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But I don’t miss the panicked expression Aubrey and Shane both shoot me before turning my back to them. They can figure out the rest if they really want to get to know each other better.

“Oh, I thought that boy was going to have a heart attack when you called her over.” My mother-in-law giggles from my side.

“I know, it was pretty hilarious to watch. At least now I know for sure that I didn’t imagine their connection the first time. Those two clearly have something there worth exploring.”

“You’re right, they do. It reminds me a lot of you and my son. But I don’t think they’re quite ready yet. Their story will take a little more time.” She smiles at me right as Silas comes to a stop before us.

“There’s my beautiful wife. Are you playing matchmaker again?” He looks over at the two guests we just left.

Aubrey is blabbing on about I’m not sure what, and Shane is staring at her mouth in a complete daze. Silas looks back down at me and raises an eyebrow.

I shrug and giggle. “Maybe...”

He brings me into his chest, one arm around my waist and the other hand tilting my chin up, where he lowers and brings our lips together. “Greyson is going to kill you if that matchup goes anywhere. And then I’ll end up in jail for killing him.”

I laugh against his lips. “Totally worth it.”

“I didn’t know you were this evil when I married you.” He smiles and kisses my nose. “Come on, little siren. It’s time to open some gifts.”

Once everyone has gathered in the living space, Emma puts herself in charge of bringing over gifts while I unwrap and Silas watches.

I’ve opened a total of ten gifts so far, personalized onesies and outfits, mini jerseys with ‘ BABY HAYES ’ written on the back with his father’s jersey number, nineteen.

There are even two pairs of baby skates, one real, the other knitted.

It’s adorable. Everything is hockey related with the Griffins’ colors.

Everything is also very masculine.

I’ve just opened up the next present and retrieve a cute little suit like the guys wear on game night. I pull back the jacket to look at the onesie beneath it, and instantly frown. Because on the fabric is written ‘ Little Man’ .

I bring the suit down to my lap and take a deep breath, trying desperately to mollify my anger. “Silas,” I say harshly through my teeth.

He turns his head to me from the conversation he was having with his dad. “Hmm?” he hums with a smile, but it drops quickly when he notices my expression .

“You told them, didn’t you?” The room dies down, everyone listening in on our conversation.

My husband’s eyes widen, and he loses a bit of color in his face. Swallowing, he shakes his head. “I did no such thing.” The fact that I didn’t even have to say what exactly tells me everything I need to know.

I narrow my eyes at him, making him sweat a bit, then look around the room at all the guilty faces and land on Clay. I know he won’t lie to me. “He did. Sent it in the group chat five minutes after your appointment.”

My mouth drops open with a loud gasp. I spin back to Silas, who has a hand over his eyes as if he’s trying to hide. “FIVE MINUTES!? You didn’t even last five minutes before telling people!? We agreed to keep it a secret!”

His hand leaves his panicked looking face, and he grabs me by the biceps.

“I’m sorry! We agreed to it after I’d already told them!

And you looked so excited to have the party, so I didn’t have the heart to tell you they already knew.

” He looks so guilty. “I told them not to say anything to anyone after, but the news had already spread like wildfire. You have no idea how hard it was to make sure no one mentioned anything about the sex to you! I’ve been having heart attacks all week every time you talked to someone! ”

“Serves you right for telling everyone. Now I feel like an idiot for even doing this whole thing.” I sweep my hand around at the party that has turned pretty depressing, then wrap my arms around my chest as tears gather in my eyes and I begin to sniffle.

“Oh, God! Oh, no. Please, baby! No, don’t cry.

I’m sorry!” The tears track down my face as he tries to wipe them away.

These hormones are driving me crazy. I’m always crying, and Silas freaks out every time.

“What can I do? Tell me what to do! Do you want a pickle?” He looks around in desperation, everyone else mortified at what’s taking place.

“No, I don’t want a pickle! I want chocolate ice cream,” I finish quietly on a sob.

“Somebody get her some ice cream! It’s in the freezer,” Silas yells, and Mira jumps into action, saying she’s on it.

“And a brownie,” I cry through my tears.

“And a brownie!” he shouts again. This time it’s Aubrey who rushes off to grab one from the batch she made especially for me.

Not even two minutes later, they both return with a warm brownie and a bowl of ice cream. I take both, having a bite of brownie between each spoonful of ice cream. After several scoops, I look up at everyone staring, then to Silas, who waits patiently .

I offer him a big, goofy smile, my mood having now returned to normal, and say around a bite of brownie, “I love you.”

“Oh, thank God! Crisis averted. Everything’s good, guys.” He chuckles nervously, then turns back to me. “Let’s continue with the gifts. I’ll open them while you finish eating, okay?”

“Mhmm,” I say with the end of the spoon in my mouth and a satisfied grin.

“That. Was. EPIC!” Spencer shouts, clapping his hands and folding in half, laughing.

I look at Greyson and Emma, who are standing next to each other with their mouths hanging open in complete shock. “I’m never having kids... that was terrifying,” he says to no one in particular.

“Right there with you, buddy. I’m honestly traumatized, and I don’t even understand what just happened,” Emma tells him as they continue staring.

I shrug my shoulder, and Silas laughs. “She gets hangry. But with the hormones, it’s a whole other level.”

After my embarrassing meltdown, we finish going through the gifts. Let’s just say I hope our son takes after his dad and likes hockey. Because if not, he will be highly disappointed.

We even receive a ride-on Zamboni electric toy car with the team’s logo, provided by Shane. Our son won’t be able to use it any time soon, but I won’t hide the fact that I’m excited to see him in it.

Later that evening, we say goodnight to everyone, and Silas collects Milo from the sitter next door. With the number of people in the house and all the food, drinks, and gifts lying around, we thought it would be best if he weren’t home during the celebration.

We settle into bed not even an hour after the last guest has left, and I’m beyond exhausted. Who knew carrying a tiny human would be so draining ?

Silas and I are both resting on our sides, facing one another, his hand snaking through my hair as we gaze at each another. I love these moments. Every time feels like the first time. Every time I look at my husband, I fall more in love with him.

“I’m sorry for my outburst today. I didn’t mean to get mad at you, these hormones are just taking over every chance they get,” I say in the quiet night, tracing his kissable lips with my fingertips.

“I know, baby. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everyone already knew about our son. I really wanted you to enjoy your day. I should have waited like you asked, I was just so excited to share the news.” He kisses my fingertips.

I smile at him. I know even if we had a girl, he would have been equally happy. But he was really excited about the idea of having a son, so I understand his need to tell people.

“I love you, Silas.”

He angles my head back and brings his lips to mine.

“I love you, Minnie.”