Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Nellie
Before I knew it, it was my unofficial weekend, and New Year’s Eve morning. I woke up around ten to a text from Sage, asking if I wanted to come by Tabitha’s and help set up for the New Year’s party.
Parker and Nix had taken the kids tobogganing to get them out of the house for a few hours so Tabitha and Sage could get everything ready.
I’d been invited to join them, so I got up, ate some breakfast, then had a quick shower and dressed in my most comfortable pair of sweats.
I’d get dressed and worry about my makeup closer to the party.
Tugging a baggy old college sweater over my head, I grabbed my phone and walked over to the house.
I rang the doorbell and waited a couple minutes until it swung open. Tabitha smiled at me; her dark hair piled in a messy bun. She led the way through the beautiful home, leading me to the open-concept kitchen and dining room at the back of the house.
Sage was sitting at the island, a cup of coffee in front of her. She was dressed similarly in comfortable clothes.
“What did you need my help with?” I asked, glancing around the immaculate kitchen. It seemed like everything was already good to go. The place sparkled from top to bottom. Christmas decorations were still up, along with a banner in the dining room that said, Happy New Year!
“Oh, we didn’t really need help,” Tabitha giggled.
“Technically, the guys didn’t have to take the kids out of the house at all. We thought it’d be nice to get a little break for a couple of hours.” Sage said.
“The holidays are long with all three of them home,” Tabitha added. “Without them underfoot, we had the entire main floor cleaned in under an hour. We’re having a coffee break, then we’re going to focus on the playroom. Can I get you a coffee?”
“Nellie’s a tea drinker,” Sage interjected before I had a chance to reply.
“Oh, no worries! I’ve got green tea and English Breakfast.”
“English Breakfast sounds good,” I answered, pulling out the stool beside Sage. I’d been trying to limit my caffeine intake, but the odd cup of caffeinated tea wouldn’t hurt.
While Tabitha put on the kettle, I took in my surroundings and studiously ignored Sage—who was trying to catch my eye.
The kitchen was beautiful—with green-painted cabinets and marble countertops.
Big windows overlooked the backyard, framed by casework that extended to the countertop.
“I love your house, it’s beautiful,” I told her.
“Thank you! We’ve had a lot of fun renovating it,” Tabitha smiled at me over her shoulder. “Did you want something to eat? We’ve got fresh croissants Nix and Sage brought from Tout de Sweets.”
“I’m addicted to the cheddar croissants,” Sage admitted, sliding the box toward me.
“Fine, twist my arm why don’t you,” I joked, taking one. Even though I’d had some toast earlier, I was feeling a little hungry again.
Sage smiled, her eyes bright and excited. The kettle finished boiling, and Tabitha poured the hot water into a cup, placing it in front of me and leaning against the counter. “So, I have something I wanted to tell you both.” Sage announced once I’d started chewing the delicious croissant.
“Oh?” Tabitha asked, feigning surprise. “And what’s that?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“I knew it!” Tabitha screeched.
Sage’s announcement caught me by surprise, and I swallowed the bite of croissant I’d taken a little too quickly. I wasn’t full-on choking on it, but it got caught in my throat enough to make me have a bit of a coughing fit.
Concerned, Sage patted my back while Tabitha grabbed a glass of water, passing it to me so I could wash it down. Once I’d finally caught my breath, I whirled on her. “You’re pregnant, too? How far along?”
“About eight weeks,” Sage said sheepishly.
The same as me. My jaw dropped, astonished, all I could do was stare while Tabitha raced around the counter and gave Sage a congratulatory hug.
“Pretty sure we conceived the night of the Witches’ Ball.
Things got a little heated afterward, and we weren’t as careful as we usually are. ”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demanded.
“You had so much going on already,” Sage replied, taking my hand. “I was going to tell you at dinner the other day, but then the Hartley triplets came in and, well.” She shrugged.
I nodded, remembering. They’d arrived after Emily brought our meals to us, and we stopped talking about anything we didn’t want them to overhear. Which meant the topic of pregnancy—both of ours, apparently—was off the table.
