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CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

MOMOSAS

BOWIE

The moment we get to Rhodes’ house, I know this baby shower is going to be legendary. There’s a huge floral display hanging between the trees that we drive through, and then a balloon arch leading to the area behind their house. Their property is stunning, with the lake glistening not too far away. We debated on whether we should have the shower inside, but the weather has been too perfect to miss out on this beautiful October day.

“Everything looks so beautiful,” Poppy gasps.

The girls surround her, hugging her and then me. I’m grateful all over again that these women, who are married to my best friends and have become family to me too, have welcomed Poppy so completely. Our framily.

“Bree helped a ton,” Elle says, her smile wide. “I couldn’t have pulled it off without her.”

Henley’s ex-wife Bree hears her name and comes over to hug us too. She’s great. Henley lucked out, having a peaceful relationship with his ex.

“Thanks, Bree,” I say when I hug her. “Everything looks beautiful.”

“I’m just so happy for you guys,” she says, squeezing my arm. “It’s wonderful to see you like this.”

I smile at her and when she walks over to straighten something, I take it all in. There’s a cute “Baby Fox” banner fluttering in the breeze, and it matches the woodland fox theme that’s everywhere I look. The grill is going, the music is cranked at the perfect level, and everyone is happy to be together. My hodge-podge family…don’t know what I’d do without them.

Mr. and Mrs. McGregor are here. My mom is too, flitting about. I see her laughing with Stephanie, Tru’s mom, nodding and gesturing like she’s in her element. She’s already hit it off with Poppy’s parents, and they’re here too, sipping hot cider nearby. It’s good to see Mom making friends. God knows she needs someone to focus on besides me.

Marley and Eric are even here for the weekend and a few of Poppy’s friends from work.

Poppy’s eyes are sparkling as she greets everyone and we’re led to the table with all the food.

“Oh my goodness, a momosa bar,” Poppy says. “You’ve thought of everything! ”

“I was excited about this too,” Tru says. She points at another table set up with alcohol. “Bowie, you might like to visit that mimosa bar, but help yourself to the momosas too.”

I chuckle and help Becca with her plate.

“Hey, Bowie.”

I turn and see Coach Evans. I set my things down and shake his hand.

“Thanks for coming,” I tell him.

“I’m glad it worked out,” he says. “When I got my invitation and heard the whole team was coming, I knew I couldn’t miss it.”

“Means a lot that you’re here.”

He squeezes my shoulder and we find a seat. After we eat, I get my turn holding Avery. She’s so cute, it makes my heart ache. I look at Henley and shake my head.

“I can’t believe how tiny,” I say.

“Right? And she’s already grown so much,” he says proudly.

“I know. The last time I held her, she was even lighter.”

“Okay, it’s present time,” Elle sings out a little later. She motions for us to move to the chairs set up for us, also bedecked with flowers and balloons, so we do.

“You sure we can’t just sit over there with everyone else?” I ask, and everyone laughs.

“You don’t get to hide while you open presents,” Rhodes says. “No, sir.”

We start opening. Some gifts are practical…soft blankets, tiny socks, a monitor that Henley claims is so thorough, it doubles as a spy gadget. Others are funny…a baby rattle with Penn’s face on it, a bib from Rhodes that says “Uncle Rhodes is boss,” and from Sadie and Weston, a set of onesies with football puns .

Becca is having the time of her life. She loves presents and the girls were looking out for her too, giving her a shirt that says, “Best Big Sister Ever,” and a few new frames so she’ll have some for her collection when her baby brother comes.

Poppy and I can’t stop laughing as we open each gift. And then we move into the ones that have me shaking my head in awe that I have such amazing friends. The stroller we registered for, a high chair…we get all the necessities and then some.

“You guys, this is just…I’m blown away,” Poppy says, her voice cracking. “Thank you so much. You’ve made this so special.” She turns to Elle, Tru, Sadie, and Calista. “Sometimes I can’t believe that I’ve known you such a short time. You’ve welcomed me in and made me feel so loved. I love you all so much. I love all of you,” she says to everyone. And then she turns to me and gives me a wobbly smile. “I love you,” she says.

