Page 54 of Fighting for Family

“I feel like I missed out again,” he said somberly. “I wanted to make up for the last time. It’s like we’re right back where we started.”

Gabby turned him to face her. “When I married you, I knew the life we might lead. We have worked hard on our marriage to get here. You’ve put in the work with counseling, and it’s helping you. This community has taken care of me and supported me this entire time, along with Claire. Ty brought us a special soup to help with morning sickness, Avie sent a helper to tend to Marcus while I rested, and the grans brought enough food to last for months. Kassie and Catherine take turns dropping by. Samantha sent over a basket of lotion and oils to prevent stretch marks and fit me in for massages. We don’t have a community. We have a family. They’re counting on us today.”

“All right,” Knight said, conceding. “We’ll go, make our rounds, and then you pretend to have a few of those fake contractions. What do they call them again?”

“Braxton-Hicks,” she told him. “I can’t believe you’d stoop so low. They’ll worry about me.”

“Kassie will insist you get off your feet and Catherine will shove a drink in your hand and insist you rest,” Knight said, grinning. “Then, I’ll play the doting husband all night long.”

“I’ll agree to feel tired, and they’ll not think a thing about it,” she compromised as the doorbell rang.

“It’s good enough for me,” he said as she went to answer the door. Kneeling beside his toddler, he picked up another train and played with him, moving the train around the room.

“You’re only here to watch the small one. I’m taking the bigger kid with me,” Gabby said to Chloe in the doorway of their bedroom. “Let’s go, Knight. I saw Patch leading Claire to the truck. They’ll get there before us.”

“I’m not speeding with my pregnant wife in the car,” he said as he kissed his son and picked up his keys.

“Maybe it wasn’t a bad thing you weren’t here the entire pregnancy,” she muttered as they walked out the door.

Knight drove three streets over and parked the SUV. “Let’s eat, make the rounds, and then go,” he reminded her.

“Yes, I know,” she said as he helped her down and held her hand as they walked into the restaurant.

“We’re here for the Hawkins party,” Gabby told the hostess.

The woman smiled and led them to the private room where everyone called out, “Surprise.”

Gabby gasped and laughed, noticing the beautiful decorations and the cake Bryanna made. The nature-themed party fit perfectly with her nursery plans. Little bunnies decorated the two-tiered cake, with wildflowers covering the bottom.

“You ladies didn’t have to throw me a shower,” Gabby insisted.

“Every life must be celebrated,” Edie said wisely. “Come sit down in the seat of honor. We made some adjustments since Knight and Patch came home earlier than expected. Michael, Doc, Archer, and Conrad, Stormy’s father, joined us. We didn’t want you boys getting bored.”

Gabby hugged Bryanna. “You outdid yourself again. I love the cake.”

“Thanks,” Bryanna said. “You’re carrying a little low today. Have you experienced any pains?”

“Nope. I’m feeling great. Knight returning before this baby comes has given me some relief,” Gabby confessed. “How’s Catherine?”

“She’s doing fine,” Bryanna assured her. “Kassie and Samantha have fussed over her, and Ty gave her his office to rest.”

Gabby moved on to the grans, hugging each of them. “Thank you. I can’t believe you did this.”

“Honey, enjoy it. It makes us happy to see you all starting families. It’s more grandchildren to spoil,” Carol said as she led her to the other women.

Julie spoke with Kassie while she bounced Melissa on her hip. “Hi, Gabby. I’m sorry I brought Melissa. She’s cried all night, and Kassie discovered she’s teething.”

“Rub a little whiskey on her gums, and she’ll be right as rain,” Victoria advised.

“We don’t recommend it,” Kassie corrected. “Massage her gums with a clean finger or a gauze pad. Take her teething rings and put them in the fridge. It’ll help with the pain.”

“Thanks, Kassie. Bear will drive down with Tommy to get her. He worried she needed to go to the hospital, and you know once he sets his cap on something…,” Julie said.

“It’s no problem at all. Sophia and Tori teethed at the same time. None of us got any rest. John sailed through his first couple. Sara and Emma have turned into great little helpers,” Kassie said, assuring her.

“Will the boys come home for Leo’s funeral?” Julie asked softly.

“We’re hoping,” Kassie said. “We’ll have to see.”