Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Mags drops her hand back to her belly and nervously chews at her bottom lip. “I don't know, Renee. I don't want the attention, you know?”
My heart hurts for her, because I know how much it matters to have these kinds of moments in your life celebrated. This is a moment to celebrate even if it's not Mags' first baby. Besides, last time was years ago and so, so different.
Maybe it's selfish of me, but I want a chance to show Mags how excited I am for this little one. How so many people in her life are excited and happy for her. Brody missed out last time, I almost say but bite my tongue. The past is the past for a reason.
“What about a sip and see?” I offer. We make our way a bit farther down the aisle and stop at a bassinet that's set up for display. “When the baby is here…just a little sip and see?” My voice turns a higher pitch filled with a touch of hope and a little optimism.
Mags tilts her head to the side and runs her hand along the edge of the bassinet. “This is cute,” she says, almost to herself. Then, to me, she asks, “No gifts?”
My expression straightens with a look that makes her crack a smile. “Who would come to a sip and see and not bring gifts?”
Mags shakes her head again, her smile slipping, and we move on to a shelf full of the best bottles in the world according to the advertising on the display.
“Just like a real nipple,” Mags reads. “Wow. That's kind of in your face.”
“Well, I guess nipples are in your face when you're a baby.”
She snorts, then laughs louder. I join in because it is a pretty out-there display. “Stop,” she says, and bumps me with her elbow. “Stop, I'm going to pee my pants.”
“Sorry!” I put on my most serious face and go as silent as I can.
Mags breathes in deep, then lets it out slow. “Where is the bathroom in this place, anyway?”
“Behind us.” I point. “Do you think you can make it, or should I pick you up and carry you?”
She rolls her eyes at me, and we detour to the bathroom, which luckily is only a few steps away. Mags takes a minute to catch her breath afterward.
“Even pulling up my pants is a workout,” she says, grumbling in a lighthearted way. Her cheeks are pink just from our slow walk, and she glances down at her belly and gives it a smile.
“So, for the sip and see...” I continue as we leave the bathroom.
Mags makes a face. She's resistant to the idea, and I can tell. It's probably because of her last pregnancy and the way the town spread rumors. That's the downside of living in a small town. Everyone knows your business, and sometimes they don't take news the way you hope they will. And we all know people who can blow just about anything out of proportion in the wrong direction.
“Come on, Mags.” I use my gentlest tone with her, because she's my friend and she deserves gentleness...and also because she deserves everything else that comes along with welcoming a new baby. “When the little one is here, everyone is going to want to see him or her, and it'll be so nice if you could get pampered along with the baby.”
“Ugh. I don't know.” We turn down the next aisle, which is full of baby clothes in every color of the rainbow. Tiny overalls and even tinier onesies. Socks that fit in the palm of my hand. Sleep suits that could fit a teddy bear. My heart does a slow flip-flop thinking of holding Mags' baby in one of these outfits. Mags holds up a pair of baby shoes, her eyes shining. “Babies can't walk, so it's not even practical to buy shoes, but this stuff makes me teary-eyed.”
“They're so cute. Anything in miniature is cute.”
“I don't need them. The baby probably won't need them either. I want to buy everything in this aisle so much.”
I wait a minute. “What if you let the rest of us buy you some of it? It doesn't have to be a big deal. Just a calm, casual sip and see while you relax and show off your little baby. We’ll tell you how beautiful they are in quiet voices so they don’t wake up from their nap.”
Mags looks at the ceiling, then back down at those shoes.
“Just think about it?” I offer. “I'd be thrilled to plan it for you. You wouldn't have to do a thing, and I'd really love to do it.”
“I—”
“Don't decide now. Seriously, just think about it, okay? And I think Bridget would have so much fun with it.”
Mags looks at me, a hesitant smile on her face. She's beautiful. When they talk about pregnant women glowing, this is what they mean. She looks almost radiant, and it's so different from the last time. Her happiness is right on the surface.