Chapter 34
Grace
W hitaker Brews had been transformed from a bar to a baby wonderland. They had taken my garden theme and run with it. Everything was adorable, with pastel flowers and a lot of greens and yellows.
Even the cake was a sage green with gorgeous little swirls of frosting.
It was a true showing of family and community. Not the first we’d gotten lately, either.
They’d all been incredible the past few weeks. I never had a grand freakout like the guys thought after the incident with the broken omega, but we were all a bit shaken.
We made a large donation to her patient account, hoping to cover most, if not all, of her costs while she was there. Including funds for necessities they didn’t provide.
The Omega Network made sure costs were low, but this treatment facility was long-term, so the expenses could still add up.
I was just glad that the situation had a semi-happy ending, and we’d set her up to find her own peace, just like I’d found mine.
At the end of the day, we were safe now. That was the important part.
The packs made sure we knew we weren’t alone, something I was grateful for. It helped us move on and stop looking over our shoulders every time we stepped outside.
Now, it was all about the baby that was coming soon.
I didn’t even want to talk about the pile of gifts waiting on the table nearby. Honestly, I didn’t need anyone to get us anything, we could afford it. But Mama Whitaker waved that off the moment those words left my lips, offended that I would even suggest it.
"Family takes care of family, no matter what’s in their bank account," she reminded me. Something I was still getting used to.
Honestly, the woman probably made it her goal to give me twice as much just because I protested.
The best part? No one told my mom about this. It was all about me.
She hadn’t shown up to Hailey’s baby shower the week before, and I knew damn well she wasn’t showing up to mine. She hadn’t called or texted us since. I even sent her a text last week, not apologizing, just saying that when she was ready to let them go, we’d be waiting.
Honestly, even that was a lie. I wouldn’t be waiting forever. I was no one’s second choice.
I just needed to know if she would respond. When she didn’t, I officially closed that door over my heart. It didn’t even hurt this time because I knew what was waiting for me here in this town.
"They know we’re just having one baby, right?" Drew asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Yes, because the guys were at this party, including all the men attached to my friends. We were breaking all kinds of traditions today, and I absolutely loved it.
"Yes, they do. And I tried to tell them that we didn’t need them to buy us things, but Mama Whitaker wouldn’t take no for an answer."
"Now that I’m not surprised about."
He chuckled to himself before he looked out the window and grinned. "My mom just pulled up. Are you ready to see her again? Do you want to come outside with me so you can have a moment without the whole crowd watching the reunion?"
It felt like so many lifetimes had passed that I was glad to have a moment without prying eyes.
"Actually, yes. That would be perfect," I agreed, sliding my hand into his and letting Drew lead me out. I caught Cade, Spencer, and Beckett’s eyes as we left, all of them falling in step with us because it wasn’t just me seeing Drew’s mom again, it was our pack meeting her for the first time.
Bailey had Drew’s same emerald eyes. She already had a smile on her face as she stepped out of the car.
Her strawberry blonde hair hung down her shoulders.
Her smile was wide and sweet, and even her dress was a beautiful green that matched the theme of the shower, soft little florals making it stand out.
Everything about this woman screamed kind and sweet, and when she opened her mouth, that lilting voice echoed in old memories. All those summers hanging out and her giving us cookies, little pep talks when my family was being awful. She always met me with such kindness.
I hate that I lost years with her around as well.
"Hey, Mom," Drew greeted.
"Oh, you’re old news," she waved him off, giving me a wink. "I’m here to see my girl!"
She pulled me into a hug. The woman even smelled like sugar cookies and exuded warmth. She hugged like Mama Whitaker, though a bit more delicate. I soaked it in with a smile on my face.
“It’s so nice to see you again,” I said as I squeezed her back.
She was going to fit right in with this crowd.
"This town is so cute, still, and you’re even cuter!" she gushed. "Look how you grew up. Gorgeous. Oh, and the boys. Let me guess... Cade?" She pointed right at him.
He grinned and nodded.
"See? I knew it. The paint was a dead giveaway." She pointed at his shoes that had a few dots.
I laughed openly now. "Because I had to drag him away from the paintings to be here."
"Caught me," he said, shaking his head.
"And I know Spencer with the glasses and those intelligent eyes," she said before pulling him into a hug, which he soaked in just as much as I did.
