Page 135 of Wicked Love

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

SURPRISES

POPPY

A few weeks later, I’m deep into nesting mode. It’s the beginning of November and the weather has turned cold. The nesting urge has hit me full force. My due date is not for another week and my doctor keeps reminding me that first-time moms are often later than their due date, so I’m trying not to rush the process…but I am so ready to have this baby. I’ve spent the past week rearranging the nursery, folding and refolding tiny shirts, and obsessively checking the hospital bag. Everything is as ready as it can be.

When Henley and Tru invite everyone to Rose & Thorn for a night out, I’m eager for a break. I’m still not on maternity leave and don’treallyfeel like leaving the house, but I need a distraction.

I realize immediately it’s not just a casual gathering when we step inside the restaurant.

“What is going on?” I ask Bowie.

“Beats me,” he says.

There are only high-top tables surrounding a huge cake. There are flowers and music, and the whole crew is here. Henley and Tru beam at us when we walk in. Once everyone has a drink (sparkling juice for me, obvs), Henley clears his throat, and Tru loops her arm through his.

“So,” Henley begins, a grin lighting up his face, “we have something to tell you all…”

He glances at Tru, and she nods, grinning. “We got married!” she announces.

The room explodes in shrieks and whoops and laughter. My jaw drops.

“What? When?” I ask, along with everyone else.

“Two nights ago,” Henley says. “We flew to Vegas, just us and the kids, and had a quiet ceremony in a pretty little chapel.”

Tru smiles, leaning into him. “We just didn’t want a big event. Too much fuss. And we were tired of waiting for the right time, so we kept it quiet and took off after Bree dropped off the kids. We’re putting off the honeymoon until the season’s over, and wanted to spend more time and money on that than the actual ceremony.”

“I can’t believe you got married without us,” Penn groans dramatically.

“At least we’re here for the after-party!” Sadie says, lifting her glass.

Henley launches into a funny story about an Elvis officiant trying to marry them and they had to ask for themore subdued minister, please. He’s so animated in his delivery that I find myself laughing harder than I have in weeks. And then I feel it—a strange, low sensation, like the baby suddenly shifting downward.

I stop laughing abruptly, placing a hand under my belly, almost like I’m trying to hold it up. “Oh,” I say quietly.

Bowie’s eyes dart to me instantly. He’s learned to read every subtle change in my expression since he watches me like ahawkthese days. A paranoid hawk at that.

“Something just happened,” I say, blinking in surprise.

His hand goes around my waist and another on my stomach. “Happened how? Are you okay?” he asks, worry filling his eyes.

“I think the baby just…dropped,” I manage, swallowing nervously. It’s different from all the other movements I’ve felt before—heavier, a more forceful press on my bladder. “Bowie…I think I need to go to the hospital.”

His eyes go wide, and the entire group falls silent, hearing me. I thought I was being quiet, but the urgency must have come through. There’s a rush of hugs and well-wishes, and we say quick goodbyes.

“I don’t even have my bag,” I say.

“We’ll bring it to you,” Elle says. “Don’t worry about a thing. See how things are going and we can bring Becca when you’re ready too.”

Becca hovers near me, concerned.

“I’m fine,” I tell her. “Stay here and have fun for a while with everyone. We’ll let you know what the doctor says. Itmight not even be time for baby brother yet, but we’ll find out.”

“I go too,” she says, stomping her foot.

I’m too nervous to have her there during the delivery, uncertain of how she’d react to all of that, but I know I want her there the minute our baby boy arrives.

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