Page 33 of Inked Craving

“Well, purples and grays and a little bit of yellow for bumblebees sounded good to me.”

“While I love the aesthetic of farmhouse gray and all of those Instagram-worthy nurseries, I kind of miss the Crayola-looking painted rooms,” Eliza added as she brought in a tray of finger sandwiches.

I looked around at my sisters, biological and married-in, and just grinned. “I thought about it. But I love purple. I hope this little one wants purple, too. If they choose a different color, then we’ll go with that one.”

“I love that you’re going to be surprised with the sex of the baby,” Brenna added as she checked her baby monitor.

Rafael, as well as Annabelle’s twins, were sleeping upstairs in the nursery in Annabelle and Jacob’s home. The guys had all offered to take their kids for the day, but I wanted the babies here. What was a baby shower without babies? And not just my upcoming one. A few of my friends from college, around the city, and those that worked for the Montgomerys were also here. Thirty or so women who all wanted to be part of the day. I still couldn’t believe that the time was here. Soon, I’d be holding my baby—a single mother who worked far too many hours but was ready. Or at least I was as ready as I could be.

“This entire adventure has been a surprise. Why not one more thing?” I winked as I said it, and the women around me laughed. I had invited my brothers, Jacob, Lee, and a few other guys, but they had all begged off, saying they had other things to do. I had just rolled my eyes at them, knowing they were being weird about it. Of course, they had come to Brenna’s baby shower, and when they were forced to play baby games, I had a feeling they’d all decided they wanted nothing to do with it. I didn’t mind, though. It was nice seeing everybody, including how my mom was in her grandmotherly bliss.

I was surprised that Archer wasn’t coming, though. He usually came to things like this, mostly because he loved parties and being around our family. But he hadn’t shown. He rarely did these days, and that worried me, but it was fine. I wasn’t going to think too hard about it.

“Okay, now we’re going to play the normal games because I didn’t have time to research anything more unique. So, no saying the B-word,” Annabelle said, clapping her hands together. My mom rolled her eyes and started handing out clothespins.

I just snorted but played along.

“I made cupcakes,” Brenna put in as she gestured towards the table laden with food and sweets. There was a present table on the other side, my nursery registry nearly cleaned out. It made me want to cry, my eyes stinging as I thought about it. There were so many people that cared, and it surprised me, but it shouldn’t.

I was the one who kept people at a distance. I didn’t want to rely on anyone because I didn’t want to take time away from them. Only I had taken time from Lee. Maybe that was a good thing. I still didn’t know what we were doing, other than being careful about not doing anything at all.

And soon, I wouldn’t be able to blame the hormones.

“What kind of cupcakes?” I asked, pushing all thoughts of Lee and Archer and my problems out of the way.

“Mostly lemon drizzle, but also a strawberry cream.”

“I think I’m going to pass out,” Andrea teased, and I smiled over at the other woman. She worked with Lee, and I spoke to her often since she answered the phones if Lee couldn’t. When I ordered in lunch for Lee, I usually sent in a plate for her, as well. Lee took care of me, so I did my best to take care of him. It was my job at Montgomery Builders. I made sure that my family ate, made their appointments, and scheduled the hundreds of consults we had each month. I was good at my job, and I enjoyed it. If I could help Lee out, as well as his team, I would.

It was nice seeing her there, even though we didn’t know each other that well. It seemed like the pregnancy brought people together, even when I wasn’t prepared.

“I have been waiting for this moment for months now,” my mom said as she leaned forward and took my hand. “I love you, honey.”

I looked over at her and smiled. “What moment?” I asked, and then she looked over my shoulder. I was a little too big to turn completely. Annabelle, Brenna, and Eliza walked into the room again, each of them holding a bundle.

“I’ve been busy puttering away, but I couldn’t wait for you to see this.”

Mom stood and rubbed her knee, and I squeezed her hand. “Is your knee hurting you?” I asked.

Mom just patted my hand. “Old age. It happens. Especially when you’re carrying around sets of twins all the time.”

“I feel like you’re blaming us,” Annabelle said as she leaned forward and kissed Mom’s cheek. “Okay, Paige. We have games, food, and just a fun afternoon planned, but first, we can’t wait. You have to see these.”

I looked at the bundles, and tears slid down my cheeks.

“Damn hormones,” I grumbled, and everyone in the room laughed.

Brenna handed me the first bundle, and I gently unwrapped it.

“Oh my gosh,” I whispered. I pulled out the lavender and gray blanket and tried not to cry on it.

Brenna leaned forward, her eyes bright. “You did such a fantastic job knitting our blankets when we were pregnant that I did my best with this one. And my sisters helped me. They’re much better at knitting, so when they came to visit, we worked together.”

The blanket was so soft. I knew that I would treasure it always. I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to catch my breath. “I can’t believe it.”

“You’re family. We want you to know that we love you, and we cannot wait to meet the newest Montgomery.”

Because the baby would be a Montgomery. Colton would have some visitation rights, but he didn’t want to ruin my life. At least, that’s what he had said. That he would pay child support and visit when he could.

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