While I savor the last bite of the delicious cake, I look around at the uneven decorations that are hanging on the walls of this break room. The pastel-colored cartoon animals make me smile and the fact that I know without a doubt that my loving husband, the father of my babies, put up the decorations himself warms my heart and it's all that I can do not to start blubbering like a cry baby right now.

A gentle tap on my knee brings me out of my thoughts and I look over at Doris with a smile, "Yes?"

"Would you care for some more punch or cake? There's plenty left for seconds and for you and Harry to take the rest home."

Humming in thought, I look down at my empty paper cup and plate, "I'd love some more punch, please. It's very good."

"I'm glad you liked it," she grins and I hand her my cup. "Would you like another slice of cake as well?"

"Uhm, it was scrumptious, but I really shouldn't, even though I would like another piece because it was insanely delicious. I'm on doctor's orders to eat only healthy foods, for the twins."

"Both of us are eating healthy foods to make sure we have a healthy pregnancy," Harry chimes in and I look over at him with a smile, gently bumping into his shoulder.

"Ah, a team effort. That's a lovely idea. It makes it easier. Alright then, I can throw your plate in the bin for you and I'll be right back with some more punch."

"Oh thank you, Doris," I hand her the items and smooth my hands over my belly, simultaneously fixing my blouse. "And Kayla, that cake was divine. The chocolate was so rich, and the buttercream icing was . . . oh my, my mouth just watered up."

"We could share a piece," Harry says quietly and I look over at him in awe.

"That's very sweet of you to offer, but I'm fine. Now that I think about it, I'm not technically hungry, I just want the cake, because it tasted so good. But I'll be strong for our twins."

His expression is one of shock and admiration, "I told you that you have nothing to worry about. You're already a great mummy."

"Aw, thank you. Now kiss me."

He grins at my command, leaning in closer to me and I peck his lips.

"You two are the cutest," Kayla says, interrupting our moment.

I exhale a breath, smoothing my hand over my belly, "Thanks, Kayla, and you really have a skill in baking."

Kayla beams with pride, sitting up in her chair, "Aw thank you so much. I really enjoy baking cakes, especially themed ones."

"That's nice. In fact, I know my mum is searching for a bakery because she's going to host a shower for me next month. Would you mind if I give her your number?"

"Mind? Of course I don't mind. That would be lovely," she says, hurriedly looking through her purse and she walks over to me. "Here's my business card to give to your mum. My prices are pretty comparable with other bakeries, but since I'm still new, I have a special going on. Half off your second cake."

"Oo, that is a great deal. My mum might take you up on that offer. Thanks, Kayla."

"Of course. Any business is welcomed."

I readily agree and I notice Doris walking toward me in my peripheral vision.

"Here's your punch, love."

"Oh thank you," I smile, carefully taking the cup and I take a sip. "Mm, this is really good. Who made it?"

"I did and it's the simplest recipe. I can share it with you, if you'd like."

"Yes, please. It's delicious."

She grins proudly, turning her attention to Harry. "Would you like some more cake or punch, Harry?"

"No thank you, Doris. But could you please point me in the direction of the rubbish bin?"

"Oh I can take that for you. Remember, you're one of the guests of honour at this shower."

That phrase seems to break down my strong-willed husband and he holds out his empty cup and plate. I know that was a big thing for him to do, so I reach over and place my hand on his shoulder. He smiles in my direction and reaches up to cover my hand with his. Since we're not alone right now, I choose to show my affection verbally and bring back what we used to say when we were dating.

"Three small words," I whisper so only he can hear and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

"Three small words, JJ," he says, bringing my hand up to his lips and he kisses my fingers.

"How about we open the presents now," Kayla suggests, earning my attention.

"Presents? You all didn't have to get us anything. This shower was enough."

"But that's what a baby shower is for, love; to shower the baby, or in your case, babies with gifts," Doris coos. "Now I'll take your cup and set it right over here and I'll give you this adorable gift bag to open."

She hands me a small yellow gift bag with a picture of a rattle and a dummy on it and I fumble around to find the tag.

"Aw, this one's from Cole. Thank you, Cole. I love the gift bag," I gush, taking out the wad of pastel yellow tissue paper.

"I'll take your trash for you."

"Oh thank you, Doris. Hm, what could it be?" I muse, taking out the rectangular object and my eyes widen in shock at the amount printed in the corner. "This is too much."

Harry clears his throat, "Uhm, what is it, love?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's a fifty note gift certificate for Hello Baby. Remember that was one of the places where I said I wanted to shop?"

"Yeah, I remember," he grins. "That's very generous, Cole. Thank you very much."

