by Lauren Dane
“Hey there girls! I’ve got the cake.”
Cassie threw her hands up in the air. “Hold that thought. Don’t think I won’t be back to it,” she called back over her shoulder as she moved to the front of the house where Polly had just entered.
The cake was gorgeous and the day was hot. They’d set up inside but had chairs and umbrellas on the deck as well if people felt up to it.
Polly helped them put the finishing touches around the place just before the guests began to arrive. Many faces, friends and family, filled the room, laughing and preparing to share the day with Maggie, who was set to arrive at any moment.
Liv directed people to the present table and to the food while Polly took in the blue decorations with a serene smile.
Kyle yelled from the front door when he dropped Maggie off. He’d been told to go away by Polly, who escorted Maggie into the room.
Dee had arrived earlier and was firmly in charge of the shower games. Liv just did what she was told and handed out clothes pins and carried the baby food jars on a tray for the smelling game. She sucked at both but it was fun anyway.
“Hey, Maggie, you want to go outside?” Liv asked a few hours in. “We’ve set up some shady seating areas.”
“Girl, I weigh nine hundred pounds and have a nuclear heater in my belly. I’m not going outside until after the birth except to move to another air conditioned place,” Maggie replied from her seat on the couch, her feet up and a smile on her face.
“Nine hundred pounds. Yeah, you’re not overstating or anything. Can I get you some more juice?” Liv called to her as she moved to the table where bottles of juice nestled in ice.
Maggie sighed. “Between you and Cassie, I’m having to pee every five minutes.”
“You need the liquids. You’re a big baby. Go on and hit the bathroom and when you come back we’ll do presents and you can have more juice.” Cassie winked and Liv laughed. Having friends like the two of them meant so much to her.
Liv helped Maggie up from the couch and bustled around to get the presents ready for opening.
The room erupted in squeals as Dee took the clothes pin from Cassie’s sleeve. “You said the forbidden word!”
Liv had lost her clothes pin an hour before and she couldn’t guess any of the green baby food flavors. Truth be told they all stank to high heaven and Liv wouldn’t have blamed any baby for refusing to eat it.
Maggie came back into the room and Liv pressed a fresh glass of juice in her hand before putting her in the present chair that happened to be a glider rocker, a gift from Matt.
“This is like the one I want for the nursery. Make sure to show it to Kyle when the boys get here.”
“The boys are here,” Kyle said as he entered. After looking around the room he glanced at Maggie with a raised eyebrow. “So you want to tell me something?”
“It was her idea,” Cassie said quickly and Shane bent to kiss the top of her head.
“You’re so eager to toss me under the bus, Cassie.” Maggie said with a laugh. “You said I could tell you when I was ready. I’m ready now.”
Kyle grinned. “A son it is apparently. I guess it won’t be Sophia then, hmm?”
“Not this time.”
Marc came in with Matt and made a beeline for Liv. The man certainly didn’t hesitate to lay sugar on her in front of the entire room.
“Hi. You look pretty today.”
He was utterly incorrigible and it worked for him. It worked for her too. She kissed the cleft on his chin. “Sit down, it’s present time.”
“Where are you sitting?”
She pointed to her chair and he pulled one next to it. She couldn’t deny how flattered and pleased she was.
“Okay first of all, you don’t need to show Kyle the rocker so he can buy one just like it. That’s Matt’s present.”
Maggie laughed delightedly and held her hand out to Matt who came to kiss her and deliver a hug.
“No standing,” Liv admonished Maggie. “Everyone has to come and give Maggie kisses like the princess she is. In fact.” Liv bent and pulled out a tiara from behind the couch, meeting Cassie’s amused eyes for a moment. “Here.” She put the tiara on Maggie who simply grinned like a happy fool.
“I hope you all know I’m going to wear this all the time. Now presents!”
