Chapter 44 Arden
ARDEN
“Look how adorable you are!” Bea squeals as Deacon helps me out of the car, her arms wrapping me in a tight hug as she rocks us from side to side. “No games, I promise.”
“You’re an angel,” I tell her and Deacon grunts behind me.
“He’s so cranky,” she whispers and I chuckle.
“I am not. I’m just upset y’all didn’t want to wear matching shirts.” He sniffs and I turn to take a picture with my phone that I’ll probably show Tanner later. Couldn’t hurt, right?
“You look amazing, and I’m sure your niece will be thrilled for all the matching and coordinated outfits. Oh!” The baby kicks and I stop, whirling around to grab Deacon’s hand and place it on my belly as she moves again. “She likes the sound of that apparently.”
“Incredible. And anything you want, princess,” he says, bending down to talk to my belly, “your uncle will take care of it.”
“She’s going to be unbelievably spoiled.” I sigh as Ellison comes over and wraps her arm around my shoulder.
“Are you talking about me? Because I know I’m spoiled.”
“No, just that Deacon is going to give my daughter everything she wants and the thought of it is already exhausting.”
“I have plenty of room in the barn when you buy her a pony,” Ellison mock whispers, while Bea snickers and Deacon grins.
“I appreciate that,” he says before Ellison shoos him and Bea away.
“Are you doin’ all right?”
“Yes,” I manage as guilt floods my veins. “I’m sorry if I’ve ruined this for you. I know you wanted us to be happy and pregnant together and sometimes I am and sometimes…”
“I get it,” she murmurs, placing my hand on her belly while she places her hand on mine.
“Pregnancy is hard, and nothing about what you’re doing is easy, but you know what?
I love being able to do this with you because it’s hard, because despite everything we get to share and create so much more for our babies. ”
“And we commandeered alpacas.”
“That too.” She smirks. “So many farm animal adventures in our future.” Her sigh is wistful as I take in the huge white tent with the silver and gold decorations and balloon arch.
“They did a good job.”
“They did. There’s food and drinks, music, and the rest we’ll take as it comes.”
“Is Dad coming?”
“I asked him not to for this, but he’ll be here after if you want to stay, or you can do it another time or not at all.”
“I’m not trying to hide from him, but just the thought of dealing with either of them feels exhausting.”
“That’s understandable,” she muses, leading me toward where the girls are standing, “but is it more or less exhausting than the look on my husband’s face when he had to come and pull the tractor out of the mud yesterday when Grandad and I went joyriding?”
“That poor man.”
“He likes it…keeps him on his toes.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s definitely like that.”
JUDE
I waited until Deacon gave me the all clear before I headed to the shower. We’d had a backup plan in place that involved pizza, a stack of movies, and three different kinds of desserts that will probably be gone by tomorrow.
I’m just thankful we didn’t need it.
He relayed that Arden was intercepted by her sister not long after they arrived, and by all accounts, Deacon said she looks like she’s having a good time.
It’s silent in the cab of my truck as I make my way through Blackstone Falls, my mind a constant stream of relief and worry. I want her to be okay—better than okay.
I want her to have fun.
It’s something I never cared about for myself, but now I can see just how much I was missing out on.
Pulling into the grass, I park my truck and climb out, finding far more people than I expected milling about. I recognize most of them, Miss Thelma’s shock of white hair moving through the crowd before stopping to talk to Cal and his sister, Hannah, who owns the bookshop in Clementine Creek.
“So far so good,” my brother says, sidling up to me as I skirt along the outside of the tent. “Nessa made her a plate of food so she’s sitting over there.”
He points toward a table across the way, and I can’t help the way my mouth curves up on one side the moment our eyes meet.
I’m peppered with congratulations as I weave my way through the guests, taking my time to thank them all for coming, for being here for Arden and her sister.
Arden’s expression is full of amusement as I finally make it to the table and gingerly sit on the folding chair next to her.
“Is that okay?” she asks, nodding to the chair as I lean over and brush my lips against hers.
“It’s too soon to tell. I’ve broken my fair share of these things though so it’s not out of the question.”
“Does that happen a lot?” Lana asks from across the table.
“Uh—”
“Has anyone seen Cal?” Ellison asks as she bustles over to the table, her gaze sweeping back and forth over the party.
“He was talking to his sister when I got here.”
“Cal?” Nessa snorts as she joins us. “I think he just went inside.” Leaning in conspiratorially, she adds, “He wasn’t alone.”
“Shut up,” Ellison gasps. “What did the other guy look like?”
“Dark hair, expensive clothes, definitely good-looking. Why? Who is it?”
“Pretty sure it’s my ex-boyfriend.” Ellison laughs as she drops down onto one of the free chairs and rests her hands on her belly.
“Is that complicated?” I ask and she shrugs.
“Reckless for sure.”
“I love drama when it’s not mine.” Nessa sighs happily and the rest of them giggle as I pull Arden’s chair closer to me so I can put my arm around her.
I want to be near her always.
Because this woman is it for me.
She’s my past, present, and future and it’s the greatest gift of all.