by Young, Alexa
“Dear God, Ritchie, really?” Laurie hisses, glaring.
“What? I’m outside helping Dray,” he replies, shrugging.
“What’s your excuse all the other times?” Laurie leaps up in anger.
“You know I have a sensitive sense of smell.” He winks, handing over Noah to head back outside.
He is unbelievable.
“Hello, my stinky little boy,” Laurie croons, kissing his chubby cheeks. He gurgles, and both Laurie and Luce smile back at him adoringly. He gets bigger each time I see him.
Laurie grabs the nappies and wipes as Luce hands her the changing mat. Noah decides now is the time to blow raspberries, and we all laugh. Two minutes later, he’s all clean and bouncing on my knee. He’s beaming at me as he attempts to grab at my face.
“He’s getting so big already,” I remark.
Babies grow so quick.
“I know, I can’t believe how fast time goes.” Laurie’s eyes fill up a little.
At that moment, Gracie runs in, her bobble hat bouncing with each step. Max is hot on her heels.
“Mamma, I help Daddee,” she announces. She loves to be included in everything.
Luce smiles brightly at her little entrance then frowns. “Hey, where are your gloves?”
She shrugs and turns to Laurie. “Lolly.”
“Come and give Auntie Lolly a hug. I haven’t had any snuggles from you in over a week.”
She beams and scurries over. Laurie unzips her coat and takes off her hat to reveal slightly fuzzy, brown curls.
“Nowah.” She points over to Noah, who’s watching on, eyes wide.
“Yes, clever girl. Now come, let me warm those hands. They’re like blocks of ice.”
“Gracie, you need to keep those gloves on. No more playing outside if you don’t.” Luce warns. Gracie sends a look of horror her way.
“No gwoves,” she replies in disgust.
She really hates them.
“Then no going outside.” Luce pulls a stern face.
“I pay with car,” she pouts, always so adamant. She and Luce are exactly the same.
“No, not unless you wear those gloves.” Luce isn’t about to let this go, so Laurie intervenes.
“You stay inside, angel, and keep warm. You can do my hair, okay?”
Gracie’s face lights up. “I pay with hair.”
She knows Gracie well.
“Go and get the clips.” Laurie places her down as she scurries off to get her hair supplies. Noah starts to get a little grizzly, so I hand him over to a much-eager Luce, who soon has him smiling as she bounces and sings to him.
I look at my watch, seeing Abbie is due soon. I quickly make my exit before I’m dragged into the hair game, wandering outside to wait for her. Dray and Ritch are deep in conversation, trimming back a bush as I head over.
“You think you’ve got your work cut out now? Just wait till the little one comes along,” Ritchie scoffs as Dray glares over at him.
“Well, I’m here to help out with Gracie and little Joe.”
Dray shoots me a look of gratitude.
“I guess Gracie starting nursery in September will be a help,” Ritchie says, much to Dray’s annoyance.
“Oh, don’t even mention nursery. I can barely handle the thought, never mind actually taking her.” He scrubs his hand down his face. I know how hard it’s going to be for him.
“You’ve got to let her go sometime, Dray. She needs to be around other kids her age. She’ll love it.” Ritchie smiles reassuringly, but it’s easier said than done.
“I know she will be, it’s just settling her into a routine. The first few days, she’s going to be upset because she’s always been around us, or Luce’s parents. She’s never been left with strangers before.”
I can see the panic building in his eyes. None of us will rest easy on her first day.
“It’s always scary. I remember my first day, cried like a baby,” Ritchie adds.
“Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?” Dray chuckles in delight.
“I was a mummy’s boy. Well, until Laurie knocked it on the head. I’ve had to harden since I met that woman, I can tell you.” He shoots us a look and we laugh at Laurie’s no-nonsense approach.
“She’s a freaking diamond. You should think yourself blessed that she even gives you the time of day.” Dray is not one to mince his words.
“Cheers, Dray,” Ritchie huffs.
“You know I’m right. She’s like a sister to me. And you need to toughen up and change your baby’s nappy, for God’s sake.”
“I can’t stand the smell.” He wrinkles his nose just at the thought.
