Page 71 of Through the Storm

CHAPTER TWENTY

katy

TWO MOMS. TWO PLANETS.

Ella’s diningtable looks like Pinterest and a glitter bomb exploded on it.

There are color swatches. Clipboards. Printed screenshots with titles like “Soft Neutrals” and “Baby Shower Themes.” Rebecca is arranging them into piles with military precision.

I sit back in my chair with a lemonade, one hand resting on my stomach, letting it all happen. These two are crazy, and I’m not trying to get in their way.

Ben’s mom, Caroline, drove down from Boston this morning with a smile and homemade cookies and a hug that was warm without being invasive, like she understood exactly how careful she needed to be.

Danny, unfortunately, does not share her restraint.

“Danny,” Ella says distractedly, as he steals a cookie off the counter. “No.”

Caroline laughs. “Oh, let him be. He’s such a good boy and deserves at least one.”

I smile before I can stop myself. She’s awesome.

“So Bex, how was St. Tropez?” I ask. She left after the triplets’ birthday party and came back only yesterday. She was originallyplanning to stay for the rest of the summer but ended up cutting her trip short.

“Amazing. But also a lot. There are a lot of big personalities in my family. Also, Tyler was getting a little restless and nervous about training, so it’s good to be back.” She explains as she keeps adding things to her binder.

“Ugh, Tyler can be such a baby. But I kind of get it. Eating clean near your grandmas is impossible. And it’s his last year before the draft,” Ella adds.

Rebecca flips through invitations. “Okay, let’s get started, ladies. How about a football theme? Neutral colors. Cute but tasteful.”

Ella’s head snaps up. “No.”

Rebecca blinks. “No?”

Ella is already spiraling. I can feel it. “We cannot do a football theme. What if he doesn’t like sports? We can’t project.”

Rebecca does her best to hide her laugh. “Ella. Love of my life. This baby does not even know what a ball is.”

“That’s not the point,” Ella argues.

“It is literally the point.” Rebecca rolls her eyes.

“Honey.” Caroline grabs Ella’s arm. “Let’s take a breath. This doesn’t have to be perfect.”

Ella turns to me, voice soft. “We’re not here to decide who he’ll be. We’re just celebrating that he’s coming.”

“I know, El.” I do my best not to burst out laughing. She’s so cute when she takes things so seriously.

Ella smiles softly at me. “Sorry. You get to decide what feels good. We’ll follow your lead.”

Rebecca nods immediately. “Exactly. And for the record, a football onesie is not destiny.”

“Unless it is,” Ella mutters.

“Oh my God.” Rebecca rolls her eyes.

I clear my throat softly. “I was thinking something simple. Likeblue and teddy bears?”

Ella points at me like I’ve just validated her whole worldview. “Exactly.”