December 16th
Look at you!
Ainsley
Today, Sammy and I locked up our apartment at school, turned in our keys, and drove to Kansas City. I’d expected it would take us a few days to get settled, but when we got here, we were greeted by my mom, Damon’s mom, and Jennifer.
And two professional organizers. One for me and one for Sammy.
So, instead of us spending the morning unpacking, we are treated to a lovely brunch.
Sammy is in heaven over his eggs Benedict, candied bacon, and mimosa.
We’ve been finished eating for a while, but we are still sitting at the table, chatting.
Around one, the doorbell rings.
“I wonder who that could be,” Mom says, but based on the look on her face, I’m pretty sure she already knows.
And possibly so do Jennifer and Damon’s mom, who race toward the door with her.
Sammy, who is on his third mimosa, leans over to me and whispers, “I think I’ve died and gone to food heaven. We’re going to have to seriously work out. I mean, after you have the baby and all. Because we need to rejoice in this food.”
“It is really good,” I agree.
“What do you think that’s all about?” Sammy says, nodding toward the entrance to the home.
But then I hear the unmistakable squeal of my cousin Alexa.
“Sounds like my cousin is here.”
“Oh, that’s just fabulous. I want to meet her!”
I get up to go greet her, but find all of my cousins—Alexa, Victoria, Poppy, and Peony.
Alexa rushes toward me—well, more like my belly. Her hands come to the front of my bump. “Look at you! You’re adorable! And very pregnant. But don’t worry. We were all filled in on why we are just now finding out. And we’re here to dress you!”
“Dress me?” I ask.
Victoria, who is my cousin Doc’s wife, says, “Yes, it’s a tradition now. It started simply when I shared my maternity clothes with Alexa when she was due with her first. Since then, we all look forward to the great maternity clothes swap.”
Damon’s mom gathered the organizers and has them outside and unloading clothing onto wheeled racks and bringing them into the living room.
“Come on, ladies,” my mom says. “Let’s all take a seat in the living room.”
Jennifer is hugging everyone and introducing them to Sammy, who is grinning like crazy. He and Jennifer are already BFFs.
Everyone gets settled on the couches when the chef comes in with platters full of charcuterie and sets them on the big square coffee table. Champagne is popped, and everyone is served.
“To our little Ainsley,” Poppy says.
To which Sammy quips, “Who’s not so little anymore.”
“Now, now, Sammy,” Peony says. “You’ve got to watch what you say to a pregnant woman. I should know. I said something about one of my sisters being huge when she was pregnant and about got punched in the face.”
“She’s never been pregnant,” Alexa says. She nudges her with her elbow. “But maybe someday.”
“Don’t hold your breath. Wilder and I love spending our time traveling. But,” she says with a smile, “believe it or not, the two people who swore they would never have children are currently in negotiations about it.”
“Negotiations?” Victoria wonders.
“You know we negotiated our life expectations before we were married. We’re doing the same regarding possible children. How will our life look? How will our chores be handled? Who will care for them? How will it affect our work-life balance. All that stuff.”
“Or you could just do it on a golf course and let come what may,” Sammy blurts out.
My eyes get huge, and my mouth drops open. “Sammy!”
“Ohhhhh,” Jennifer says. “I mean, we knew it probably happened when we were all in the Ozarks, but do tell.”
“Maybe I should take a look at these clothes,” I say. “I really only have, like, two dresses.”
“And with the holidays coming up,” Victoria says.
“And your new job,” Alexa says. “Congratulations, by the way.”
“Let’s have a toast,” my mom says. “Who would like to do the honors?”
Jennifer raises her hand, and Alexa says, “Me, of course.”
They look at each other and laugh.
“You go,” Jennifer says.
Alexa stands up and raises her flute in the air. “To Ainsley and the newest addition to our family. We hope these clothes make you feel gorgeous. Pregnancy can be quite uncomfortable toward the end, and pretty clothes help with all that!”
“So, how does this all work? Like tradition-wise?”
“You go through the racks and shop like you’re at a store. Try stuff on. We sit here and drink to support you,” Poppy says with a laugh.
I look at the racks lined up. “This is a lot.”
“I’ll help you,” Alexa says. “We’ll start with work, move to casual, then end with the holidays.”
Needless to say, I try on a lot of clothing. We’re really lucky that all of us cousins are very similar in size.
And by the time the afternoon is over, the closet organizers have taken everything I am keeping and put it away.
“You guys are amazing,” I say, flopping down on the couch, feeling happy and exhausted. “This was so much fun.”
