Page 163 of The One I Hate
“Yes, thank you,” Charlie says. “I know you all wanted to come meet her, so we appreciate your patience.”
“And we all know you are anxiously awaiting the name reveal, which will come in a second.” I hand Baby Bug to Charlie as I grab a piece of paper from my back pocket. “But first! It’s time to announce the winners of the prop bets placed at the New Year’s Gender Reveal Bash. The winner of closest to the due date is…Oliver Price!”
A few cheers, and more than a few groans, come out as Oliver runs up and grabs his envelope of winnings. “I had a feeling and ran with it. Thanks, Charlie.”
“You’re welcome?”
“Next up…the measurements. Our daughter came weighing in at six pounds, ten ounces, giving the win to…Izzy McCall-Price!”
“Hell yeah, wife!” Oliver cheers as Izzy comes up. “I’m calling a sweep!”
“Not so fast, my excited friend. Because the last one of the night was the ‘Does Simon cry?’ For all of you who said yes, because I did, were placed into a random drawing for the winnings. And that winner is…drum roll please.”
A hush comes over the crowd. “Fine, party poopers. The winner is…Magnolia?”
The quiet turns into raucous laughter as my seven-year-old goddaughter struts up to the stage. “Sorry, Uncle Simon. But I knew you’d lose it.”
The laughter only gets louder as Magnolia snatches her money out of my hands. And hope that no one calls us in for underage gambling.
“Enough of the bets. What’s the name of my grandbaby!”
“Yes, Mom, it’s time.” Charlie takes a step closer to me, holding our daughter for everyone to see. “We tossed some ideas around. And while some were great.”
“Most I vetoed immediately.”
This makes everyone laugh. “Charlie and I came up with a name that not only pays a little homage to our story, but also fits perfectly for Baby Bug.”
Charlie and I share a look and nod. It’s not like this isn’t already official. The birth certificate is signed and the social security card is on the way. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to Lainey Elizabeth Banks.”
A round of applause hits, though I don’t know if any truly know the importance of her name. Emmett would maybe pick up on it, but he couldn’t be here today.
“My grandbaby!” my mom squeals as she comes over to us. “May I?”
Charlie nods, gently passing Lainey to her Didi. She’s insisting on being called that. “Of course.”
Mom coos at her granddaughter as everyone surrounds us, giving us hugs and handshakes.
“Big brother!” Stella squeals as she jumps into my arms for a hug. “She’s precious. I can’t wait to spoil her.”
“I figured you already started,” I joke, pointing to her ‘In my Auntie Era’ T-shirt. “I’m guessing there’s something matching for Lainey?”
“Of course,” she says with a smile. “It’s one of the many presents I brought today.”
I laugh and reach out my hand for Duncan. “Hey, man. Thanks for coming.”
“Sure…”
He doesn’t look up at me, or return my handshake. His eyes are glued to his phone, and he couldn’t give two shits to be here.
God I hate this fucking guy…
I continue saying thanks and visiting with as many people as possible before I see Charlie a few feet away, talking to a few of her regulars. Instead of interrupting I just stand back and watch, in awe of this woman.
I’ve always lived in the belief that you make your own luck.
I don’t know what I did to get Charlie, but I know I’ll never be that lucky in my life again. I don’t deserve her. I’m probably not worthy. But I swear on everything I have and everything I am I’m going to try every day to be the best damn man for her.
Because she’s the best for me.
