Page 65 of It Happened Back Then
“Do you have a song choice, Blossom?” Meadow asks with the most disgustingly sweet voice.
“Yeah. it’s called “Mama’s Song” by Carrie Underwood.”
January smiles. “Oh, that's sweet. For me and Lily.”
I shake my head. “Nope. Not for you and Lily.” I suddenly feel the weight of it while they all look back at me with questions, and I get giddy over waiting for them to figure it out. “What about ‘Ice Ice Baby’?”
Meadow chimes in. “I think ‘Push It’ by Salt ‘N Pepa is a good one.”
“’Baby One More Time’ by Britney?” Mom adds, and Meadow and I crack up.
“Why all the baby songs...?” January's voice drifts and her eyes get wide as she puts it all together. “No fucking way! You’re pregnant?!”
She screams it and the smile that breaks out across my face can’t be contained. Courtney begins screaming and jumping around. Lily jumps with her, not really understanding what’s going on but wanting to be a part of it all. Meadow just smirks smugly, and when they accuse her of knowing and not telling she just shrugs.
“I’m pregnant.”
“With Bennett’s kid?” Courtney blurts, eyes wide.
Meadow smacks her. "Of course it’s Bennett’s, you lunatic."
January is laughing and crying at the same time. “I didn’t even know you two were official again! One minute you’re screaming about him being a menace in bed and keeping it quiet, and now you’repregnant?”
“He’s clearly a menace. How do you think it happens, January?” Meadow teases.
Mom cuts in, “I think this calls for champagne and cake!”
Courtney fumbles for her phone. “Wait, do we know if it’s a boy or girl yet? Should I order tiny cowboy boots??”
I shake my head as we all settle back down around the table and Mom and Lily grab the cake and champagne. “It’s too early yet. But if Bennett wants to find out, we will.”
This feels so good. I’m so happy everyone is happy. January finally snaps out of it enough to shriek again, but this time she barrels in to hug me. “We’re gonna have another baby in the family! Oh my God! Lily, you’re going to be the best big cousin! I'm gonna be the cool aunt!”
Meadow snorts. “You meansecondcoolest. I already bought matching onesies for me and the baby.”
“I heard that’s how she got Cole,” Courtney snipes. “They wear matching onesies.”
“Pfft. I got Cole because I give good head.”
“Girls!” Mom yells, turning red and we all snort laugh at her. “Let’s focus here. Who’s gonna tell Lief?”
Everyone freeze, all eyes turned to me, wide with concern. Laughing I respond,
“Don’t worry, he already knows.”
“And he’s with the boys right now! Oh man, anyone got bail money?”
I just laugh, hugging my belly without even thinking.
For the first time in weeks, I feel nothing buthappy.
CHAPTER 34 - BENNETT
Iworked a double shift again today, covering for the chef on the lunch shift, and I welcomed it. I need the time to keep my mind busy otherwise I’ll be up Blossom’s ass.
My constant check-ins of how she’s feeling and if she needs anything are important to me, but I know she’s getting annoyed. I don’t care though. I’m going to keep doing it.
“Hey, stranger.”
