another dress and rummages through her closet yet again. She’s a nervous wreck, and nothing I say has been able to calm her. Walking up behind her, I squeeze her shoulders, trying to release the tension.
“Sweetheart,” I say calmly. “If we don’t go soon, we’re gonna be late picking him up.”
“Babe, I know,” she snaps. “Nothing fits me!”
I hold back from saying anything that might upset her. Her hormones are out of control—some days are better than others—but with the added nerves, she’s been a tad moodier.
“You could wear sweatpants and a ratted T-shirt for all Noah cares,” I remind her.
“I don’t wanna look like a fat, tired pregnant woman in our pictures. He promised we’d take some as soon as we got home, so I need to look nice.”
“Okay, how about this…you put that dress back on and we’ll buy some maternity clothes tomorrow. Everleigh’s boutique has some cute new ones.”
As soon as my sister found out we were expecting, she expanded her inventory to include maternity as a surprise for Gemma. She messaged me this morning that it’s all arrived, and she’s ecstatic and impatient for Gemma to see.
“Wait, what?” She turns around, blinking.
I tell her the news, and her whole face lights up.
“Seriously?”
“Yep. She wanted to surprise you tomorrow, so can you pretend you didn’t know?” I smirk. “I tried to wait but seeing you freak out like this, I didn’t know what else to do.”
Gemma wraps her arms around me, and I hold her to my chest. “Sorry, I’m a mess.”
“You’re perfectly fine, baby. But we really do need to leave.”
“Okay, gimme five minutes.” I lean down and collide my lips with hers. “Thanks for telling me the secret.”
Twenty-five minutes later, we’re finally on the road, and Gemma’s knee is shaking next to me. Jerry’s in the back seat of the SUV with Belinda. I don’t even know if there’s gonna be room for Noah at this point, but we’ll make it work.
“Oh my God, I’m so nervous!” Gemma squeals as I pull into the parking lot. There’s a process for when an inmate is released, and we’ll have to wait out here until he comes out the door.
“I’m so relieved we’ll never have to be here again,” Jerry says. “Can’t wait to hug my baby boy.”
Gemma snorts. “He’s hardly a baby, Dad.”
“He’ll always be mine and you too. I don’t care how old you two are; you’ll always be my babies.”
I smile and flash a wink to Gemma. She’s lucky to have such a loving and caring father.
“There he is! Noah!” Gemma opens the car door, and the three of us follow suit.
He’s carrying one small bag and wearing the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. Jerry stands next to Gemma as Belinda and I stay behind. The moment he’s close enough, he wraps his arms around the both of them, and soon, I hear sniffling.
Moments later, he releases them, and I hug him next. “Good to see you, man.”
Noah wipes his cheeks. “You too. I was just about to say you have no idea, but…” He chuckles, and so do I.
Walking out of the gates six years ago is still fresh in my memory. Seeing Maddie and Liam for the first time outside was something I couldn’t actually prepare for, no matter how much I envisioned it. I imagine it’s the same for Noah.
“Well, let’s get out of here and get ya settled at the house.” Jerry beams.
“And eat,” Gemma adds. “Belinda made her famous fried chicken, and we bought pie.”
“I can’t wait.” Noah beams. “But before we go home, I need to make a stop.”
“Sure, wherever you wanna go,” I tell him as we pile back into the SUV. “Just tell me where.”
“I don’t actually know the address, but I’m sure you do.”
I look at him through the rearview mirror and see the guilt written on his face. Gemma isn’t gonna like this.
“Wait, where?” Gemma asks, looking over her shoulder.
Starting the engine, I put my foot on the gas and exit the parking lot. I know exactly where he wants to go.
“Katie’s,” Noah finally answers. “I need to see her before we go home.”
“Noah!” Gemma scolds. “No. She specifically said she didn’t want to see you, and I’m not gonna be the one who forces her.”
“You aren’t,” he argues. “Tyler’s drivin’.”
I snort at the way he just threw me under the bus, though I kinda agree with him. If he doesn’t at least try, he might not ever get the opportunity, especially if it