Page 34 of Eggnog and Edging
“It varies a lot, but we should have at least four months before he’d be able to tell.”
I join Ryker in rubbing Starla’s belly. “We better get you some baggy shirts and loose pants. I don’t think he’ll be ready in four months.”
Ryker says, “That’s probably true, but at home you can run around naked. I want to see that baby bump as soon as possible. I love you more than I can explain, Starla.”
I double up on his statement and kiss the top of her head. “That’s a good way to put it. There just aren’t words for how much I love you and how happy I am that I can tell you that.”
“I love both of you, too. Now, can we get home? There are more things I want to try.”
Epilogue
Starla
Next Christmas
Silently backing away from Rylen’s bassinet, I’m relieved that my carefully laid plans are going according to schedule. Babies don’t always take naps right on time, but this afternoon’s nap is right on cue.
Cullen and Ryker entertained our little one midday while I finished editing my latest vlog featuring an eggnog pie recipe from a local bakery. I’ve found a niche for myself working with Cullen, Ryker, and my dad.
Realizing that the rules he made to keep me safe were actually pushing me away, and pushing Cullen and Ryker away too, he’slearning to let down his guard and have fun with us and the business.
Each restaurant that hires his company for a revamp gets to submit one recipe for me to showcase. The twist is that I make the recipe their way and then I work with my dad on ways we can improve the recipe.
Then comes Cullen’s and Ryker’s favorite part… the taste test, where they don’t know which version was the original.
Of course we’re careful not to give away any secret recipes, and the restaurants we’ve worked with have enjoyed the publicity, finding that customers want to taste both versions for themselves.
I turn the baby monitor on and make my way into the kitchen. My heart is so full seeing Ryker and Cullen working side by side, even if I do suspect they're being mischievous. In my bare feet, I silently pad up behind them and set my hands on their shoulders, pushing them apart.
"What's going on?" I ask.
They each have a gingerbread man cookie and a full piping bag. Did they forget the plan?
“We're not decorating until Dad gets here. I just needed you to get everything ready."
Ryker says, "We know, but we thought of something really funny."
The two of them snicker like teenagers. It doesn't matter how old a male is when he's laughing like that, he's up to no good.
That's part of what I love about them. They help me remember not to take life too seriously, and that we can get through anything together, so I humor them. "All right, what is it?"
Cullen nods and motions for Ryker to explain.
Ryker grabs one of the gingerbread cookie blanks and hands it to me.
"Do I get an icing bag?"
They both snicker again. Growing up with my Dad and stepbrother, I was exposed to plenty of guy humor. Now that we have a baby boy, I fear it will only get worse.
Ryker says, "No, just hold your cookie right here."
I start to lay it on the counter, but he helps me stand my cookie upright. Then, from either side, the two of them stand their cookies up the same way as mine, so that we have three cookies in a row.
It's like watching a train wreck as they maneuver the tips of their piping bags between their gingerbread men's legs.
I'm laughing before either of them puts any pressure on their piping bag. Unable to control themselves, they’re cracking up and squeezing their piping bags to spray icing on my gingerbread cookie.
In moments I’m coated with white stickiness, although this time it’s sweet.
