Page 136 of Family Bonds: Coy & Angel

“I think this is better than doing it at a wedding,” Angel said. She felt more comfortable here even if she was bloated and walking with a basketball in front of her.

Ten minutes later, guests started to arrive and she was prepared to be introduced to everyone.

“Angel, this is my cousin, Eli, who owns the casino. His wife, Bella and their daughter, Adrienne.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking their hands. She looked at the toddler who had the coloring and looks of a Bond. “You’re adorable.”

“Mommy’s having a baby too,” Adrienne said, then reached up for Eli to pick her up.

“Wow,” she said. “Congratulations.”

Eli grinned. “We weren’t going to announce it here, but someone has a big mouth. People know so it’s not a big secret.”

“Your casino is gorgeous,” she said. At least the room they were in for this party was. She and Coy had been here to eat at the restaurant one night but nothing more.

They moved off and she met more of Coy’s family. It was hard to keep everyone straight, but she’d been given a crash course in it.

When everyone arrived that seemed to be expected and were seated, Helena stood up and talked quickly.

“I want to thank everyone for coming. As we know, my youngest decided he wanted a destination wedding that was stunning and memorable so it’s the first many of you are meeting Angel. I’m more than thrilled to have a third daughter in the family and can’t wait for another baby Bond to make his appearance. Everyone enjoy yourselves and the food will start coming out now.”

Helena came over and hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “That was so sweet. Thank you.”

“I meant every word of it,” Helena said.

Lunch was served. When Angel was done eating she got up and went around to talk to some more people with Coy. It was supposed to be a relaxed event. She wasn’t one for formal and hated to just sit there with all eyes on her.

She loved that everyone who had children had brought them, so there were toddlers and babies alike and she got her fill of them all.

There was even a spot set up for them to play and entertain themselves. Helena thought of everything.

“This is crazy,” Spencer said to her when he came over.

“I know,” she said. “But you knew what this was like before me.”

“Nothing like this,” Spencer said. “This is a baby shower. I can only imagine what a wedding would be like.”

“I’m glad we did it the way we had. Even if it felt like you had a shotgun on Coy.”

Her brother put his arm around her and squeezed her. “Sorry about that. But it’s not as if he doesn’t love you.”

“I know,” she said. “I still would have liked things to have turned out differently in terms of timelines but can’t go back and change anything and I wouldn’t.”

“Are you happy?” Spencer asked. “Truly happy?”

“More than I ever could have dreamed,” she said.

“Then that is all you need to focus on,” Spencer said.

“That and the dessert table. I wonder if we can go to it now.”

Her brother laughed. “You and that sweet tooth. I’m surprised you’re not bigger than you are.”

“Ha ha. Not funny. Everything hurts on my body. This kid is huge, but if I put more weight on, I’d be even more uncomfortable.”

“What hurts?” Spencer asked, frowning.

“Don’t go there,” she said. “Someday you’ll have a pregnant woman by your side and you’ll get it. I’ve gained fifteen pounds and it’s all in one spot pulling my body forward. I have to use my back to stay upright. If anything, be mad at your best friend for being so damn big.”

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