Chapter 24 - Mckenna
TWENTY-FOUR
MCKENNA
“We’re trending on social media!” I announce as I walk into our home at the start of October. Waving my phone in the air, I grin when I spot Mav in the kitchen. “News of our pregnancy is everywhere.”
Mav frowns, alarm crossing his face.
“It’s good,” I tell him, showing him the image on my phone. “Fans are thrilled. People are genuinely happy. We’re a couple who somehow made it when the odds were stacked against us. Everyone loves a good comeback story.”
Mav plucks the phone from my hand, the concern in his eyes lessening as he peruses the social media threads. “Hey! There’s even a mention of The Bowling Tones in here.”
I snort. “People are ecstatic that we placed in the Summer Bowling League Finals.”
“But we didn’t win.”
“Third place isn’t terrible,” I counter. “We’re not exactly serious bowlers.”
“Allegra really came around in the end. The two of you anchored the team.”
“I know, right?”
“I pray for our children when they start tee ball or ballet. You and A are going to be more competitive than the kids.”
I laugh but don’t refute his statement because there’s a ribbon of truth. Allegra and I really put the team on our backs for the final two games to secure The Bowling Tones a third-place finish.
“I hope Derek and Allegra stay here in Boston. We can raise our kids together and be aunties and uncles,” I admit wistfully.
“We’ll be aunties and uncles even if they move back to California. Or split their time like they’ve been doing.”
“Yeah, but eventually, they’ll have to pick one. Their kid will start school and…” I shrug.
Mav smiles. “There’s years between now and the kids starting school.”
“I know.”
“You feeling good?” Mav asks. “Are you hungry?”
I bite my bottom lip.
“Tell me,” he says. “I’ll make you a sandwich. Or pancakes. Or…” He trails off as he pulls open the pantry door.
“I’m hungry for something else,” I admit, eyeing his body up and down.
Mav turns and catches my gaze. He grins. “My god, beauty, you are insatiable.”
I laugh.
“If this is how you are pregnant, I’m going to have to keep you perpetually knocked up.”
I roll my eyes, blushing at the truth of his statement. I want him all the damn time. I guess that was true before, but now, there’s an edge I’ve never experienced. A physical desperation that requires Mav’s attention and love to satiate it.
He moves toward me and lifts me in his arms.
“I can walk!” I cry out as he begins to take the stairs.
“Let me carry you. At least, while I still can,” he jokes.
I smack his back.
But we’re both laughing by the time we enter our bedroom. Mav pushes my cardigan off my shoulders and lifts my dress over my head. I’ve forgone a bra and my heavy breasts swing free.
He tugs off his shirt as I unfasten his pants. Once they’re off, Mav drops to his knees in front of me. He caresses my body with his eyes, his hands, and finally his mouth. By the time my knees buckle and I ease back against a mountain of pillows at the head of our bed, I’m desperate for Mav.
“Please,” I beg.
“Gonna give you everything,” he promises.
And he does. We join together, body, mind, and soul, until I’m crying out his name, he’s chanting mine, and the future shimmers before us with endless possibility.
Spent and sated, Mav gathers me in his arms. He strokes my hair as I snuggle into him. Within minutes, my eyelids grow heavy. I take an afternoon nap, savoring the peace, the quiet, and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Derek and Allegra tie the knot at The Ivy on the second Saturday in October. It’s a secret ceremony, with most guests not even knowing that they were going to exchange vows, until they showed up at the venue.
Of course, A couldn’t keep the secret from everyone so Ivy, Nova, and I had time to pull together a cohesive look as her de facto bridesmaids.
“She’s going to love the navy,” Nova says, clutching my hand as we enter the restaurant in identical gowns.
“They look good on all of us,” Ivy agrees from my other side.
“Yeah, except I look like I have a food baby,” I lament, glancing down at where my belly protrudes.
“Oh, shut it, you’re pregnant.” Ivy rolls her eyes.
“And it’s not a secret,” Nova assures me. “You look beautiful.”
“Where’s Mav?” Ivy looks around. “He’ll talk some sense into her.”
I sigh. “Sorry. I just feel so…insecure sometimes.” I look at Nova.
“Totally normal. Blame the hormones for everything.”
“That’s a relief,” I murmur, smoothing my hand over my hip.
The girls and I are wearing simple, navy silk dresses that dip low in the back and hug our bodies before pooling to the floor.
As much as I’m excited to show off my bump, it’s not exactly a bump yet.