Liv laughed and she and Cassie began to bring presents to Maggie. There was much oohing and aahing over each little pair of pants and shoes, every little rattle and educational thingamabob. Polly, who’d been delighted instead of angry about finding out the gender of her first grandchild, would show Maggie and Kyle the nursery at her house the next night at dinner. Of course she couldn’t resist just a few little things. Which turned out to be a three foot high pile of outfits, booties, hats and other baby gear.
Penny arrived late, apologizing for the delay. They’d hit a huge traffic jam. She’d brought Ryan and baby Laurel.
“Grab some food and have a seat. We’re nearly done with presents.” Liv kissed their friend and that sweet two month old baby girl. “I call dibs on this baby when I’m done handing out presents.”
Penny laughed. “You got it. I’ll try and hold Polly off.”
Liv handed the last package to Maggie after Penny got settled. “This one is from me.”
Maggie tore into the beautifully wrapped package with glee and stopped when she saw the quilt. Carefully she pulled it out and looked it over.
“Oh my goodness. Liv, you made this. For me, for my baby.” Maggie’s voice was thick with emotion as she looked at the blanket.
“I did.” Smiling, Liv pointed to the corners. “These two corners are made from Kyle’s baby clothes and the top are from yours. Your daddy actually braved your mother to go and get them.”
Tears in her eyes, Maggie stood and hugged Liv tight as she cried. “This is the most beautiful present I’ve ever gotten. Our son will sleep with a bit of his parents keeping him warm. And part of his Auntie Liv too.”
Kyle hugged her as well. “Thank you, Liv. This is amazing.”
“Stop it now, you’re going to make me cry. Oh, there’s a patch on the other side.”
Maggie resettled back in the chair and turned the quilt over. The patch had the date it was finished and a little inscription. Never doubt you’re loved.
“Sweet heaven, you’ve reduced an entire room to tears.” Marc stood, putting his arm around her waist.
“I would have put his name there but I know you’ll change your mind after delivery so I left that off. I’ll add it later.” Liv knelt beside Maggie.
“You’re the best friend anyone could ever ask for. I don’t have a very good biological family but I do have wonderful sisters of my heart in you and Cassie and soon,” she rubbed her stomach and took Liv’s hand, placing it over the place the baby kicked and squirmed, “another person to love. I’m so lucky.”
Liv smiled, happy that Maggie had loved the quilt as much as Liv had loved making it for her.
Marc helped Liv up and Polly had Edward and Matt load all the loot into the car. Liv gave Maggie a piece of cake before turning to Penny and grabbing the baby.
Laurel had her daddy’s coloring, pretty, big brown eyes and a shock of brunette hair. Her warm little body snuggled into Liv’s and that sense of soft happiness stole over Liv. She may not be able to tell the difference between green beans and peas in a jar but she knew without a doubt she wanted this for herself.
Liv walked around and visited as she gently swayed back and forth with Laurel in her arms as Marc just watched.
“You want that.” Polly handed him a soda and kissed his cheek.
“I do.”
“With Olivia?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Well, get working. I saw the way she looked at you when you came in. The way she leaned into your hug. That girl loves you.”
“And I love her.”
Polly grinned. “Have you told her?”
“Not yet. I’m afraid to scare her away.”
“Too late for that. Go make me some more grandbabies.”
Marc laughed even as he felt the pull in his balls as he watched Liv holding that baby. It matched the pull at his heart.
He moved to her even without realizing it, wrapping his arms around them both, pressing a kiss to her neck.
“Hey there, Laurel Ann,” he said softly, loving the way the baby’s eyes moved from Liv’s face to his. “This baby sure is a pretty one. You and Ryan done good.” He winked at Penny, who blushed. Marriage looked good on her. He knew she’d been devastated when she lost her first husband but she’d moved on and found a new life with Ryan and this baby.
“Your momma keeps sending me looks, I’m gonna have to give her up soon.” Liv leaned her head into his shoulder.