What a wimp.
“No one can, but you push through. When Laurie goes back to work, you’ll need to start.” Dray’s eyes send him a look of warning.
“She’s only doing part-time at nights.”
“Well, God help you if your son takes a dump with you on duty.” Dray snorts and I can’t help but laugh along with him, much to Ritchie’s disapproval.
“Fine, I get it. Quit badgering me already.” He waves his hands in annoyance. I shake my head in amusement then turn to see Abbie standing in the doorway. I wave and head over.
“Hey, you. How long have you been here?”
“A few minutes. I was talking to Luce. She told me the good news about having a boy. Guess little Gracie is a psychic.”
“I wish she’d tell me the lottery numbers.” I grin, pulling her into a hug.
I’ve missed her.
“I don’t think it works that way.” She giggles.
“I guess.”
“Anyway, Luce said to tell you all that dinner is ready.”
“Guys, dinner is ready!” I yell. They soon head over the moment food is mentioned.
We head in as Luce finishes laying the table. Dray walks up behind her, pulling her back to him as his hand splays across her ever-growing stomach.
“Hey, baby,” he murmurs between kisses. We all pull out chairs and sit down, taking our places at the table.
“I lub sosage!” Gracie yells, breaking Luce and Dray’s moment. They both chuckle and break apart.
“We know you do, so Mamma got you your favourite Italian sausage today.”
Luce and Laurie lay out all the food on the table. Dray brings over Gracie’s little plate, all cut up and left to cool so she can dig straight in.
“Daddy’s big girl. I wonder if Joe will love sausage as much as Gracie does.”
“Yep. Joe lub sosage, too.”
Dray walks over to Luce, wrapping an arm around her. “I just want to say something before we all dig in and become far too bloated from all of Luce’s fine cooking.”
Luce digs him in the ribs.
“Ow, only joking. Anyway, getting back to what I was saying before I was rudely interrupted.” He moves away to avoid the second poke of the elbow. “Today is a big day for us. Not only are we blessed with little Gracie, the light of our life, we now have a little boy on the way.”
“Joe!” Gracie shouts, tucking into her sausage.
“Yes, baby Joe,” Luce repeats, smiling.
“So, let’s raise a toast to Gracie, who is going to be an amazing big sister, and to little baby Joe who will be another blessing to our ever-growing family.”
“Gracie and baby Joe,” we all say together.
“Cheers!” Gracie shouts, picking up her cup and taking a swig as we all descend into laughter.
She truly is one in a million.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“How many more balloons can we possibly need?” Dray asks, looking all puffed out. We can barely see the floor, but Luce continues to hand more over.
“Don’t question me, just keep blowing,” she orders.
“I can think of other things I’d rather have you blow.”
“Seriously, Dray,” I bark.
I don’t need that vision in my head.
Luce smacks Dray on the arm as he chuckles.
Unbelievable.
“What time is everyone due?” Dray stretches out yet another balloon.
“I told them to come around three.”
My eyes flick to the clock on the wall – it’s now two. We’re soon distracted by the sound of a doorbell. I open the door to find Laurie, Ritchie and Noah, looking excited.
“Hey, Lex,” Laurie says smiling, kissing my cheeks as she walks in.
“We need some help bringing in the food. Is Dray there?” Ritchie asks.
Well, hello to you, too.
“Dray, can you help unload the food?” I shout through.
“Anything to get out of blowing these things.” He tosses the balloon onto the table to follow us outside. Luce walks over and takes hold of an excited-looking Noah. She kisses his chubby cheek as he babbles away. He’s dressed in a shirt, trousers and waistcoat. One thing about Laurie, she always makes an effort. I’ve yet to see him look less than dapper.
“Thank you so much, Laurie. I don’t know what I would have done. I’m so tired now I can barely function, never mind prepare a buffet for my daughter’s third birthday.”
“Luce, you’re eight months pregnant. No one would expect you to. Besides, I left it all in Franco’s capable hands. I can hardly take the credit. Anyway, speaking of which, where is the birthday girl?” Laurie’s eyes search the room.
