James held up his hands in surrender. “I’m as surprised as you are, seriously. When I was setting the table, I heard a knock on the window and saw them standing there. Chloe looked like she wanted to have the earth swallow her whole, but you know Addy. She was practically knocking the door down for some small-town cheer.”
“Then that’s what we’ll give them,” Max said from the stove. He’d moved into stuffing mode, toasting pieces of bread that CeCe had baked the day before.
“Plus, they’re teeny tiny. I can’t imagine those two eating that much,” CeCe suggested, struggling to roll out her pie dough. “Damn this belly,” she griped, twisting and turning in an effort to reach across the counter. The odd motions caused the holly behind her ear to fall to the floor, another casualty of her growing belly.
Evan lowered the heat on his burner and walked over to CeCe. “All right, champ, take a real seat.” He put his hands on her shoulders and hustled her out into the dining room. Before everyone arrived, Evan set up a booth just for CeCe. There was her favorite back pillow, a stack of her favorite snacks at the ready, and her oversized water bottle.
“But I need to get those crusts in the oven by one o’clock, or we’re not eating dessert.”
Evan cupped CeCe’s cheeks in his hands, staring into her eyes for longer than was polite in mixed company. “Babe,” he said, low so only CeCe could hear, “I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her chastely on the lips. “I also love our babies.” He placed his hands protectively over her swollen belly. “It’s also Christmas, so that’s even more reason to enjoy the moment. Sit, chat with your friends, and relax. Today, we actually have enough cooks in the kitchen.”
Natalie joined them at the booth, sliding opposite CeCe and sipping from a glass of wine. “What happened to Maybelle?” CeCe asked, temporarily distracted. Evan took his chance and darted back to the kitchen.
Swirling her merlot, Natalie shrugged. “Maddie and Josie were dying for a chance to play with her, and Ginny got the bar set up so I got distracted.”
CeCe snorted. “I’m guessing this means baby fever is over.”
Natalie sipped from her glass and winked. “I think it wasn’t really baby fever. Maybe a baby fever dream?” She placed her glass on the table and sighed contently. “Besides, I’m enjoying my forties and this bottle of vino too much to get knocked up again.”
From across the aisle, Anthony cupped his hands in front of his mouth and shouted, “Thank the good Lord for that Christmas miracle.”
Natalie flashed him a cheeky grin before turning back to her friend. “Speaking of baby fever, how are you holding up?”
CeCe pulled her water bottle closer and took a long swig. “I’m being held hostage by my own body.” She patted her belly for full effect. “My husband is following me around like I’m a ticking time bomb.”
Natalie grimaced. “You kind of are.”
“I’m not due for another month, so simmer down, ma’am.”
Natalie drained her glass and stood. “I’m getting a refill. You look like you need something. How about a little mocktail? Chloe is a miracle worker with the bar.”
CeCe rearranged herself with her pillow and groaned. “Could you see if she has anything to put me into early labor? Like an old fashion or something?”
Natalie’s smile slid away as she crouched in front of her friend. “What’s going on there?” She reached out and covered one of CeCe’s hands with her own. “That doesn’t look like normal discomfort.”
CeCe’s eyes flashed with pain, but she didn’t make a sound. “I’ve been having these little pains off and on all week. I’m sure it’s holiday stress and my general hatred of being told what to do.” She stuck her tongue out at Natalie, but she didn’t get the response she wanted.
The flushed cheeks from her glass of wine melted into a worrisome shade of white. “I’m going to grab Mallory. She can give us her professional opinion.”
“No!” CeCe shouted, snatching Natalie’s hand and holding her in place. “Please, let’s just leave this alone. I’m sure it’s nothing, and I don’t want to stress Evan out. It’s Christmas.”
“And I’m sure watching his wife grimace through her turkey dinner will make him the happiest elf in the land.” Natalie pulled free and lowered her voice. “I’ll tell Mallory to be discrete, but I’m getting her.”
Natalie strode over the counter, her voice low in Mallory’s ear. A moment later, the duo returned to the booth. Ever the professional, Mallory gave nothing away, save for a small frown. Her voice low, she asked, “Describe the pain to me. Is it constant or coming in waves?”
Natalie hovered in front of them, shielding them from the room. Raising her voice, she shouted toward the bar, “Can we get Momma CeCe a little something festive?” Her smile was tight, but she got a thumbs-up from Chloe.
“Still want that old fashion,” CeCe chirped, earning a pinch from Mallory.
“Yeah, I don’t think so. It’s Christmas, not an alternate universe.”
Chloe arrived, handing CeCe a mocktail the color of sunshine. “I hope you like it,” she said, chin dipped low. “It’s mostly orange juice, but I wanted you to feel included. I used to make these to help out the DDs when I worked as a bartender.”
CeCe took a break from her impromptu medical visit to thank the other woman and take a sip. “This is really good. Thanks, Chloe. I’m so glad you guys could join us.”
Addison joined them, throwing her arm around Chloe’s waist. “My girl is amazing when it comes to cocktails. Just give her one idea and she’s off to the races.” Chloe relaxed into Addison’s hold, her pensive expression melting away.
Alice joined them, frowning when she saw Mallory on her knees in front of CeCe. “What’s all this?” she asked loudly.