Oh how he wanted to say that they could have their own baby, but he didn’t want to spook her. That afternoon he’d put a stamp on their relationship in a public way in front of their friends and family and she hadn’t resisted. That was a huge step. He’d save the baby talking for after he told her he loved her.
He loved how she tended to her own people. How she took care of Maggie, making sure she rested and kept her feet up. The quilt with Maggie and Kyle’s baby clothes had nearly done him in. She’d given Maggie and his brother a piece of her heart to cover their child in. She’d reached out to Cassie in the aftermath after her ex-husband had turned up in town and tried to kill her. Liv still cared about Matt even though he’d broken her heart. She was good people and he couldn’t love anyone better.
He also knew his newest client had come from her referral. Several of his clients had. She took care of him, too, in her own way. With her referrals and scrambled egg whites. She kept nonfat milk in her fridge and berry sorbet instead of ice cream. She understood that his feelings about fitness weren’t based on vanity but a desire to help people live healthy and long. She got him. No, not his love of her, she had a blind spot there but he understood why more and more each day. But she saw what was special about him, made Marc understand himself better and that was more than he could say about just about anyone else he knew.
“You’re incredible,” he said into her ear and she smiled.
“Thank you. Where did that come from?” She turned to him, still swaying with Laurel in her arms, the baby’s eyes drooping heavily with sleep.
“You just being you. Can I give you a ride over to Kyle and Maggie’s later?”
“I drove here but if you want to follow me back to my house, I’ll ride with you from there.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “You got it. Now give that baby to my momma before she explodes.”
Liv rolled her eyes and snorted. “I know, I know. She’s shown a lot of restraint actually. I suppose I should reward that.”
He watched as she moved to his mother and handed the pink bundle over, catching sight of one bare foot as Laurel settled into his momma’s arms.
“So does Liv know you love her?” Penny asked.
“She’d have to be blind not to,” Ryan added.
“I haven’t told her yet. She likes to pretend she’s convinced I’m just Mister Right Now and she wants to find Mister Right. But she’s not taking that very seriously anymore. I’m with her five nights a week. She doesn’t have much time to date.” He snorted.
“She’ll come around. Her heart’s had some major beatings to it. Makes a girl scared of something real.” Penny shrugged.
“I know. I’ll be there when she finally figures it out.”
“That’s the kind of love any woman would be proud to have, Marc.” Penny kissed his cheek.
Polly looked up at Liv as the girl finally handed that baby over. It made her heart skip a beat when she’d seen Marc standing close to Liv while she’d held the child. A vision of their future for a brief moment. Another one of her children had found his heart.
“Stingy is what you are.” She winked. “Although with this little sugar plum, it’s easy to be. Don’t you just love the way they feel? Mmm, I miss holding babies. I can’t wait until my grandson comes along.”
“By the looks of Maggie’s belly, that’s going to be soon.”
Polly chuckled. It was so easy, bringing these women into her family where they belonged. “True enough. You and Marc are going to make some pretty babies too. You do want babies don’t you?”
Liv blinked several times and swallowed. Polly knew the girl couldn’t overcome how she was raised and politeness was a weapon Polly would use without hesitation.
“Well, sure I want children someday. I don’t know if Marc does but we’re just dating casually. It’s early to talk about children.”
“Casually.” Polly rolled her eyes. “Girl, you think I’m blind? I see the way you two look at each other.” She waved it away. “You keep lying to yourself but it’s plain to me and anyone else with eyes. My son cares about you. It’s about time you stop this silly charade that only hurts you both.”
Liv sighed but didn’t try to argue. She was tired of arguing when she knew everyone else was right. She wasn’t dumb, nor did she have much talent at self denial. But damned if she knew what that meant.
She cleaned up in a daze but her heart knew exactly where Marc was the entire time.
Kyle and Maggie left for their house to get the barbecue going. It would be Maggie’s way of thanking everyone for all they’d done although Liv had no idea where she’d put any more food after eating so much at the shower.