“She’s playing in the garden with Abbie. There’s a blow-up princess castle and mini fairground out there, so she’s having a ball,” I tell her as Ritch places a large food tray wrapped in cling film into my arms. My mouth waters just looking at what’s on offer. This afternoon, I will definitely be filling my boots.
I walk through into the garden, and Dray and Ritchie follow. We begin to load all the trays onto the long picnic table. Laurie supervises then begins to arrange and lay everything out. She knows all about food presentation, so we leave it all to her. When the boot is completely empty, I join Abbie and Gracie in the garden. Noah is having a little bounce on the castle while Luce laughs away, holding his hands. He looks quite bewildered, and I’m not surprised; a giant pink Cinderella castle is a lot to take in. Gracie is sitting off to the side, sipping on her drink, looking tired. She’s wearing a cute little floral summer dress with a butterfly headband. Abbie smiles as I crawl over to join them. Gracie soon scampers to rest on my knee.
“Is the birthday girl nearly ready for her party to begin?” I ask.
I already know the answer.
She nods and I smile, excitement glinting in her eyes. When the other kids turn up, she’s going to be in her element.
Abbie takes my hand, and we sit and watch as Luce coos over a very happy Noah while Laurie works her magic managing the food area.
My stomach grumbles and Abbie giggles. I’ve barely had anything to eat, having been so busy helping Luce and Dray. I think I might attack the buffet table before any of the other kids even go near it.
“I wouldn’t advise you to start early. Laurie might have your guts for garters,” Luce says, noticing the hunger in my eyes as I stare over at the food table.
“True, very true. I’m keeping a wide berth while she’s in work mode, but once the buffet is open they’ll be no stopping me.”
“Oh, me, too. I am starving. Slave driver hasn’t given us a minute all day.” Dray chuckles as he pulls Luce into him from behind and kisses her hair. She scowls at his words.
“Well, someone has to do the organising, else nothing would get done,” she retorts.
“I love you when you get all masterful. Maybe you could continue that later.” Dray nuzzles his mouth against her ear.
“Do you mind not speaking like that around my son?” Ritchie huffs, walking off to speak to Laurie.
Dray chuckles loudly. “He’s eight months old, he won’t understand.”
“Yeah, but we do,” I chime in, shuddering.
“Like you and Abbie are all innocent. You’re staying over at hers more and more.”
Abbie blushes, and I shoot Dray a glare.
“You stay Abbie’s, I miss you,” Gracie pipes up, making me feel bad.
“I know, but I’m not there every night. We still have our cuddles.”
“We have birthday cuddles?”
“Of course,” I say, tickling her then kissing her hair.
Ritchie soon comes striding over. “Sweet Lord, do not go near Laurie when she’s in work mode. Sheesh. Noah, come to Daddy?”
Luce pouts and reluctantly hands him over.
“You’ll have your own soon,” he says, chuckling before kissing her on the cheek.
“I know, only five more weeks. I feel fit to burst now.” She rubs her swollen tummy and Dray pulls her in tighter.
“Ahh, not long now for little Joe to arrive. Bang goes any sleep for the next few months,” Dray adds. I can only imagine what having a newborn around is going to be like.
“I don’t envy you that way. This little one finally sleeps six hours straight now, don’t you?” Ritchie kisses his cheek, and Noah giggles. “I was hoping for him to wear his United top, but Laurie said no.”
“Well, at least your kid will wear it. Gracie won’t even entertain the thought to keep her daddy happy. What is it you say about football, Gracie?”
“Yacky football.”
“She’s got good taste, like her mamma.” Luce winks over at Gracie, but soon stops when Dray starts tickling her. “Dray!” Luce squeals.
“Say Man United is the best club, else I’ll keep torturing you.”
“Stop it, I will seriously pee myself if you don’t.” Her eyes widen, and it looks like it might be a possibility.
“Then say it,” Dray orders, loving every minute of his torture.
“Never!” she squeals. Gracie leaps off my knee and scurries over to help Luce.
“No tickle Mamma, no like it.” She hits Dray on the arm, and we all laugh at the stern look on her face.
