Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“I need—”
“Salt? Right here.”
“Where’s the—”
“Oven mitts? Here’s one.”
“Did you—”
“Mac-n-cheese is already in the oven.”
“Did you get a chance to—”
“Salad is prepped.”
As we continued finishing each other’s sentences and anticipating what the other needed, Maren wandered up from the basement carrying a small pan of gingerbread she’d had a last-minute craving for. “Where are we putting—”
“The dessert table is in the breakfast nook.” Looking up mid-whisk of a vinegarette, Magnus gestured to the table laden with pies and other goodies before I could.
“You guys are like a surgical team.” Maren gave an approving whistle as she added the gingerbread to the table.
“Yeah, can it be like this every year?” Diesel hugged her from behind.
“I agree. Everything is on schedule.” Wren was stationed at the kitchen island, checking things off an impressive spreadsheet.
My chest pinched. I wanted that too, wanted every holiday to be this easy and fun, but at the same time, my neck tensed because it wasn’t supposed to be this way. Someone important was missing, and not dwelling on that felt disloyal. Yet I only had to look around the kitchen at the smiling faces to know this had been the right call. Magnus and I made an excellent team.
But every year? Probably not. The kids would scatter, Magnus would get a new house, and the chances of us all coming together regularly would inevitably lessen. The tightness in my chest worsened, want giving way to worry. Luckily, before any of the others could notice the shift in my mood, the doorbell sounded.
“Someone get the door!” John shouted as he clattered down the steps. Maren and Diesel beat him to the door as the first of the guests arrived.
“Oh my gosh, it’s Firefighter Suzy!” Maren greeted a long-term first responder friend and her girlfriend, who were quickly followed by Jonas and Declan. Despite my orders that we were handling the food, everyone had things to add, so they all trooped into the kitchen.
“Jonas! Tell me how the new job is going?” Suzy asked as she busied herself making room for a spectacular pecan pie on the dessert table.
While Suzy and Jonas played catch up, Declan admired Maren’s cute prairie-style maternity dress. “Look at you! That baby must be bigger than the turkey.”
“Actually, no.” Maren pursed her lips. “I keep measuring slightly small for dates.”
“You’re a small person.” Declan gave her a fast hug. “I’m sure it’s within the realm of normal.”
“That’s what Marissa, my midwife, keeps saying.” Maren slumped against Diesel, who was hovering nearby as always. “But she wants me to have extra monitoring, like another ultrasound, just to be cautious. I hate going over to the hospital.”
“I’m going with you.” Diesel spoke up first, but I was a close second.
“And if he can’t go, I’ll go.” This was the first I was hearing of any concern, and I tried to keep my tone positive. My anti-home birth attitude was undoubtedly playing a role in Maren confiding in me less, and I resolved to try to be even more supportive despite my reservations. “And Declan’s right—I’ve seen yours and Rowan’s birth certificates. You were each barely six pounds. Normal is a pretty big range.”
“Thanks, Dad.” To my shock, Maren crossed to the stove where I was monitoring potatoes and hugged me.
“We’ve all got your back, Maren.” Declan nodded, and an approving murmur swept through the kitchen. A few moments later, the room grew even more crowded with the arrival of Tony, Caleb, Caleb’s younger brother Scotty, who was visiting from college, and Caleb’s mother. I shooed folks toward the living room, where new baby talk continued.
“Are you doing a gender reveal? Baby shower?” Caleb perched next to Maren on the couch. “Tell me we get to give you presents.”
“Gender reveals are tacky.” Maren rolled her eyes before patting her belly.
“We’d rather be surprised,” Diesel added from her other side, dropping an arm around Maren’s shoulders. “But I’m all about the baby presents.”
Maren gave a long-suffering sigh, undoubtedly hating being the center of attention. “I suppose we can do a shower—”
“Excellent.” Caleb leaned forward. “Gender-neutral shower? Any themes? Colors?”
“Are you moonlighting as a party planner now?” I teased Caleb while shooting Maren a supportive smile. No way was she getting out of the shower idea, but I’d try to ensure my fellow introvert didn’t get overwhelmed.
“Yep. Maren said we’re all honorary uncles, right? I take my role seriously.” Laughing, Caleb gestured at Scotty, who was sitting near John on the floor. “Especially since it may be years, if ever, before Scotty gives me niblings.”
“Never say never,” Scotty said good-naturedly, but next to him, John looked like a thundercloud had descended over the living room.
“Anyone need a drink refill?” John hauled himself off the floor. “I’ll go fetch the cider and some cups.”
“I’ll help.” Scotty hurried after him, and whatever was going on there was possibly more interesting than baby shower talk, but I knew better than to go after John myself.