Page 397 of Redeeming 6

“Don’t be so dramatic, Aoife.” Mam chuckled, climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. “It was a standard internal, love, not calving season at Old MacDonald’s farm. If you think that was bad, just you wait until you’re delivering. It’ll be carnage down there.”

“Old MacDonald’s farm,” Casey snorted. “Good one, Trish.”

“Wow,” I deadpanned. “I am so pleased that the impending demise of my vagina is so entertaining to you.”

“Well, that’ll teach you to let your boyfriend put his willy in there without protection.”

“Yes, Mother,” I drawled, tone laced with sarcasm. “I have indeed learned the error of my ways.”

“She’s already two centimeters dilated, Casey,” Mam said excitedly. “The doctor thinks she’ll have the baby by tomorrow.”

“Chill, Mam,” I cut in. “Nothing’s coming out of me until Joey comes home.”

“That’s not technically true,” Casey chimed in, pointing to a damp circular stain on the front of my dress. “You’re leaking a little there, babe.”

“Oh, come on,” I wailed, throwing my hands up in dismay. “What the hell is wrong with that boob?”

“We should buy you a bell chain and rename you Daisy.”

“Which one, love?”

“The left one,” I grumbled, reaching for a tissue to stuff into my bra. “The right one always behaves herself, but the left one is an embarrassing bitch.”

“Oh, come on,” Casey chuckled, patting my big belly. “Ignore the leaks and let’s go and get those swollen hooves a pedicure before baby daddy gets back.”

“Hmm,” I grumbled, slightly mollified at the thought of seeing Joey again. “Do you think they have a hedge trimmer at the beautician’s?”

“Come on,” Casey coaxed. “Give us a smile. You’ve only been waiting for this all summer.”

She was right.

I had been waiting all summer.

Fifteen long weeks to be exact.

Joey was coming home.

Finally.

By Wednesday night, we would be together again.

“I’m nervous,” I heard myself admit aloud for the first time, even though the feeling had been eating away at me for weeks now.

“What?” both Casey and Mam asked in unison. “Why?”

“Because look at me, guys.” I gestured to my stomach. “I’m not exactly the Aoife he remembers.”

“Aoife, you’re about to have the boy’s baby,” Mam offered gently. “You are beautiful, sweetheart.”

“Fuck beautiful, babe, you are breathtaking to look at,” Casey chimed in supportively. “I don’t know anyone else on this planet who could pull off a nine-month baby bump and still look completely fuckable! He’s going to lose his shit when he sees you!”

“Casey,” Mam chastised. “Please, love, can we not?”

“Sorry, Trish, but it’s true,” my best friend replied. “Our girl here is a MILF!” Grinning wickedly, she added, “And when Joey the DILF gets home, there’s going to be explosions.”

“Oh, sweet mother of mercy,” Mam muttered, sounding pained.

“You have nothing to be insecure about, Aoife,” Casey added. “But just to top up that glass of self-esteem, we’re going to go all out on the pampering today, and it’ll be Daddy T’s treat.” She looked to my mam before asking, “You swiped the credit card before we left the house this morning, didn’t ya, Trish?”

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