Page 120 of Seven of Hearts

Leah was the lighthouse that guided me home.

33

LEAH

“Surprise!”

I nearly toppled backward into Logan’s chest as the cacophony of voices from inside the DeRossis’ house scared the bejeezus out of me.

Logan just chuckled under his breath as he bracketed my hips with his hands and kept me upright.

The blue and green baby shower decorations hanging in the basement lounge weren’t what I was expecting for Monday’s poker night. Pizza was nowhere to be seen. In its place was a spread fit for royalty.

The crowd in the house was bouncing with excitement as I wobbled inside.

“What happened to poker night?” I said as I weaved through the crowd to hug the collusive women who looked far too proud of themselves.

Kristin and Kylie were the first to offer me quick hugs before stepping back so Hannah Jane Lawson and Maddie DeRossi could swoop in.

“Y’all didn’t have to throw me a baby shower!” I said as I squeezed them tight.

Maddie scoffed. “Of course we did. Do you really think we’d pass up a chance to have cake?”

Hannah Jane laughed. “You’re family. You help us raise our kids. You do so much for us. Frankly, I have no idea how you’re still working. I was dead on my feet by thirty-six weeks.”

“Because you’re only letting me chauffeur the kids around and won’t let me lift anything or be on my feet.”

Hannah Jane winked at Logan as he mouthed, “Thank you.”

“Miss Leah!” Gio said as he bolted down the stairs. He bobbed and weaved around bodies before nearly tackling me in a hug. Ellie was hot on his heels.

I gave them both tight hugs. “Hey, you two.”

“Did you like the surprise?” Gio blurted out. “Me and my dad made all the food.”

I eyed the spread. “It looks amazing. I can’t wait to eat it all. What should I start with first?”

“I’ll make you a plate!” he said before darting off.

Ellie hugged me a little longer than usual. She wasn’t the affectionate type, which made every little show of it all the more special. “Are you going to come back and be our nanny after the baby’s born or are you leaving for good?”

Hannah Jane pressed her hand to her mouth.

“Oh, honey. I’m not going anywhere,” I said with a laugh. “I’ll just be gone for a few weeks. Maybe I’ll even come over and hang out with you guys one afternoon, or you can come to my house.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Promise?”

I held my pinky finger out. “Pinky promise.”

That brought a smile to her face and she gave me another hug. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Logan’s hand was warm as he gently rubbed soothing circles across my lower back.

Everything hurt these days. As scared as I was to have a C-section, I was ready for it to be over. The bliss of pregnancy had been replaced with sleepless nights full of anxiety and all the “what ifs.” I was ready for the next phase of life where two became three. I was ready to know what our son was like. I was ready to hold him.

“Have you guys finally decided on a name?” Erica asked as she navigated the crowd and slipped a mocktail into my hand.

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