Page 149 of Love Me Always

“That’s lemon cake, we know it’s yours and Lorenzo’s favourite.” Tay kissed my cheek. “We thought you’d take it home and enjoy it together.”

“Maybe eat it off one another.” Loreta winked.

“Loreta Ricci, this is a baby shower, stop being so crude.” Tay laughed; we all knew them two were more alike than they like to admit.

The room erupted in laughter as my mother made her way to me, Carmella followed as if they were joined at the hip.

“How are you feeling baby?”

“A little tired but I didn’t dare tell Lorenzo, he would have made me stay home.” I giggled and Carmella immediately rolled her eyes.

“I know he can be too much; do I need to have a word?” she questioned.

“No, it’s okay, thank you though.” I squeezed her hand. “He’s been amazing, a little overprotective but what’s new there?”

"That man adores you and I cannot wait till he holds his babies for the first time." Carmella exclaimed, her face glowing with pride.

“We decorated our Christmas tree today!” I could no longer hide my excitement especially with Carmella as she knew her son wasn’t a huge festivity lover.

“Stop lying to me! My son decorated a Christmas tree?! Well, fuck me sideways, I never thought that would happen.”

We waited a moment until Carmella realised what she said, and we all burst into a fit of laughter, I swayed a little as the tiredness had finally taken its toll.

“Hey! You calm down, we don’t need those babies making an appearance just yet!” My mother led me over to the chair to relax a little.

“Mama, I’m fine, really.” I smiled as she held my face in her hands.

“I’ll call Lorenzo to come and take you home.” She smiled, but it was a worried smile.

“No, he’s at a meeting, Red is coming.” I didn’t want to interrupt Lorenzo, even though I knew he’d want me to, it wasn’t fair he was working.

“You can take the gifts home and open them together later, I want you home and resting rather than here, okay?” She wasn’t joking, she was deadly serious, and I knew not to mess with her when she acted this way.

Within thirty minutes Red had arrived and loaded up the car with the gifts and cake, he looked as worried as my mother did, but I had started to think this was Red’s face when it came to me and the twins.

“Ready to go?” he asked as he waited beside me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?!” Robin questioned as she pulled me into her embrace.

“I’m fine, just need to rest a little.” I smiled as Tay joined in. “Thank you both for arranging this, I’m sorry I can’t stay longer.”

“Don’t you dare apologise; you’re allowed to feel this way.” Tay rubbed the top of my arm. “Get some rest and we’ll come and see you later this week.”

“Thank you, I love you both.” I hugged them tightly as the babies somersaulted in my stomach.

“Ah! He kicked me!” Tay squealed.

“You don’t know it’s a boy.”

“We guarantee one is a boy.” Robin beamed, their prediction was one of each but only time would tell who was right and who won the bet everyone had going on.

“Let’s get you home before Lorenzo gets there.”

“You called him, didn’t you?” I eyed Red as I already knew he’d called him.

“I had to, he told me to call him no matter how small. I’m sorry, I know he’s protective.” He smiled sheepishly.

“It’s alright, don’t worry.” I followed him out of the room after I’d said another round of goodbyes.

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