As we walk up to the house, I have to keep myself from reaching out to touch Bryce. Touching him is like second nature for me now, and it’s going to take a concerted effort for me to keep my hands off him. Especially when I know how I can touch him to make his eyes go dark and for our instincts to take over.
But as the nerves in my stomach grow, I think I’ll be okay. The mind-numbingly terrifying thought of my family finding out will help me keep my hands to myself. And the only thing worse than them finding out from us, is them finding out from somebody else.
Bryce rings the doorbell, and I stand a couple steps behind him. Inside, I can hear the chatter of voices and laughter and that soft tinkling of dishware that’s always at a party. A minute later, the door opens and Marcy squeals in happiness. She tries to hug Bryce, but the giant box he’s carrying and her hugely pregnant stomach get in the way. “Get in here,” she says. “And put that down. I thought I told you that you didn’t need to bring a gift.”
Bryce strides straight to the gift table and sets the box down. It’s easily the biggest present there. Then he turns, and gently hugs his sister. “Did you really think that I wouldn’t?”
Marcy shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Nothing at all,” Bryce says. He then hands her the small box of place cards that I wrote out. “Here are the place cards, and do you remember Katti? Phil and Grace’s daughter?”
Marcy looks at me, and suddenly registers my presence. “Of course! It’s really good to see you. Oh man, I don’t know, how long has it been?”
“Years,” I say, “probably.”
“Katti is the one who did the calligraphy. I was going to try to do it myself, but we both know that would’ve been a disaster. Katti opened a bookstore in Boston, and while I was there I remembered she used to have a talent for it. She was gracious enough to agree to help, and so I invited her along.”
Marcy comes over and pulls me into a hug. “That’s wonderful! Of course, the more the merrier.”
Over Marcy’s shoulder, Bryce gives me a look that says ‘I told you so.’ I make a face at him.
Between us, I feel movement, and Marcy beams at me. Her hand drops to her stomach. “There she goes. Kicking again. I swear, she’s not due for another month, but she’s already dancing and wanting to be out in the world.”
I laugh. “I think my mother would tell you that I was the same way.”
Marcy sighs. “Well, at least someone has some sympathy for me. The food is through there, and you can meet everyone. It’ll be a few minutes, and then we’re going to play a couple party games. After that, we’ll open the presents. But feel free to just chill and hang out.”
I smile at her. “Thank you.”
We all walk together through the doorway into a large space that I remember is the main living room when the furniture isn’t completely rearranged. As well as a table heaping with food, there’s multiple tables with chairs. And a girl I don’t know is putting the place cards on those tables.
The next thing I notice is that everybody in the room is a woman. “I never thought to ask,” I say softly to Bryce. “But are you even allowed at this baby shower? Isn’t it typically a female only type thing?”
He smirks down at me. “I suppose traditionally it is, yes. But I’m excited to be an uncle, and I wouldn’t let anything keep me away. I’m impervious to your American stereotypes.”
I smile back, trying not to let too much show. “I’m going to get a drink now,” I say. “Make sure you behave.”
“Me?” He raises an eyebrow. “I’m always on my best behavior.” He winks before walking away.
I don’t move immediately. Instead, I watch him go up to Marcy and slip his arm around her shoulder, hugging her in a brotherly fashion. Their relationship seems sweet. It’s good that they like each other. I’ve known some adult stepchildren who hated one another, but it’s never been that way with Marcy and Bryce.
Instead of fighting each other, they bonded together to fight the world. He’s very protective of her. And there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to spoil her daughter. It makes me wonder if he wants kids. It’s something we haven’t talked about, and not a thing I thought to learn before. I want them, and just the idea of having kids with Bryce suddenly has me misty-eyed.
Get it together, Katti.
I shake my head to clear away the unexpected emotion and try to focus. Looking around the room, I don’t recognize anybody. Maybe a couple of girls that look vaguely familiar. Maybe they went to my high school? But it’s been so long now that I don’t remember their names. Oh well.