Page 66 of Love Bitters

The face that peeks through the crack certainly isn't her. Jolene grins ear to ear, letting herself in. "Hey, pretty mama. Up to a room full of visitors?"

"Come on in," I tell her, assuming she's got half our book club with her. I laugh when all seven of them pile into the room carrying various tokens of congratulations from balloons, to flowers, to stuffed animals, and even a big fruit bouquet.

"You guys didn't have to get us anything else!" I exclaim.

Jolene just waves me off, setting down a giftbag with balloons attached on the table at my side before leaning down for a hug. "How are you feeling? Oh my god. Look at her. She's the tiniest little thing."

"Want to hold her?" I ask.

"Duh," she says, making us both laugh.

I hand the baby off to her as I comment, "I'm surprised they let all of you in here at once."

"Blythe's name comes with pull," Jade replies, shoulder bumping her. "All we had to do was say Clemonte, and they just about gave us a chariot ride in here."

The room laughs, but Blythe simply rolls her eyes to the ceiling with a smirk.

"So, what did you name her?" Luci asks. I'm just as curious as to why she's dressed in a yellow sundress and faded leather jacket, but it’s neither the time nor place to bring it up.

"Ophelia Lizbeth," I answer. "Her middle name in memory of my sister."

"I'm sure she would've loved that," Lucy says with a soft smile.

"Whose last name is she taking?" Blythe asks bluntly.

Jade huffs and throws her hands toward the ceiling. "Dude, that is so rude."

"How's it rude?" she retorts. "I'm sure they've thought about it."

And we have. As a matter of fact, we discussed it this morning. Though it'll change nothing as to how the others feel, we're going to have her tested before we leave the hospital to find out who the father is. I have to say that my vote is leaning toward Thatcher since she's got a slightly tanner complexion, but I'm keeping that to myself until we find out for sure. When I tell my friends our decision, they agree with us.

As Ophelia gets passed around, Jolene jests, "Don't think that you’re getting out of next week’s meeting just because you pushed an eight-pound baby out of your vajay."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I tell her.

Blythe's face turns ashen, and she says, "Ugh, I'm never having kids."

Looking around at what my life has become, it's strange to think about how bitter my life could've been if I allowed it. Yet I have amazing friends, the absolute best boyfriends, and a new baby I get to spend the rest of my life loving. What more could a girl ask for?

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