Page 16 of Redemption

“To be fair, I’ve already started planning everyone’s Christmas presents. I’ve bought a couple of them,” I add.

All of the guys turn to look at me like I’ve grown a second head.

“Really?” Trick asks.

I nod. “Yeah, when I think of something that you guys would like, I buy it and hide it. Why wait?”

His eyebrows rise. “You know that would save the last-minute panic shopping that the rest of us end up doing.”

I try not to smile as I nod. “Uh huh, it definitely would.”

“I’m going to forget that’s what I want to do and then forget what I bought for who,” Jensen frowns. “Maybe I’ll just stick to the last-minute panic shopping.”

“Lists are your friend,” I point out.

“I’d lose the list,” Jensen replies.

“He’s not wrong,” Luc agrees, making the rest of us laugh.

After that, we all finish breakfast, and I message Pete to double-check that he doesn’t want to come to Zemi’s with us. After he’s checked that I’m okay, he replies.

Pete: I want to, but I’ve been neglecting things around the house for a while, and Eli said that he would try to call. I’m pretty sure that Zemi and the guys live out in the sticks from the way that they’ve described it, and I don’t want to risk not having any service.

Me: That makes sense. I’ll call you later and check in.

Pete: Thanks Ever. Have you heard from Jynx?

Me: No, I’m going to check in with her now. I’ll let you know if she gets back to me.

Pete: I know you’re worried, but Jynx knows what she’s doing. She’ll let us know if she needs us.

Me: I have no doubts that she’s capable, but she’s so worried about causing complications for us and the organization that I’m worried that she’s going to hesitate to call us in for longer than she should.

Pete: To be honest, that had occurred to me too. Just message her and tell her again that we will be there in moments if she needs us. That’s all we can do.

Me: Yeah, you’re right. Speak later.

Sitting on my bed, I decide to message Lyric first, since she should be the easier of the two.

Me: Hey, how’re you doing?

Lyric: I’m good, always hungry, the baby is playing drums on my bladder so I need to pee every five damn minutes, and I’m sleepy. I’ve been getting this thing called Braxton hicks too, which is like practice contractions or something. The books all say they aren’t painful, but every mom that I’ve spoken to online in the groups says that’s bullshit and theirs were, apart from maybe a few of them. I can confirm that for me they hurt a lot. I’m trying not to freak out about it. I was actually just going for a nap.

Me: Oh, that doesn’t sound fun at all. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know! There’s not long left now. Try not to Google anything. It will just freak you out, trust me. Been there, done that. Obviously not with pregnancy stuff.

Lyric: Thanks, the guys are being amazing. They’re all getting nervous now too. Obviously. I’m all good. That’s true, and a massive part of me is relieved, while another part is terrified to push something the size of a watermelon out of my vagina.

Me: I’m not going to tell you not to worry because that’s a very valid and normal fear. However, I am going to tell you that you are one of the strongest women I know, and that you have absolutely got this. Just focus on your beautiful baby, and if you're in labor, that means that you get to meet them really soon.

Lyric: Thank you. I don’t know how you knew the right thing to say, but that actually helped. My eyes are closing without my permission now though.

Me: Get some rest. Love you.

Right.

Now that I’ve checked in with Lyric, Jynx is next, and then we really do need to get going, and I need to take some painkillers because my head is not very happy. I am super grateful that I’m not confused anymore though. I’m also glad that I didn’t say anything particularly embarrassing.

Me: Are you okay? We’re ready to come to you if you need us to. You’ve just got to say the word, and we’ll be there. Wherever there is. Please don’t leave it too late. Family first.