Page 89 of Christmas Chaos
EPILOGUE
February 12 (the next year) – Chicago, IL
Girl and The Goat Restaurant
2:35 pm US CST
TABI
The wind is whipping the bitter ass snow outside of this window. It keeps curling up into a wave then dispersing when it smacks into something. This city’s weather is no joke, and I don’t love it here. But my heart is warm and full this Valentine’s Day with all the people who are about to show up.
“Well, Bree was not exaggerating. You are quite the loud woman. And you’re huge. Sabrina didn’t mention you were pregnant. Please God let you be pregnant and not just enormous.”
“How dare you?”
“Please.” He purses his lips and sarcasm is dripping off his lips. He’s a good call for Sabrina.
“It is indeed a baby. A girl to be exact and I have no fucking clue how to raise a girl. I’m pretty amazing at raising boys so far but a girl, no thanks.”
“I think it might do you some good to have a touch more estrogen around you, you seem a bit masculine.” He laughs at his own joke, and I don’t hate him. Patrick smiles and sips the wine I forced him to order so I could smell it.
“You’re funnier than I thought you’d be, and that voice is so much more than she let on. I mean she mentioned it was a panty melter but, Jesus, Patrick that’s a smooth, slick timbre you got going there.”
He laughs again then gulps a big sip of his wine then offers me a smell. I snort it in like a hit. I really do miss wine. Gouda’s growing surprisingly good now and it’s my last Pro/Ho sales call until who the hell knows. I’ve been using them as excuses to leave the noise of the boys and sleep excessively. I secretly think Bax likes it. I’m kind of bitchy lately.
I’m only in town for less than a day and I only have these forty-five minutes and the assholes are late. I’ve been keeping Gouda under wraps, old habit of being terrified of a miscarriage but we’re all healthy. And now I’m just terrified because she’s a girl. Maybe I’ll get lucky, and she’ll be a lesbian. I understand that energy, feminine is a mystery to me.
BEN: Are you going to send pictures? This is so exciting. Wish I was there.
TABI: You want a picture of a harried mom and Patrick the wonder voice because those assholes are late?
TRISTAN: We’re just minutes away. Settle your arse down.
SABRINA: Tell Patrick I’m sorry.
TABI: Nope. You do that. I’m going to tell him you ditched him for the Schlong.
BEN: Pronounced Schleen.
RORY: Christ, was that just a year ago?
JONATHAN: I’ll be there in fifteen. I know there’s a tight timeline, but our train just got in. Juliet’s with me and she’s huge and hungry. Order a lot of bread. Wait until you see my gorgeous pregnant woman.
RORY: Pregnant you say, loud annoying woman. Is this your big reveal or are you still a bloody chicken?
TRISTAN: Reveal?
BEN: I feel a bit lost.
SABRINA: Aren’t you always?
BEN: Good point.
RORY: Come on, Tab, show us a pretty picture of you and Patrick. Right now. Full body picture. I bloody dare you.
TABI: Fuck off, Kilt. {Picture of Patrick pointing at a very pregnant Tabi.}
SABRINA: HOLY SHITBALL YOU HAVE SECRETS! And you told my boyfriend first?
