Page 92 of Talk About… Secrets
"No, that’s the truth," I reassured her. "And you’re right. Mama Whitaker can’t, and neither can Bailey. That’s all in the past, though."
My hands gently roamed over my belly. The emerald green dress I was wearing stretched over the bump.
I smiled softly, picturing holding such a tiny thing in my arms. It was still so strange, it almost didn’t feel real. Yet, with every new scan, every time I heard the heartbeat, I fell a little more in love with the little one.
Our name board was still ongoing in the kitchen. There were so many crossed-out names and new ones scribbled in between that it was hard to make sense of.
"What about Blake?" I said, turning to my pack as inspiration hit. "It’s a neutral name, it could go either way. It’s strong but not off-the-wall."
"Blake," Drew repeated, testing it out before a gentle smile swept over his face. "Honestly? I kind of like it."
"Blake is perfect," Cade said, looking almost relieved. "I was getting worried. We’re only a month away and the baby had no name."
"Is it unique enough?" I asked Spencer, the only one who hadn’t chimed in. He was whispering it under his breath, I could hear his voice coming out in a slow murmur. Then a blinding smile took over his face and he nodded.
"Honestly? That’s perfect. Now we have to figure out the middle name."
We all groaned, and I shook my head. "That’s a problem for another time. Right now, I think the party’s about to start."
The doors were propped open and people were milling in, and it wasn’t just my friends and their packs, but people from town. It seemed Mama Whitaker had invited everyone to celebrate. My cheeks were aching within ten minutes from all the smiles and greetings I’d given.
Thankfully, the guys made sure I sat while everyone came to me, explaining that I was still on light bed rest.
I hadn’t had any more complications, but Dr. Clark wanted me to take it easier. So, the guys had done everything they could to keep me off my feet for long periods of time.
My besties had gone all out, everything from a chugging contest out of baby bottles to a diapering competition that the guys went crazy for. Of course, my guys came in last since everyone else had children by now.
To their credit, my pack did it correctly, they were just slower than the others. I had a feeling they’d be pros in no time.
With every gift that I unwrapped, I saw how much we were loved. How much thisbabywas loved. Avery and her pack had gone for bottles, getting us just about every kind on the market and then the top sanitizers, drying racks, the works.
Sidney and her pack had gone for clothes, everything was neutral and simple. Then they put a gift card at the end for when the baby arrived so I could buy even more.
Oriana and her pack were the ones to buy furniture. They’d picked up every swing, bouncer, and walker that we had on the list, and then added a few of her favorites.
Wren and her pack had bought an adorable set of plush barnyard animals along with a matching diaper bag and backpack, depending on what I preferred, and enough diapers to last an army.
Mama Whitaker and Charlie had bought us a car seat and stroller combination, along with a bunch of other odds and ends to round everything out.
The other guests had spoiled us just as much, books, clothes, extra diapers, extra bottles, and words of encouragement.
Honestly, more than a few tears had leaked out as I opened them all. I don’t think I’d ever felt so full of love and acceptance in my life. It settled into my bones and had me talking to my baby, reassuring them that this was what was waiting for them on the other side.
By the time they were cleaning up and loading all of our treasures into the back of Drew’s pickup truck, and the Whitakers’ trucks, too, because it all wouldn’t fit in one, I was exhausted but glowing.
The bond was alive with our combined happiness, and I was relieved to know they felt the same way I did. That this was home, and these people were family.
"Just a few more weeks," Spencer said. "A few short weeks and we’ll be holding Blake in our arms."
They’d all agreed to wait on the gender with me, and as I pictured my guys holding our sweet baby, all I could picture was a little boy.
It would be interesting to find out if I was right.
At the end of the day, I didn’t mind either way. I just wanted a healthy baby. And I could handle four more weeks of being doted on by my pack.
“Let’s get you in the truck,” Spencer urged, brushing a kiss over my knuckles before leading the way.
Then I froze. My eyes landing on the white sedan with a streak of red down the side. Mom was here. That red was where she’d swerved on the highway then somehow talked her way out of responsibility though we knew it was her fault.
