“To make you a plate. We already ate.”
“I’m fine, Sterling.” I ignore her and quickly make her a plate of her favorites, grabbing her a glass of lemonade and placing them both in front of her.
She tilts her head back. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I tell her, taking my seat.
“Did you get the nursery furniture finished?” Declan asks Brooks.
“Yep. All set for this little one.” He nods toward his wife’s belly.
“Having the shower at your house was a great idea,” Jade speaks up. “You don’t have to haul all of it home.”
“That’s what Mom, Carol, and I thought too when we were discussing where to have the shower.”
“It’s a great idea, but I could never get away with it,” Kennedy adds. “Grandma would shit a brick if I told her I wanted to have the shower anywhere other than the Willow Manor.”
“Yeah, but at least you get a discount,” I remind her.
“This is true.” She chuckles.
“Well, I think we might steal the idea,” Jade speaks up. She glances over at Orrin, and he grins.
“Babe, it’s your day. You tell me when and where, and I’ll make it happen.”
“What are we making happen?” Maverick asks.
Maverick is one of the twins. They are the youngest of my brothers. They’re identical, but Maverick is about a half inch taller than Merrick. Once you know that and you get them side by side, it’s easy to tell them apart. Maverick is also the more outgoing twin, and most of the time the instigator. He’s easy to point out because of that alone. “Baby showers,” Orrin tells him.
“I think we should take a trip before all these babies get here. One last hoorah, if you will.” Maverick rubs his hands together in glee at the prospect.
“Well, time’s running out,” Palmer tells him. “This little one will be here in less than two months.”
“All the more reason to plan something soon.” Maverick’s gaze shoots around the table.
“What are you thinking?” Brooks asks.
“Just a weekend. Maybe we can rent a cabin or five.” He chuckles. “There are a lot more of us now.”
“Weekend at the lake?” Orrin suggests.
“Yeah.” Maverick gives a slow nod. “I can get behind a weekend at the lake.”
“What do you think, ladies?” Declan asks.
“I hate to leave Blake,” Kennedy replies immediately. “I’m already worried about her and the new baby.”
“She’s going to be fine, Kens,” Declan assures his wife. “She’s wanted this, a wife for us, a baby brother or sister. Hell, she insisted we reveal the gender at her birthday party. She’s going to adjust just fine.”
“Babe?” Brooks asks Palmer.
“You should get the final say,” Jade speaks up. “You’re due sooner than we are. Do you feel like getting away for the weekend?”
“A weekend away to relax before this little one gets here sounds perfect.”
“What about you?” Kennedy asks Alyssa.
“Oh, um, well—I—” she starts, and I know what she’s thinking. She didn’t know if she would be invited.