Page 141 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

He opens the back door and snaps Mitchell’s car seat into the base in the center seat. Then he motions for me to get in.

I raise a brow. “You’re going to be our chauffeur?”

He tips his invisible hat. “I’ll take you anywhere you wanna go.” Then he leans in and kisses me on the lips. “Come on, Ray. Let’s go home.”

Chapter Forty-eight

Regan

“I thought this was a baby shower,” I say, opening the fourth gift that is most definitely not for the baby.

I narrow my eyes at Lucas.

“We already have everything we could need for M&M.” He motions across the room to Maddie and Ava. “This was their idea.”

The gifts I’ve opened so far include certificates for massages, spa days, mani/pedis, and one super cute and comfy outfit that will fit right into my eclectic wardrobe.

I scan the room filled with family and friends, knowing how lucky I am.

Allie is in my reading chair over by the fireplace. I don’t even think she’s paid attention to any of this. She’s snuggling five-week-old Mitchell the same way she always does when she’s here—like she’s afraid every moment she has with him could be the last one.

I get it. I was the same way when he was in the NICU. But he’s good now. He’s nursing like a champ and growing like a weed. And, as the nurses promised, he’s most definitely found his lungs. The kid can cry. And boy does he like to be the center of attention—just like his daddy.

Lucas and I share a look. He’s noticed the way Allie is around the baby, too. He shrugs and hands me another gift. This one is from Mom and Dad, who decided to hang around for another month to help out.

It’s a leather-bound book titledLetters to My Son.

“It’s a journal,” Mom says. “So you can write down everything about his childhood. It’ll be something he’ll always cherish when he’s older and can appreciate it.”

“What a thoughtful gift.” I frown. “I wish someone would have thought of that when you had me.”

Mom holds out another gift. “Someone did.”

I tear up as I unwrap it. I stare at the thick journal, the wordsFor My Daughterembossed on the front cover. Tucked into a clear plastic flap is a picture of my mom holding me as an infant.

I look up, stunned that she did this. We were never all that close. I was always jealous of friends who had that special bond with their mothers. But Joyce Lucas has been making up for lost time over the past several weeks. And now this… what an amazing surprise.

I pull it to my chest. “I can’t wait to read it. Maybe I’ll read it to Mitchell.”

She chortles. “Might want to leave out some of the colorful language.”

I cock my head, stunned.

“Oh, don’t look so surprised. You weren’t the easiest of kids, you know. I may have vented a time or two in there.”

“Thank you,” I say. “I’ll cherish this forever.”

When I’m finished with all the gifts, there are a few silly shower games. Like seeing who can chug beer from a baby bottle the fastest and other equally outrageous challenges.

Ava is holding the baby when her husband, Trevor—on leave for two weeks—comes up by her side. He admires the way she’s holding Mitchell. And I could swear, he swallows tears.

“I want one,” he says.

Ava smiles sadly, not looking up from my son. “So much it hurts.”

“Let’s do it.” Trevor touches Mitchell’s head. “Let’s do whatever it takes to make it happen.”

Ava finally tears her gaze from Mitchell. “Whatever it takes?”

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