Page 94 of Can We Try?

“Not as much as two sides, and the piping around the bottom.” He licks his lips, and I can’t help it, I crack up laughing.

“You’re too much,” I tell him as he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips.

“I’m yours.”

“And I’m yours.”

“Hey, now, none of that,” Legend says. “That’s what got you that.” He points to my belly.

“And you this,” Monroe says, pointing to her belly. I’m sure she has a tiny bump hiding under there.

“We’re really good at it,” Legend tells his wife.

“So are we,” Roman says, pulling Emerson into his arms.

“Don’t let Forrest hear you say that,” Maddox jokes.

“Hear him say what?” Forrest asks, as he joins us to get a piece of cake for the girls, himself, and Briar.

“Rome and Emerson are good at making babies,” Lachlan tells him.

“Really, man? Really? You had to go there? Today is special,” he says, before he bursts out laughing. “I tried. I couldn’t pull it off,” he says, pointing to his own face. “My niece is adorable, and I’m sure this next one will be as well. Outside of acknowledging that you are, in fact, the father, I don’t want to hear how he or she got here, K?” he says, grabbing three plates of cake and ice cream before heading back toward the living room.

That’s my family. The ones who have chosen to love me and be there for me through all of life’s ups and downs. It’s always like this when we get together. I miss Grandma Doris so much, but these people, my people, they make it easier. They’re here for me. They love me, and I love them too.

I’ve been aching all day. Braxton hicks are no joke. I was just at the doctor’s yesterday for a checkup and baby boy isn’t ready to make his arrival just yet, but my body, on the other hand, is getting ready.

That basically means I can’t get comfortable. I’m not sleeping well at night, and today, I’ve been up and down from the recliner to the bed, to pacing the floor. I’m miserable, but all of this will be worth it.

“Mommy loves you,” I tell my baby bump. Well, it’s way larger than a bump. I’m due any day now, and the waddle is in full effect. Everyone tells me that I’m still “all belly” and it’s out there. It’s a good thing I’m due soon because Sean is definitely out of room in there.

The dryer buzzes, letting me know that it’s finished its cycle. I know Lachlan will give me a hard time about doing laundry, but I’m not lifting anything heavy. I’m folding the clothes as they come out of the dryer and placing them in stacks for him to carry when he gets home. Besides, keeping active is good for me, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be lucky, and it will trigger labor.

I’m excited to meet my son.

It takes me a few moments to lift from the couch and make my way to the laundry room. I’m slow moving, but at least I’m moving. I bend over to grab the last item out of the dryer and feel wetness rush between my legs. I look down to see my light gray maternity leggings are soaked. It takes me a solid minute to realize that I didn’t just pee my pants.

My water just broke.

Staying calm, I grab a towel from an earlier load of laundry and toss it to the floor. Then I grab another for myself and make my way to the bedroom. I change my clothes through the contraction that hits and then waddle back to the living room. I don’t want to call the ambulance, and I know Maddox is off today because Lachlan told me fifteen times before he left for work, to call Maddox if I needed anything.

Apparently, he knows he’s on baby watch. The perks of being best friends, neighbors, and scheduled to be off the same day Lachlan is working. I’m pretty sure they planned it this way, but I’ll never ask them. I love how he takes care of us. His heart is larger than life.

Grabbing my phone, I call Maddox.

“Hey, Maggie. Everything okay?”

“Yes, but could you come over here and see me?”

“Sure, what’s up?” he asks. I can hear him moving around.

“I’m pretty sure my water just broke.”

“What? Holy shit, woman, you should have started with that. Stay there. I’m on my way.”

“Not going anywhere.” I chuckle.

“Did you call Lachlan?”

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