Holding You Close (Ex-Con Duet 4)

A couple of weeks ago, after my ultrasound, my doctor called and said that due to having high blood pressure, being over thirty, and carrying multiples, I’m at risk for developing preeclampsia. To avoid swelling up like a balloon and gaining too much weight, she advised me to elevate my feet, drink a lot of water, and get more rest. Seeing as I have a mortgage, rent, bills, and a family to support, I can’t risk being put on bed rest. I don’t want to waste my maternity leave lying in bed before they’re born because I only get twelve weeks.

“Love you,” he calls out.

“Love you too,” I say through the window. “Have fun at the house today. It’s hotter than hell and half of Georgia.”

He smirks with a wink. “I’ll be fine. Stay off your feet.”

Once I’m inside the hall, I find relief with the cool air conditioning. Considering Gemma’s due in a month, I don’t know how she’s surviving in this heat. I remember being so miserable at the end of my pregnancy, especially since Owen was born in August, the hottest month of the year.

Belinda’s catering the lunch, and I find her in the kitchen getting everything ready.

“Everything looks delicious!” I exclaim as I steal one of the rolls. Taking a bit, I double-check my list to make sure I didn’t forget anything. With my baby brain, I’ve had to write everything down, or I simply don’t remember.

Mrs. Wright made cupcakes, and Alessandra delivers them just as Everleigh prances in.

“It’s party time!” she shouts.

“Finally…” I scold.

“What? We said noon. I’m fifteen minutes early.”

“Noon for the guests, eleven for the hosts,” I clarify.

She shrugs. “Potato, potahto.”

“At least you’re here before Gemma,” I say just as Gemma strolls in, beaming.

We all exchange hugs and smiles. “You look gorgeous!” I tell her, admiring her adorable pink sundress. “We have a crown and sash for you to wear too.”

“Oh my gosh, you didn’t!” she squeals. “Okay fine, I’ll wear it.”

“And since you two bitches can’t drink, I’ll be drinking for tree.” Everleigh smirks, holding up a bottle of vodka.

“Everleigh!” Gemma scowls. “It’s noon.”

“Ever hear of mimosas…?”

I snort. “You’re a handful. Gonna pray for the poor man you end up tying down someday.”

“Oh, he’ll be tied down alright…rope, handcuffs, cable ties…”

“Not the kind I meant, Ev.” I chuckle.

Once the guests arrive, we chat and mingle until it’s time to eat. Everleigh was in charge of the games, and after the first one, I realize what a mistake that was.

“Baby Advice Mad Libs,” she sing-songs. “Fill out the card, and whoever has the most creative answer wins this lovely gift basket of lotions and bath bombs.” She holds it up. “You’ll get twenty minutes while you eat, and then I’ll read them aloud.”

“How’re you feelin’, sweetie?” Loretta asks as I chug water.

“I’m great. Constantly tired and I still get nauseous a few times a day, but I honestly can’t complain that much.”

“It’s going to be so nice having so many little babies.” She smiles.

“Imagine if Everleigh gets pregnant next,” my mom chimes in.

“Imagine if I had a girl, and she falls for one of your little boys,” Everleigh adds, waggling her brows. “Or both.”

“This sounds like a naughty Hallmark movie.” Gemma snorts.

“Your children aren’t allowed near my boys.” I place a protective hand over my belly. “Especially the girls.”

“I take offense to that!”

The group of us laughs.

When the twenty minutes are up, Everleigh collects everyone’s cards and begins flipping through them.

“Alright, I think we have a winner,” Everleigh announces with a shit-eating smirk.

“My advice for the mom-to-be is ‘no matter what he says, anal is not permitted after giving birth.’”

“Oh my God, I think I peed myself.” Gemma laughs. “Who said that?”

“There’s no name on the card,” Everleigh says, flipping it over. “Alright, you dirty birds, who wrote this one? You can’t get your prize if you don’t come forward…” She rocks the basket back and forth, trying to entice them.

Finally, someone raises their hand. “Mrs. Florence!” Everleigh announces with a gasp.

Everyone’s heads turn, and I snicker at the way she’s blushing. The librarian.

“It’s always the quiet ones, y’all…” Everleigh giggles, bringing her the basket.

After games and food, Gemma opens her gifts, and I write down every item while Everleigh takes pictures. Watching her excitement makes me so happy for her and Tyler, and it makes me even more eager to hold my babies. Since they’re waiting to learn the gender, most of the clothes are yellows, greens, teals, and purples.

Once they’re all opened, Belinda announces it’s time to count the clothespins to see who won the grand prize, which is a hundred-dollar gift certificate to the deli.

The door opens, then slams with a loud bang. Eyes stare at the woman marching in with a deep scowl on her face. I don’t recognize her, and by the looks of everyone else, they don’t either.