Page 53 of The Lake House

Smiling once more, she says, “Doc says everything looks great this time, and we’re in the clear, at least for now. We have to have faith, you know?”

“Absolutely.”

Her shoulders drop. “So far, so good, and although I am a bit scared, I’m trying to be brave and think everything will be okay this time around.”

“It will,” I try reassuring her. It doesn’t always have to end badly. I mean, she had a healthy baby girl in the past; when she was pregnant with Josie, she had no complications. Then she couldn’t get pregnant for a while, and when she finally did, it ended in a miscarriage at ten weeks.

Her eyes well up with tears. “Thank you, girl. You don’t know how scared I was when I found out I actually got pregnant again. It was a blessing, because we were trying; Lord knows Dave probably wanted to kill me with all the times I woke him up to let him know I was ovulating that day. But it was still scary as hell when it happened.”

I nod. “I can only imagine, but you’ll see. Everything will be okay.”

She lets out a sigh of relief. “Well, I have a doctor’s appointment to find out the sex of the baby in about four weeks.”

I smile widely. “Girl, I’m so excited for you!”

“Good.” She smiles and positions herself forward in her seat. “Because you’re going to be the only one who knows what the baby is going to be.”

I furrow my brows. “I’m not following. I thought we’re going to find out the sex of the baby at your next appointment?”

“You are. You’re going to keep it a secret until the gender reveal party the following week. I’m leaving the details of how you want us to find out up to you. So be creative, girl!”

Damn. No, Liv didn’t just put a shitload of pressure on me.

Well, I’m down. I’m going to make this special for her. I just have to figure out what I’m going to do.

“Liv, you won’t regret this. I’m going to throw you the best gender reveal announcement that there ever was!”

ChapterNineteen

DECLAN

“Make a left here,” Rog instructs after the light changes from red to green after what felt like an eternity.

I make the turn and see the restaurant on the right up ahead. All in all, it wasn’t a terrible ride, just over twenty minutes. We’ve taken longer road-trips in the past.

“Daddy, I’m hungry,” Lily cries from the backseat.

I pull into the parking lot and find a spot close to the entrance. “We’re here, sweetheart. Put your stuff away and let’s go eat.”

“Yay!” Lily roars.

Roger laughs, taking off his seat belt. “Doesn’t take much to please her.”

I give him a look, letting him know he’s wrong. Some days, you could give her the world and she’d still want to bite your head off. “You’d be surprised.”

We get out of the car, and the three of us make our way into Calvin’s Creek to meet up with Rachel. This place is like your local version of Cracker Barrel, but in my opinion, it’s ten times better.

Lily tugs on my hand right before we open the door. “I can’t wait to see Auntie Rachel!” Her excitement is evident. I love how she’s so close to so many good people. It was always my fear with Claire leaving that Lily would grow up feeling bad or like she didn’t have anyone but me. Thankfully, my family and our friends have been so amazing. I can’t stress that enough.

Roger and I chuckle and he says, “Well, she can’t wait to see you either, pumpkin! She’s been talking about this get together since last week.”

We march our way inside, and before I even look around the place, I hear Rachel’s voice. “There they are!” she says to her best friend and matron of honor, Shaunna Davies.

As soon as Lily hears her voice, she lets go of my hand and darts for Rachel; I watch Rachel swoop Lily up into her arms. Lily wraps her tiny arms around Rachel’s neck and smiles from ear-to-ear. Rachel places kisses on her cheeks in return.

Roger leans over as we’re walking toward them and says. “Damn, I wish I’d get a greeting from her like that… sometimes, I’ll just get a dismissive hand—especially when she’s on the phone with someone discussing the wedding plans.”

I chuckle. “The wedding planning has taken over your spot as far as Rachel’s concerned.”

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