guests continue to flow into the beach house.
“Hi, Peppermint.” Collins’ silky voice fills my ears, I turn giving him my attention.
“Hey there.” I smile at him, taking in the loose curl that dangles over his forehead, the plain navy t-shirt that’s sculpted to his chest, and the chinos that hang from his hips.
“You look very pretty today.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
Collins laughs before pulling me in for a quick kiss, then turning me back toward Enid and Conrad, keeping his arms linked around me.
“How is everything going for y’all?” Conrad prods.
“Pretty good, just taking it day by day. Enjoying our time together.” Collins responds easily, like he didn’t even have to think about what he was going to say.
Enid smiles loopily, “I’m obsessed with you guys.”
“I feel like every time I leave her with you girls, she gets wine drunk.” Conrads accuses.
“Blame Darcy, she wanted to be buzzed before she had to host.” I shrug, “Plus Enid is fine. She’s got you to make sure she gets home okay.”
Conrad blushes away from my comment, I think he’s still having a hard time accepting that Enid and Mace’s life is better with him in it.
The next hours fly by as we watch Hayden open gifts, run around with the other kids, and enjoy food.
At some point, Tatum scoops Hayden up from the living room, rushing to his nursery after making a quick stop by Darcy.
She moves around the kitchen, getting an area ready for his smash cake, looking back toward the nursery every once in a while.
“If everyone wants to gather around the island, we’re going to do Hayden’s cake once Tatum gets him changed.” Darcy’s voice carries through the area, and we all move together to join her near the kitchen.
Kodi walks toward Darcy, keeping her facing away from the hallway, which is weird because I imagine she’d want to see her son come out for his first cake smash.
That is until Tatum steps out of the hallway, setting Hayden on the ground as he whispers something to his son before sending him toward Darcy.
I grab Collins’ hand and Sin’s, squeezing the life out of them as the realization of what’s happening falls over the room.
Hayden pulls on the end of Darcy’s dress, and she turns, picking him up off the ground, “Hey bud, I thought you were supposed t—” and sees Tatum on one knee behind her.
Tatum proposes, and we try to keep our excitement hushed, although I’m sure they hear us shout “Oh my God!” and by the end, we are all in tears. Turns out the guys and Kodi knew what was happening, but the rest of us were left in the dark so that Darcy’s surprise wouldn’t be ruined.
I’m once again reminded that I may have missed out on two of my best friends’ big news today if I hadn’t walked away from Benji all those months ago.