by Kat T. Masen
“Is anyone wondering why Eric looks like he’s deep-throating?” Millie pipes up, forcing us all to turn our attention on him.
We shudder upon watching, yet none of us can turn away.
“I think it’s down to Mom and Nikki,” I say out loud while wrinkling my nose. “I’m torn between wanting Mom to win but also not wanting to think about how she can suck on something so good.”
“Lucky Uncle Lex,” Luna snickers.
As the bottles start to empty, Nikki takes her final sip and raises her bottle as everyone cheers, prompting a satisfied grin.
“Rocky would be so proud of me right now,” Nikki boasts.
“Will would die if he heard this,” Millie mumbles, handing over a gift bag to Nikki with a forced smile. “I’m not so sure your son would be proud of you.”
We erupt into laughter as the women who competed try to catch their breaths, each one complaining just how difficult the task was.
After we take a small break in which a three-tiered cake is rolled out, we’re each served a slice of what I’ll call heaven. Like Mom, Millie knows just how much I love red velvet cake, making it easy to devour the piece in record time.
I greedily go in for seconds, unapologetic for wanting more.
“Are you ready to open your gifts?” Millie asks, ushering me back to my throne.
“I have to do that in front of everyone?”
She laughs, then releases a sigh. “Yes, part of the baby shower experience.”
Millie is beside me to hand each gift as Eric sits beside her, noting the gifts and names.
There are onesies, stuffed toys, things for feeding, and this big plastic trash can-looking thing.
I stare at it in confusion.
“Ava, honey, it’s a diaper genie,” Mom mentions softly near me.
“Does it make them disappear?” I ask, still confused.
A few people laugh until Mom continues with, “It seals the dirty diapers and makes it easy to take it to the trash later.”
“Oh,” is all I say, then offer a thank you to Nikki, who purchased it for me along with other bits and pieces.
As I open each gift, everyone ooh’s and ah’s. The smaller the item, the louder their sounds. Although I have to admit, the outfits are cute, especially a onesie which looks like a little bunny suit.
The stroller is from Mom and my sisters, apparently the best stroller according to some parenting magazine. It’s filled with so many things I never knew I needed, and it goes without saying they spoiled me rotten.
Standing up to hug Mom, I thank her for everything before taking a seat again to open the remaining presents.
Millie hands me a white box with a beautiful yellow bow on top. Slowly, I pull the card out and begin to read it.
Dear Ava,
To the beautiful memories this baby will bring us soon.
Welcome to our family.
Love
Kristen
A warm sensation spreads across my chest as my eyes wander over Kristen’s words again. Then, finally, I glance in her direction to be met with a gracious smile.
All these fears disappear, almost like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. My parents have finally let go of their concerns, counting down the days until they can meet their grandchild. Kristen and Austin’s father, Greg, are excited to meet the baby which also alleviates the stress because they easily could’ve not been so welcoming given the circumstances.
And now, Millie is talking to me again.
All feels right in the world again, and just maybe, this will all work out.
I pull the bow, then remove the lid. Under the tissue paper, there is a small blanket. It’s yellow with colored stripes.
“That belonged to Austin,” Kristen tells me, her tone subdued as she stares at the blanket fondly. “He was wrapped in it when he came home from the hospital. As he grew, Austin dragged it with him everywhere. When he went to preschool, he hid it in his bag every day. I even remember when we would travel, he insisted it be taken as carry-on.”
Bringing the blanket to my nose, I inhale the scent. It smells like comfort and like happiness, everything Austin provides me when we’re in each other’s company. The soft texture feels nice in my hands, and soon our baby will be wrapped in the same blanket its daddy came home in.
“Thank you, Kristen,” I choke, trying to fight back the tears.
Kristen stands up to offer me a hug, and in her embrace, I welcome the kindness and fight back the emotions which make me want to sob like a baby.
As we pull away, I intake a breath then turn to glance at Millie, hoping the mention of his name doesn’t start something between us. Thankfully, she’s busy with Eric arguing over what column Eric should’ve written the names and gifts in.
I take a moment to thank everyone for attending and for all the generous gifts, wanting to keep my speech short and simple. As much as I love events, the reality is my feet are numb, and my back is aching—the downside to being pregnant in your third trimester.
A few people say goodbye, and some, like Nikki, request the servers bring out more champagne. Upon closer inspection, Nikki, Kate, and Adriana are next-level obnoxious. They are big girls, and I’m sure Eric can handle them while drunk and talking smack about their husbands. But then I hear Adriana say something about anal and I swear, I move so fast, almost tripping over.
“Tired?”
Millie takes a seat beside me with champagne in hand. Finally, we’re alone.
“Exhausted. Who would have thought baby showers could be so exhausting?”
She places her hand on my stomach as the corners of her lips curve up. “Do you think it’s a boy or girl?”
“Everyone says it looks like a boy. But I think it’s a girl.”
“Ashton would love a boy cousin.” Millie sighs wistfully. “Plus, Dad would be in heaven with all these boys around.”
I place my palm on her hand. “Millie, I know this is hard.”
