Still, the baby shower party was a fun and relaxing way for Maxine to spend this Saturday. Just what she truly needed. And yes, Lucas was there, too. She wanted more than anything else to see Lucas. She glanced around briefly and saw Lucas speaking with Zack. What on earth were they conversing about at a time like this? The two looked deeply engaged in some sort of tete-a-tete.
“Maxine?”
“Yes,” Maxine was caught off guard by Shelly’s voice.
“It’s your turn. You need to write down a message for the baby. It could be funny, wise, or actually, anything you like.”
Maxine took the square piece of paper Shelly handed to her and thought for a moment. She then scribbled down something cute on the paper along with everyone else who had wrote their messages and placed it inside an open basket to be drawn a bit later and read one by one.
“Good.” Shelly was beaming. Maxine wondered how Shelly was feeling right now. She appeared as thrilled as everyone else for Lucy and Antonio’s new bundle of joy but truth be told Shelly looked great for a woman in her forties yet she didn’t have any children of her own. Granted, she married the seventy-six-year-old, Toni. Were they planning on adopting? Or was Shelly content in having eight grown men as her step-grandchildren and now a step-great-grandchild on the way? Jeez! That was a lot to digest. Maxine was happy Shelly found love with Toni and she was even more glad that she had a hand in making their dream wedding come true with Lucy at the Dream Weddings, Inc. agency. Would Maxine ever know the joys of being a blushing bride? Ever?
Moments later, Lucy picked the heartfelt notes from the basket and one by one read each beautiful message. “Thank you, Shelly,” Lucy smiled appreciatively at the gracious host who also left a soothing message for her.
“And now, Maxine.” Lucy had picked out another note from the basket to read. All of this was being recorded. Maxine was stunned to see Zack had his camera on record. She looked around to see if Lucas was about but she did not.
Maxine frowned but quickly shifted her expression.
“This is beautiful, Maxine,” Lucy said, misty-eyed. She had read the note in her mind first then proceeded to read aloud.
“Now you know we’re mind readers, Lucy, but we’re not that good,” Zack teased her. “Come on, read it out loud so that my video can pick up the non-telekinetic sound.”
The crowd burst into laughter and Lucy scowled at him playfully as she rubbed her belly.
“Learn to have fun. Lots of fun. Memories are what last forever. Love a lot. Laugh a lot. Spend a lot. A lot of time. Children spell love T.I.M.E. Cherish every golden moment and savor every precious day. And they’ll never outgrow a hug because it’s always one size fits all. Good luck to the lovely parents-to-be.”
A boisterous "aww" rang out from the group. Lucy got up and gave Maxine a good squeeze and hug over her large belly. Maxine hugged her back tightly.
“That was beautiful, Maxine,” Lucas said later in a low voice. He stood beside her and she spun around in surprise.
“Wow, do you walk or do you just magically appear whenever you want to be near me?”
Lucas grinned, his charming dimple appeared on his cheek. Maxine was whole again. She loved when he was near her. She loved the way he made her feel. All the time.
“Thank you,” she then answered him back. By then, the group was already on to the next message and Lucas gently pulled Maxine away.
“Come,” he said to her. “We need to talk.”
“Can this wait?” Maxine said half-heartedly. She felt bad about leaving the shower, but God, she really wanted nothing more than to be alone with Lucas. She didn’t know why but she just did.
“It is something you need to know about but if you want we can do this later.”
“Oh no. It sounds rather important. Okay, where should we go?”
“We can walk over to the guest house on the other side.”
“Okay,” Maxine murmured. “I just need to speak with Lucy.”
When the game had wrapped up, Maxine spoke with Lucy on the side.
“Oh, please don’t worry, Maxine,” Lucy said. “In fact, the shower is pretty much over now. I’m really beat. I need to take my nap now. I’ve told the others to carry on without me.” Lucy then winked. “I insist on you spending some time with Lucas.”