Page 114 of Brides and Brothers
Chapter 46
Camille
Camille came out of herroom, dressed in a comfy sweater and yoga pants, a little sad it was her mother’s last day in town. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she had opted to go without makeup again—her new, simplified look of choice. Besides, she was exhausted from her nightmares.
She turned the corner from the master bedroom and saw a large wedding cake. “Mom?”
“Over here.”
Camille didn’t see her mom in the family room, so she followed her voice around the corner and opened the double doors to the formal living room. Camille’s eyes popped. Christmas decor, twinkly lights, and glittery snowflakes had turned the room into a fairy castle.
“What in the world? Mom, what is all this stuff?” Camille motioned to the decor. “Are you throwing a party?”
Her mother stood on a ladder, holding up one end of a burlap-and-lace banner that read,Congratulations. “Please tell me you aren’t wearing that today. Did you even shower? Go get cleaned up and wear something nice. A dress, preferably.”
Obstinately, Camille sat down on the couch. “I’m not changing until you explain what’s going on.”
Her mom pinned the corner of the banner to the wall above the fireplace. “You were difficult as a child, so I shouldn’t be surprised you’re the same way now. All right, I’m throwing a shower. Now, could you go make yourself presentable?”
“For Flynn and Sage? You hardly know them.”
Her mom rolled her eyes. “You, Camille. I don’t know when I’ll make it back to this forsaken place, and you don’t have a single baby thing. It takes the full nine months to get ready, and you haven’t even started. It’s a good thing I came when I did.”
Camille wanted to smile. Her mother was throwing her a shower?Hermother was throwinghera shower! It was ridiculous timing, but the notion floored her. If she blinked, she would probably see Santa pop out of the fireplace and hear reindeer stomping on her roof. But she hadn’t even told Aiden about the baby. “It’s too soon.”
“Nonsense. Most couples announce their pregnancies around twelve weeks.”
A defeated feeling overwhelmed her. She couldn’t keep this a secret any longer. It was too much.
“Well?” her mother asked. “Can you please go get ready? The guests will be here at eleven.”
Camille shook the cobwebs from her brain. “How did you plan this without me knowing?”
“You take two-hour naps, go to bed early, and spend another few hours a day on your classes. I had more time to plan this than I do in my catering business for a last-minute gig.”
Camille smiled—really smiled—for the first time since her lunch with Amy. “Thanks, Mom. This is... nice.” Her mom smiled too. At her. Camille looked at the fireplace. Where was Santa Claus? “I’ll go get dressed now.”
Her mom pointed to the door. “See that bag? It has a dress in it that Amy and I picked out for you yesterday. She assured me it would fit.”
Camille bit her lip to keep from crying. It was like her mom was making up for years of absent holidays and nonexistent visits and phone calls in one wondrous way. Camille lifted the bag and looked inside. A fun, flowing dress was inside, one that would be perfect for her growing stomach, complete with matching jewelry and shoes.
Camille closed the bag, gripping the handles tightly. “I don’t know what to say.”
Her mom climbed down from the ladder and dragged it over to the other side of the fireplace. When she acted like she didn’t hear her at all, Camille gave her a sideways grin. They didn’t exactly fit happy-family criteria, but for now it was enough for her. She slipped out of the room, excited for an excuse to dress up. Her stomach had been fairly calm all day, and while all of Cherish was a winter wonderland, the sun was finally coming up over the Peterson farm.
After primping, brushing on some bronzer, and teasing her hair, Camille felt a little of her old glow come back. The empire waist of her dress caused it to poof around the middle, accentuating her stomach and making it seem bigger than it was.
“Maternity dresses always looked so cute on everyone else!” Camille growled. The pattern was fun and the style modern, but her new shape would take some getting used to.
There was a short knock on her bathroom door, and Camille poked her head around the corner to see Daisha peeking in. “Hey, lady!” Camille said.
“You look fabulous!” Daisha gave her a bulky hug, her winter coat crinkling in Camille’s ears.
Camille grinned. “Thanks for coming, Daisha.”
“Wow! Is it me, or did you pop out overnight?”
Camille groaned. “You’re not supposed to say that to pregnant women.”
