Page 59 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor
“Mom, this is beautiful,” Anya says, touching the quilt.
Everyone begins talking, but I focus on the quilt. Yellow, blue, green, and red all over. I run my hand over it and smile as a tear rolls down my cheek.
“Oh sweet girl, are you all right?” my mother says.
I glance up at my mom and nod as more tears fall. “This is just so meaningful.”
She squeezes my shoulder as she looks over the quilt. “Carol and I wanted to do something special for you both. It was a lot of fun and very nice getting to know Carol the way I have. You’re very lucky, Felicity, this family loves you and this little boy so much.”
I stand up and hug my mom, allowing more tears to fall. I am lucky and I know they all love me. I’m still waiting to hear those words from Shepherd but it hasn’t happened yet. But after all the love, generosity, and thoughtfulness I’ve felt today, I’m done waiting. Maybe he’s scared to say it. Maybe he doesn’t feel the same.
Either way, I know I love Shepherd Atwood and I’m going to tell him. If he doesn’t feel the same, that’s fine. Well, it’ll hurt, but at least he’ll know how I feel. It’s important to me that he knows before the baby comes.
“I’m so glad you like it,” Carol says, running her hand down my hair as my mother hugs me.
I pull away from my mom and hug Carol. “I love it. Thank you so much.”
As I pull away from Carol, Shepherd comes back from being needed out in the brewery. He sees my tears and rushes over, nearly pushing his own mother out of the way.
“What’s wrong? Are you all right?” he asks, holding onto my shoulders as his eyes run over my body.
“I’m fine,” I say, shaking my head with a big smile.
“He’s very protective. You should be proud,” I hear my mom whisper to Carol.
“I’m very proud,” she replies.
“So what’s wrong?” Shepherd asks, wrapping his muscular arms around me.
I melt into him and my heart races when I hear Carol whisper to my mom that it’s so clear we love each other before they walk away to inspect the gifts.
Shepherd runs his hand down my hair and I lift my head to smile up at him. “Our mothers made us a beautiful quilt put together with our old baby clothes.”
“Oh, that’s why you’re crying? It’s happy tears?” I nod and he grins. “Thank goodness.”
“Shepherd, can you keep your hands off her for a minute so we can get some pictures?” Anya shouts, causing a fit of laughter throughout the party.
He chuckles and goes to pull away, but I hold onto him tighter. “I love you,” I whisper.
His eyes widen as he searches my face. My heart begins to sink, but he tightens his hold on me and crashes his lips to mine. I can hear whispers and laughter, but it’s drowned out by the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.
He breaks the kiss all too quickly for my liking and rests his forehead on mine. “This isn’t how I wanted it to happen, I was planning something a bit more romantic, but I love you, Felicity. I love you so damn much that I didn’t think it was possible.”
Once again tears swim in my eyes, stupid hormones, and he wipes them before they fall. “You do?”
He chuckles and kisses my lips quickly. “More than you can imagine.”
“Hello? We’re having a baby shower here. Can you unhand the guest of honor?” Anya says.
Shepherd and I both laugh and reluctantly pull apart. He squeezes my hand and smiles down at me. “To be continued.”
I nod right before Anya pulls me away.
After tons of pictures, some delicious dessert, and talking to each guest, it’s finally over.
My feet hurt and I’m exhausted, but I’m feeling more excited and hopeful than I ever have before.
“Mom, can you hand me that bag of gifts,” I ask from my seated position. Everyone has insisted I relax while they get the cars packed with all the gifts.