Culpables years later...

Chapter 23

Noah

Today was the day. Today was our baby shower and I was so excited. You could see how much effort Jenna had put in. At dinner with Lion yesterday, you could tell how sad he was. Whenever I wanted to talk to Jenna about it, she would block it, but I couldn't blame her. It was no different for me. Nick tried to make time for his friend and be there for him. I loved that side of him. The caring and loving Nick. It was almost seven in the morning and it was quiet. Everyone was asleep while I was having my tea in the living room.

Andrew was already awake for some reason, drinking his cocoa next to me and playing on his iPad. As parents, we had long thought about how we would raise him with technology. We had nothing against iPad time. Andy was a kid who spent a lot of time outside and little time on his phone or television.

He always wanted to be with me. He was scared for me. Like I was scared for him when he was little. He would sit next to me and I would grab him by the hair. ,,Look mum, he's beaten. Try it.'' Laughing, he handed me his iPad and I tried my luck. It was funny, but I'm not the type to do it. ,,Everyone's on an iPad this early in the morning? Have I missed something?''Our eyes slid to Nick, who looked at us smiling and still half asleep. ,,Dad! You've got to try it too. It's so funny, even mum can't make it.''Nick sat down next to Andy and tried his luck too. In fact, he made it. ,,Wow. You're so good dad. You are the best!" Nick's look was typical of him. That mischievous grin, which showed he was the best and proud of it. The three of us enjoyed the time as a family before the others arrived. It was about 2pm today and before that I appreciated the calm before the storm.

Everyone was excited and couldn't wait. What brought me to tears was a flashback from my phone. It brought me photos of Andy's baby party and those memories were so great. So many emotions and memories. Jenna has been here ever since, organizing all the things that were missing. Lion and the kids were supposed to be there later. The only thing she left to me was the choice of my outfit for today. I had opted for a simple white short dress and my favorite sneakers.

Andy was wearing a plain white shirt and short pants. Nick was wearing almost the same thing as him and was keen to snap photos of their partner's look. Before the party started, we were all taking photos of each other and of each other. Jenna had organised a photographer and, to be honest, I liked him. He was discreet. We had done all sorts of photo combinations and I loved it.

Neither Andy or Nick let go of me, everyone was so excited about today and everyone was so emotional. At some point, the moment came and Jenna let us see the party. She blindfolded me and ran with me towards the garden. My boys were behind me and then it was time. ,,Three, one, two, three, eyes open." When my eyes opened, I couldn't believe it. Jenna had outdone herself. Everything was done in a bright pink and a bright blue. Jenna's had photos up with lights. Sweets with pictures on them and games to guess the baby's gender. Balloons and all sorts of things were there. Just as I had secretly wanted. Nothing extra big but subtle as I was. Nick wrapped an arm around me and Andy stood between us and said, 'Do you like it freckles?" ,,Yes. I love it." I hugged Jenna and thanked her from the bottom of my heart.

My parents came over and my mum gave me a hug. ,,Oh Noah. It's all so beautiful. Shit, I'm crying again. Come on Andy, let's have some cake." While my mum and son were gone, Nick, his dad and I stayed behind. ,,Come on, son. I want to talk to you about something." Jenna wrapped an arm around me and I enjoyed the sight. But Maggie was missing. The guests would be coming soon. So I set out to look for her.

Cautiously, I knocked on her door, waiting for an answer. "Come in!" When I walked in, she sat at her table and looked at me sadly. "Maggie, what's going on?"

"My boyfriend broke up with me," she said. Maggie wiped the tears from her face and looked at the floor in shame. "Come back in a minute!" I quickly went to our room and got something sweet for Maggie and me. I closed her door and sat down on the bed. "Some chocolate for your heart?" Reluctantly, she sat down with me and ate some chocolate. ,,Do you want to talk about it?'' She looked at the ceiling. ,,No, I'm sorry. Today is your big day and I don't want to ruin it for you." I shook my head and took her hand. ,,No way. You're very important to me and I want to know when something is wrong. I didn't even know you had a boyfriend." ,,We'd been together for a couple of months and I really liked him. Samuel was great. He was so sweet and nice but then all of a sudden he was so dismissive. A few days after the accident in the kitchen he suddenly broke up."

I hugged her and she fully opened up to me. ,,I'm very sorry. You could've talked to me. No matter what." ,,I know. But you and Nick deserve to be happy. I didn't want to take that away from you." ,, Never Maggie. We miss you downstairs. Are you ready?" She wiped away tears and looked at herself in the mirror. ,,I'm ready." We locked arms and went downstairs together. The others were waiting downstairs, happy to see Maggie. When the last guests came, everything was wonderful. Just our closest circle of friends and family. We loved it. The guests were playing party games and everyone was in a good mood. Jenna just didn't seem so excited. The twins were there, but their father wasn't. ,,Nick, where's Lion?" He shrugged and looked around. ,,He's coming. Enjoy your day."He kissed me, took my hand and walked over to Andy. The party was in full swing and then it was time to guess the gender. Jenna had thought about guessing the gender in a balloon. Nick took my hand and we gathered in a circle in front of the balloon. ,,Don't we want to wait for Lion?" I whispered quietly to Nick. ,,We can't wait any longer."

,,Thank you all for being here today. We're so excited. But let's face it, we all want to know the gender, don't we? My wife and I want to find out with you. But first of all, a big thank you to Jenna. For organizing this party for us. We love you Jenna, thank you. Thank you. So, since you're ready?" Everyone applauded and counted down the seconds, and Nick held the needle to my head. Andy, standing with Jenna and Maggie, looked at us excitedly, and just as the moment of decision came, Lion burst in. He waved to our circle and laughed. ,,I think I'm a little late. How are you all?" He was drunk. What was wrong with him? Nick and Jenna looked at him worried and angry at the same time. ,,Jenna baby I'm so sorry. I miss you and we're both hurting so much. And Noah and Nick. How beautiful that you are finally happy! After what you've been through and now you're having another baby! Wow. I honestly didn't think you guys would get back together after the breakup. After Noah slept with someone else." Oh my God. How could Lion? Maggie looked at us confused because she didn't know anything about it. ,,Lion! Enough! You're drunk in front of your kids and ruining Noah and Nick's party!" As Jenna walked towards him, he kept getting more and more. She was so angry at him, and Nick too. After talking about Michael, Nick was very angry. And then it happened. Lion fell on top of the balloon that burst. The gender was revealed. Everyone seemed to have mixed feelings. After this speech and this action now. I looked at Nick who was looking at me. We now knew the gender, only our joy and that of others was clouded by Lion. Jenna burst into tears. ,,Noah, Nick. I'm so sorry." Then she grabbed Lion and went into the house. What a party.