Chapter 92

“Let us in; we have a surprise,” Annie and Lily insist on the other side of my front door.

“I’m seven months pregnant, and you think I could keep you two from rushing in?” I ask them flatly as I pull open the door.”

“Mama bear strength or whatever,” Lily comments as she waves her hand in the air.

They walk past me with multiple bags and party decorations. “What the hell?” I question.

“Surprise!” They call in unison. “Welcome to your baby shower!”

Two months have passed since going into the hospital. But every time my best friends come around, I find out that I can still be surprised in multiple ways.

I groan. “I cannot believe you did this. I told you I didn’t want a shower.”

“When do we ever listen to you?” Annie questions me as she stacks bags onto my couch.

“Everyone’s already been invited and knows about this,” Lily jumps in. She starts pulling pink baby shower items out of her bags.

“Does Derek?” I fold my arms over my extended belly.

“Of course,” Lily sings. “He’s been begging to come over with the girls.”

“And you said…?”

Annie scoffs. “It’s girls only, Esme!”

“We’re in our thirties, guys. He’s my boyfriend!”

Lily lifts a leg up in the air puts her hands under her chin and bats her eyes excessively. “And he’s the love of your life.”

“Let him come to the stupid party, please,” I push. “You owe me after not telling me about this party.”

“Where’s the fun in that? We’re doing something fun and that people love to do when someone is pregnant!” Annie claps her hands, then she hands me a bunch of cups and plates. “Lay these out on the table.”

I roll my eyes but take the items and start to put them out for the guests.

When I finish that task, I pull out my phone.

“You didn’t tell me I’d be hosting a baby shower? Now A & L are here and decorating my apartment.”

I hit the send button and look back up in time for Lily to begin scooping up Sammy in her arms.

“Oh, he’s just a precious boy,” she says with a baby voice. “Who’s a sweet, fluffy boy? You are! You are!”

Annie lifts her brow at our friend. “And you’re not even trying to have a baby. Since when do you baby-talk to cats?”

“Since Pedro and I started to discuss getting married,” Lily replies, giving Sammy kisses on the head. He tilts his chin for more.

“Hold on. Wait. You and Pedro are what?”

Lily rolls her eyes. “Is it so strange that I might one day finally learn to settle down?”

Annie and I look at each other and then at Lily. “Yes,” we say together.

“It’s not!” Lily insists.

“When did this start?” I jump in.

“A month or so ago? It’s still fresh. We’re just taking baby steps.” Then Lily raises her own brow to Annie. “Are we going to ignore what you said?”

“Why, what did I say?” Annie questions.

My brain thinks about what Annie said just a moment ago. It takes a second, but Lily spells it out. “You said I’m not even trying to have a baby. Are you trying?”

Now it’s Annie’s turn to pale at the rest of us as Lily lets Sammy out of her arms. My own eyes widen at our friend at this realization.

“Uh,” she hedges. “Maybe?”

“You are!” We scream. Sammy takes off down the hall.

“Chill!” Annie shouts back.

“I can’t even believe it!” I squeal.

“Take it down a notch,” Annie complains as she walks over to another bag of items. “We’re not here to talk about me or Lily. We’re here for you and your little baby girl!”

I shake my head. “I’d rather talk about how you two are growing up without talking to me first. What the hell?”

“Nope, I’m returning to setting up for the party.”

“Annie, come on!” Lily whines.

“Lily, we have a party to throw, let’s go!” Annie pushes.

I open my mouth to speak but don’t get a chance before someone else is knocking on my door.

“Who is here?” Lily turns to Annie. “We didn’t tell anyone to arrive until an hour from now!”

“I wouldn’t know,” I deadpan to them. “No one told me there was a party happening.” Groaning, I make my way to the door. Waiting on the other side is Derek with his girls, all smiling widely at me.

“Esme!” The girls sing in unison.

“Hi!” I say back, still confused. “What’s going on?”

The two run past me over to Lily and Annie, who embrace the little ones. I look up at Derek, still trying to understand.

“They kept telling me I wasn’t invited. I had to bring them anyways, so I’m crashing the party.”

“Derek, girls only!” Annie complains.

“No, let Daddy stay!” Bea cries.

“Daddy party!” Tris giggles.

I smirk at the room. “I think Derek has to stay now.”

Lily throws back her head in mock annoyance. “Ugh, fine!”

“So pushy,” Annie adds.

“Don’t throw parties without informing the owner of the apartment.”

