Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
When I walked into the large living room, everyone was gathered around. The kids all sat on the floor, and the adults were scattered throughout the room. Emeline made her way over to Levi, who kissed her as she sat down. Ensley slipped onto the sofa next to Ladd.
Caden held his hand out for me to take, and we stood in front of everyone. Nellie was beaming, as was Gus. I knew Caden was beyond happy that his grandparents would get to see their first great-grandchild.
“So we didn’t want to have one of those gender reveal parties, but we did want to make this fun,” Caden started, as Gatlin brought in two containers and set them on a table.
“As you can see,” I said, pointing to the containers. “We took diapers and wrapped them in either pink or blue wrapping paper. Gatlin will walk around and have everyone draw a number. You’ll pick in that order.”
“If you pick a blue diaper, everyone who also thinks it’s a boy has to chant, boy! Boy! Boy!”
Katie practically bounced in place as she squealed in delight. “I hope it’s a girl!”
Caden laughed. “Maybe you’ll pick the right diaper.”
“Wait, how will we know?” Ensley asked.
Caden and I both grinned as I replied, “One of the diapers has a little surprise in it.”
Jimmy, Kate, and Rhett all yelled, “Gross!”
I held up my hands. “Don’t worry. It’s not a dirty diaper!”
Laughing, Caden said, “We’ve got enough diapers for everyone to pick at least twice.”
As Gatlin passed out the numbers, Emeline asked, “Do you know which diaper it is?”
“No clue!” I laughed.
Emeline had drawn number one. She walked up and picked up a blue diaper. As she opened it, everyone cheered. I was hoping no one would find the right one too soon.
Looked like luck was with us. Everyone got one round, then we started over again. Katie rose and stood before the two containers. She’d picked pink the first time, and I thought for sure she’d pick blue now. Instead, she picked up another pink diaper, grinned at Caden and me, then turned to face everyone. My heart warmed at how happy she was. Both she and Jimmy were in the process of being adopted by Levi and Emeline, and seeing them so happy at being part of the family nearly made me tear up.
“Girl! Girl! Girl!” half the room shouted, as she opened the diaper. She peeked in, then glanced up at everyone.
“Well?” Ensley cried. “You’re keeping us in suspense!”
Katie sighed with the saddest expression. Everyone groaned—until Katie suddenly jumped and spun the diaper toward the group, pink confetti flying out.
“Holy crap!” Gatlin laughed. “Get that girl into acting classes.”
My mother was the first to rush up and hug me. She held me so tight, I didn’t think she’d ever let go.
Eventually holding me at arm’s length, she smiled. “I would have been happy either way.”
“Me too,” I agreed.
My father moved from Caden to me, giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “You’re going to love having a girl.”
By the time everyone offered their congratulations, and Vivianne brought out a cake for everyone to eat, I was ready for a nap. I leaned my head against Caden’s shoulder and felt my eyes slowly closing.
“Caden, take that poor girl home, will you,” Ensley said, as I opened my eyes and tried to smile.
“I’m so sorry. I’m struggling to keep my eyes open.”
My mom and Vivianne both stood and went to get our coats.
“Time to get home and rest,” Mom said, as she hugged me once more. “Congratulations again, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
We said our goodbyes, and the next thing I remembered was Caden carrying me into the house and to our bedroom. He lay me down, and I snuggled into the pillow. I felt him removing my shoes and socks, then felt the bed dip. He drew me against his body, kissing the back of my head.
“Go back to sleep, Lili.”
Smiling, I closed my eyes and drifted off, feeling safe and loved.
Caden
Week 24
Lilibeth stood back and clapped.
“Oh my gosh, Caden, it’s even more beautiful than I thought it would be!”
The nursery was finally done, and I had to agree with Lilibeth. The outcome was even better than what I’d envisioned.
Gatlin and I had put wood planks on one wall, which Ensley had then painted white. The rest of the room was painted a soft creamy white. The crib was placed in front of the windows, with a pink mesh canopy hanging around the sides and back.
Opposite the plank wall, I painted branches of a tree, and with the help of Rhett, Katie, and Jimmy, we all painted woodland creatures I’d drawn onto the wall. Lilibeth cried when she saw the four of us painting them and declared she’d never paint that wall ever again.
“It looks good. You happy?” I asked, as Lilibeth lifted the hem of her shirt and started scratching her stomach. She’d been doing it all day. I read in the book she’d given me that Mom’s belly might get itchy from the skin being stretched.