Chapter 34 #2
I hadn’t had any more complications, but Dr. Clark wanted me to take it easier. So, the guys had done everything they could to keep me off my feet for long periods of time.
My besties had gone all out, everything from a chugging contest out of baby bottles to a diapering competition that the guys went crazy for. Of course, my guys came in last since everyone else had children by now.
To their credit, my pack did it correctly, they were just slower than the others. I had a feeling they’d be pros in no time.
With every gift that I unwrapped, I saw how much we were loved. How much this baby was loved. Avery and her pack had gone for bottles, getting us just about every kind on the market and then the top sanitizers, drying racks, the works.
Sidney and her pack had gone for clothes, everything was neutral and simple. Then they put a gift card at the end for when the baby arrived so I could buy even more.
Oriana and her pack were the ones to buy furniture. They’d picked up every swing, bouncer, and walker that we had on the list, and then added a few of her favorites.
Wren and her pack had bought an adorable set of plush barnyard animals along with a matching diaper bag and backpack, depending on what I preferred, and enough diapers to last an army.
Mama Whitaker and Charlie had bought us a car seat and stroller combination, along with a bunch of other odds and ends to round everything out.
The other guests had spoiled us just as much, books, clothes, extra diapers, extra bottles, and words of encouragement.
Honestly, more than a few tears had leaked out as I opened them all. I don’t think I’d ever felt so full of love and acceptance in my life. It settled into my bones and had me talking to my baby, reassuring them that this was what was waiting for them on the other side.
By the time they were cleaning up and loading all of our treasures into the back of Drew’s pickup truck, and the Whitakers’ trucks, too, because it all wouldn’t fit in one, I was exhausted but glowing.
The bond was alive with our combined happiness, and I was relieved to know they felt the same way I did. That this was home, and these people were family.
"Just a few more weeks," Spencer said. "A few short weeks and we’ll be holding Blake in our arms."
They’d all agreed to wait on the gender with me, and as I pictured my guys holding our sweet baby, all I could picture was a little boy.
It would be interesting to find out if I was right.
At the end of the day, I didn’t mind either way. I just wanted a healthy baby. And I could handle four more weeks of being doted on by my pack.
“Let’s get you in the truck,” Spencer urged, brushing a kiss over my knuckles before leading the way.
Then I froze. My eyes landing on the white sedan with a streak of red down the side. Mom was here. That red was where she’d swerved on the highway then somehow talked her way out of responsibility though we knew it was her fault.
The door opened and she stepped out, the waterworks already at full blast. She rushed forward, both Spencer and I freezing.
“Here I was walking around town trying to find a gift for my daughter and visit her, when I heard talk about a baby shower today. Your name was mentioned and I thought, surely, she wouldn’t do this without telling me, wouldn’t be this pregnant and still ignoring her mom.”
Rage burned in my gut and I let out a hollow laugh. “I haven’t heard a word from you. No apology, nothing. Don’t act like I was the problem. It’s not happening this time, I refuse to take that on to make you feel better.”
Mom gasped, the tears gone immediately. “Grace! How could you say such awful things? And ‘apology?’ For what? Being involved in my daughter’s wedding and trying to make it a peaceful event?”
“No, for letting them walk all over us and disrespect Hailey. It’s not our job to stay quiet so you don’t have to deal with Aunt Candace’s attitude. You would have lost your mind if I wore a white dress to Bianca or Celine’s mating ceremonies.”
“Well, I…. no, I would have said the same to them.”
I raised an eyebrow, crossing my eyes over my bump. “Fine. Prove it.”
She sputtered again, still not used to me standing up to her and not just being a good, compliant daughter.
“Call Aunt Candace and tell her how frustrated you are that they overstepped at the wedding. That we weren’t the issue, they were.”
Her face flushed an angry red and I watched her manicured fingers curl into fists.
“I will do no such thing,” she bit out, her voice sharp and haughty. As I watched her make more excuses I didn’t feel a single ounce of regret or frustration, only peace.
“I’m done, Mom. I refuse to tolerate this behavior anymore. You have no reason to be here, I’d like you to leave.”
“Grace!” she screeched, but I was already turning my back, walking away from her ranting. Beckett and Cade rushed over at the sound of her yells but I was already climbing in the truck. They followed my lead, climbing in after me.
“Are you alright, sweetheart?” Beck asked, his fingers seeking out mine until they were twisted together.
“Honestly? Yes. I wrote her off months ago, this was just the exact reminder I needed that I did the right thing.”
I watched out the window as she screamed, jumping up and down. I’d given her a chance and she laughed in my face. No mother should act that way.
Now, she could fawn over Aunt Candace and her girls all she wanted. They were all she had left.
Me? Today showed I had plenty of support in my corner. I didn’t need hers.
"You know what I’m craving?" I said, despite eating a ton of food at the shower. It was a subject change, but I didn’t care. There was nothing to talk about, that chapter of my life was over and done with. Time to move on.
As usual, all four of my packmates perked up at my words. I swear, cravings were something they always got excited about.
"French fries and churros."
"Consider it done," Spencer promised, already searching on his phone for a place to make it happen. And I knew, if they didn’t find one, they’d make it for me.
Once I was recovered from the baby, I was going to spoil them all rotten in return.
They deserved nothing less.