Valerie entertains the kids with Diana for a while as Roman, Gunner, Nick, and I each hug and kiss our wife. She shakes her head. “I can’t believe I forgot.”
“Luckily, we didn’t,” I tell her, hugging her tightly. “Nick got you out of the house, we got to set up.”
“No wonder you four were shopping yesterday,” Sophie grumbles.
We laugh but have a wonderful night together. Sophie lets Link blow out her candles, but gets the last one. When I cut the cake and show her it’s an ice cream cake, she tears up. “Jeeze, you four are trying to make me cry.”
“Nope, just fighting to be the best husbands possible,” Gunner says happily.
Of course, we all did a little something for this. Once Sophie’s parents leave and the kids are in bed, we show her the gifts we got her. Roman shows a modest diamond bracelet that Sophie immediately puts on.
“Tiffany’s nice,” Valerie says while nursing her wine.
We each got her something from the store. Bracelets, necklaces, something she can enjoy. She puts them all on and laughs. “You know Cora is going to try to steal these.”
“They’ll look beautiful on her too,” I say, stroking Sophie’s shoulder.
Once Sophie has had a full slice of cake and we’ve all given her the wishes for this year, something she insists on, Valerie clears her throat. Sophie looks at her from her place on my lap. “Yes?”
“Is that a bump already?” She points at Sophie.
Curious, I lift Sophie’s shirt. She gasps. “Holden!”
“Look at that.” I cup her belly.
Sophie huffs. “Nick and I noticed it earlier.”
Roman peeks around and that near constant smile he’s been wearing for the last two days makes a return. He reaches over Gunner to rub Sophie’s calf. “How late did you say you were?”
“A month ... or two.” She doesn’t meet our eyes.
“How long since you kept track?” Valerie asks.
“No more baby questions! This is birthday time.” Sophie insists. She stands and walks to Valerie, hugging her tightly. “How are you? You look so good, so alive.”
“I can’t believe I’m married and running my own clinic and have three devoted wild men.” Valerie points at them one at a time. “I thought Sophie was the only lucky one snapping you all up.”
“Even me?” Gunner perks.
I chuckle and Nick joins in. Valerie grins. “Even you, Gunner.”
Valerie waves it away, then steals Sophie from us. I stand up to protest, but Valerie stands her ground. “You get her every single day. I’m allowed to have her for an hour or two of girl-talk.”
I glance at Nick. “How was the date?”
“Very good. From start to finish.” He leans back and rolls out his neck. “We need to tell her we’re all leaving the office though. She’s getting suspicious.”
“She doesn’t need more stress.” Roman disagrees. “We can wait until after she talks to the doctor.”
“No, Nick is right. If she’s suspicious, her head will run away with her. It’s better just to tell her and remove the stress entirely,” I say.
Gunner nods in agreement. “Hold’s right, Roman. She has enough to worry about. Plus with holidays coming up.”
“She’s seeing the doctor tomorrow. We can tell her after.” Roman insists. “I’ll remember. Let her enjoy her birthday.”
And that’s what we do. Which works out well. Valerie lingers in the morning, but the guys – other than Roman - go to work. Roman stays home with the kids despite his worry about Sophie. Valerie and I take her to the doctor.
Sophie sighs. “I know I’m worrying too much. I know it.”