Back at her place, she changed while Marc replaced the lock on her back door. The key had broken off in it a few weeks before and he’d insisted on fixing it when he found out about it.
“I like you here, fixing things in my house,” she said from the doorway before she thought better of it.
He turned and looked at her warily. “I like it too. This is a nice house. I like being here. It’s impressive that you own your own home.”
She shrugged. “I don’t have any debts but this place. I have a decent income. My car was a frivolous impulse buy three years ago but I worked overtime to pay it off in three years instead of five. I can’t see paying rent if I can pay to buy instead.”
“What if this mythical Mister Right doesn’t want to live here?”
She took a deep breath and leapt into the scary abyss. “Well, I can be flexible about living arrangements. But I don’t think an apartment above a shoe store is better than my house.”
A smile broke over his face as he moved to her. “You saying what I think you are?”
“I don’t know. What do you think I’m saying?”
“That you finally believe I’m Mister Right and I’m here for the long haul.”
“Do you believe that?”
He brushed his thumb over her lips. “I’ve believed that for months.”
She took a deep breath. “Yes. I believe it. I’ll pull my profile from the computer dating services today. Not that I have time to date when I’m with you all the time.”
“You found time to date Bill.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt you. I am. And it means so much to me that you didn’t just walk away when I insisted on continuing to date. I don’t even know what to say other than that I had to believe it, Marc. Bill was never a threat to you. I never even kissed him after you and I started up.”
He kissed her softly. “It was hard, Liv. I know he wasn’t a threat. If I’d believed otherwise I probably wouldn’t have agreed to wait while you finally took me seriously. Still, I was worried you’d never see me and my intentions as genuine. What finally convinced you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think it was one thing. More a combination. Today at the shower your mother was the dozenth person to tell me that I was blind if I didn’t see how you felt about me and I realized she was right. I was being willfully blind and stupid to ignore it. But I was afraid.”
“We can deal with the fear together.”
“Yeah.”
He kissed her then, like he should have. It felt like something from a fa
iry tale, his hands on her hips, his mouth covering hers.
Chapter Nine
She’d been sautéing the garlic when her phone rang. Turning everything off, she’d left a note on her door and rushed to the hospital.
Kyle was in a state when she’d arrived, pacing and freaked out. Liv put her arms around his waist. “Hey there. I want you to focus, all right? She needs you to be calm just now.”
“I can’t. I’m trying but I keep thinking of worst case scenarios. What if something happens to her? To the baby?”
She kissed his cheek. “Everything is going to be all right, Kyle. Women do this every day. She’s here in a hospital. She’s healthy. The baby is healthy. She needs all of us to help. You don’t have the luxury of shutting down and freaking out. She loves you and she needs you, so get your act together.”
Polly came around the corner and Liv handed Kyle off to his mother and went in to Maggie. They’d just changed Maggie into a gown and hooked her up to a machine that echoed the baby’s heartbeat through the room.
Relief showed clear on her face when she saw Liv.
“So, how’s it goin?” Liv let the same fears Kyle had pass through her. She wasn’t good at death, especially when it concerned the people she loved. Still, there was no time for fear in front of Maggie.
“I’m apparently having a kid and my husband is apparently having a nervous breakdown.”
Liv moved a chair next to Maggie’s bed.
“He loves you. None of this is in his control and he’s freaked. He’ll get it together. His mother is whipping him into shape now.”
Maggie laughed and then winced. Liv reached out and took her hand, holding eye contact through the contraction.
“We’ve been through a lot you and me. We’ll get through this too and at the end you’ll be holding your precious baby son.”
“You’re the best. I’m so happy you and Marc finally found each other.”
“I love him.” Liv took a deep breath. “I finally admitted it to myself and I’m taking it from there. I’m scared all the time anyway, may as well be scared while I’m with him. Do you want to walk or use the ball? You tell me what you need.”