“Thank you, angel. You look after Mamma.” Luce strokes her cheek tenderly.
“Well, if I can’t tickle Mamma then I’ll tickle you.”
Gracie squeals as Dray grabs her and begins to tickle her all over. She giggles so loudly, and we all just watch with huge smiles on our faces.
“Err, Dray, I hope you’re not tickle-torturing my grandchild,” a bemused-looking Liz asks.
“Daddy tickle me, Nonna,” Gracie says as Dray releases her to run forward and greet her.
“He tickle you, darling?” Liz picks her up and presses several kisses against her face. She loves to get her Gracie fix every time she visits.
“Tickle Mamma, she no like it.”
“Well then, do I have to smack his bum?”
Gracie nods. “He bad boy.”
“It’s been a while since you threatened to clip me around the ear.” Dray grins, leaning in for a kiss.
“You always did have the charm.” She pats his face lightly.
“What about a hug for your dear old Nonno?” Gianni grins as Gracie beams in delight. She loves spending time with them both.
“Nonno, my birthday.” Liz places her down and she runs over, hugging Gianni equally as hard.
“I know, my beautiful girl. You’re getting so big now. I remember your mamma at this age. You are the spitting image, apart from your eyes.” He tenderly strokes her cheek and kisses her hair.
“I can’t believe she’s three. Time goes so fast,” Liz remarks.
“Too fast.” Gianni sighs.
We know that feeling well.
“How are you today, sweetheart?” Liz asks Luce.
“Tired, but happy.”
“We can’t wait to meet baby Joe.” Liz places her hand over her bump and smiles.
“Well, hopefully he won’t make an appearance today. We have another month left.”
“He will be here soon enough. Today is this little one’s day. I gave the presents to Laurie.”
“Thanks, she’ll open them later.”
“Pwesent?” Gracie asks.
“Little ears hear everyt
hing.” Liz winks before walking over to me. “How are you, Lex? Is this your girl? Luce has been telling me all about her.”
Abbie and I blush. These women are shameless. Straight to the point, no holds barred.
“Yes, this is my girl, Abbie.” I walk forward and kiss Liz’s cheek. She pulls me into a tight hug and I smile. They are so affectionate, but in a good way.
“You get more handsome every time I see you.”
“Oh, don’t be giving him a big head, Mum!” Dray shouts over.
“And you are beautiful. Come give me a hug. Any girlfriend of Lex’s is instant family to us.”
Abbie hesitates, not used to this kind of overt display of affection, but she goes with it and I move away so they can talk. I probably don’t want to hear what her line of questioning is about anyway.
“Err, guys, sorry to interrupt, but I just heard some car doors slamming. I think some of your guests are beginning to arrive,” Laurie cuts in.
Luce smooths down her dress and Gianni hands back Gracie to Dray before taking Liz’s hand. They are still so romantic after all this time. Dray kisses Gracie, whispering in her ear before placing her down, ready to greet their guests.
Let the party begin.
* * *
“Happy birthday, Gracie!” Dray calls out, walking through with her special Peppa Pig cake. We all begin singing “Happy Birthday”, and Gracie’s face lights up as she claps in excitement. I’m holding her in my arms as Luce’s bump is too big for her to do so. I pass her over to Dray and he kisses her cheek, walking over so she can blow out the candles. We all take photos of the precious moment.
“I kiss Peppa, Daddy?” she asks, and we all chuckle at her serious expression. Dray lowers her to the mini sculpted Peppa cake, and she kisses her little snout.
“Now, let’s eat Peppa!” Ritchie yells, smirking.
Gracie’s eyes widen in horror. “No eat my Peppa!” she shouts, pointing a finger at Ritchie.
“Gracie bear, it’s a cake, not the real Peppa.” Dray chuckles.
“Peppa my fwiend, I love her. No eat her, Daddy.” Her eyes fill up and she looks sad.
“What do we do?” Dray asks Luce as she shrugs, somewhat alarmed.
“Well, I brought along a second cake for us adults, we could eat that. It’s a chocolate cake, and I could quickly decorate it in true Gracie style,” Laurie pipes up, saving the day.