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My little house was decorated with pink and yellow balloons, cupcake balloons, and an array of streamers. She’ll only be two once, after all. I was making sure this was the party to be at today. Lola’s peals of laughter trailed me as I made my way to the backyard. Her Gigi, Nana, and Papa watched as she ran out, stumbling over her feet. Thank the heavens she managed to catch herself.
“Lola Jaymes, slow down, kiddo. You’re going to break your neck.” Chuckling, I set the trays of sandwiches down. The horde of children that followed her out of my house had me grinning wide. Danni’s kids loved Lola. In return, she loved them too.
They were all going to grow up well protected. They were going to be trouble too. I could see the emails from the school already.
“Can we do anything to help?” Carmen asked.
Shaking my head, I smiled. “No, ma’am, that’s it. It’s not fancy, but this is what we wanted. Just family and finger foods. Once she sees her giant cupcake cake, it’s going to be game over.”
“I put the ice cream in your freezer. Todd is parking the truck. Geoff, Colby, Amy, be careful. Her legs aren’t as long as y’all’s. Good lord.” I looked from where the kids were playing, running around the big tree, over at Danni. She had one hand on her hip, her hawk-eyed gaze on the kids. The other hand was on her belly.
I watched her for a minute then that light bulb went off. That explained a lot. I knew she’d been a little different the last couple of weeks. I couldn’t help it, I snorted out a laugh.
“Danni, boo, I think you’re hiding something from me.”
She met my knowing gaze and rolled her eyes. “Bite me, cookie.”
“Grumpy. Testy. Worrying over nothing,” I said all of this while walking toward her. My arms went around her, and I grinned more when she slumped against me.
“Dammit. He did it again. I just got my hips back and now…”
“How far along?” I spun around to face her.
“About ten weeks, Doc isn’t sure because I’m not sure when my last cycle was. You know it’s never been regular. I swear I’m getting him fixed, even if I have to do it myself.”
“Don’t be a psycho. It takes two to have a baby, ya know.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I knew she was happy; the woman loved her kids so much. But, I got it. She’s said more than once after the complications with her last one that she wasn’t sure she wanted to go through that again. Childbirth wasn’t for the faint of heart on a good day.
“When will you find out more?” I inquired to get her back in the game and out of psycho land.
“We go on Wednesday for an ultrasound; I’ll find out then just how far along I am. I have a feeling I know when it happened. It’s all your fault.”
“Oh, wait. My fault? I didn’t tell you to do the horizontal mambo. They have these things called,” I leaned in and whisper-yelled the word, “condoms!”
“Oh, shut your face. We are married…but yeah, I see your point. I am hopeful we won’t have any problems this time. I’ll start monitoring my blood pressure and blood sugar now. I refuse to be put on bedrest again. I might go on a murder spree if I have to be locked in a cage like that.”
I hugged her tight. “I’ll be right there with you, no worries, okay? Women have babies every day. It’s a beautiful thing.”
“Amen to that.” She rubbed her belly. “I hope it’s a little girl. The numbers stay even that way. Though…another brother to help beat off the boys when Amy starts dating…”
“Oh lord. Lola will never be able to date. James might lose his mind.”
“Shotgun over the shoulder while he stares them down from the porch. Yep, I can see it.” We laughed as I hugged her again.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping or anything but I heard the good news. Congratulations, Danni. You need anything, you let us know,” Mrs. Whitman remarked. Carmen was pushed to the side gently by her mother-in-law so she could hug Danni.
“Oh, sweetheart. Another bundle of joy. I’m so happy for you and your husband. You heed Carmen’s words. You need anything, we are there.” No one could argue with Althea Whitman, not a soul.
Her word was gold.
“Yes, ma’am, thank you both. This won’t interfere with my job. Well, not until?—”
“I swear, I will hit you. Stop it. Maternity leave is there for a reason.” I hugged her again.
“Enough, enough. Today is about my precious Goddaughter, not my next little monster.” She smiled. “I hope it’s a girl though.”
