Tempting Perfection

Lana beamed and gave me a hug. “A baby shower! Knoah thought Dylan needed some presents. And as his grandmother, I couldn’t agree more.”

“Oh my gosh!” I gasped and put my hand to my mouth. “This is for me?” I turned to Knoah. “You are amazing. Thank you! Thank you to everyone for coming.”

Nina rushed up to give me a hug. “I’ve missed you. When Knoah called me, I was so excited. I stopped by the studio on the way here and saw Kurt had brought George. I’m pretty sure Edge has been missing him.”

I snapped my fingers. “I knew it!”

Monica was next. I was shocked to see her. “I thought you went to Denver.”

“I couldn’t miss my sister-in-law’s baby shower.”

Her words filled me with joy.

Knoah’s mother brought her granddaughter, Kimberly, who wore a pretty dress and curls in her hair. “We are so happy for you.”

“Can I feel your tummy?” the little girl asked.

“Of course. But so far, I’m the only one who’s been able to feel the baby. Any day now, people should be able to feel him kick, too.”

Kimberly put her hand to my stomach, and my heart soared. Children were precious—a true miracle. Mattie would have loved being part of this.

Chelsea from As You Wish Planning tapped my shoulder. “Chelsea! Where have you been? My word, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too. I’m working as a planner with another event planning firm now. And your favorite bridezilla—the one with the monkey—came by.”

I gasped, thinking about that horrible wedding. The lady was cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. “No!”

She giggled, nodding. “Yes! Apparently, the second coming of Elvis is inside her. She wanted me to plan a baby shower. And you will not believe what she requested.”

“A monkey?”

“Yes! The monkey was supposed to hang out at the shower in an Elvis costume. I politely declined and moved on. What a nightmare.”

I laughed, thankful I would never have to deal with that crazy lady again. “That was absolutely the most wretched affair I ever worked on. Everything was in increments of nine. We cut nine inches of ribbon until I wanted to stab myself with the scissors.”

I looked at the little girl with her big eyes staring at me. “I’m just kidding. I wouldn’t stab myself.” Her eyes remained huge, so I kept explaining. “I say crazy things because I’m pregnant.” Subject changed needed. “Cake. It looks amazing. Would you like some?”

Her blue eyes lit up. “Yes!”

Whew, crisis averted. Maybe I needed to see if those cuss muffs were a real thing for situations like this.

Knoah and Lana served the cake. It was amazing, and the delicious vanilla flavor burst in my mouth with every bite. We talked and laughed about how Lana had come to find out she was going to be a grandmother and how we told Knoah and my brother. Looking back, it was a funny mess. Knoah’s other mother, Evelyn, had brought a lady around our age. Apparently, Knoah’s brother, Hastings, had a serious girlfriend. I enjoyed Paulisa’s company and bet they made a cute couple. Hastings in love…imagine that.

I set my plate aside and watched the scene unfold.

This is love. Complete love.

The dark feeling that had been clinging to me slipped away. This was what mattered. Not my parents. Not Adriane. Not Kurt’s sperm donor. The people in this room were our family.

When the shower ended, the number of gifts I’d received was overwhelming. The clothes were so cute, and the accessories were amazing. Hello, they have a pee shield. Brilliant.

“I love it all. You guys are amazing. Thank you.”

I took turns hugging everyone who’d come. This was what I’d needed. Knoah’s mom whispered in my ear, “You need anything, call me—day or night. I mean it. I’m here for you.”

My throat grew thick. She was someone I could get motherly advice from. “Thank you. I’m putting you on my speed dial.”

“I’d be honored.”