Page 94 of Falling Together

“They are really sweet together,” I say. “I hope my kid is like that with Grant.”

“You’re really falling for him, aren’t you?” Rylee asks.

“Am I that obvious?”

“Yes,” they all answer at the same time.

“You’re happy,” Joey states.

“I’ve been happy,” I clarify.

“Right, but it’s different when you’re in love.”

Am I in love with Grant? Is that what this is? So many emotions are swimming inside of me at any given moment—thanks to this baby—that I don’t know what I’m feeling half the time.

The biggest emotion I’m feeling is happy. I chalked it up to the baby and being around Grant, but maybe it is more.

“It…it’s early still. I don’t want to put any big feelings to what we have,” I answer.

Joey scoots closer and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Grant isn’t going to leave you. Not everyone is your parents.”

Rylee moves into my other side, and Presley pushes the stack of presents aside and drops down in front of me, taking my hands.

“It’s hard not to worry,” I confess.

“Have you talked to him about this?” Presley asks.

“No. It never feels like the right time.” I wipe a stray tear away. “And what if it scares him off? That he thinks I won’t be a good mother because I didn’t have any good parental figures in my life.”

“Georgia Halliwell.” Joey cups my cheeks and turns my attention to her. “I saw the way that man looked at you when he picked you up for your date. He is so far gone for you, it’s not even funny.”

“And he’s seen you at the barn with Luke. He knows you,” Presley says.

“Your past doesn’t make you any less lovable. You’re one of the best people we know,” Rylee says.

I’m full-on crying now. I wipe my eyes, mascara smearing across my cheeks. “Ugh, I love you guys, but I probably look like a raccoon.”

“A very cute raccoon.” Joey gives me one more squeeze before passing over a napkin. “Now, dry those tears so we can start opening presents.”

I dab at my eyes and do my best to get my emotions in check. But as I unwrap the gifts, each more thoughtful than the last, it’s hard to keep the tears from gathering in my eyes.

A framed picture of his first sonogram. A quilted blanket to bring him home from the hospital in. Little hats. Hand-decorated onesies from each of them.

All of which say “My favorite aunt bought me this onesie.”

When I pull out the second “favorite aunt” one, I can’t help but laugh.

“Seriously? You got a favorite aunt onesie from you?” Rylee asks, looking at Presley. “I’m supposed to be the favorite aunt.”

I burst out laughing. “Did you all really get ‘My favorite aunt bought me this onesie’ without talking to one another?”

They all glare at each other and it only makes me laugh harder. This sweet boy of mine is going to be so loved.

“I guess we’ll have to get y’all ‘This is my favorite nephew’ T-shirts to wear,” I say. “You can wear it whenever you watch him.”

“Max is going to give him a run for his money,” Rylee says.

“Oh, he knows how cute he is. He doesn’t need the reminder.” Joey laughs.