Instead, it stretches the material of my dress in a way that borders on uncomfortable.
But, like my friends, Mav loves it and can’t stop cupping the little swell.
We move to a back room in the restaurant. While guests mingle at the bar and high-top tables, Allegra disappears to slip into her wedding gown. Then, she and Derek will surprise their guests by exchanging vows.
“Oh my goodness, you are gorgeous,” Ivy breathes out when we enter the little room where Allegra is changing dresses.
Allegra turns from the mirror and smiles at us.
She stuns in a white, silk gown. With a plunging neckline and double thin straps that cross in the center of her back, her look is elegant, sexy, and understated.
Her hair is pulled away from her face in loose curls, her makeup simple and demure, and her eyes dazzle with pure happiness.
“Always,” her mom agrees, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a tissue.
I kiss Allegra’s mother hello and murmur my congratulations before turning to hug Allegra.
“You ready?” I ask.
“I’ve been ready,” she replies, not an ounce of nerves in her voice.
“Yes, it’s about time,” Nova says seriously.
Ivy laughs. “I’m the only single one still standing.”
“Take your time, dear.” Mrs. Rousell pats Ivy’s forearm. “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
Nova clears her throat, snorting. Mrs. Rousell realizes that her words aren’t exactly a ringing endorsement for marriage on her daughter’s wedding day and she laughs. “Unless it’s with the right partner, which you girls have all found.”
We laugh.
“One quick sip for luck,” Nova says, pulling a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine out of the oversized purse she walked in with.
“I thought that was Stella’s diaper bag,” Ivy comments.
Nova shrugs and pops the cork.
“You’re always prepared for the celebratory moments, Nova,” I admit.
Nova grins and pours out the glasses.
We look to Mrs. Rousell who lifts her glass and says, “To you, Allegra. I’m so proud of you and the life you’ve created with Derek. May you share endless love, happiness, and laughter always.”
Allegra blinks back the tears that form in her eyes. She and her mother haven’t had the easiest road and it warms my heart that Mrs. Rousell is here today, even though Allegra’s father isn’t.
We clink our glasses together and take a sip, all of us wrinkling our noses.
“The real stuff is better,” Nova comments.
“Definitely,” Allegra chuckles, shaking her head and passing the flute to Ivy.
A knock on the door causes us all to turn around. I grin when Levi enters. His eyes soften and he smiles when he sees his sister.
“You’re beautiful, A. He’s a lucky man,” Levi says sincerely.
“The luckiest.” Nova nods, taking another sip of her non-alcoholic sparkling wine and gagging.
“We’ll let you have a moment.” Ivy gestures to Nova and me and hustles us toward the door.
“It’s about to get good,” Nova hisses.
“Let them have some time as a family,” Ivy shoots back.
“You’re right. I want to be there when Derek announces that this is really their wedding. The expressions and reactions will be iconic,” Nova says.
Iconic, Ivy mouths to me.
I chuckle as we slip out of the room.
We move toward the bar and I relax when I see Mav in a huddle with Jameson and Derek. It looks like he’s giving Derek advice, which makes me laugh.
“I’m happy for you, Kenny,” Ivy says as we approach the bar.
I glance at her.
She smiles. “I know it hasn’t been easy, but look at what you and Mav have created. A beautiful marriage and now, a family.” My friend blinks away the moisture in her eyes. “You give women like me hope that I can find something similar.”
“You will, Ivy,” I say, a lump of emotion in my throat. “Of course you will.”
She shrugs. “We’ll see. But today, I’m just happy to be with you girls and witness the love you’ve all found.”
I squeeze her hand and she smiles again.
Levi calls her over and she squeezes my hand back before dropping her hold and moving closer to him.
Mav appears beside me, the warmth of his palm settling in the small of my back. “All good?”
“Everything is great.” I beam at him.
He drops a kiss to my lips. “Good. The bride isn’t getting cold feet?”
I snort. “Not in a million years. She’s been waiting for this day.”
Derek looks over his shoulder and grins. “Not as long as me.” He lifts his eyebrows and pushes off the ledge of the bar. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck,” Mav says.
“You don’t need it, Derek,” I add.
Derek shakes his head as he approaches the center of the room. His biological father, Dex, steps beside him and tosses an arm over his shoulders, murmuring something in Derek’s ear.
Derek laughs and taps his father on the back. Their relationship—once inconceivable—is now easy and natural.
Ivy was right. Sometimes, just bearing witness to the kinds of love that exist, that can evolve, is enough to fill you with hope.
