7 Months (Time for Love 8)

Play-doh babies v

Bobbing for nipples v

Predictions for baby v

It looked like all that was left was the What’s That Baby Food game. I strode gleefully to the kitchen to pour the jars of baby food into little bowls and put them on a tray. I made myself a color chart cheat sheet, so I’d know which bowls contained which food.

I was almost done when Bronagh came in, wiping her eyes.

“Oh, my gosh, that was too fun,” she said as she grabbed a water bottle and chugged. “Sasha cracks me up.”

I nodded with a smile as I emptied the jar of sweet potatoes and chicken into an orange bowl.

“So,” she began, getting close enough so she could whisper and I’d still hear her. “How’s everything going with Brady? Still moving forward?”

“Yeah, actually, he asked me to stay here after the party. For dinner, and then, hopefully, to spend the night.”

Bronagh clapped her hands together, just like she did when we were teenagers staying up all night talking about boys.

“Oh, goody, a sleepover.”

“It’s been great, Bronagh,” I admitted as I put the jar in the recycle bin and leaned into her so our shoulders were touching. “He’s really working on communicating, opening up about his past, and his fears. He has an appointment with a counselor, and I think that’ll really help him out.”

“That’s wonderful, Ming. He’s a really great guy, and I won’t lie, the thought of you two being together, and maybe one day getting married…” Bronagh trailed off when she began crying softly. “We’d be actual sisters.”

“Ahhh, Nonie,” I replied, feeling myself tear up as well, then pulled her in for a hug.

“Stupid hormones,” she muttered against my shoulder, but I just smiled.

I hadn’t actually thought of what would happen if Brady and I were serious enough to ever get married, I was just working on getting him to have a normal relationship. But, now that Bronagh had mentioned the possibility, I loved the idea of being family not just to her, but with all of the O’Malleys.

“Ready for the next game,” Cass said as she rushed in. She was not only a master planner, but crazy about her schedules. “Oh, is everything okay?”

“Perfect,” Bronagh said as she pulled away from me. “You guys have been so great, really. This is the best shower, more that I could’ve imagined.”

When she started getting misty again, Cass put her arm around Bronagh and led her back out of the kitchen. I could hear her saying, “That makes me so happy, you deserve it.”

As soon as I entered the living room with the tray in my hands, Sasha yelled, “Oh, hell no. I’m out of this one.”

With such delicacies as vegetable turkey, sweet carrots, tender peas, beef and beef broth, and spinach and zucchini medley, I didn’t blame her.

This was why I was the game lady, and not a gamer.

Shelly beat Gaby five to three and Victoria only got one right, everyone else got none. Not a lot of baby food eaters in this group.

Once we were done with games, everyone ooohed and aaahed over presents, while Gwen took a million pictures. By the time presents were over, Bronagh was exhausted, so we told her to go home and get some rest.

“Brock will bring by the presents later,” Victoria told Bronagh as she kissed her cheek goodbye.

“Thanks,” Bronagh answered with a tired smile, then turned to give me and Cass big hugs. “Thanks again, you guys, I loved everything so much. And thanks for the desserts, Gaby, and taking pictures, Gwen.”

“Get out of here before you fall asleep on your feet,” I said, knowing she’d stall and try to talk to everyone one last time.

“I’ll help you out,” Shelly said, placing her arm around Bronagh’s waist and maneuvering her out the door.

Everyone left and it was just me, Cass, and Victoria on cleanup, when I sent Brady the text to let him know the shower was over.

We’re finishing up now. What are you in the mood for? Thai, Burgers, Pizza?