Page 99 of Together

“Crap. I was doing so good to keep it a secret, wasn’t I?” Nik says sheepishly.

I shrug. “No big deal. Yeah, we’re having a boy.” I beam.

Everyone erupts with happiness, especially my dad who’s been surrounded by women most his life. Aside from Samuel and Grant, who aren’t real close with him.

“May I?” Dad asks, pointing to my stomach.

“Of course. You don’t have to ask.”

He gets out of his chair and kneels next to me, placing a hand where Nik’s just was. It takes a minute or two but eventually we feel a flutter followed by a strong kick.

Dad’s eyes stay glued to my stomach as he says, “Hi there, little man. I’m your grandpa. You’re going to have me wrapped around your little finger in no time.”

When I glance at Nik, the look on his face breaks my heart. He doesn’t get this. His parents are gone and won’t get to meet their grandsons. Our son won’t know two sets of grandparents who want to fight over him.

Leaning over, I place a hand on Nik’s cheek and give him a kiss on the lips. He rests his forehead to mine and for a bit, it feels like we’re alone. The two of us sitting on cushiony patio furniture, sharing a moment after a hectic few days.

A throat clearing breaks our moment and my brother-in-law, Grant, pushes my dad out of the way. “All right, old man. It’s my turn. I want to feel what I can expect in a few more months.”

Everyone goes silent and we look to Lucy who has wide eyes staring at the back of her husband’s head as he places a hand on my stomach to feel the baby move.

“What did you just say?” my mom asks him.

“What?” he asks, looking around confused. Something clicks and his words dawn on him. “Oh shit.”

“So, we have news,” Lucy says quietly. “It’s early. Ten weeks along now, but we’re hopeful.”

My family erupts in happiness, sharing our congratulations and excitement for the news.

That’s why Lucy didn’t say anything when Grace was being awful to me. She was thinking of her own baby.

I wink at her, letting her know I understand and she winks back.

“I was going to ask if Lucy and I could host a baby shower for you but now maybe it needs to be a double shower.”

Lucy’s quick to interject. “No. This one will be just for Ashley and Nik. Grant and I will have one later. I don’t want to jinx anything.”

“I understand. Are you okay with that, Nik? Did your sister have anything planned?”

“I’m sure she’d like to be involved. That’s very nice of you to offer.”

“We haven’t registered,” I remind him. “Like, for anything.”

“What do you mean you haven’t registered?” I hear Josie say behind me.

“What are you guys doing here?” Nik asks, taking baby Jay from Dean’s arms. “How’s my little buddy doing? You missed Uncle Nik so much, didn’t you?” he coos and I glance at my sisters who have hearts in their eyes.

Grace mouths, “Holy shit,” to me and I grin knowingly.

“I couldn’t keep her home. Sorry to interrupt, everyone,” Dean says.

Josie pulls me from my chair and hugs me tightly. “You’re okay. You’re okay. Thank God. I was so worried.”

“I’m okay,” I promise. “Aside from the wrist, all is perfect.”

“The pictures of the wreck, oh my gosh, I can’t believe…”

“What pictures?”

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