Page 38 of Home for Nathan
“I’m a mess,” Nathan whispered, and suddenly his mom was there, and Zion’s mom too.
They surrounded him and shuffled him off to a room, Charlie leading the way, drying his tears and finding him towels and clothes. The moms helped him get changed and cleaned up, both of them chattering and happy, just being excited for him, which helped a little bit.
“Did I ruin Zion’s shoes?”
Zion’s mom rolled her eyes. “I will buy him more shoes. If he says a word about it, I will hit him with a rock.”
That made him tear up again. “You’re good to me.”
She patted his hand. “Of course I am. We’re all family.”
His mom nodded. “Yes, and we’re all going to be fine. There’s plenty of leftovers. You’re going to come out here, you’re going to have some cake. Smile and nod. Then there’s going to be a baby.”
“It’s a little early…” But he was big as a house and so he didn’t think it was going to be the worst thing ever, honestly, to just go ahead and have this baby.
Everyone was still wandering around a little bit in shock, he thought by the time he got back out dressed in clean clothes. “I’m sorry, guys.”
There was a chorus of don’t-worries and it’s-all-rights and come-have-a-seats, and finally he was sitting next to his husband who he hoped didn’t hate him.
He reached out. “I’m so sorry.”
Zion blinked at him. “For what?”
“For ruining your wedding.” Silly man.
“What?” Zion’s eyes went wide, and his husband kissed him hard enough to make him dizzy. “This is the best story ever! Are you kidding? You know how many times you’re going to be able to tell this tall tale? Hundreds. Absolutely hundreds of times.” Zion beamed at him, rubbed their noses together. “And it’s late enough in the day that the chances are that the baby’s birthday will be tomorrow, and so we can have our anniversary and then the birthday.”
“Okay…” That was important?
“It means we can go out for our anniversary and not miss the baby’s birthday. It’ll be fabulous.”
Nathan blinked at Zion, who possibly was on speed. “You’re excited?”
“Are you kidding? Our baby is coming. We’re going to get to meet Rachel soon. You’re going to get your belly back soon. We’re going to get to hold her soon, and we’re married. I’ve never been married before.”
Nathan’s lips twisted. “Me either.”
“Well, see? It’s rad. We’re amazing, you and me.” Zion laughed, the sound a little wild, but so, so happy. “I love you.”
“Oh, God, I love you too. And I’ve been a little crampy all day, but I didn’t want to ruin things.”
“Babe, this is the best.”
“We brought the cake to you guys.” Charlie and Ryan, who worked at the hotel in catering, wheeled a huge cake over on a rolling table.
“It’s so beautiful.” He sniffled, his heart about to burst.
“It is.” Zion leaned down and kissed the top of his head. “Not as beautiful as you, though. Not even close.”
His cheeks burned, and he beamed. “Thank you.”
A cramp started, deep in his back and rolling over to draw up over his belly. Oh, that was…uncomfortable.
Devon had a stopwatch out and had one eye on him.
He firmed his lips up. “Cake.”
“Cake!” Saul presented him with a gorgeous silver cake cutter that looked antique. “You and Zion need to cut the first piece. No smashing.”