She glances over at Mom, who offers a reassuring smile. “It’s not easy if I’m honest, but my time will come when it comes. The doctors have said it’s not uncommon to miscarry and then struggle with fertility. I have come to the realization that this is something I have no control over.”
“And Austin?”
Millie takes a moment to collect her thoughts, something she is good at, whereas I blurt out the first thing which comes to mind.
“Austin is a great guy. He was always going to be a great father one day.”
I twist my hands in my lap, not wanting to strain things between us even further. But there is so much more to this, and I pray with every fiber in my being we can pull through and go back to the way things were.
“I never did this to hurt you. I was just so fucked up that night, and Austin was just as bad. He lost a patient, a kid, out of all people. We got too drunk. I never expected this to happen, and I wanted to tell you, but I felt ashamed after I slept with him.”
“I get that. I wouldn’t have reacted well… ” Millie admits, then continues, “… it’s Austin, you know. I will always love him, just not in that way. I mean, I never expected it to happen with him, but at least he’s a good man.”
“But what about Will?”
Millie lowers her gaze while her fingers toy with her wedding ring. “He is less forgiving than me. He can’t seem to get past the whole Austin being back thing.”
“But it’s not going to be like that,” I tell her, quick to clear up any misconception. “Austin is the baby’s father, but we’re not together. So, I don’t see why Will is freaking out. It’s not like Austin lives with me or anything.”
“He doesn’t see it that way. He thinks there will be birthdays and Christmas. And he’s adamant you’ll get married.”
“Married?” I choke, instantly feeling the heat in my cheeks rise. Suddenly, I feel guilty for hiding what happened between us weeks ago. But Millie isn’t the right person to divulge all my intimate secrets to, especially when it invo
lves her ex. “Wh… why would he think that?”
“I don’t know, Ava.”
“Okay, so entertaining Wills theory, hypothetically,” I profess, stalling for just a moment to make sure I word my thoughts right for once. “Why would that bother him? If it meant that Austin married me, it’s not like he’d do that to get close to you? Getting married is a commitment of love, right? We would have to love each other to commit for life.”
“Try explaining that to a billionaire who knows how to decode a computer in like zero point two seconds, but when it comes to his wife, it’s a whole other story.”
My chest hitches before my shoulders fall. Just when I think it will all work out, I am yet to encounter my brother-in-law in beast mode.
“Is Will here, in Manhattan?”
Millie nods. “He took Ashton to Central Park Zoo today.”
“How long are you in the city for? I’d like to spend some time with you without everyone watching us like we’re on some reality show.”
From where they stand, Addy and Alexa are gawking like stalkers. The second they notice I’m looking at them, they turn away, pretending to be engrossed in a conversation.
“I’ve got a few hours tomorrow before we fly out in the evening,” Millie informs me. “But, Ava, so that you know, I’m trying my hardest here. It feels like I’m caught in the middle, trying to juggle being supportive to you but also a husband who has gone completely irrational on me. I’m not sure how Austin feels, but all of this will take some adjustment.”
I nod, then place my hands on my stomach for the baby to kick.
“The baby is reacting to all the cake I ate,” I groan.
Millie’s face lights up, immediately placing her hand on the spot where the baby kicks.
Suddenly, it happens again.
“Oh, my God!” Millie almost screams. “It kicked me. The baby kicked me.”
I rest my head against the chair as my sister continues to talk to my belly about how awesome she is.
The truth is, Millie Edwards Romano is awesome.
The best sister I could’ve asked for.
But, she’s married to a man who is known to be ruthless when he doesn’t get what he wants.
Only time will tell just how far he’ll go to protect his wife.
Or maybe, his protection is what will drive my sister and me apart again.
Nineteen
Austin
“It says to take part B and connect it to part C.”
Ava draws her brows while staring at the instruction booklet in front of her. Her back leans against the spare bed with legs stretched out and feet bare. The blue dress she wears barely reaches her knees.
Unable to hide my grin, I continue to connect the pieces to the sounds of her frustrated huffs, followed by theatrical groaning. Typical Ava—she has zero patience.
“This makes no sense at all,” Ava complains, placing the booklet in her lap. “How are all these pieces supposed to be a crib?”
“Patience, Miss Edwards,” I remind her gently, not sweating this at all. I’ve done far worse in med school. “It’ll come to fruition if you just follow procedure.”
“You sound like a doctor.”
“Lucky I am one.” I smirk until she throws a piece of scrunched-up paper at me.
Ava’s guest bedroom has been turned into a nursery. After her baby shower weeks ago, the gifts just sat in here because Ava had no clue what to do. So I offered to help build the crib, thinking it’s the best starting point since we both have no idea how to raise a baby.
“So, have you got anything for your place? There are a lot of double-ups, and I’m sure I can go through it and give you some.”
“Not yet,” I tell her, pausing momentarily, then continuing, “I’m actually looking to buy a place, so it doesn’t make sense to move more things.”
“Oh?” Ava’s mouth falls open. She’s never one to keep her thoughts at bay, her bright eyes revealing everything. “I remember you mentioned that. Have you found anything yet?”
“Narrowed it down to two places. We’ll see.”
