“It’s a girl.” Jeremy’s voice cracks. “It’s going to be a beautiful little girl.”
“What will her name be?” Athena moves to stand next to us, her eyes dropping to the front of my gray sweatshirt. “That’s why you’ve been wearing baggy clothes, isn’t it?”
I nod. “We wanted to be sure everything was okay before we said a word.”
That was important to us both after Harmony suffered a miscarriage six months ago. She had been overjoyed at the prospect of having another baby. I was with her at Crispy Biscuit when she started bleeding. I rushed with her in
a taxi to the hospital, but there was nothing that could be done.
I held her as she cried in the ER until Reuben got there.
I haven’t told her about my pregnancy yet. I haven’t told my dad either.
I will when I see him next week before he leaves for Florida.
We’ve worked hard to build a new relationship that’s based on respect and love.
It’s a step-by-step process, but we’re determined to make it work.
He wants me to forge a bond with Mitchell, but I’m not ready for that. I may never be.
“We’re going to name her Cassidy,” I say quietly. “In honor of Jeremy’s mom.”
A week after I met Jeremy’s siblings, he told me about his mom.
She had passed away a month before his eighteenth birthday.
Layan Cassidy had been a remarkable woman who loved her son fiercely. She’d raised him with dignity and compassion after her husband cheated on her with the woman who would eventually become his second wife. It never made her bitter. She only drew strength from it, teaching her son about loyalty and love.
“That’s beautiful.” Athena reaches for Jeremy’s hand. “I think it’s the perfect choice, Jer.”
“Me too.” He kisses the top of her hand.
“Did you tell Blythe?” Breccan laughs. “She stopped by yesterday with that big basket of fruit and told us not to eat it. She said it was for Linny.”
We all look toward the large wicker basket in the middle of the dining room table that’s filled with apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and a pineapple.
“For fuck’s sake.” Jeremy fishes his phone out of the front pocket of his jeans. ‘She must have been reading my emails again. Linny’s been sending me nursery design ideas.”
“I want in on that.” Athena smiles. “We can fill it with fresh flowers every day.”
“Wedding plans first.” Jeremy laughs. “Nursery plans second.”
“You’re getting married before the baby comes?” Zach steps back. “You don’t have a lot of time.”
We don’t, but we’ll make it work.
Bethy is headed back to New York in a week and my mom told me she wouldn’t miss my wedding for the world. I want both her and my dad to walk me down the aisle so I can wed the man I adore before our daughter arrives.
“Let’s get out the calendar and find a day that works.” Breccan skims his finger across his phone. “I’m obviously the best man.”
“We’re doing dual best men.” Jeremy points at Breccan and Zach. “I want you both right there beside me. That works, right?”
Their smiles say it all.
I turn to Athena, swallowing back the rush of emotion I feel.
“I know you’ll want your sister to be your maid-of-honor.” She tucks a lock of my hair back behind my ear. “I can design the flowers, Linny. I promise I’ll make you the most breathtaking bouquet.”