I burst out laughing, knowing Uncle Noah and Kate are very active in the bedroom. Actually, not just the bedroom but everywhere. I’d overheard several conversations between Kate and Adriana because Mom didn’t want to hear anything about her baby cousin Noah and his stallion ways.
“Is anyone wondering why Eric looks like he’s deep-throating?” Millie pipes up, forcing us all to turn our attention on him.
We shudder upon watching, yet none of us can turn away.
“I think it’s down to Mom and Nikki,” I say out loud while wrinkling my nose. “I’m torn between wanting Mom to win but also not wanting to think about how she can suck on something so good.”
“Lucky Uncle Lex,” Luna snickers.
As the bottles start to empty, Nikki takes her final sip and raises her bottle as everyone cheers, prompting a satisfied grin.
“Rocky would be so proud of me right now,” Nikki boasts.
“Will would die if he heard this,” Millie mumbles, handing over a gift bag to Nikki with a forced smile. “I’m not so sure your son would be proud of you.”
We erupt into laughter as the women who competed try to catch their breaths, each one complaining just how difficult the task was.
After we take a small break in which a three-tiered cake is rolled out, we’re each served a slice of what I’ll call heaven. Like Mom, Millie knows just how much I love red velvet cake, making it easy to devour the piece in record time.
I greedily go in for seconds, unapologetic for wanting more.
“Are you ready to open your gifts?” Millie asks, ushering me back to my throne.
“I have to do that in front of everyone?”
She laughs, then releases a sigh. “Yes, part of the baby shower experience.”
Millie is beside me to hand each gift as Eric sits beside her, noting the gifts and names.
There are onesies, stuffed toys, things for feeding, and this big plastic trash can-looking thing.
I stare at it in confusion.
“Ava, honey, it’s a diaper genie,” Mom mentions softly near me.
“Does it make them disappear?” I ask, still confused.
A few people laugh until Mom continues with, “It seals the dirty diapers and makes it easy to take it to the trash later.”
“Oh,” is all I say, then offer a thank you to Nikki, who purchased it for me along with other bits and pieces.
As I open each gift, everyone ooh’s and ah’s. The smaller the item, the louder their sounds. Although I have to admit, the outfits are cute, especially a onesie which looks like a little bunny suit.
The stroller is from Mom and my sisters, apparently the best stroller according to some parenting magazine. It’s filled with so many things I never knew I needed, and it goes without saying they spoiled me rotten.
Standing up to hug Mom, I thank her for everything before taking a seat again to open the remaining presents.
Millie hands me a white box with a beautiful yellow bow on top. Slowly, I pull the card out and begin to read it.
Dear Ava,
To the beautiful memories this baby will bring us soon.
Welcome to our family.
Love
Kristen