Page 109 of Griffin
I have loved being Tommy’s father. I make sure I’m there for every doctor’s visit and nighttime wake up. I also continue to wake up early, spending breakfast time with Tommy. The little routine I started when he was a newborn, one I’ve carried on.
“You outdid yourself with this cake, sweetness.”
Giving me a quick kiss, she smiles as she lifts the cake, and we take it outside.
I follow behind the women as the crowd starts singing “Happy Birthday” as we walk through to Tommy. He’s perched at the kids’ table, waiting, a look of glee on his face.
He’s a little pocket rocket like his mom. Can’t sit still for long, so I know this is killing him. Especially with all the activities spread out across our lawn. I remember dreaming of this moment. Of having a kid and having a birthday party here. Now to see it in full color, the feeling is surreal.
I’ve tried to give him and Savannah everything. Ever since I took them to Hawaii, we’ve traveled a little bit. So far, I’ve taken them to Colorado, Sonoma, and Sundown Valley—where Savannah and I tasted the most amazing wine ever at the Stonemore Estate—and we have a trip to New York planned for the holidays to see the snow. It was Savannah’s first time flying, and now I have the jet stocked full of Tommy’s things, like his toys, food, and blankets. I might as well rename the jet to Tommy’s Second Home.
Tommy looks up at me with such happiness, I almost stumble. With the cake placed in front of him, Savannah and I stand nearby as the song comes to an end and he takes a big breath.
“Don’t forget to make a wish!” Savannah says to him quickly, and he giggles and proceeds to blow out the two candles, causing everyone to cheer.
“Go play, and I’ll call you over when I’ve cut it up,” she tells the kids before she starts cutting the large cupcake and our friends all gather around.
“This is great, guys. Who would have thought that you would have a kids’ party here, Griff, when you hated attending ours so much?” Hudson teases, and Lacy laughs.
“I never hated them…” I mumble, only speaking half-truths. I didn’t love kids’ parties back then, but now that I have a child of my own, I could have a party here every week.
“Oh, by the way, I had a new mom come in this week. I gave her information on the new program.” Hudson nods while lifting his beer, and I grin.
“That’s good?” My eyes catch Savannah’s, whose shine at me with pride. One of the things I did this year was work with Hudson on a new mother’s program called Forth Trimester. It’s an online and face-to-face program for new moms so they have support after delivery.
Experiencing pregnancy and birth with Savannah and going through all that we did when Tommy was born, made us realize that many others aren’t as lucky with support, finances, and community. So we made it possible for them with the new program. We offer fully vetted nannies, food delivery services, Mother Maven products, and online support groups. So now Whispers has a prenatal support program that Tanner funds and a postnatal program that I fund. Meaning, kids in this town are thriving.
“Whiskey anyone?” Tanner walks up with a bottle of Builder’s Arms. The only whiskey that I allow in this house. It’s turning out to be one of Tanner’s best sellers, alongside The Shadow Gentleman, which Sutton promotes, and Next Door, which was inspired by Victoria. It could be because I buy batches of it wherever I go, singlehandedly funding my own profit.
“About time,” Sawyer says, stepping up with Annabelle.
“You boys and your whiskey…” Daisy shakes her head and grins as she and Connor join us.
“I need to get out of this suit…” Sutton says as we all look at him and laugh. He turned up today dressed in his famous superhero costume for the kids. They have all been begging him for months, and he finally did it.
“I can’t believe you still have it on,” Charlotte teases him, and I look at all our friends and smile.
“How about some cake to go with the whiskey?” Savannah starts handing out the pieces of cake and little forks.
“I hope it’s good…” She watches me, waiting for my thoughts, but I’m not sure why. Whatever she makes is delicious.
I grab the plate and fork and shove a piece into my mouth. Red velvet, one of my favorites, with what I suspect is a strawberry icing.
My eyes widen as I chew, trying to school my features. I look at the boys, who have all stopped mid-chew.
“Well?” Her eyebrows rise.
I can’t move. I can’t talk. I stand staring at her with a mouth full of cake that tastes like day old socks.
“Oh…” Victoria says as I see her take a bite. Out the corner of my eye, Hudson stops Lacy before the cake gets to her mouth.
I finally swallow it down, and the realization dawns on me.
“We’re having a baby?” I look at her in disbelief.
“Wait? What?” She looks confused before everyone around us starts spitting out the cake into their napkins and the kids all throw theirs away.
She quickly grabs a plate and spoons some cake into her mouth and chews.
“What? It’s fine…” She looks at all of us like we’re crazy before it dawns on her.
“I’ve lost my taste…”
“We’re having a baby?” I smile as she takes it in.
“Oh my God… I mean, I am late…” Her hand slaps over her mouth, eyes wide, before a laugh escapes her.
“We’re having a baby!” I yell, pure happiness overtaking me as I scoop her up and twirl her in my arms. She giggles, still in shock, but just as excited as our friends all holler and cheer and the kids run around, completely oblivious.
Yeah. Our life here in Whispers is going pretty darn well.
