Page 60 of Don't Fall For Your Grumpy Neighbor

My mom hands me the bag and when the girls are back in the room, I stand up.

“Hey, you’re supposed to be relaxing,” Emmie says, putting her hands on her hips.

“Anya, Hartford, can you guys come here?” I ask. They come over and stand with Emmie, all three staring at me. I clear my throat as I glance at each of them. “I’m so grateful for everything you guys did for me and Shepherd. You’ve all gone above and beyond and this little boy is so lucky to have three aunts that love him so much already and I’m lucky to have found such a close relationship with you all. So, I wanted to say thank you for everything and let you know that I appreciate everything you’ve done.” I hand them each a small box and step back.

“Felicity, you didn’t need to do this,” Hartford says, holding the box like she’s afraid to accept it.

“She’s right. This is what we do. We spoil the ones we love,” Anya says.

“I didn’t do nearly as much as these two,” Emmie says.

“Shut up all of you. Just open your gift,” I say, laughing.

They all open it and one by one they stare at it before lifting their gaze to me with tear-filled eyes. I’ve given each of them a bracelet that says ‘Best Aunt Ever’ on it.

“You bitch,” Anya says, crying as she grabs me for a hug. “I didn’t want to cry, but damn this is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

I giggle as I hug her back. “Well, it’s true and everyone should know.”

Hartford pulls Anya off me and hugs me next. “Thank you, Felicity. I do love him so much already,” she says, her tears wetting my shoulder.

“I know you do and he knows it too.”

When she pulls away, Emmie stares at me and smiles before hugging me. “I will always have candy for him,” she says, laughing. “Thank you.”

“Oh great, Anya and Hartford are crying now,” Shepherd says, shaking his head.

“Get used to it because I’m going to be a mess when this baby is born,” Anya yells.

I stand back a second and take it all in. A few months ago I thought I’d be raising this baby on my own and now, well now, I’ve got a man that loves me and more family than I could have ever hoped for.

The future is bright and I can’t wait for my baby boy to experience all the love he has coming.

Chapter 28

Shepherd

I get Felicity home after the shower, and together we sit on the couch and I pull her feet into my lap. I start rubbing them, and she groans as she closes her eyes.

“Will you still rub my feet even when I’m not pregnant?”

I laugh lightly. “Obviously, but I’d like you to have many more children. So, you might be pregnant a lot.”

She shakes her head. “Let’s get through the first one. I’m scared about labor. Everything I’m reading about it sounds like a straight-up horror film.”

I smile, rubbing the sole of her foot harder. “It won’t be. I’ll be right there, by your side.”

She smiles. “Seriously, I’m afraid something might go wrong.”

I shake my head, not allowing any negativity into our quiet space. “Don’t think like that, Felicity. We never did think of any baby names. What are we going to name our little boy?” I ask her to get her mind onto something else.

“I’m not sure.”

I can’t think of a single name. “I’m not sure either. I’m sure it’ll come to us. Maybe we need to see him first. Look into his eyes.”

Felicity snuggles closer. “I like that idea.” She rubs her belly, focusing her attention on her stomach. “I can’t wait to meet you, little guy.”

And in this moment everything is perfect. There’s only one thing missing. We don’t live together.