“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 thehosts,” 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 ofmimosas…?”
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. “Especiallythe girls.”
“I take offense to that!”