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29
PEYTON
In a matter of days, I’m going to be a mom. The countdown is on and very real, and tonight is one of the last times it’ll ever be Elle and me, doing nothing but watching movies. It’s not going to matter what the movie is, we’ll both cry because everything makes us cry these days. We can’t help it. We’re emotional but after tonight, we’re going to be different. Our lives will have forever changed. But tonight, we’re two very pregnant sisters who are going to veg out on the oversized reading chair my husband bought me, and just be.
Elle waddles into the room and collapses dramatically onto my new chair. She thinks she’s big, but she’s nothing compared to me. “I’m tired of being pregnant,” she says with a sigh. “I mean, I’m not, but I am.”
“You’re preaching to the choir,” I tell her. “But I don’t want it to be over. It feels like it’s too soon.”
“It is,” she says. She kicks her shoes off and then maneuvers next to me. Within seconds, our mom comes into the room with a bowl of popcorn and two bottles of water. Both moms are here, on standby, to help us go to the bathroom when needed. Which is honestly too many times to count during the day. I don’t know what I would do or would’ve done without Josie being at my beck and call twenty-four-seven. My mom was here when she could be, but with the adoption of Oliver not yet final, she hated being away, and the rambunctious toddler is a lot to handle right now.
Elle’s next to me, with a bowl of popcorn between us. She takes a few pieces, sticks them in her mouth, and then throws a handful at me. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but we’re sleeping here and it’s not like I can easily roll over to get rid of popcorn kernels. Stevie Nicks appreciates her aunt’s gestures though.
My sister turns her head and looks at me. “Are you scared?”
I do the same, facing her. “No,” I say and then add. “Sort of.”
“They’re going to cut you open, P.” She reaches for my hand and holds it.
“I know but this scar will be different. I want this one.”
“I wish things were different.”
“If they were, I wouldn’t have the triplets. I don’t think I’d change anything right now because I’m getting them. As painful and scary the accident was, it brought me Noah and now the babies. I really can’t imagine my life any differently.”
“You almost died on me.”
“It’s going to take a lot more than an accident to get rid of me, Elle. I’m forever going to be a thorn in your side as your big sister.”
Elle sets her hand on my stomach and feels one of the boys kick. “He’s going to be a hell of a drummer,” she says. “And this guy,” she moves her hand a bit higher. “I have a feeling he’s going to be a poet or writer, someone who’s laid back and just chill all the time.” Elle slides her hand over to our girl. “And my niece, she’s going to be fierce and determined to outshine her brothers and I’m going to help her every bit of the way.”
I place my hand over hers. “The only girl among the boys.”
“The instant princess. This little girl isn’t going to have to ever lift a finger. There isn’t a man in this family who won’t dote on her.”
“She’s going to be spoiled.”
Elle nods. “By me as well. I can’t wait for her to be old enough to go shopping.”
“Noah’s ready for them to be three already so we can take them to Disney.”
Elle puts her hand under her pillow. “Do you remember when Dad took us?”
I nod even though my memories are fuzzy. “The first time I remember parts of it. I think when we went around ten or eleven, I remember those trips better and definitely when we’ve tagged along with Ajay and Jamie to take the kids. I’m ready for us to do something like that with our babies.”
Elle smiles. “They’ll kick us out with our entourage because you know Mom and Dad will have to come with us. Josie and Liam will be there, too. Knowing our parents, they’ll hire a videographer to capture every moment.”
“Dad’s ready to be a grandpa.”
“Do you think Mom is?” Elle asks.
“Yes, I am,” we hear her yell from the other room. We both roll our eyes.
“Are you going to name one of the boys Mason?” Elle asks.
I shrug. “We haven’t decided on names yet.”
“Peyton! You’re having them in two days. They need names.”