“Wait, too? Who else is pregnant?” Tabitha asked.
“I am,” I said, still in shock.
“You’re pregnant, too?! Oh my gosh! This is amazing!” Tabitha gave me a hug. “How far along are you?”
“Apparently, we might have both conceived on the same night,” I answered.
“Isn’t that the night you went home with my cousin?” Tabitha tilted her head, studying me. “Oh my god, is Noah the father?! Does he know?”
My stomach twisted with anxiety. I hadn’t meant to spill the beans on my situation, but I’d been so thrown off by Sage’s, it hadn’t even registered that I’d blurted it out.
“I don’t know for sure if he is, but no, he doesn’t know I’m pregnant. And I’d like to keep it that way. For a bit, anyway. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”
“Understandable,” Tabitha nodded, pulling out the third stool and sitting down. “Woah. This is a lot of information to take in, ladies.”
“Yeah, it is,” Sage giggled. “I’ve been dying to tell you both, but I was trying to wait until the twelve-week mark.
I managed to avoid drinking at Christmas, but I knew tonight was going to be difficult.
I figured I’d tell you both now, and Nellie and I could drink the alcohol-free champagne Nix picked up for the kids. He grabbed us a few extra bottles.”
“Oh, that’s good.” I eased up a little. I’d been worrying about that, especially if Noah showed up like he’d mentioned. The last time we partied together, I tossed back shots like it was my full-time job and ended up going home with him. Surely he’d get suspicious if I didn’t drink this time.
“Dammit, that’s right. I thought we were all going to get drunk tonight,” Tabitha pouted a little.
“You won’t be drinking alone! Lilah, Ophelia, Annalise, and Isla are all still coming, right? And the guys will all be drinking.”
“I know, it’s fine, I was kidding. I’m not concerned about that at all.
I’m actually really happy for you—for the both of you,” Tabitha said, putting her arms around both of us.
“There’s nothing like being pregnant with your bestie, and having a baby close in age to your bestie. Then your babies can be besties, too!”
“I know, I’ve been so excited about that,” Sage admitted, catching my eye. Hers were watering a little.
I was still stunned, but a good, happy stunned. “Well, congratulations. Guess this explains why you had all those nasty ginger candies in your purse.” I chuckled, wiping a tear from my own eye.
I’d already been looking to Sage for guidance, what with her having been through this once with Daphne. Now that I knew we would be going through the same things at the same time, I felt less alone—and, dare I say, more excited.
“Sure does,” she giggled. “I’m surprised you didn’t guess it sooner.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry for being so self-involved.”
“Oh stop, you’ve been preoccupied with your own news, and with moving here and starting a new job. You’ve got so much going on!”
“Nix knows, right?”
“Yeah, he’s the only one so far. Other than him, nobody knows about Nellie, and nobody knows about me.”
“So, this is in the vault. Got it,” Tabitha nodded, mimicking closing her lips with a zipper.
“At least for a few more weeks, and until we can figure out for sure if Noah’s the bio dad.” Sage glanced at me.
“How do you plan on figuring that out?” Tabitha asked, turning her head to look at me.
I shrugged. “I guess by a paternity DNA test when the baby’s born?”
“First she has to tell Noah she’s pregnant, and that he might be the father,” Sage interjected unhelpfully.
“Well, why don’t you tell him? I think you can do DNA tests while you’re pregnant.”
“For starters, I don’t want to freak him out before I absolutely have to,” I replied, as a sudden wave of nausea hit me.
I couldn’t tell if it was morning sickness, or situational sickness.
Either way, I tried to swallow the bile.
“It’s still early, and like Sage, I want to get into my second trimester before I cause a massive upheaval. ”
“Nell took a job as the receptionist for the resort, and she’s worried about rocking the boat too early.” Sage offered, rubbing my back as if she could feel how nauseated the whole situation made me.
