Page 57 of His Best Friend's Baby

Hugs abounded, of course. Hugs for Polly, but also hugs for Seth, along with back slaps and handshakes from his mates. Minutes earlier, alone in the kitchen with Seth, Polly had already felt happier than she could ever remember, but somehow these lovely people sent her happiness factor shooting off the scale.

It was some time before she remembered that she was supposed to be serving the cakes. ‘Oh, Summer, my poor little neglected darling.’

Summer didn’t mind, of course and luckily, the older children were busily stuffing their pockets with the goodies that had spilled from the piñata.

‘Let us get the cakes for you,’ insisted Elsa. ‘You need to stay here with Seth and soak up these happy vibes. We’re just so thrilled for you, Polly.’

And Elsa and Ruth hurried inside, only too happy to bring both the cakes out, along with the plates and forks.

Seth didn’t have a high chair, so Summer sat on Polly’s lap, while everyone sangHappy Birthday. Kandy snapped photos as Polly blew out the one candle and then removed it, before Summer could try to eat it, and Elsa happily cut generous slices of the baby’s cake. Ruth meanwhile served up the chocolate cake.

‘You were so clever making two so very different cakes,’ commented Ruth. ‘One’s so light and fluffy. And topped with all that lovely, whipped cream and berries. It’s perfect for little ones.’

‘And we end up with a fun, photo-friendly mess,’ laughed Kandy. ‘While the rest of us can indulge in this sinful, very rich and very moist chocolate cake. Ooh and it has chocolate butter cream icing. Now that’s my idea of heaven.’

*

When Summer hadtrouble settling that evening, Polly wasn’t especially surprised.

Seth, on the other hand, was worried as Polly paced with the grizzling baby in her arms. ‘What’s the matter with her? She’s never like this.’

‘I think she’s just overstimulated,’ Polly told him. ‘She had a super-exciting afternoon with all those kids and noise and so many adults making a fuss of her.’

‘It’s just so unlike her, though.’ Seth frowned as Summer’s grizzles crescendoed to a wail. ‘I’ve hardly ever heard her cry.’

‘I know,’ Polly agreed. And then, as the wail reduced to muffled sobs, she said, ‘By most standards, Summer’s been a very good baby, but don’t worry, she’s had her bad times. I guess I only ever shared the good news with you in my emails. I didn’t think you needed to hear about the sleepless nights when she had a little fever, or she was teething.’

‘Hmmm,’ mused Seth. ‘So I’ve been hoodwinked into believing this fatherhood caper is a piece of cake?’

Polly turned to him, brows knitted, until she realised he was teasing her. Then she smiled and went back to pacing and patting and jiggling and Seth went through to the kitchen to heat up a pot of soup for their supper.

*

Eventually, Summer settledto sleep and, for all sorts of reasons, Polly and Seth decided that an early night was in order for them, as well. Of course, they had way more in mind than simply falling asleep.

It was quite late when they shared their next important conversation. Silver moonlight filtered through the shutters as they lay in a happy tangle and Polly was wondering if there had ever been a more perfect day, when a profoundly significant thought struck.

She was lying in the cradle of Seth’s shoulder and now she turned to him, admiring his profile, outlined by the moonlight. ‘Seth,’ she whispered, wondering if he was still awake.

‘Mmmm?’ Without opening his eyes, he lifted a strand of her hair, curling it around his finger.

‘Do you realise we haven’t actually said the L word?’

His eyes flashed open. ‘Are you asking me if I love you?’

‘I guess, I might be.’ Given all that had happened in the past twenty-four hours, it wasn’t too tricky a question, surely? But Polly couldn’t help a little niggle of caution as Seth eased away, so he could turn to face her. His face was in darkness now, so she couldn’t see his expression.

‘Polly,’ he said. ‘Have you any idea how long I’ve been in love with you?’

Oh, gosh. This response was so not what she’d expected, and suddenly she was helpless and tearful and yet, hopelessly happy. It took her a moment or two to respond. ‘You don’t mean when we were in high school?’

Seth chuckled. ‘Maybe then. At least in a puppy love kind of way.’

‘It certainly wasn’t the time I turned up here, demanding your test tube donation.’

‘Well, no,’ he said. ‘But after that, I couldn’t stop thinking about you, and when I turned up in Melbourne—’

‘And you found me eight months pregnant and living in a musty shoebox.’

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