Page 47 of The Wrong Side Of Us

Evelyn

“Babe,” I heard Nathan mutter behind me. My eyes widened, and slowly, I lowered the cookie in my hand. “Babe?”

“Hm?” I chewed on the piece of cookie in my mouth in silence. He’d caught me again. It was time to let both his parents and Carter know we were having a baby, but the cookies were too good.

“I mean, if you want, eat them all, but you need to leave at least three, love. Is that possible?” he asked. I rolled my eyes, sensing his amusement. He pressed a kiss behind my ear, making me giggle. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better.”

Though I was nearing my twelfth week of pregnancy, the nausea would disappear and then come back full force. It was horrible. The last two days I hadn’t been able to keep anything down, but today, I was hungry and ready to eat everything in my way.

Including the cookies we were supposed to use for the pregnancy announcement.

“Are they almost here?” I asked Nathan, turning around and wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Yes, almost.” He smiled. “Are you going to FaceTime Poison and Jenna?”

“I will after we tell our families. They will be gathered at Tessa’s,” I said.

The excitement I felt in my heart was almost overwhelming. I never thought I’d form a family of my own, never thought I would even find the right person to be with, but as always, life has a plan of its own.

We’d been through so much, it was time for us to enjoy the blessing we were to receive.

Nathan wasn’t much different. Sometimes days were crazy for him at the gallery, so we wouldn’t see much of each other during the day, but every night, he would lie down with me and tell me all about his day and then speak to our baby about everything.

I could already tell he was going to be the best father in the world; I never had a doubt.

Shortly after hiding the cookies, there was a knock at the door. I beamed at my boyfriend, and he smiled back at me, not without first kissing me deeply.

“I love you,” he murmured against my lips.

“Me too.”

I knew very well that Nathan’s parents would be thrilled at the idea of being grandparents, yet Carter’s reaction…I didn’t know what to expect from him. I would always have his support, but his heart would break knowing that Nana wouldn’t be here to share the special moment.

“You’re going to be very loved,” I whispered, stroking my small belly.

Soon I heard the voices of Nathan’s parents and Carter invading our small home. I exhaled, walking up to the door. Deborah grinned when she saw me, extending her arms.

“How are you, Evie?” She smiled.

“Good,” I replied. Frank also opened his arms for me and greeted me with a tender embrace.

“Hi, Frank.”

He squeezed my cheek, grinning at me. “How’s my future daughter-in-law doing?”

Deborah shoved him gently, and he chuckled, taking his wife’s hand in his. “It’s only a matter of time before he proposes.” He shrugged.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Nathan nod in agreement.

Only a matter of time.

Finally, I hugged Carter, who held me tightly just as he did every time he saw me.

“How are you doing, Carter?” I asked him, placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Very well, Evie.” He looked around the house briefly, eyes settling on the bottle of champagne Nathan had set with the various glasses. “What are we celebrating?”

“Family,” I replied, squeezing his arm. “Let’s eat.”

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