Because of a Cowboy

Ladies Night

With only a month left to go before Little Toby comes, I waddled over to the main house on a hot August night. Wesley said he had some paperwork for me to fill out regarding my hours at the gift shop. Once Little Toby was born, I'd be working a lot less.

I walked up the ramp that led to the front porch, then opened the front door.

"Hello? Anyone here?" I asked, my voice echoing into the dark hallway.

I felt my way along the wall to the kitchen and found the lightswitch. I was way too startled when I flipped it on.

"Surprise!"

I jumped back as I looked around the room. My mom and all my sisters were there, except Whisper. Thea, Toby's mom, was there too. I instantly made a b-line for Winter and wrapped my arms around her.

"What are you doing here! I miss you I miss you I miss you I—" I stepped back. "You feel...different."

"Oh really?" She raised a brow. Everyone fell silent. "Different...how, Willa."

"Did you—" I lowered my voice to a whisper. "Stop sticking to your diet?"

A smile found its way across her lips. It was a big, Winter-is-excited-about-something kind of smile.

"John and I found a good IVF clinic out there. We finally had some luck...a lot of it!" She took out her phone, which had an ultrasound picture with four little dots. "Six weeks along. Quads, Willa, quads. Can you believe it! You're going to be an aunt to four of them."

I held her phone in my shaky hands. "Shut up. You're kidding."

"I wish she was. She's going to have more than just her hands full," my mother said, laughing. "Hers and Johns and both of John's parents too."

"I feel like this is the best day of my life. You guys have been trying for like three years! I'm so happy for you two!" I said, finally taking a look around the room.

There was a big banner that read, Welcome, Cowboy Tobias! The whole kitchen was decorated in a blue and brown theme, full of snacks and western-style baby shower decorations. I walked over to the sheet cake on the counter, which said the same thing as the banner.

"Wait, hold on," I said. "This party is for me and not Winter?"

"Yes, of course, dear!" Thea said. "I asked if we could throw you a little baby shower."

The crowd parted and revealed the long kitchen table, which was full of presents.

"And I suggested it be girls only!" Winnie said, holding up her entire makeup kit. "It'll be like a fun little spa night!"

We moved into the living room, where I talked about baby stuff and parenting classes while Winnie painted my toes a cute baby blue color. Thea and my mom gave me tons of parenting advice, which was just what I needed.

Winter told us stories of what it was like in Maine, with the great seafood and the beautiful beaches. We laughed about cravings and morning sickness and every other pregnancy thing we had in common.

After everyone's nails were done and dry, we started opening presents. I got a spare set of crib sheets, a baby monitor, some extra toys, and the special all-terrain stroller I'd had my eye on for months.

Three hours in and with my piece of cake halfway eaten, I didn't even realize Whisper was missing until she walked into the door. I know, some sister I am. When you have seven siblings, it's easy to lose track of one. Or, two of them.

Whisper sauntered into the room, dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was falling out of her ponytail. She sat down in the armchair next to the couch, only a few feet away from me. She had a smoky scent all over her. 

"Hey, it's about time you got here. You're only three hours late. You want a piece of cake?" my mom said.

"Huh?" Whisper asked.

"Earth to Whisper! Do you want some cake?"

"Yeah...yeah..."

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

She looked over at me. "Yeah...all good."

It only took a second for me to see the telltale sign of her small pupils. She was definitely not okay. I looked around the room at everyone. They were all thinking the same way.