Page 84 of Talk About… Secrets
The only time I really got out of bed, or the nest, was to use the bathroom or go downstairs for meals. And that was only because I would lose my mind if they tried to feed me in bed one more time. I let that slide for the first few days, but then I decided I was over it.
As long as I was sitting or resting, it was fine. I’d even messaged Dr. Clark for confirmation.
I finished my last project for the day, sent off the design and emails, then closed my laptop and tossed it aside with a long breath as I rested my head against the pillow.
All I wanted was some sunshine.
Drew poked his head in, a smile on his handsome face. I swear, this man lit up every time he looked at me. That did a lot for a girl’s inner omega.
“You look bored, and I think I have the perfect solution,” he said.
“What is it?” I questioned.
He just shook his head and reached out for me, helping me to my feet. “Follow me.”
Drew led me carefully down the stairs and out the back door. It was like he heard my silent plea for sunshine.
I didn’t expect to find an array of blankets strewn out, a bunch of canvases and paints, and my sister and best friends sitting around in a circle, talking and laughing. They waved me over the moment they saw me.
“You officially have the best pack,” Avery said. “This is the cutest idea.”
“To be fair, this was all Cade,” Drew said, just as the man in question walked out with an armful of snacks, treats, and drinks.
Spencer was right behind him, holding a giant tumbler with a handle, the one they had been filling up for me nonstop. It only meant I’d have to pee in five seconds, but at least the baby and I were hydrated.
“You guys did all this for me?”
“They told us you were going crazy in there,” Sidney joked, “and we were more than happy to come help... and eat snacks. Sit down!”
Hailey waved me over next to her. Our matching bumps meant we got extra pillows for comfort. She gave me another hug, something she’d been doing more since the store incident.
The guys helped ease me down into the nest of pillows they created for us all. My chest warmed at the fact that they did all of this just for me. They didn’t even need me to say I was going crazy. They realized it and found a solution, came up with this all on their own.
That effort was everything.
I don’t think the smile left my face as we all got settled, filling little plates with snacks, drinking plenty of water, and then picking out our canvases.
Cade had taken the time to sketch the outline of each picture, different landscapes, animals, and flowers.
I chose one that was a beautiful garden. I wasn’t sure if I was going to ruin it or not, but I was going to give it my best.
Sidney turned on some background music, but it didn’t stop us from talking. Wren regaled us with stories from the rescue farm she ran with her pack. The others talked about their kids and the wild things they’d done, which only made me more excited for this baby to come.
I ran my hand softly over my bulging stomach. The bump was finally making itself known now that I was a little over halfway there.
All the frustration of being cooped up this week melted away as I stroked my paintbrush across the canvas, filling in the sky and grass, dabbing color for the flowers. It was finally starting to take real shape.
“You’re good at that,” Cade praised.
“Thank you,” I grinned up at him. “But we both know you’re a liar.”
That had him laughing. “Trust me, I’ve seen some bad ones.”
“Like this?” Sidney asked, turning hers around as she bit her lip to keep back her laughter. We all lost it at the wild meld of colors. She’d painted the poor cow purple and blue, chewing on orange grass.
Hailey frowned. “I was trying to make something cute for the nursery... I failed.” Her colors bled through the ocean scene, making it look more like abstract art than waves.
“I can help with that,” Cade reassured her, sitting down next to her and dabbing her brush, helping her fix it.
