Page 57 of A Dragon's Miracle (Fires of Fate)
“Go on, open the door!”
Giving him a bemused smile, I did. Whatever had he set up in there? When I peered into the room, my mouth fell open along with the door.
“Is this...”
“A baby shower!” Finn threw his hands in the air. “Surprise!”
I blinked and took the room in again. All our friends were there. Zed, Roger, Lowen, Adrian, Tyrel... How had he gotten this many people in without waking me? I'd always known I was a good sleeper, but damn.
As I took a closer look, I discovered that the theme of the party seemed to be The Lion King. The room was decorated in bright yellow and orange balloons and the dessert plates, napkins and paper cups had baby Simba on them.
I turned back to Finn, who simply grinned at me. “You said it was your favorite movie as a kid.”
“You remember that?”
“'Course I do.” He put on a pair of cat ears and a smile. He looked so silly, and I loved him all the more for it. “C'mon, let’s say hi to everyone!” he said and dragged me farther into the room.
We went around and greeted all our guests before Finn led me to a couch in the middle of the room. Honestly, by the time I reached it, I was glad to be off my feet.
Finn took seat next to me and our guests lounged in arm chairs and the couch opposite the one I had taken for myself. In between the two large pieces of furniture stood a low table packed with colorfully wrapped gifts. I stared at the pile of presents, because I hadn't expected any of this.
“Thank you. All of you. I don't even know what to say.”
“Don't worry about it,” Adrian said with a smile. “We're all looking forward to that baby getting here.”
“What he said,” Lowen added. “Although with two of my band mates being fathers I'm getting a little worried we won't get any more practice in.”
“Shush you,” Finn said. “You're just jealous.”
Lowen laughed. “Maybe a little.”
Finn stuck his tongue out at him just the slightest bit. “Knew it.” He turned to me again. “I have one more surprise for you. And I'm kind of not sure how you'll like it.”
Intrigued, I raised an eyebrow at him. “If it's coming from you, I'm sure I'll love it.”
Finn licked his lips. “Okay then. Just promise not to be mad at me.”
“I won’t.” After all this, how could I be?
Finn stood from the couch and left the room. Curiously, I watched him leave the room and come back with someone I hadn't seen ityears.
My mother.
My throat closed up at the sight of her and the warm smile that took over her face as she looked at me.
How...?
“Mom!” I stood. “Mom, I'm so sorry I--“
She shut me up by walking over to me and wrapping me in a tight hug. “I didn't know if I was going to see you again!”
Weakly, I closed my arms around her, wishing I could say something more reassuring thanI didn't know either. “I'm sorry,” I said again. “I never should have vanished like that.” Just one of the many things I'd done that I wasn't proud of. Was that why Finn had brought her here? So I could make up for what I'd done?
“Damn right you shouldn't have!” My mom hit her fist against my back. Not strongly enough to hurt, but enough to let me know she wasn't pleased. She took a step back and looked me over from head to toe. “You're really pregnant!”
I nodded. “I am.”
“I'm going to be a grandma!”