“Well, who wouldn’t be worried! They just hired me and I’m bringing so much drama to the table,” I groaned, putting my head down against the cool countertop. It helped a little, but I still felt sick.
Tabitha murmured with understanding. “I can understand waiting a few more weeks. But don’t be afraid to tell him. I know my cousin would want to be a part of this, and I can promise you; you won’t lose your job over it. My aunt would never allow them to fire an expectant mother.”
I nodded meekly.
“And now that Tabitha knows our secrets, she’ll be able to help cover for us tonight!” Sage gently nudged my arm with her elbow.
“We start by removing the non-alcoholic labels from the champagne bottles.” Tabitha said, nodding with determination.
Several hours later, I was standing in Parker and Tabitha’s kitchen again. This time, I was dressed up in my favourite red wine-coloured ribbed knit mini dress, black nylons, and knee-high boots. The dress had a square neckline and long bell sleeves, and it was very form-hugging, but also stretchy.
I’d curled my hair and went for a more glam look with my makeup and included a bold lip in my favourite cream lip stain in Cherry Moon. I knew I looked good, but more importantly, I felt good for the first time in a while.
Parker and Tabitha’s extensive list of guests started to arrive around nine o’clock. There were a lot of unfamiliar faces, but Tabitha and Sage took the time to introduce me to each one of them.
Tabitha’s friends arrived first: Annalise Hastings, Ophelia Loucks, and Isla Bennett. I’d met them briefly at the Witches’ Ball, but that night was a bit of a blur for a lot of us, so Tabitha happily reintroduced everyone.
Ophelia arrived with all the fixings for sangrias.
At the Witches’ Ball, she’d dressed as a shield maiden, which had really suited her long, curly red hair, porcelain complexion, freckles, and hazel eyes.
She made herself at home and started making sangrias, talking about her job as a destination wedding consultant.
Annalise had walked in with her. I remembered her from her name. She worked at her family’s bed and breakfast, the Hastings Inn—which had hosted the infamous Witches’ Ball that had changed the trajectory of my life.
Isla was a freelance graphic designer who worked from home. She brought her husband and their two kids, ages four and two. Her kids immediately joined the others in the playroom, where the kids were having their own little shindig.
Once the first batch of sangrias were made, Ophelia tried to coax me to try some, but Nix came to the rescue with glasses of non-alcoholic champagne for Sage and me. I told her maybe later, but hoped she’d forget as the night went on.
The other Hutchinson brothers, Preston and Paxton, showed up with their arms full of champagne, and treats for the kids. Sage and I were tucked away from prying ears, and I couldn’t help but lean toward her.
“So, are you terrified there’s more than one bun in the oven, what with all the dang twins in this town?” I whispered, lifting my non-alcoholic champagne glass in hello to Preston and Paxton.
“A little, but I think it’d be kind of fun to have twins,” Sage whispered back.
“Speak for yourself,” I shivered with fear at the idea. Sage could find it fun all she wanted. She had the extra hands. I’d be on my own and completely new to everything, so the idea of having two babies depending on me terrified me even more than one baby.
Parker’s friends came soon after. Kaleb and his wife, Donovan Ashe, Auston Robertson and his girlfriend Lilah Willard with her daughter Riley.
Finally, Noah arrived.
I hated the way my breath caught when he walked in the room. I hated the way my heart stuttered when his eyes immediately found me. I hated the way I reacted to that smile—that devious smile.
I also hated how good he looked. Dressed in a black leather jacket, a dark blue Henley, and dark wash jeans. He’d even gotten a haircut for the occasion, his usually long locks cut short on the sides and longer on top, styled to look effortlessly tousled.
I loved his longer hair, but this haircut had me longing to run my hands through it and see if I could tousle it more.
“Woah, you cut your hair!” Parker said, doing a double take when Noah walked over.
“Yeah, I, uh, figured it was time for a change,” Noah said, and something about that statement charged something within me.
I lifted my glass of non-alcoholic champagne to my lips, just to give myself something to do.