“Let’s take our seats,” Mav whispers.
Tucking my hand in his, he escorts me to the chairs before Derek makes his big announcement.
I settle into my seat, one hand resting on my abdomen. Grinning at the guests around the room, I relax. Today, we’re celebrating love and joy and happiness.
And I’ve never felt more ready to embrace these gifts.
The Monday after Allegra and Derek’s wedding, I kiss my husband goodbye after our morning coffee, and sit down at the kitchen island, my laptop open, notebook turned to a clear page, pen uncapped, to search for job opportunities.
Mav is heading into the studio to meet with the band for a morning session. He wants to get a jump on the day so he can meet me for a late lunch before our appointment at the OBGYN. Today is the day we learn the sex of our baby.
I scan an email from Aiden, grinning at the two opportunities at his firm he thinks I’d be a great fit for. I tap out a reply, letting him know I’m interested and would love the opportunity to interview. Waiting for my bar exam results has been trying but not the agony I anticipated.
I envisioned myself not being able to get through my day-to-day life, too anxious for the news. I pictured myself constantly worrying about my future and what it would look like until the results dropped into my inbox.
But that hasn’t been the case. While I’ve certainly put out feelers and set up several informational interviews, I’ve been content to go about life without stress over my career.
I’ve relished finding a rhythm with Maverick.
It’s been seamless, part muscle memory, part maturity, and part truly wanting to be together and connect.
I’ve reveled in the first few months of pregnancy and marveled at impending motherhood.
I’ve enjoyed time with my friends, decorating my home, and learning to savor daily routines.
I’m drafting another email when a new message appears in the top right-hand corner of my laptop. My mouth dries and my fingers freeze on the keyboard as I reread the subject line.
Massachusetts July Bar Exam Results
“It’s here,” I whisper to myself, navigating to my mail widget and opening it.
Right there, in that email, are my results.
“No matter what happens, it’s fine. Worst-case scenario, you retake the exam. No big deal,” I pep talk myself.
Then, I double click on the email, close my eyes, and take a deep breath.
When I open my eyes, I note the word pass and nearly fall off my barstool.
I scan the email for information, relief flowing through my limbs, that I passed the exam with a 276 UBE score.
“Oh my God!” I shout to the empty kitchen, punching a fist into the air. “I did it. I fucking did it.”
I glance down at my little baby swell. “We did it,” I murmur.
Blinking back tears of joy, I pick up my phone. Knowing that Mav is in the studio and won’t have his phone on him, I send him a quick voice note.
“Mav, it’s me. I know you’re recording and won’t see this until afterwards, but I want you to be the first person I tell.
I passed the bar! I passed the fucking bar, Maverick!
” I laugh, giddy. “Can you believe it? I got a 276. A 276! And today, we find out the sex of the baby. Mav, I think this might be the best day of my life!”
I end the voice note and push away from the kitchen island. Then, I dance around my kitchen, reveling in the moment, grateful to share it with my little babe.
Once I’ve calmed down slightly, I call Dad and Jeannie who are delighted. Then, I drop a text in my girl group chat. Ivy calls me instantly and I spend time chatting with her before receiving congratulations from Nova and Allegra.
“You’re on your honeymoon,” I remind A.
“As if I wouldn’t call to tell you how damn proud of you I am,” she replies.
“Thank you, Allegra. I love you.”
“Love you more, Kenny.”
“Have fun on your honeymoon.”
“It’s doubling as a baby moon,” she laughs.
I chuckle. “See you when you get back?”
“Yes! I have so many nursery ideas to discuss with you.”
“Jeannie is creating daily mood boards,” I inform her. “And I have a gazillion pins on Pinterest.”
She laughs. “I thought you’d be too busy with your job search.”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see me.
“Nah, this is more important.” And it is.
That’s the wildest thing. For years, law school and being a lawyer were the most important things in my life.
That goal was the driving motivation behind every decision I made.
Then, after I accepted the truth of what happened with Bran, graduating law school became a personal challenge. I wouldn’t let him win.
But now, everything is different. Bran is behind bars. I’m happily married to the love of my life and we’re starting a family. What could be more important than the people I love and their happiness?
It’s been a massive perspective shift and yet, I’m much happier because of it.
“See you soon, Kenny!”
I blow her a kiss. “Have fun, A.”
I end the call and close my laptop.
Then, I head upstairs to get ready for my lunch date and doctor’s appointment with Maverick.