Chapter Two #2
Amy, Austin’s mom and Avery’s mother for all intents and purposes, has erected a large tent in her backyard to house the dual baby shower, which she aptly named a Baby-Que.
The tent is decorated in black and white gingham patterns, red oil lanterns on the center of each of the tables with large plumes of baby’s breath jutting from the glass opening, and small galvanized tubs holding utensils and straws sits on either side of the lanterns.
Nikki’s sisters-in-law, Sydney and Everleigh, were placing mason jars at each of the table settings while Joseph, her father-in-law, and Sydney’s fiancé, Dylan, carried the large coolers holding beer and wine under the tent’s covering.
“Joseph,” Nikki calls out as he stands up after placing the cooler on the ground.
He turns around and smiles lovingly towards her, and Nikki’s heart melts at his gesture. She can imagine exactly how Austin will look at his father’s age, and she is not disappointed.
“What can I do for you?”
Nikki glances down at her watch as she says, “Brooks just texted that Avery arrived at the clinic for her walk-through. We can expect them in an hour or so. Do you think we should start the ribs?”
“Sure, darling. I’ll get everything going.”
“Thanks. Sydney?” she hollers across the tent.
The bubbly blonde skips over after she places the last mason jar on the table.
“What’s up?”
“Is the cake ready to go? Do you need anything? We have about an hour.”
“The cake is in Mom’s fridge. Dylan can help me carry it out when you’re ready.”
“Ok, good. Brooks is going to text me when they leave the clinic.”
An angry and surprised voice speaks up from behind her, “Brooks?”
Nikki turns around nervously to face her sister-in-law Everleigh. She isn’t sure of their history, just that Everleigh does whatever she can to stay away from the new resident of Carson while he does all he can to get her attention.
“Yes, he is helping me keep this shower a surprise. He offered to do the clinic inspection this morning to give us the heads up when she’ll be arriving for lunch.”
“That’s nice,” she says dead-panned. “Is he staying for the shower?”
“Yes, I suppose so. He’s good friends with Logan and Avery.”
“I just don’t understand…” Everleigh begins before a slew of people begin to trickle out of the house.
The town descends upon the tent, everyone eager to celebrate the upcoming arrivals, each offering to help finish setting up.
The Stantons and Fitzgerald sisters take over filling up the pitchers of iced tea from Amy while Sandra, Logan’s nurse, and Ethel, a waitress at the diner, fill up the other pitchers with the special Sangria Amy concocted the night before.
Nikki glances around the tent nervously, hoping Avery is both surprised and excited just as a strong pair of arms wrap around her stomach.
“You look tired,” Austin says as he nuzzles at her exposed neck.
“I’m alright. Did you finish setting up the games?”
“Everything is done. It looks great Nikki. She’s going to love it.”
Turning in his arms she places her hands on his hips.
“You think so?” she asks nervously as she bites her lower lip, something she knows that drives Austin crazy.
“I know so. Now go inside and get ready, your dad will be here soon. This shower it for you too.”
“Alright.”
“I hung your dress up in my old bedroom, I’m sure you remember where that is,” he winks as he saunters over to the grill to talk with Joseph and Dylan.
As Nikki ascends the stairs to enter the Connelly home Amy comes through the back door and beams sincerely at her.
“Are you heading upstairs to get ready?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’d love to help you if you don’t mind.”
Smiling back at her mother-in-law, Nikki makes her way up the rest of the stairs and steps closer to Amy.
“That would be lovely. Thank you.”
Upstairs in the room, her love grew up in, Nikki can’t help but admire all of the trophies and drawings on the wall.
She peers out of the window giving her an unobstructed view of the backyard and watches as Austin tosses a football with Dylan, both men wearing white shirts showcasing their taut physiques.
Amy strolls into the room, curling iron in hand and stands beside her, silently peeking out of the window as well.
“It’s so nice to see my family growing by leaps and bounds. It’s all Joseph and I have ever wanted.”
Turning her attention towards her, Nikki says, “You have a wonderful family, Amy. I can imagine how proud of them you all must be.”
Amy rests her hand gently on Nikki’s upper back in a motherly touch.
“We are very proud of them, not just for the things that they have accomplished, though they’ve surpassed everything we have ever expected for them.
We’re proud of the men and women they have become and how they have begun to find their soul mates; opening themselves up to love.
That’s all we have ever wanted for them, to be happy and have what Joseph and I have.
” Averting her gaze back to Nikki she adds, “We’re thrilled to have you as part of this family and we can’t wait to meet baby Grace. ”
Misty-eyed, Nikki gently rubs her abdomen and nods her head.
“I love being a part of your family and I love your son very much.” Taking a deep breath, she reaches up and swipes under her eyes. “Damn pregnancy hormones. Now I’ll have to fix my makeup.”
“Oh, dear, you look beautiful. With the dress you have laid out I was thinking some curls in your hair. What do you think?”
“I love it.”
“Well, let’s get started.”
Thirty minutes later, Sydney rushes up the stairs and bounds into the bedroom just as Amy places the last curl in Nikki’s blond hair.
“Brooks just texted your phone, they’ll be here in five minutes.”
“Perfect. I’ll greet her at the door.”
As Sydney and Amy head out of the room and back outside promising to quiet the crowd, Nikki takes a moment to look at herself in the mirror one last time.
She wears a pale pink, almost white, off the shoulder, maxi dress with gold sandals that lace around her ankles.
Her makeup is light and subtle and her curls bounce against her shoulders.
“Let’s get this party started,” she whispers to the empty room before walking down the stairs to greet her best friend.