“Man, I told you two,” Derek shakes his head. “She hates surprises.”

“She’s boring,” Lily shrugs.

“She’s happy in her relationship. Derek is going to stay and have fun with the ladies now because I love him, and he wants to be part of the day!”

He gives me a sweet smile. “Thank you, baby.” Then leans down, giving me a kiss.

“Gross,” Lily blanches.

“Set up your party,” I taunt back, pointing a finger at her. “People will be here in an hour!”

With Bea, Tris, and Derek’s help, we set up for the party in less than thirty minutes, which is honestly surprising. The guests start showing up, being mutual friends that we’ve made, people I went to college with, Melinda, my mom, a few co-workers, and a few of their friends.

“We wanted to fill out the group,” Annie admits when I give her a strange look.

Bea and Tris remain the youngest one’s at the party, but they’re well behaved.

“What do you guys think of Esme having a baby?” Angie asks the two. She’s gotten to know all of them since she’s come back into my life, and it feels surreal to say the least.

Tris, to no one’s surprise, claps her hands. “I’m excited!”

Bea nods. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

I can’t help the smile that spreads on my face, and I try to cover my mouth. Some people look at me.

“What? They’re going to be honorary big sisters,” I explain. “They’ve been helping me get ready for the baby, too.”

“Do you have a name?” Melinda asks. I’m glad she’s here today. I’m glad we’ve grown while opening up about things in our lives together.

“I do.” I look around. No one says anything for a moment.

“Are you going to make us wait?” Lily sighs heavily.

“No, wait, let’s do a name guessing! We all have to come up with guesses for what the baby name will be, and if you’re right, you win!” Annie bounces in her seat.

“Win what?” Derek asks.

“I don’t know, the best friend card, I guess,” Lily shrugs. “I didn’t think this through.”

“When do you ever?” I stick my tongue out. “I dare you guys to guess.”

“Olive?” Annie tries.

“Hannah?” My mom is next.

“Piper?” Melinda guesses.

“Jasmine!” Bea’s eyes light up.

“Honey,” Derek says next.

“Harmony,” Lily hedges.

I keep shaking my head at the group. “Great names for a baby, but none of you are right.”

“Give us a hint!” one of my old college friends insists.

“That’s no fun. We can guess without that.” Annie moves her hair from her face. “You already have a unique name. I can’t imagine you’d name your kid something unique, too, since you know what it’s like.”

My mom pretends to be offended. “I named her Esme because it means ‘esteemed or beloved.’ I wanted her name to match her heart.”

Derek gives her a sweet smile. “You did a great job naming her, Angie. I, for one, love Esme’s name.”

“Suck-up,” Melinda taunts.

“He’s good at that,” I wink at Derek lovingly. “But none of you have been right. Anyone have any further guesses?”

“Angela.”

“Jenna.”

“Joanne.”

“Margaret.”

“Madison.”

“Natalia.”

“Penelope.”

Every name gets a shake of my head.

“Guess you guys will just have to wait until I give birth.”

My hands touch my stomach. My baby girl is already so loved by those around us. As much as I love all these moments before meeting her, I want her to be here. I want to hold her in my arms and finally be the mother I’ve wanted to be for so many years.

But to me, the best part about all of this is that no one has or will guess my name. My secret stays with me for two more months.

My mom gives up. “I’m just excited to finally be a grandmother.”

“Mom, Bea, and Tris are right here.”

“And I love both of them very much. But I meant I’m happy you finally get to experience the joys of motherhood from the beginning.”

Derek leans down to Tris. “You think you can be a good big sister?” He asks her gently. The four-year-old nods enthusiastically at his words. “I don’t know if she gets yet she’s no longer going to be the baby in my life.”

“She’ll always be your baby,” Lily teases, throwing a piece of popcorn at Derek. “Just like Bea will always be your oldest. It’s just how you’ll see them.”

“This is true,” my mom nods. “If I think about Esme as a young child, I still see my young girl. Sometimes, I forget about the beautiful woman she’s blossomed into.”

“You’re right, Angie,” Derek states to the rest of us. He leans over and kisses my cheek. “I look forward to being a father figure for this baby, but Esme has done a wonderful job of getting her ready for the world.”

Annie lifts her cup of apple juice. “Then let’s cheers to Esme and baby Thorne,” she calls out. “Here, here!”

The room echoes her, everyone’s cups in the air.

I raise mine, too, grateful for everyone I love in my life.