The Blessings of the Animals: A Novel - By Katrina Kittle Page 0,78

which you are about to embark.” Everyone laughed.

Amy spoke next. It touched Davy that they’d rehearsed this. “We know how much Mr. Anderson has affected our lives just in the fifty minutes he sees us each day,” Amy said. “So, we know how the two of you will affect the life of this little girl.”

Davy took David’s hand. We’re going to have a little girl.

Gabby finished the toast: “This little girl not yet in the world—but being awaited by so many people—is one of the luckiest little girls I know. Here’s to her two daddies.”

“Cheers!” “Here, here!” and “To the Davids!” rang out.

“And when is this baby supposed to arrive?” Tanya called out.

In unison, he and David answered, “Friday.” More laughter.

“Not that we’re counting,” Davy said.

But they were. They had been counting for years. Friday. Six days, counting today. Six days and their lives would completely change.

Davy’d known he wanted to be a father since he was a kid—he’d cared for all of his sister’s abandoned stuffed toys, taking them in like foster children. Ever since he’d met David, he’d known David was the one he wanted to have a family with.

Gabby directed everyone to begin eating. The food smelled incredible, and Davy was starving after his eight-mile run that morning. Cami slipped an arm around his waist just as he recognized the Hanky-Pankies. “Look what Mom made! Oh, my God, I love these!”

“Mom didn’t make them,” Cami said as Aurora, Hank, and Helen encircled them. “I did.”

Davy closed his eyes, savoring one. “Remember how Bobby said these look like vomit?”

Everyone laughed.

“Who catered the rest?” Davy asked.

“I did,” Cami said.

His jaw dropped. He held up a Hanky-Panky. “You mean, you made more than these?”

Cami’s chin lifted a little, and he saw the little kid still in her.

“Everything but the cake,” Hank said.

“I had help,” Cami said. “Thank God. What was I thinking? These guys saved me this morning.”

“Nah,” Aurora said. “You had it. You just needed some sous-chefs.”

“Whatever,” Helen said. “We saved you and you owe us.”

Davy thought his sister looked downright giddy. She glowed. He leaned close to her. “Sis, you have something on your forehead.” Some orange smear edged her hairline.

Helen peered at Cami’s face and laughed. “Oh, my God! It’s bourbon wienie sauce!”

Cami almost cried with laughter. She put her arm around Davy again. “It was a little crazy getting this food here,” she said. “My kitchen is a train wreck.” She nodded to the Hanky-Pankies. “So, enjoy it.”

“I am,” Davy said. “I am.” This food, from his sister, was such a gift, it truly touched him in a way not even the pile of pink-wrapped gifts in that crib did. He gazed at her for a moment, thinking what a strong, kick-ass fighter she was.

Before he could figure out how to say this to her without sounding like a sap, Mimi and Olive interrupted them.

“Congratulations,” Olive said, kissing Davy on the cheeks. “My God, it smells favoloso.”

Davy watched Mimi squinting at the tables of food. Davy knew full well that Bobby would’ve made all the food if he and Cam were still married. “Who catered?” Mimi asked.

“Cami did,” Davy said. “Everything but the cake.”

Mimi nodded, in a grudging show of approval.

Davy didn’t give a shit if it was petty, he hoped Mimi would give a full report to Bobby. He made eye contact with his sister and tried not to grin as Mimi ate a Hanky-Panky, then put four more of them on her plate.

“These are delicious!” Mimi said.

“These are one of our mom’s old party standbys,” Davy said. “They’re called Hanky-Pankies.” He said the name clearly, hoping Mimi would relay this to Bobby.

Cami looked down at her plate, biting her lip. He could tell she was trying not to laugh.

“Where’s Vijay?” Olive asked, scanning the room.

Cami sighed. “He had to work. Couldn’t come after all.”

“He always has to work,” Aurora said.

Cami looked at Davy and shrugged.

Gabby announced the start of the games. Oh, God, games. They warranted games. Long-standing traditional shower games were being played in their honor.

Gabby supervised a diaper change race and then a series of candy bars crushed into diapers that had to be identified. Davy’s students loved that one and took photos with their phones as people sniffed and even tasted the diapers. Helen won this game in no time flat. “Please. I know my chocolate,” she said. Thank God for Helen. The best kind of straight ally you could hope for.

Davy watched Tyler laughing with Amy across the room. Good.