"You're w-"

"N-no, you don't understand," I interrupt him, feeling Maggie's wet nose on my hand. As the waterworks begin, I give her head a few scratches as a thank you for caring.

"What's wrong, love?"

"Is everything okay?" Ignoring Cole's question, I look away from the group and I cover my face as the tears begin to flow. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, mate. It's just the pregnancy hormones," Harry explains while soothing my back and I gasp in offense, turning in my chair to look at him.

"It's not just my hormones, Harry. This is a very generous gift and he didn't have to do this for us. Or for our twins."

"I-I know, love," he coos, reaching out for me and I guide his hand to my shoulder. Our arms wrap around each other in a hug and I rest my head on his shoulder, letting my husband console me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I breathlessly say, sitting back and I wipe away my tears. Everyone is quiet in the room and I can sense the awkward tension. "Uhm, I apologize for my show of emotion just now."

"It's okay, JJ. We understand," Doris kindly says. "Let's keep the fun going. Here, lemme set this gift over here and give you . . . this one."

I take the blue envelope with 'The Babies Styles' written on it and a brill idea pops in my head. "Would you like to open this one, love? It's an envelope."

Harry raises his eyebrows in surprise and wipes his hands on his trousers, "Yeah, I'd love to."

I place the envelope in his hands and he feels around for the edges and tears open the flap while I lean over to look at the front of the card.

"It's really cute. It has alphabet blocks in the letters A, B and C and they're glittery," I explain for his benefit and he opens the card. "Ah, it's another gift certificate to Hello Baby. Who's this from? Kayla, you didn't have to do that. I thought the cake was the present."

"Oh no. This is your real gift. Getting to decorate the cake was like a present for me. This gift is the icing on the cake."

I laugh with a snort at her joke, "I can tell you have been working with my husband for many years."

Everyone giggles and the thought of Harry and Kayla having an affair at work crosses my mind. They've known each other for years, she's definitely younger than me, she's a third my size and so beautiful that she could be a model, so it would make sense if they did have something going on in secret.

"Here's another present," Doris says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I put on a smile for her and she slides the biggest sized gift bag in front of my feet. Since I already can't bend over, I shift my legs over and I bend to the side to reach down and I pull the tissue paper out. The crinkling cellophane paper captures Maggie's attention and she starts sniffing inside the bag.

"Do you want to help me open this, Maggie, hm?" I coo, earning a quiet laugh from Harry and I grab onto the wrapping. "Oof, this is heavy."

"Here, I'll help you," Cole is quick to walk over and I thank him as he takes the tall gift out of the bag. He sets it on the floor and I tilt it back so I can look at it.

"It's another cake?"

"It's a nappy cake," Doris explains with a proud smile, leaning over and she points at the bottom. "The tiers are made of rolled up nappies with a few baby things tucked in there as the decoration. Since you two are having twins, I figured you can never have too many of these things."

"Oh it's wonderful, and so clever," I compliment, marveling at the gift. "Thank you so much, Doris."

"It's my pleasure," she says, helping me set it upright.

"Would you like to feel it, Harry?"

"Yeah, I would. Guide me, please."

I take his hand to lead it to the top tear that has two bottles as the cake topper and I let go so he can feel around for himself. While he explores the creative gift, I reach over for my cup of punch from the table and I take a sip.

"That is so cute. Where did you get that?" Kayla asks, clearly interested in the nappy cake that Harry's inspecting.

"I made it."

I gasp, "You did?"

"Yes, but I didn't come up with the idea. I saw it on one of my craft boards. My husband nearly fainted when I was putting it together last night. He thought I had a little something to tell him," Doris giggles. "We're far past that in our lives. We're in the 'enjoying the grandchildren' part of our life."

The thought of my twins having their grandparents involved in their lives makes me incredibly happy and grateful and my vision becomes blurry again. My dad has already called me every other day to check how I'm doing and if I need anything. He's the hero of my life and I know he'll be the best grandpa.

"I guess that ends the shower," Doris says and I inhale a deep breath, smoothing my hands over my belly.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your generosity. Harry and I are very lucky to know you all and I know our twins will be loved."

Everyone coos and Doris leans over to give me a side hug. "We're all family here."

"Mhm, yes, we are. Okay, before the waterworks start again-"

"I'll help bring this monstrous nappy cake to your car."

"That would really be a big help," I sigh in relief. "Harry, would you mind carrying the cards?"

"I don't mind at all."***

A/N: It's soooo cold today. I've got the fake fireplace going and I'm watching a Friends marathon while I write. I hope y'all have a great day.

If you liked this chapter (and wish JJ's hormones would take a holiday lol) press the star ⭐️

Much Love.
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