Page 125 of Perfect Playbook

I try my best to sing the melody of this Mexican birthday song. I must have listened to it a hundred times to get it right for today. I didn’t do the best version at Nino’s birthday and felt like a dancer behind by one step at every word. I farebetter this time.

Luis sings his lungs out. “Despierta, mi bien Shaylita…”

Enzo carries the cake, singing, approaching slowly so the candles don’t go out.

I can’t get over how self-conscious Shay’s become. Her cheeks brighten with heat, and Enzo is now next to her, the candles illuminating her every bashful feature.

Nino stands on his chair for the last line, serenading his mother. “Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amanecióooooo.”

Enzo places the cake in front of my wife. Shay’s face twists with a sort of adorable shy quality I’ve never seen onher before. Not even when I’m telling her how much I like being between her legs. Well, it is a big moment.

She gazes up at me, and I swear her eyes are glassy.

“You okay?” I mouth.

She nods quickly.

Nino jumps down from his chair to run around and take back his mom’s hair. “Make a wish!”

With only three blows, she snuffs out all thirty-seven candles.

Santi hands the knife to Shay who, given her reverence for her creations, would normally be the only one to cut it.

She smooths her hair behind one ear, and I swear the tip of it is rosy. “I’ve never made a cake like this before. I hope it’s good.”

Luis rubs his hands together expectantly. He barely ate lunch earlier, saying he was saving room for extra cake. “I’m sure it will be delicious.”

She hands me the knife. “Will you cut it?”

“I got you.”

I slide the knife down through the cake, feeling the weight of every layer under the hilt while Shay grabs the sides of her chair next to me.

I slide out a piece, laying it on its side on a plate. It’s four layers of pink in ever lighter shades.

“Is it strawberry?” Nino asks.

“No…” My wife is all out blushing now and takes our son’s hand. “It’s a girl.”

“Huh?” Nino scrunches his nose.

Shay lets out a sharp breath. “It’s a girl cake.”

Luis gasps so loudly he could steal the entire room’s oxygen. “Oh my…” He stands and rushes to our sides. “Are you…?

Nino’s voice squeaks. “Holy moly, holy moly!” He throws himself on Shay. “A girl! I can read to her!”

Good God, this boy of ours.I could weep.

Shay stands and hugs her father who is desperate to hold her tightly.

His voice is muffled in her hair. “You know it’s a girl? My goodness, this family needs some women.”

She laughs into his shoulder, and the nasal sound of it tells me tears of joy wet her father’s shirt.

We’ve been waiting for ages to announce this. In light of the miscarriage, we wanted to be more sure, closer to the safety zone. Closer to feeling like this time, it will be okay.

Her brothers wrap their arms around her, and I hardly even know who is where anymore as the celebrations collide in a flurry of excitement.

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