Page 20 of Can We Try?

“How about you, Mommy? How you feeling?”

“Relieved. Happy.” Her eyes find mine. “I’m really happy.”

“Me too, Mags. Me too.” I wrap my arm around her and hug her where she’s still sitting on the end of the exam table. The nurse brings in the literature on the doppler, and I thank her. “Man, Forrest needs one of these. I wonder why Legend or Roman never bought one of these things?”

“They probably didn’t know that you could.”

“I need to call Forrest.” I pull my phone out and then remember he doesn’t know. “When can we tell them?” I don’t want to pressure her, but damn, this secret has been hard to hold on to.

“We made it past twelve weeks. We’re twelve weeks and four days, so I’m okay with telling everyone, but we’re going to have to tell them how this all happened in the first place.”

“I think they have the birds and the bees covered.” I chuckle.

“You know what I mean. They’re going to know when and have lots of questions.”

“We’ll tell them when, and that the rest is ours to keep. All they need to know is that we're raising this little one together. You tell them as much or as little as you want. That’s what I’m telling the guys, and they’ll respect it.”

“I guess we can tell them whenever we’re all together again.”

“Tonight?” I ask hopefully. “It’s Friday night, and I can assemble the masses. Not at my place. It’s too damn small,” I grumble. “I’m working on fixing that, but I can make it happen. If you feel up to it.”

“Sure, if you can make it happen, we’ll tell them tonight. It’s been hard keeping this from them.”

“So hard,” I agree.

I lead her out of the exam room, where we stop to make her next appointment. I check it’s in my calendar, and shoot off a text to Drake, who is still at the shop, letting him know to clear my day that day.

Once we’re in the truck, I call Roman.

“What’s up?” he answers.

“How would you feel about getting everyone together tonight? My place isn’t big enough.”

“I say let’s do it. I’ll call Em. I’m leaving the shop now. We’ll just order some pizza and wings or something. You need me to spread the word?”

“Yeah, if you can. Say seven?”

“That works for us. I’ll handle it.”

“Thanks, Rome.”

“Anytime, brother.”

I end the call and look over at Maggie. “Tonight at seven at Roman and Emerson’s. We’re doing pizza and wings. Is that okay for you and the baby?”

“That actually sounds really good.”

“Perfect. I’ll take you to your car. Then I’ll be back at your place at six thirty to pick you up.”

“I can drive.”

“And I can pick you up. United front and all that.”

She opens her mouth to argue but quickly shuts it with a nod. “Okay.”

I glance in the rearview mirror, and my smile is blinding. I’m worried it might be permanent. This baby wasn’t planned, but it’s already so loved.

Chapter

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