Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

ninety.

"Liz, aren't you ready yet!?" Val called out from downstairs. I was still sitting in front of the mirror, worried that the Brotherhood might show up at any time. We still hadn't heard anything from Ignis, and I wasn't sure we ever would. She opened the door to the bedroom and saw me sitting there. "You're still in your pajamas? Come on! Everyone's expecting us!"

"I know, I know. I just need a few more minutes." She walked over to me, putting her hands on my shoulders comfortingly.

"Come on... Aria and Ava put a lot into this night for you and the baby. Everyone's there... Dylan and Zuri, Anna and Sofia, Steph and Nat... I think Sebastian and Jacques even showed up!"

"That's great! I'm sorry. I want to be more excited about this, but I hate being the focus... And this – this is literally all for me." I got up from the chair, took my robe off and reached for the dress Val laid out on the bed. It was a knee-length lacey dress in off-white and had a grey belt. Val zipped up the back for me and wrapped her arms around me as we looked in the mirror. She smiled, brushing my hair back off my cheek.

"You look so beautiful..." she said, kissing my shoulder. I put my hands on hers and just took in the moment. "I know the dress isn't really your thing..." she said, walking towards her closet. "So, I got you something to go with it that might be a little more comfortable for you." She reached in and pulled out a dark wash jean jacket. She came over, holding it open so I could put it on. "You haven't been able to wear jeans in a while," she laughed. "How does that feel?"

"I never thought I'd be so happy to feel real denim. And it gives me a little bit of courage. I love it... Thank you." I turned around to kiss her. She helped me put on my shoes and we drove to the hall that Aria rented for the baby shower. Val was right; everyone was there waiting for us. Chris and Zane came out to help us out of the car and bring us inside. Aria put a sash over me and led me to the front of the room. I felt very awkward being the center of attention yet again, but I grabbed at my jean jacket and took a deep breath, feeling comforted.

"You look amazing," Chris said, kissing me.

"Amazing," Zane said.

"You two already started drinking?" I asked, smelling the beer on them.

"Sorry," they said.

"It's okay, I can't stop you. Just don't get too crazy?" They nodded. Nat ran over to me, and threw her arms around me.

"Liz! I still don't understand how this whole thing worked, but you look amazing. I can't wait to meet them!" She smiled widely.

"I can't either..." I said, putting my hands on my belly. Steph came behind her and nodded towards me.

"That's going to be one hell of a phone call..." she said. "After you have that baby, you'd better call us when you're up for visitors!"

"Of course." Ava and Noah ran up to me, wrapping themselves around me.

"Momma! You look so pretty!" Ava said. "Do you like everything? Aunt Aria and I set everything up for you!" Ava pointed to the décor behind her.

"I love it. Thank you." I made my way around the room to everyone. Jason and Nicky were there with Jade and soon after talking with Ava, the two of them ran off in a corner somewhere. Nicky came over after nearly getting knocked over by Jade and Ava, scolding them for running inside in Spanish.

"Sorry," she said to me. "I was scolding Jade more than Ava."

"No worries," I said. "Ava can be a bit rough. Thanks for coming you two!"

"Of course. We wouldn't miss it!" she said.

"And with two Lieutenants, I think they can watch New York for a few days," Jason said.