"And that leaves this handsome boy. You are Beckett," she said confidently before giving him the same kind of hug.
My favorite part was her calling Beckett, this big, strong alpha, a boy.
But I guess to a mama, all her kids were going to be boys.
Then her gaze was back to me, a bit of nostalgia and sadness in her expression.
"Oh, Grace. It’s been far too long. He kept saying he was going to come back to you, and I’m glad that you gave him a chance. That wasn’t an easy thing to do."
"He was worth giving a second chance," I told her. "Drew wasn’t an easy guy to get over, and I’m glad he’s mine now."
"Forever," he promised, bending down and kissing me on the forehead, keeping it PG since his mom was right there.
"So, why exactly did we choose a bar as a baby shower venue?" she teased, biting back a laugh. I loved that she was just as sassy as we were.
"Partially because it’s a small town," I admitted. "And they had a big enough space. Also because the Whitakers, who own the bar, took me under their wings. So, family perks, I guess."
"And what about your family?" she asked. It was a careful question. I wondered what exactly she remembered from our childhood.
"My sister will be here," I said, giving her a tight smile. "That’s about it. I’ve pretty much cut out the rest of my family."
"I thought you might say that," she said, shaking her head. "I remember those stories of your mama and I’m so sorry, sweetie."
"That’s okay. I found a family that’s a lot stronger than the one I grew up in," I reassured her. "Now come in, I want you to meet Mama Whitaker."
We’d barely made it in the door when Mama Whitaker was making a beeline for us. I swear, this woman had a sixth sense for when we wanted to talk to her.
"Mama Whitaker, this is Drew’s mom," I introduced, before turning to the newcomer. "And this is Mama Whitaker."
"I do have a name, by the way," she laughed. "My name is Lucy."
"I’m Bailey, but everyone calls me Mom. I swear, the whole team did any time I brought cookies."
"We’re two peas in a pod, then," Lucy said with a smile. "I’m a sucker for taking care of my babies… all of them."
While the mothers conspired, the guys ushered me to a table. Avery walked up, slipping a sash across my shoulders, as if people couldn’t already tell by the eight-month belly I was sporting that I was the mom-to-be.
"Everything looks great, Avery," I told her emphatically. "It’s gorgeous in here."
"I can’t claim all the credit. We all went in together and even roped in a few of the guys," she admitted with a chuckle. "But it does look perfect, and you deserve nothing less, Grace."
Her eyes drifted over to Mama Whitaker and Bailey talking. "They look like they’re getting along well."
"I knew they would. She gets along with everyone," I admitted.
"Not everyone," Avery laughed. "She can’t stand people like your mom, for example."
She winced as the words fell out of her lips.
"Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that."
"No, that’s the truth," I reassured her. "And you’re right. Mama Whitaker can’t, and neither can Bailey. That’s all in the past, though."
My hands gently roamed over my belly. The emerald green dress I was wearing stretched over the bump.
I smiled softly, picturing holding such a tiny thing in my arms. It was still so strange, it almost didn’t feel real. Yet, with every new scan, every time I heard the heartbeat, I fell a little more in love with the little one.
Our name board was still ongoing in the kitchen. There were so many crossed-out names and new ones scribbled in between that it was hard to make sense of.
"What about Blake?" I said, turning to my pack as inspiration hit. "It’s a neutral name, it could go either way. It’s strong but not off-the-wall."
"Blake," Drew repeated, testing it out before a gentle smile swept over his face. "Honestly? I kind of like it."
"Blake is perfect," Cade said, looking almost relieved. "I was getting worried. We’re only a month away and the baby had no name."
"Is it unique enough?" I asked Spencer, the only one who hadn’t chimed in. He was whispering it under his breath, I could hear his voice coming out in a slow murmur. Then a blinding smile took over his face and he nodded.
"Honestly? That’s perfect. Now we have to figure out the middle name."
We all groaned, and I shook my head. "That’s a problem for another time. Right now, I think the party’s about to start."
The doors were propped open and people were milling in, and it wasn’t just my friends and their packs, but people from town. It seemed Mama Whitaker had invited everyone to celebrate. My cheeks were aching within ten minutes from all the smiles and greetings I’d given.
Thankfully, the guys made sure I sat while everyone came to me, explaining that I was still on light bed rest.