Page 119 of Speak of the Devil

“Guilty as charged.”

Why am I staying up late when I have this beauty to go to bed with every night?

I’m a lucky fucking bastard.

39

Cate

Three months later. . .

“I can’t believethe babies are almost here.” Maggie sits beside me, handing me another baby shower gift and then rubbing my belly like a genie in a bottle.

“I know. The pregnancy has flown by.” I glance at Shane, my love and greatest support, watching a few feet behind the circle of retirees surrounding me. I’m sure he could argue this has been the longest nine months of his life. He smiles, evoking mine. Of course, he’s been having me smile pretty much since the day we met, so it’s nothing new. I still never take this life for granted.

If I know one thing, these babies were meant to be just like me and Shane.

And I can now find the humor in how we rushed around from the mountains to LA to make sure I got my pill only to end up in the one percent fail rate. We see it as a win.

Laird keeps Shane company since Poppy catered the food and assigned him setup duties. It’s been entertaining to watch those two famous musicians taking on the jobs needed to be accomplished so I could celebrate with my favorite patients.

They’ve done everything without complaint. I think Shane likes the normalcy of it. Here, he’s not Shane Faris, drummer of Faris Wheel. Not the sexiest man alive, though he is to me. Here at Parkdale, he’s Nurse Cate’s special beau. He once told me it was his favorite role until we became husband and wife.

Luna waves at me, then returns to a conversation Maggie’s grandson struck up with her. He happens to be in town from Germany, where he’s stationed. He’s handsome like Maggie’s Henry. She showed us a photo. Both have dark hair and striking brown eyes. Edward is coming in tall at six-three, and as Luna puts it, “Fills out a uniform nicely.”

She’ll eat him alive, and it will be the best time of his life.

Poppy bends down next to me. “You look stunning in that dress. Emerald green is your color.”

“Thank you. I’m huge now so I went with silky drape-like material.”

“It’s fantastic.” Looking at the cup in my hand. “Do you need a refill?”

Checking my cup of water, I reply, “No, I’m good.” I catch her before she runs off again. “Thank you for doing all this.”

She hugs me. “I’m happy to use my skills as a chef here and there.”

Shifting in the chair, I whisper, “Can I ask you something about your job and the twins?”

“Sure.” She runs her hand along the sides of her hair, feeling for strays that have loosened in the bun. “What would you like to know?”

“I love working. I love my job.” I glance around as if it’s obvious since this is where I wanted to have an extra party tocelebrate with my retirees. “Did you quit or put things on hold while they’re babies?”

“Oh, um.” I catch the shared look exchanged between her and Laird. He looks at her like she is his world. And she smiles just looking at him. “I wanted to raise the babies. I liked my job, but I was barely back into my career after an accident when I met Laird. Again, you’ve heard the story. Amnesia. Night in Austin.”

“It’s unique.”

“So is yours with Shane.” I’ve been smiling so much lately that my cheeks hurt, but she manages to make me do it again. “Listen, Cate, you can work if you want to. We live very exceptional lives. We’re given an opportunity to do what feeds our hearts, our souls, and our ambitions. My best friend, Marina, didn’t give up her acting career. She’s an amazing mother. I chose to stay home. Having twins helped with that decision.” She stands, rubbing my shoulder.

She’s become a great friend because we have a lot in common. That we get to spend time together because of the family and band only makes it sweeter. “I’ve never been in a position where money wasn’t at the forefront of my decisions.”

“When it’s removed from the equation, you’ll know what you want to do when you have the babies. There is no losing scenario here. A happy mother is all they want. A happy and fulfilled wife is all Shane wants for you. He’s very special, but you are, too.”

“Thank you, Poppy.” I have a lot to think about, but she made good points. The privilege of not having to decide right now is not lost on me. “Oh, and Luna knows Marina Westcott. We should all get together . . .” I rub my belly like I’m wishing for luck. “Long after the babies are here.”

“We’ll have a girls’ night.”

Daphne, Maggie’s arch enemy by how she practically growls anytime she sees her, stands. “It’s time to play pin the diaper on the baby. Everyone line up for their turn.” She points at a posterstuck on the wall. It’s very sweet that they went to all this trouble for me.

---