"Okay add at least fifty to that and maybe that's closer to how many I actually did Madds." Graham says to Maddison, using his nickname for her. They've gotten surprisingly close in the past few months and I think she talks to him probably as much as she talks to Holland, Emery and Juliet.
"You're the most dramatic man I've literally ever met."
He shrugs, flipping over to his back and sticking his hands behind his head, "It's a gift. Seriously though, are you going to have those little weenies today? You know the ones with the barbecue sauce that you put in the crockpot that taste like a little piece of heaven in a sausage?"
"Lil' smokies?" I ask.
He points at me, "Yes! Those."
Maddison shakes her head, "Okay, you two are not being helpful. We have less than an hour before everyone gets here. Graham, go hang these up," She thrusts a cluster of decorations at him, "Then you can be rewarded with your weenies."
Turning to me, "Can you get the balloons up outside? I'm going to see if I can get Olive down for a quick nap before everyone gets here."
"Of course, baby," I bend down and give her a quick kiss, "Don't stress, everything's going to go great."
"Da da da da" Olive coos, extending her little hands signaling she wants me to pick her up. I gently take her from Maddison's arm and cuddle her against me. Nothing in the world beats having her in my arms, her chubby little arms looped around my neck as she rests her head on my shoulder.
A sure sign she's ready for that nap.
"If you want, I can put her down for her nap so you can get things done? Whatever helps you most."
I can see the stress in her eyes, and when I offer, her eyes soften, "I don't deserve you."
"You deserve the world baby." I lean in and kiss her, swallowing the small sigh that leaves her lips, "Don't worry about Olive, I've got our girl, you just handle the party."
She nods, then gives me a chaste kiss and leaves to let me go upstairs to Olive's nursery. I take the stairs carefully because Olive is fast asleep on my shoulder. I could feel the moment she went slack in my arms, her breathing evening out. When I make it to her nursery, I click the light off and walk her over to the crib, gently putting her inside. She's in her birthday outfit, complete with matching tutu and it's the cutest thing I've ever fucking seen.
Actually, I say that a lot, but I'm constantly being surprised with the cute shit that Olive does. Before I leave, I watch her as she sleeps peacefully, and I think back to a year ago the first time I held her as she slept.
My baby girl, my reason for breathing. She's everything to me. My best friend, my number one fan. Everything in my life led me to her and Maddison. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I got this fucking lucky.
I click her projector light on, and the white noise machine before leaving her door ajar and walking back out into the hallway. Back downstairs, everything seems to be ready for the party. Maddison's been working on this for months, and everything looks great. I have no doubt that like always, our little girl is going to have the best day celebrating with all of the people who love her.
"I'm pretty sure Olive's in a sugar coma." Maddison laughs holding Olive in her arms, still covered head to toe in her birthday cake, snoring lightly. She needs a bath, but she looks so peaceful that both Maddison and I have been sitting on the stairs for thirty minutes just watching her sleep. Her party went off without a hitch, just as I thought it would, and now that everyone’s left and we’re finally alone I’m soaking in this moment with my girls. Enjoying the quiet, calm after a house full of chaos.
“I can’t believe Graham and Asher bought her a four-door barbie jeep.” Maddison says.
I shrug, “Are you really that surprised?” I laugh, “It’s Graham and Asher. Plus, they had to beat Reed’s present and his was a treehouse so…”
Maddison laughs, causing Olive to stir in her arms sleepily. Olive silently clutches her blouse in her hand, and her mama smiles.
“Let me get her into a quick bath, and her pajamas and I’ll see you in a few?”
I nod, leaning forward to press my lips against hers, “Let me know if you need anything baby.”
While she gets Olive cleaned up and ready for bed, I take a quick shower. The last few practices on the ice have been grueling, my muscles have taken a beating, and I’ve been feeling it the last few days. Combined with the fact that I took a hit that left my left side bruised, and I’m pretty sure a few broken ribs, I’ve been extra sore.
Shutting the shower off, I grab the fluffy white towel from the rack and dry myself off before slipping on a pair of black boxer briefs. I’m towel drying my hair that’s too fucking long and, in my eyes, when I walk through the door back into the bedroom and see Maddison sitting cross legged on the bed with a small red box with a white bow in front of her.
“What’s that?”
She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and pats the bed next to her. I toss the towel into the laundry basket then sit next to her.
“I got you something.” Her hazel eyes widen slightly, and I’m confused. My birthday isn’t anytime soon.
“But it’s Olive’s birthday, not mine.”
“I know, but this is something special.” Maddison pushes the small box towards me with a small smile, and my brow furrows. I pick it up gently in my hand and untie the bow, letting it fall free, then remove the lid from the box.
Inside is a small piece of white paper. I pick it up and stare at it for a moment in confusion.
“Turn it over.” She whispers. My eyes dart up to meet hers and I see unshed tears clouding my favorite shade of green inside her irises.
I flip it over and see a small black and white photo of what looks like a round, grey ball. My heart pounds in my chest, so hard it threatens to burst free of my chest.
I’m holding a sonogram.
My eyes whip up to Maddison, “Is this Are you? Madds.” I whisper. “Are you pregnant? Is this our baby?”
A second passes and she nods over and over as the tears spill down her cheeks, “We’re having a baby Briggs. Olive’s going to be a big sister.”
Happiness floods me, emotion clogging my chest as I stand from the bed and yell.
“Fuck yes! We’re having a baby!”
Still clutching the sonogram, I pick Maddison up off the bed and swing her around, kissing everywhere I can reach.
“God baby, I’m so fucking happy, I can’t believe it. I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad to another perfect baby. Thank you.”
Maddison laughs, watery and hoarse, “What are you thanking me for?”
“Giving me my babies. Loving me. Being the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Fuck, I love you so much.”
She smiles, a small grin tugging at her lips as tears fall freely from her eyes, “I can’t believe it either. I mean we weren’t exactly preventing but I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon, I guess.”
I set her gently back on the bed, and stand straight, lacing my hands behind my head as I try and process what I’ve just learned. I can’t believe we’re having another baby.
“I guess we should probably get ready for more sleepless nights huh. Those nights seem like a lifetime ago.”