Page 46 of Falling for the Bombshell (Falling for #1)

Blue Confetti and Broken Bones

Linnie had imagined pregnancy would be beautiful—soft moments, happy appointments, gentle kicks.

But reality came crashing hard and fast. Funnel cervix.

Webbing in her uterus. Too many ultrasounds to count.

Bloodwork. Constant fatigue. There were nights she ’ d cry softly in their bed, curled around Daisy and Ember, asking herself what she ’ d done to deserve a pregnancy this complicated.

She wanted to enjoy this season of life, the slow building of their family, but it felt like every day brought another medical update, another appointment circled in red ink on the calendar. Blaine tried to reassure her, holding her through every wave of doubt, but his own plate was full too.

Linnie barely had time to catch her breath before life demanded more.

With Blaine off his feet, she returned to work despite her high-risk status.

She shouldn ’ t have been on her feet. Her doctor said bedrest. But they had bills.

And her boss, impatient and unkind, didn ’ t care.

Her days were long, her nights even longer.

But she kept going. For Blaine. For their baby.

For the family they were building. And in the middle of all the chaos…

the gender reveal. Bria held the envelope, the only one who knew.

Linnie had been so sure it was a boy, she couldn ’ t help but sneak a peek.

She didn ’ t tell anyone—not even Blaine—but the joy on her face when she saw it in black and white was impossible to hide.

The party buzzed with excitement. Friends and family gathered, balloons and snacks and laughter swirling in the warm spring air.

Blaine, still recovering, sat propped on the couch, doped up but smiling.

Linnie stood beside him, one hand over her belly.

The moment came. The countdown. The pop. Blue confetti exploded into the air.

The room erupted. Cheering, clapping, joyful noise.

Ember barked, Daisy ran in circles, and Linnie laughed through tears.

Blaine looked up at her, eyes glassy from meds and emotion.

“ A boy,” he whispered. “ A son.” He reached for her hand, his fingers squeezing gently.

“ I can ’ t wait to teach him how to throw a perfect spiral. You know… after I learn to walk again.”

They both laughed—tired, relieved, overwhelmed. In that moment, with blue confetti on the floor and a broken ankle propped up on pillows, Blaine and Linnie felt the weight of everything they ’ d endured… and the promise of everything still to come.