She bit back a grin. He was so worried and chivalrous, it was adorable. Upstairs, she unlocked the condo door and stepped aside so he and Layla could go ahead.
“After you. Ladies first.”
She rolled her eyes and went in. She gasped in delight. Balloons and flowers were displayed everywhere. A big welcome home banner was strung across the wall. Nobody jumped up to say surprise, but Birch’s entire family was sitting on chairs waiting for her. Hank, her boss, and his wife were there as well as two of her friends from the diner. “Surprise,” Hank said quietly.
“Welcome home.” Birch’s mother hurried up to her. “Dinner’s nearly ready. Come in. Let us take a look at that beautiful girl.”
Birch handed his mother the car seat and ushered Carly to an empty chair. “I’ll be right back with the rest of your things,” he declared and took off.
Nobody would take credit for the short, sweet party, but she suspected Tanya was the instigator. Everyone brought useful gifts like sleepers and diapers. Helen and Buck gave her a deluxe stroller. Layla got fussy and everyone, except Birch and Tanya, went home. “I’ll just go change her and I’ll be right back.”
She hurried down the hallway and burst into tears when she stepped inside the nursery. Like the living area, the nursery had morphed into something else entirely. Cute little bunnies and kittens frolicked on pale pink walls that had been beige when she checked into the hospital. The crib sported a pink flannel sheet. The curtains were white with pink flowers, and a bookcase held a shelf of board books and stuffed animals. Below were several learning toys for infants.
She stood in the doorway crying. Layla wailed in her arms.
“What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?” Birch asked from behind her.
“How? When?” she stammered, not quite able to form a coherent question.
“While you were in the hospital. Tanya and Mom’s plan. Dad and I executed it. You can accomplish a lot in forty-eight hours if you try hard. Welcome to the family.” He patted her back awkwardly.
Fresh tears flowed.
“Are you mad?” he asked worriedly. “Do you hate it? Is it the hormones?” He sounded bewildered and terrified. He was totally endearing.
She laughed and sniffed. “It’s beautiful and so sweet. Maybe it’s the hormones too, or the high of giving birth, but thank you all. This is so perfect, and too much.”
He blushed and backed away. “I’m ... we’re glad you like it. I’ll let everyone know. Are you going to be all right?” He frowned.
“I’m fine. Never better. Really.” She sniffed again. “Thank you.”
He brushed away a tear and stepped from the room. She turned her attention to the crying baby in her arms. “Oh, Little Bean, they’re all so sweet. We are so blessed to have them in our lives.” The universe had smiled on her the day she met Tanya.
She sat in the rocking chair beside the crib, breastfeeding Layla who latched on like a pro. Voices rose in the other room. She turned her ear toward the partially closed door to hear better.
“What are you doing here?” Birch demanded.
“I came to see my wife.”
“Crap,” Carly said barely resisting the urge to swear. She burped Layla and tucked her in bed and stormed toward the living room.
“Mike, what are you doing here?” He ex swayed on his feet and blubbered, “I came to see you.” He lurched toward her. Birch stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Go home, I am not your wife.” She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to look stern. Inside her heart broke for him. She didn’t love him, but she hurt for him all the same.
“You are too. The divorce isn’t final yet.”
She banked the urge to push him out the door. “Mike, it’s over.”
“I want to see my baby!”
“Go away. Come back sober,” Birch growled and moved closer to her.
“Do as he says. I won’t let you near the baby when you’ve been drinking.”
“Is this jerk why you left me?” Mike demanded, jabbing a fist toward Birch, and staggering forward a step.
“You asked me that months ago, Mike. I left you because you are an unpredictable alcoholic and won’t do anything about it. Birch is my friend’s brother.” Both men frowned at that statement. She cast Birch a pleading look, hoping he’d understand she meant no slight. “I left you for the baby’s sake. You can see Layla when you’re sober.”