Rock Bottom (Dawson Family 6)

“They finally fit.” I smile at my nieces.

“I was so excited,” Quinn tells us. “Thanks again for getting these for the girls.”

I wrap my arm around Rory’s waist and plant a kiss on her cheek. We went to Disney World a few months ago and Rory and I had way too much fun buying stuff for our many nieces and nephews. It turned out to be way more expensive than we thought though to buy everyone a shirt or outfit, but it was fun seeing the excitement on their faces.

Owen, Charlie, and Olivia come in the house next, surprising everyone.

“You’re on time?” I bring my hand to my chest, faking shock.

Owen takes Olivia’s coat off and motions to Charlie. “Being ridiculously early for everything is part of her nesting.”

Charlie puts her hands on her stomach. “This little guy has me wanting to organize and prepare everything. I keep panicking about having two kids.” She looks at Quinn and shakes her head. “How are you still functioning with five?”

“I’m not,” Quinn laughs. “Though having a nanny helps.”

“Must be nice to be rich,” Owen quips, teasing Quinn. “The rest of us have to take care of our own children and wash our own dishes.”

“You wash dishes?” Charlie puts her hand on her hip.

“Hey, I’m a good housekeeper.”

Charlie gives us a look and we all laugh. Olivia takes Owen’s hand, dragging him to the backyard so she can play outside with Quinn’s other children.

“Want to outside?” Rory asks, looking through the window at Archer, Weston, my parents and all the kids. “It’s so nice out.”

Of course.” I pull out a chair for Charlie, who slowly lowers herself down, and take Rory’s hand. We run around with kids for a while, and Rory gets winded easily.

It’s a little humid out, but that’s not why she’s not feeling like herself.

“Come with me,” I tell her, motioning to the covered glider. I wrap my arm around her and gently push my feet against the ground, bringing the glider back.

“This is nice,” Rory says, resting her hand on my shoulder. “And my rings look so sparkling in the sunlight.”

I laugh, taking her left hand in mine. “You should get them cleaned more often.”

“That requires going to the jeweler,” she laughs. “But they look like they did on our wedding day.”

“Speaking of our wedding day, I think you should bust out that white lacey thing you wore under your dress tonight.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” She resituates, hooking one leg over mine.

“Have I told you I love you yet today?”

She beams, tipping her head up to mine “You have, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”

I put my lips to hers and rest my hand over her stomach. “I love you so fucking much.”

“That’s more like it.”

We stay outside for a bit longer, enjoying the sun and the warm summer air. Then Logan and his family arrives, and it’s the typical ten minutes of chaos that always happens before everyone crams around the table.

“Who wants sangria?” Scarlet asks, coming to the table with a pitcher of sangria she made just for tonight. “Besides you, preggers,” she says to Charlie with a wink.

“No thanks,” Rory tells her and I wait for anyone to raise their suspicions, Rory doesn’t drink all that often, so it’s not that odd for her to decline any alcohol tonight.

She looks at me, trying not to smile. We planned to wait until dinner to share our news, but I don’t think either of us can keep the secret any longer.

“You gonna ask Rory why she doesn’t want any sangria?” I ask casually, taking great care to put mustard on my hamburger.

“Oh my God,” Quinn squeals, bring her hands up and shaking them excitedly.

“Are you?” Mom asks, eyes going wide.

Rory looks at me and smiles. “Yes. I’m pregnant!”