Ava tilts her head with a gaze that falls upon her knees. Her fingers scratch at the skin, yet it appears she’s distracting herself more than relieving an itch.
“I mean, if you need money or anything, I’m happy to help. I’m not Lex Edwards, but my company has done well.”
My chest caves slightly, annoyed at her presumption of me not having money nor being able to take care of the child financially. When it came to money handouts, I accepted my parents paying for my college tuition since med school is expensive. Then, when my grandfather passed away, I inherited a property and some cash. Enough to get me settled when I’m ready.
During my college years, I worked while studying then was fortunate enough to get a paid residency.
I wasn’t born into billionaire wealth like the Edwards girls.
The tension in my shoulders mounts, but then I remember my dad teaching me to respect offerings, no matter who they may come from. It’s about the gesture and not my ego.
“It’s fine.” I shrug, with a flat tone in my voice. “When my grandfather passed away, he left me a condo in San Francisco. It’s on the market now. Once that sells, I’ll add some from my savings and can afford a two-bedroom. That’s all I need anyway.”
“Uh, sure, I guess that’s good then. So you don’t have to worry about money?”
“I don’t, but I also don’t live an extravagant existence,” I remark, knowing she’s probably cringing inside. But, after all, we’re talking about Ava Edwards. Once, she demanded her father organize a private plane because she wanted to fly to Vegas for some fashion show which gave out free designer bags. Bags, shoes—something ridiculous like that. “If I’m not at work, I’m at the gym or sleeping. I’m lucky to socialize once a month.”
“But I don’t understand how you’ll see the baby,” Ava blurts out, to then purse her lips. “I’m sorry, that shouldn’t have come out so rudely.”
There are so many unanswered questions. The situation we find ourselves in is less than conventional, and there have been times when it almost seems easier just to move in together, so we get the best of both worlds.
But then—we crossed to the other side.
It didn’t surprise me one bit Ava ran after we fucked again. In the heat of the moment, we both said things. Words that took whatever it is between us to another level.
In a way, Ava traveling and distancing herself should have given me space to think, but all I did was busy myself with work. We were incredibly short-staffed, so the distraction was welcoming.
We agreed on one thing, neither one of us would involve ourselves sexually with anyone else. Easier said than done. My dick has been a nightmare since that night. No amount of pleasuring myself is solving the problem, and it’s not exactly like I can ravish Ava given how far along she is. Not to mention the fact she is struggling with her size and getting comfortable.
My dick just needs a god damn raincheck.
However, Ava doesn’t look like she has the same predicament as me. More than ever, she has been complaining about back pain. We both have busy schedules, so when we see each other, time has passed, and Ava’s stomach continues to grow.
“I don’t know how it will work, okay?” I distract myself with another bolt, screwing the piece in. “Once the baby is here, we can figure it out.”
We work quietly, Ava reading out instructions and me piecing it all together. Then, when the final piece is on, I reach my hand out so Ava can stand up.
“Oh, my god, it’s an actual crib.”
I chuckle softly. “That it is.”
“For a baby to sleep in.”
We both stare in awe until Ava rubs her belly. Even in her third trimester, she still looks as beautiful as ever. If you look from behind, she doesn’t even look pregnant, carrying all in the front.
Ava reaches out for my hand to place it on her stomach. A small kick hits my palm, causing my lips to
curve upward into a smile. A warm sensation spreads throughout my chest from connecting with our baby, who is clearly excited the crib is built.
“The baby is very active today,” Ava beams, placing her hand near mine. ‘It’s either because you’re around or the brownie and cookie combo I ate earlier.”
“Not long to go now,” I remind her with ease. “Have you thought about a birthing plan?”
“Birthing plan?”
“Yeah, like if you’re open to pain relief, natural birth, water birth.”
Shaking her head, Ava almost looks mortified. “Um, no to the water birth. Open to pain relief. I think, if it’s safe?”
“It’s safe, Ava, just something to think about.”
“Do I have to think about it now?”
“Not right now, but you’re thirty-four weeks tomorrow.”
Ava acknowledges with a silent nod, then takes a seat on the rocker chair her Aunty delivered to her.
“It’s happening.” Ava gulps while pressing her hands on her lap. “Thank God my sisters are keeping me sane by sending me videos of random things like a flamingo dancing to some old ‘80’s song.”
I’m glad Ava and Millie finally moved past their differences. Without mentioning anything to Ava, I’ve seen a noticeable change in her behavior. She’s back to her usual self, being dramatic over the smallest of things and gossiping about stories that are of no interest to me whatsoever.
The two of them have been inseparable for as long as I’ve known them. When Millie left for college, Ava was lost without her. They have a sisterly bond no one can break, so reconciling is a good thing.
“Even as a lawyer, I’m glad Millie still has the time to entertain you,” I muse, glancing at the crib, proud of my efforts.
“Between her and Addy, I don’t know how they get anything done. It reminds me why I muted their conversations back when I was a workaholic.”
“What do you mean back when you were a workaholic?” I tease with a grin. “You still are. Lex Edwards’ work ethic is part of your DNA.”