A New York Secret

Chapter Seventy-Six

After what felt like a long three weeks, Mary was excited that the day had arrived to finally find out the gender of the baby she carried. She was awake early and made a big breakfast for everyone. Once it was ready, she walked to Emily's room and knocked on the door. "Rise and shine!"

Emily grumbled and rolled over, pressing her face against James' back. "Mary's up," she murmured.

"I heard. Everyone heard." James chuckled. "You better get up before she breaks down the door."

She chuckled and ran a line of kisses up his back to the back of his neck. "Fine. I guess I'll get up."

"Now you're making me regret what I said." James chuckled.

"Oh really?" She moved to stand on her hands and knees before bending to kiss his cheek.

"Mary will kill us though." James chuckled.

"Almost everything is ready downstairs," she countered. "We set up most of it last night. Remember?"

"Yeah, and she will want to find last minute stuff to do. She's also made breakfast." James told her, turning and wrapping his arms around her.

"This is true," she murmured before lowering her head to finally kiss him directly. "Morning, babe."

"Good morning, beautiful." James mumbled against her lips.

Emily blushed, feeling butterflies swarm her belly. "You always make me feel giddy."

"Well, you make me feel like none of the bad ever happened." James said softly.

Her eyes widened slightly. "Really?" she whispered. "I... I don't know how to respond to that."

"My head isn't foggy when I'm with you." James told her.

Emily smiled and bent to kiss him gently. "That means the world to me, James. Really."

"It means everything to me too." James said truthfully.

Hearing another knock on the bedroom door, Emily sighed before she pecked his lips and moved to sit up. "We better get up or she's going to break down the door."

"That's what I said." James chuckled. He stole another kiss, then pulled the blankets back so they could get up.

Emily laughed as she climbed out of bed and went to change clothes. "Are you excited about today?"

"I'm excited to see their reaction." James admitted. He got up and stretched. "I have to go get my clothes from the living room."

She turned with a small frown. "Babe, you can bring your clothes in here to stay."

"I don't mind keeping them out there. We haven't talked about making things that official." James shrugged.

"It's really okay," she said softly. "I don't mind."

"It wouldn't be seen as any pressure for anything?" James asked, not wanting to give the wrong idea.

Emily shook her head. "No, James. I promise."

"I will go grab my bag then." James grinned, then walked out to go fetch his belongings.

A soft smile lit up Emily's face. With James' belongings in the dresser, it wouldn't seem so empty anymore, neither would her heart.

James returned a few minutes later with his single bag, which he set by the dresser, then began finding his clothes. "It is nice to have my things a bit closer."

"You know, I need to get you some more clothes. If you want me to, that is," she commented as she pulled her night shirt over her head.

"Mary and Steve have been pushing me to get more clothes too." James said softly, still nervous about being triggered again.