“It’s a breast pump,” Tessa replies, shaking her head.
“Like you use it to make your boobs bigger?”he now asks and oh my god, I can’t believe he’s going to have a baby in a few months.He’s never sounded more clueless.“Like a penis pump?”he adds, and the group erupts in laughter.
“Dylan!”Tessa shames, swatting at him.“No, it’s for pumping milk for the baby.”
“It’s kinda a weird gift,” Will chimes out, looking a little red-cheeked.“But Ellen claims no one ever buys the mom one, but they’re a necessity.”
It’s hard not to laugh at how much these guys know about babies and pregnancy and then there’s my clueless brother.He’s going to need to spend a week with Will, learning all the basics.
“It will be the best gift Tessa gets when she decides she wants to go out one night and leave the baby with you,” Ellen adds, and I’m starting to wonder if Dylan is panicking.I can’t picture him alone with a baby, even if it is his baby.Hopefully that whole parenting instinct kicks in.
Tessa continues with the gifts, opening a car seat from Jack and Lauren.“I can help you install that.I’m kinda a pro now,” Jack states, gallantly.“Had to install four, you know.Two in my car and two in Lu’s.”
“Wait, I have to install this?”Dylan asks.“They don’t do that for you at the hospital?”
I know he’s not trying to be funny, but holy shit, he is.I’m really hoping Will and Jack take him under their wings and show him the ropes or poor Tessa will be watching YouTube videos on how to install a car seat while nine months pregnant.
“Yep, you’ve gotta do it yourself,” Jack replies.“But no worries, mate.I’ve got you.We can have a car seat installation tutorial at work tomorrow.”
Tessa and Dylan finish up opening presents, but not without a few more laughs at Dylan’s expense and the guys once again, reassuring him, they’ll help him out.
Leo walks over to cut and serve the cake, and I join him, trying to find a time to thank him for being here and for supporting me.He didn’t have to be here.I’m sure he would’ve come to help celebrate with Dylan and Tessa, but today it feels like he’s here more for me than them.
“Thank you,” I say, setting out plates for him.
“You think I’m going to let someone else cut this baby?”he says, winking at me.“This was fucking hard as hell and if anyone is going to ruin it by cutting into it, it’s going to be me.”
“I meant thank you for being here with me, but by all means, cut away,” I tease.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, Hannah.”
Leo cuts several slices and I pass them out, taking a seat across from Jack and Lauren.I watch as he slides his cake over to her, and she smiles gratefully.
“This cake is amazing, Leo,” Tessa says, just as he’s joining us at the table.“What kind is it?”
“It’s honey butter cake with apple buttercream frosting,” Leo tells her, but just as he does, Lauren gasps out loud.
“My cake is that good, huh?”Leo jokes, but Lauren’s eyes are wide, and Jack instantly jumps up.
“I either peed my pants or my water just broke,” Lauren announces, and Jack immediately starts to usher her outside, ordering Will to go get the car.
Will doesn’t miss a beat, rushing out the door with Ellen following behind him.We all follow Jack and Lauren outside, and within just a minute or two, Will has Jack’s truck, and off they go to the hospital.
When I turn to look at Dylan, his face has gone white and once again, I feel like we’re all going to be laughing at his expense.
“What’s wrong, bro?”I ask, linking arms with him.
“Fuck, that hit a little too close to home.What if you go into labor?”Dylan now says, looking over at Tessa.
“I am going to go into labor.That’s what happens when you have a baby, but don’t worry, we still have a few more months to prepare you,” Tessa replies sweetly, taking his hand in hers.“How about we head home?I think you’ve had enough for today.”
Penny and Tommy pack up all the gifts, and head outside to load them into Dylan and Tessa’s car before everyone says their goodbyes and heads home.As soon as they’re gone, I turn to Leo, laughing, I say, “Remember when your cake made our boss go into labor?”
“Get over here, you cheeky girl,” he replies, grabbing for me.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Leo