“You might not be done just yet,” Jennifer says with a grin. “I was the last one in the family to be pregnant, and I might have brought a few things as well.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes. But if you want, you can wait to try them on.”
“And there might be a few new things from me,” Damon’s mom says.
“And me,” my mom says. “If you’re not too tired.”
“I think I just got a second wind!” I say, standing back up.
I look over at Sammy, figuring he’d be so excited to see any of Jennifer’s clothing, but he’s asleep in his chair. Guess that’s what you get when you drink seemingly bottomless mimosas all day.
“I have to get back home,” Victoria says. “Blakely has a soccer game tonight. Luckily, it’s at an indoor arena, where there is a snack shop with a play area for the kids and a bar for the parents.”
“Sounds fun. Thank you so much for doing this and for your support.” It’s also really fun to not have to hide my bump anymore, I think.
“And we have to go as well,” Poppy says, pointing at herself and Peony. “We’re meeting the boys at the club. We’ll see you on Sunday.”
“And can’t wait to see what you wear,” Peony says.
Alexa says, “I probably should head out too. Congrats again.”
I give them all hugs, then go back into the living room and run my arm across Sammy’s shoulder. He wakes with a start.
“Sorry the afternoon was so boring for you.”
“Oh my gosh. I fell asleep. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Jennifer was hurt,” I tease.
“I’m going to dig a hole right here in the living room and throw myself into it.”
“That would be a bit of a mess,” the chef says. “How about some chocolate instead? I was just going to bring out a few sweets.”
“Sounds good to me!” I practically cheer. I’m all about the sweets right now.
Jennifer comes back in with two more rolling racks.
This time, Sammy gets up and chooses for me. “This, this, this. Oh, and definitely this.”
Damon’s mom comes in and sets a box in front of me.
“We’re pretty excited about spending New Year’s Eve in Dallas this year.
Not that Tripp doesn’t always make great plans, but I got involved with this one.
And I reached out to the wife of a pro player who makes the most amazing custom clothing, and we’re all going to be decked out. ”
I open the box and find an adorable coat made out of a Diamond football jersey; along with a cute, swingy T-shirt with his number on the back; and maternity jeans that feature appliqués with his name, number, and team mascot, along with stars and fireworks.
I’m literally in shock. “This might be one of the best gifts I’ve ever received,” I say, tears filling my eyes. “Especially right now.”
Damon’s mom pulls me into a hug. “I fully understand the sacrifices and demands on you. I also understand why you waited to tell Damon. And I’m grateful.” She grins. “Of course, I wish you had told me so I could have been shopping this whole time,” she adds with a laugh.
“You don’t know how much what you just said means to me.”
“I think, more than anyone, I do,” she replies. “I’m glad you like the outfit.” She turns to Sammy and hands him a bag. “And since you’re coming too.”
His eyes get big again. “You got me something? Like I’m part of the family?” he gushes.
“Take a look,” Jennifer says.
He pulls a custom jersey out of the bag. It’s Damon’s football jersey in the red color, but then it has patches here and there and even Sammy’s own name running across the bottom.
He takes two steps and pulls Damon’s mom into a huge hug. “I could cry.”
“No need for that,” Damon’s mom says. “I’m glad you like it.”
“So, give me the skinny,” Sammy says while Jennifer shoos me off to go try on the clothes she picked.
I put on an adorable sweatsuit and come back out.
“This will be perfect for traveling,” Jennifer says.
“That’s the first part of the skinny,” Damon’s mom says. “Jennifer’s new plane has arrived, and we’ll be taking it to Dallas.”
“Who all is going?” I ask.
“Phillip and Jadyn, plus their older kids—Haley, Ryder, and Madden. Danny and Jennifer. As well as Treyvon’s parents, sister, and grandmother.
They’re actually spending the holidays with us,” Damon’s mom says.
“They live in Florida, and there was no way Trey could get home and back, so Damon asked if we could celebrate together.”
“And of course, we agreed,” Jennifer says.
“What about the little girls?” I wonder.
“Normally, the grandparents would want to go to the game, but they offered to watch them instead,” Jennifer says.
“They’re throwing them their own little party, and they’re excited about it.
It’s crazy to think that they, along with Jadyn’s parents, used to spend every New Year’s Eve together.
It’s because of them, really, that we’re all so close.
We’ll also have you, Sammy, Tripp, Van, and Lori.
We did invite your mother, although she has other plans. ”
“What other plans?” I ask my mom.
“I may be ringing in the new year in Paris. With Hayes.”
“Ooh la la,” Sammy says.
“Wow. That sounds like an amazing trip,” I tell her.
“And we’re all hoping he proposes!” Jennifer blurts out.