Page 101 of Entirely Yours
She almost spits out her drink—this is the first time I’m bringing up this particular subject, though I did intentionally leave some space around the three roses I got tattooed over my heart after Emmett was born. “Julien Bardot! Have you lost your mind?”
“We have another room.”
“‘We have another room’ he says,” she scoffs, taking Emmett’s little hand in hers. “I think your daddy is tempting fate after how perfect you are,” she coos.
“Call me daddy again and I’ll tempt fate all over our bedroom.” My favorite blush creeps up her neck. “That’ll never get old,” I continue, running my finger across her flushed jawbone.
“Alright, TBD”—she only calls me that when she doesn’t know what to do with me—“I need to get ready,” she diverts. “But I think I’ll enjoy my shower a little bit more now.”
She winks at me on her way out of the room, peeling her shirt overhead as she goes.
“Low blow, Rosie girl,” I call after her.
“Wish I could blow even lower,” she calls back.
Fuck me.
I’ll be counting down the hours until both kids are in bed and I can hold her to that.
A few hours later, we finally make it to Mom and Dad’s for Emmett’s first birthday party. The whole family is there, and Gabe and Ben decided on a farm theme so everyone is dressedup like vegetables, each one of my siblings donning a homemade cabbage costume. They look ridiculous.
“My cabbages!” Mom shouts as soon as we walk in. “Happy birthday to the littlest cabbage!” She takes Emmett out of his carseat, and I know we won’t see him for a while. Thea follows after them and I head outside to find Ben.
“Is everything ready?” I ask, in lieu of greeting.
“Hello, brother. I’m fine, thanks for asking. The partydoeslook great, you’re right! Always so observant.”
“Are you done?”
His shoulders slump. “Fine, yes I’m done, and yes, everything is ready.” He pats his pocket, pumping his eyebrows at me. “Where’s the birthday boy?”
“Mom grabbed him as soon as we walked in. Just so we’re clear, you have the?—”
“Thea!” Ben cuts me off. “Happy day of giving birth.”
“Thank you, thank you!” she says, mock bowing. “The party looks fantastic! Y’all did another great job. The costumes are the cherry on top!”
Ben shoots me a pointed look as if to say,See! Pleasantries aren’t that hard!
I ignore him, instead busying my hands with untying and retying my bun. Thea gives me a weird look when she catches the nervous habit, though. “You nervous, babe?”
Ben’s eyes go wide, but he covers quickly. “I… I, uh, just told Jules I forgot the cake.”
“I thought Dad was making cupcakes?” Her eyebrows furrow.
“He is!” Ben confirms. “But we thought a cake for Em to smash would be cute, too. Right, Jules?”
“Right...”
Thea waves us off. “It’s fine! Cupcakes will do!”
Ben gives her finger guns. “Good call. I’m going to go…” He looks around in a desperate attempt to escape. “Go over there.”
And then he’s gone.
“Is it me or is Ben acting weirder than usual?” she whispers, leaning her head on my shoulder.
“He’s always weird,” I reply, hoping she doesn’t notice how much I’m shaking.
