Page 13 of A Very Montgomery Christmas

“Sorry, we do get into detail.”

“It doesn’t help that we’re all at some stage of pregnancy and baby-making at the same time,” Holland added.

“And so I get the joys of that with you guys, I get to feel little feet and elbows against my hands when I put my palms over your stomachs. But then, even though there is that sense of loss and wonder, I get something else out of Lake. I’m a mom. It’s our first Christmas with our baby, and though I didn’t carry her to term, she’s everything. She’s my child. And I know deep down in my heart that it’s no different than it would’ve been if I would’ve been the one that carried her.” Arden sniffed, wiped her face, and then Liam was there, handing her a tissue.

“I love you,” he whispered, and kissed her softly. Tears were freely flowing down mine and Holland’s faces.

I hiccupped, and the baby elbowed me in the ribs prudently. “I think the baby is excited and wants to meet you soon. At least I hope so,” I mumbled.

Marcus wiped my face, kissed my cheek. “We’ll meet our baby soon. Don’t you worry.”

I was filled of worry, but I didn’t say that.

“You still don’t know if it’s a boy or girl?” my dad asked, leaning against the doorframe.

I looked up at him and shook my head. “We wanted to be surprised. We went with neutral colors anyway, and my favorite color was blue growing up, so it’s not like I need to conform to gender stereotypes.”

Dad just grinned. “You’re right. I know that you usually have lists of lists and would want things monogrammed with your baby’s name.”

“I know, that would have been nice. We have ideas for boys and girls and gender-neutral names. We’ll see what happens when they show up.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Marcus mumbled, before he sat with his back against the couch, his hand on my calf as he slowly massaged it.

“I could get used to this,” I said.

“Once the baby comes, he’ll be holding that infant and trying to get some sleep, and there goes the massage,” Mom said, and my dad rolled his eyes.

“I was always very attentive, Francine.” He nearly leered it, and I shuddered.

“I don’t want to know any of this,” Ethan said as he walked back into the room, Lincoln behind him with Kingston in his arms.

“Hey look, Aunt Madison said it was time to open the gifts,” Lake said, bouncing with Jasper behind her. He was like a big brother, constantly watching her, and I love the way the two interacted.

“Are you sure you’re up for it, dear?” Mom asked as Madison nodded.

“Yes, since I’m still standing, and feeling okay, let’s do this quickly.”

My brother Aaron had his gaze on her, watching her like a hawk, and I didn’t blame him.

I hadn’t known she had been hospitalized for a night because of a lack of fluids, in so much pain, and she could be hospitalized again, and it worried me. With all of us going through our own issues, they’d wanted to keep it personal in the family, but now we all knew, and we’d be watching her. Even when I reached week two hundred of pregnancy.

“Okay, it’s all the same gift, so only one of you needs to open it, so that way we don’t stress out everyone.”

“Well, here’s mine,” my mom said before handing it to Lake. “What do you say? Will you open it for Grandma?”

“I’ll help,” Lake said, and my mom sat down on the chair, Lake on her lap, and the two of them went to open the gifts. Kincaid had his camera out and took pictures of everybody, and I knew I was going to hate the way I looked, how bloated I felt, and how horrible I felt later, but I wanted this memory. And I knew that no matter what I felt about myself, it wouldn’t matter.

Because we had our family. And I was blessed.

I started crying again, even before they finished opening the gift, and Marcus looked at me.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing. Everything’s fine.”

He gave me a look that said I was insane, but he still loved me. He’d been giving me that look often.

Zia and Meredith came into the room then. Their hands clasped as they stood in the corner. The room was packed to the gills with people that I loved, and I just grinned at my ex-girlfriend and best friend, and she gave me a little wave. I knew the two were discussing babies and what would come next, and I wasn’t sure what direction they were going for. I had a feeling, though, that a certain brother of mine would become a sperm donor if they had their way. For some reason, the small group of us had already discussed it, mostly because I was nosy, and I wanted to make sure my family was happy.

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