18. Bertie #2
She leads me down the stairs into the yard and I let her drag me around.
She’s more outgoing than I am, so it takes some pressure off me to let her do the introductions.
Many of the people in attendance are guys from the hockey team that have brought their girlfriends or sisters.
One of the guys, Cree, I recognize as one of Daire’s good friends.
He’s with his girlfriend Ophelia and she might have the prettiest red hair I’ve ever seen.
Beside them, Rosie introduces me to Cree’s sister Millie and her boyfriend Jude.
Jude’s … hot. Like the kind of intimidating hot that has you not wanting to make eye contact with him.
Finally, we make it back to Teddy who has his arm thrown around a curvy brunette that might be one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen.
“You know Teddy, and this is his girlfriend, Vanessa.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her.
“Thank you for having us.”
“So, what’s on the agenda first?” I ask Rosie. I look around as inconspicuously as I can for Luke and find him standing with Daire and Cree. He’s holding Sammy, his biceps flexed deliciously with the way he’s carrying him, and I swear my mouth waters.
An elbow to my side has me shooting daggers at my best friend. Stifling a laugh, she says, “Apparently the first thing on your agenda is ogling your baby daddy.”
“I can’t help it,” I mumble.
She laughs and grips my elbow, tugging me toward a quieter area of the yard by the fence. “Bertie,” she says sternly, but there’s humor in her eyes. “I want you to know, that it’s totally okay to bang your hot baby daddy.”
“Rosie!” I gasp.
“What?” She bats her eyes innocently. “The chemistry between you two is so hot anyone can feel it, but you keep denying it for some reason. Luke is a good guy. He’s not Tommy. He’s not your parents. He’s Luke. It’s okay to like the guy. Or maybe even love him.”
I bite my lip, trying to keep my emotions at bay.
“I’m scared,” I confess.
She squeezes my elbow. “Tell me something I don’t know.
” Her eyes go serious and I know chances are I’m not going to like what she says next.
“But it’s okay to be scared. The best things can come from being afraid.
Look at Daire and me. I was terrified. But our second chance is everything to me, and Sammy?
I can’t imagine not having that kid in my life.
All of that fear I had initially? Worth it.
I can’t make you do anything, but I don’t want you to regret anything. ”
“I just need time,” I say. “And I think he understands that.”
Rosie pulls me in for a hug. “Enough relationship talk. It’s time to focus on this little one.” She presses a hand to my stomach. “Speaking of, does he have a name yet?”
“No,” I laugh. “We haven’t talked about names at all.”
Neither of us has ever broached the topic, and I know names are probably one of the most important things to parents, but it hasn’t even crossed my mind as crazy as that sounds. I’ve been too focused on coming to terms with motherhood.
“Girl,” she admonishes playfully. “You better get on that. He’s going to be here before you know it.”
“Don’t I know it.” He gives me a gentle kick as if to say, “That’s right, Mom. I’m gonna be here soon.”
“I’ll have to nix the guess the baby’s name game then,” she mutters mostly to herself. “But don’t worry.” She brightens. “I have plenty of other fun things planned.”
And boy, does she.
We play games for a solid hour and a half at least, and somehow Teddy McCallister seems to win almost every single one. Each game comes with a prize, and he hoards them beside himself like some sort of goblin.
Once the games are over, we take a much-needed break to eat and chat. I can’t get over how cute the cake is, and she says she had the same baker who’s doing her wedding cake to do this one. Rosie isn’t capable of doing anything half-assed.
After food, Luke and I sit in front of the gift table and take turns unwrapping boxes. I’m shocked by the number of things for the baby, especially expensive items like a stroller and bouncer seat, considering most of the people here don’t even know us that well.
By the time we’ve unwrapped everything, I’m definitely in my feels and humbled that so many people cared enough about us and our baby boy to get us something.
It’s been a long day, though, and by the time gifts are done I’m exhausted and in need of a nap.
“These aren’t going to the fit in the back of the truck,” I whisper to Luke, but Rosie hears me.
“Don’t worry.” She gives my shoulder a pat as she piles wrapping paper into a trash bag. “I’ll get everything gathered up and we have the room here to store it until you move.”
Somehow, it keeps slipping my mind that we’re moving so soon. Not that I’ve entirely forgotten, but I think I’ve been ignoring it. There’s already been so much change in my life, and I think a move on top of it has been too much for me to wrap my head around.
“Oh, Bertie. What did I say?”
“Nothing,” I assure her. “I just keep forgetting we’re moving soon.”
“Let me remind you, I’m going to make sure to see you as often as I can.” She gives my arms a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
I feel the weight of Luke’s gaze on me and I look his way. I can’t quite decipher the expression on his face. Worry, maybe?
“I’ll be fine,” I say to Rosie. “All my attention is going to be focused on this little one anyway.” I rub my stomach and my baby boy gives me an answering nudge.
Since I found out the baby is a boy, I swear I’ve bonded even more with him. He squirms again and a foot presses against my hand as if he’s saying, “Hey, Mom, everything’s going to be all right.”
“Is he kicking?” Luke asks.
“Yeah, I think he liked the cake. He’s super active.”
“Ooh!” Rosie throws down the trash bag. “Can I feel?”
“Sure.”
She presses her hands to my stomach, her eyes widening in awe. “That’s so cool.”
“It’s crazy, right?”
“So crazy,” she says softly and steps back, letting her hands fall away. “Daire’s already talking about another and I’m like hold up and slow down.”
I laugh. “He really loves being a dad, huh?”
She shakes her head. “You have no idea.” She scoops up the trash bag again. “Listen, I know you’re tired. You guys go ahead and head out. We’ve got the clean-up and like I said we can hold onto everything until it’s time for your move.” She pulls me into a hug. “I love you.”
I squeeze my best friend tight. “Love you, too.”
We say our goodbyes and more thank yous to everyone who came to celebrate.
Luke takes my hand and helps me up the stairs. I don’t bother telling him that I’m not so big yet that stairs are difficult, because I think it’s cute that he wants to help.
“How do you feel?” he asks once we’re driving away.
I think it over for a moment before I give him a soft smile, “Loved.”