Page 182 of Stay With Me

I take the chair next to hers and lift up my swollen feet.

“I’m worried I won’t be good at it, ya know, being a mother. I don’t have a great relationship with my own, so how am I supposed to know how to be one?”

Noah gives me a sympathetic look and reaches for my hand. “You’ll learn as you go. Just like all of us first-time moms do, but no matter what, you’re not doing it alone. Tripp’s read all the baby books, has like twelve apps downloaded on his phone, and even took a Zoom class to learn about proper feedin’ and diaper changin’. You’re in good hands.”

I laugh because it sounds insane when she says it aloud.

“Plus, you have me, my parents, and Landen. It sounds like Ms. Boone wants to be involved as much as possible, too. You have a large support system, and you can lean on anyone of us, okay?”

I wrap my arms around her and try not to cry.

“And I’m nervous about becoming a mom, too. Fisher never thought he’d have more kids after Lyla died and is scared he’ll drop the baby now. Ya know, PTSD and all. But together, we’re gonna figure it out and be a team. Just like you and Tripp.”

“I really am lucky to have him. There’s no way I’d be here if it weren’t for him. Actually, I have a surprise for him…”

I reach across the counter to the pile of papers and pull out a painting I had made for him from one of the local artists who has a shop near my coffee trailer. It’s of a sleeping baby wearing a white onesie with text on it that says,Will you be my daddy?Underneath, it reads, Willow Jade Hollis.

I’d originally planned on giving her my last name, but I want her to have the last name of the man who’s never left my side. Who got her tattooed on his damn chest. Who loves her unconditionally and she’s not even here yet. I know we’ll get married someday, and I’ll take his last name, too, but for now, I want him to know how much he’s loved and appreciated.

“Oh my gosh, Mags! He’s gonna love this! What a sweet thingto do for him. He better cry at this or else.” She giggles, and I do, too.

Noah and I have both been overly emotional during our third trimester while Tripp always holds himself together. I know part of that is because he’s learned to be guarded over the years after Billy died, but I love that he never makes me feel bad for it. Sometimes they’re happy tears, and sometimes they’re sad ones, but either way, he just brushes them away and kisses my forehead.

“I just need to put it inside the frame and then decide how to give it to him.”

“You should put it somewhere in the nursery and see how long it takes for him to notice,” she muses.

I laugh. “I was thinkin’ something a little more romantic.” Considering the last time I tried to do something sweet, he ruined it by coming home too soon.

“Sunny, come take a look,” Tripp calls from the nursery.

I manage to slide off the stool without pulling a muscle, and Noah waddles behind me as we walk down the hall. The rest of the furniture is in place, and I beam at how great it looks. It still needs a lot of decorating, and I have to organize all the clothes and supplies I got from the baby shower, but I love it already.

“Whaddya think?” he asks.

I wrap my arm around his waist and lean my head against his chest. “It’s perfect.”

He reaches for my belly and rubs his palm over it. “Pretty soon she’ll be here.”

Tilting my head up, I reach for his face and pull him down for a kiss. “It could be sooner if you have sex with me and put me into labor.”

“Christ. Could you two wait until we leave at least?” Landen grumbles, covering his eyes as if we’re about to get naked right now.

“Why’re you actin’ so shy? I thought you likedtowatch…” I taunt.

His arm drops immediately, and he glares at Tripp, who holds up his hand in mock surrender. “I didn’t say a word.”

“I snooped through his phone and read your text messages,” I admit shamelessly.

Landen’s brows draw together as he crosses his arms.

“What? I got bored, and Tripp doesn’t care.” I shrug.

“Great. Now I can’t send those dick pics to you anymore.”

“Oh no, what a tragedy,” Tripp deadpans. “But honestly, you can stop that in general. I don’t need to see it in eight different angles with various lighting.”

“I senttwo, fuck you very much.”