“Awwww,” everyone cries.

“I love you,” I tell her. “And what she said. This has been an incredible day…an incredible ride. You guys warned me that when I’d find love, I’d get the hype, and you were so right.”

“Could you repeat that a little louder for the people in the back?” Rhodes yells.

I snort. “You were right,” I yell.

“That’s more like it,” he says, laughing.

Henley steps forward, holding a microphone. Penn, Rhodes, and Weston surround him on either side.

“We’ve prepared a little something,” Henley announces, eyes twinkling. “A rap, in honor of Baby Fox.”

Poppy laughs and I groan.

“This should be good,” I say. “Bring it. ”

A beat starts thumping from the speakers. They all bob their heads and Penn rolls his shoulders.

Henley holds his hand up as he takes off.

“Yo, step up to the nursery,

Join the baby daddy tribe,

We got big, bad beats and a baby talk vibe.

Here’s the play, Mom and Papa,

It’s about to get rad,

I’ma callin’ an audible, I’m a football dad.”

I wipe my eyes, I’m laughing so hard, watching Henley go. When Henley hands the mic to Rhodes, we cheer for Henley.

“Hut, hut! Hike! Let’s go!” the guys all yell.

Rhodes gives me a cocky smirk as he starts his verse.

“Get cha onesies and ya diapers and ya pacis in a row

Keep your voice up high

And your powder down low

Put a cloth over-the-shoulder,

‘Cause the spit-up gonna fly,

Then you work your tight end

While you sing a lullaby.

Work your tight end while you sing a lullaby.”

He winks when he says tight end and I lose my shit. And lose it even more when they all yell that last line before starting the chorus .

“Touchdown, do the rock-and-sway,

Do the rock-and-sway, rock-and-sway all night.

Touchdown, do the rock-and-sway,

Do the rock-and-sway, rock-and-sway all night.”

Weston is next and he looks the most nervous, but he delivers.

“Get them arms tucked in

When you swaddle ‘em tight,

Ya better cover the end zone or be up all night

Gotta wrap that ass crack up like a tailback

Lay ‘em in the crib like

You’re sackin’ a quarterback.

Lay ‘em in the crib like

You’re sackin’ a quarterback.”

They do a hilarious dance that I didn’t know they had in them and I’ve seen them dance a lot. And then they all sing the chorus again.

“Touchdown, do the rock-and-sway,

Do the rock-and-sway, rock-and-sway all night.

Touchdown, do the rock-and-sway,

Do the rock-and-sway, rock-and-sway all night.”

Penn motions for Sam to join him and they breakdance together. Everyone’s clapping and cheering and then Penn takes the mic.

“Huddle up, little buddy,

You’re the star of this game.

Gonna rock ya, baby Fox,

Gonna whisper ya name.

Gonna hold you like a football,

Kiss you when you scream,

No fumbles, only cuddles

Till you’re sleeping like a dream.

No fumbles, only cuddles

Till you’re sleeping like a dream!”

He points to all of us. “Everyone now!”

And we all sing the chorus.

“Touchdown, do the rock-and-sway,

Do the rock-and-sway, rock-and-sway all night.

Touchdown, do the rock-and-sway,

Do the rock-and-sway, rock-and-sway all night.”

By the end we’re all on our feet, swaying and singing. My mom and Stephanie hip-bump each other, and when the rap ends, everyone cheers and lets out loud catcalls.

Poppy wipes her eyes, leaning into me. “That was…something else.” She laughs. “That was too good,” she says louder. “I can’t believe you did that. If football doesn’t work out for you… ”

“Stick to football,” I fill in, making everyone laugh harder. I go over and hug them. “I’m gonna be singing that song when I’m half asleep, rocking the baby…and thinking about you guys. That was great.”

“We’re happy to make fools of ourselves for you,” Weston says, laughing.

“Hell yeah, we are,” Rhodes says. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Neither would I,” I say.