TAKE TWO_ Who says you can't ma - Heather M. Orgeron Page 0,82

hand?” One of the perks to having a husband with years of experience as a single father to a little girl is his ability to help out where most men can’t.

He retrieves the iron, curling the back of my head like a pro. In no time at all we’re making our way out to join the party.

While I chose the theme and helped pick the decorations, I’ve been in my room getting ready throughout most of the setup. So, the sight of everything put together still gives me pause.

A banner, in vibrantly colored letters, above a taco bar that’s been set up in the foyer, reads “Let’s taco ‘bout baby.” Directly across the room is a chip and dip station. The banner over that one reads “Nacho average baby shower.”

My father spent the morning hanging tissue lanterns from the ceiling in the foyer, living room, and kitchen. The festive atmosphere reminds me so much of the wedding parade my parents threw us. Although I didn’t appreciate it at the time, I’m so thankful for the photos and memories that party provided.

Liam snatches a handful of chips as we make our way to the kitchen, where everyone has gathered. All of the women are dressed in brightly colored party dresses and the men like Texas cowboys. There’s a poster board divided in half, with Cowboy on one side and Senorita on the other, for the guests to sign their name and cast their vote. Beneath that on a little table is a jar filled with Hot Tamales candy, along with a notebook where they can guess how many candies are in the jar.

“Olé! Olé! There’s a baby on the way!” The sound of everyone chanting in unison when we enter the room brings a smile to my face.

“I said no gifts!” I purse my lips when I see the huge gift bags lining the back wall.

Hannah rolls her eyes. “Chill. It’s all diapers. I even assigned everyone a size so you wouldn’t end up with all newborn.”

Shame floods my cheeks. “That’s so nervy. I can’t believe you did that!”

“Yes, you can.” She kisses my cheek before placing both hands on my stomach. “You look beautiful, amiga,” she says while waiting patiently to feel the baby kick.

I spend a few minutes walking around the room, greeting each of our guests personally. Aside from our parents, Hannah, and Chance, we have the Larsons, Bisabuela, a few aunts and uncles, and my favorite cousin, Maria. At least she stuck to my wishes in keeping the guest list small and intimate.

I didn’t want a shower at all, but my best friend insisted. She said it was not about me but the baby. How would this baby feel when it learned that its own mother didn’t want to celebrate its impending birth? And here we are. Another party I didn’t want that I’m already feeling immensely grateful for.

“Cliff!” I shuffle across the room in my heels when I spot my brother-in-law chatting with my tias, Ana and Rosa. What a surprise! He wasn’t supposed to be here. Said he had some work thing he couldn’t get out of.

“Damn, sis.” he growls, giving me a thorough once over, staring hard enough to make me blush. “Pregnancy looks good on you.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and plant a kiss on his cheek, branding him with my bright red lipstick. “Thank you. I’m so glad you ended up being able to come.”

“So, uh…” he says, lowering his lips to my ear. “What is it?” He cups the front of my belly in his palm. “You can trust me, I swear.”

I try not to laugh as he crosses himself. “It’s a…” I trail off, adding a little suspense, “secret.”

“Oh, come on. I traveled hours on a plane just to find out, and you’re not gonna tell me?”

“That’s right.”

He folds his arms over his chest. “Well, the least you could do for all the trouble is hook me up with that sexy senorita over there.”

Just like his damn brother. “That’s my cousin, Maria, and she’s like ten years older than you.”

He shrugs. “Just introduce me.” He steeples his hands beneath his chin. “I can handle the rest.”

“Fine.”

He pumps a fist into the air before composing himself and following me into the living room, where Maria is chatting with Hannah. I make the introductions, warning my cousin to have her guard up, then leave the little shark to fend for himself.

The first hour is spent eating and mingling. When Liam