Chapter 32: The Sisterhood

SLOAN

^ONE WEEK LATER^

Kade and I are still blissfully happy. Being Mrs. Lawson is better than I’d ever imagined. He still treats me like a queen, and the two of us are getting more and more excited about Clover’s arrival.

Everything about the pregnancy has been going smoothly, and things at work are good too. Carly has actually been a huge help, and she is taking a lot of stress off me at work.

I met with Abbot and Carly for lunch this week, and the event preparation is going well too.

Tonight, we’re hosting a dinner party for our friends at our house. Everyone had so much fun at the wedding, so I’ve been wanting to get everyone back together.

I’m in our closet, trying on all of my dresses, but nothing is fitting anymore.

My belly popped out quickly, almost overnight, and while I’m happy I was lucky enough not to show for a long time, this is still not something I really feel prepared for.

I’m not ready to give up my wardrobe.

“Baby, it’s crazy in here, what’s going on?” Kade asks from the doorway.

“Clover doesn’t fit in any of my dresses.”

“I don’t know, baby, I think you can find something.”

“I’m a fashion brand manager. How am I supposed to be fashionable when I look super bloated?”

“You look beautiful. Your skin is glowing! Now, stop talking about my wife like that.” Kade kisses me sweetly. “Try this one.”

I listen to Kade and pull the dress over my head. The soft material stretches over my belly and ends up fitting.

Kade grins. “See, perfect.”

“Do I look like a rolled sausage?”

“Oh, my God, Sloan, how do you come up with these things?” Kade chuckles and pulls me to look in the mirror.

“You look like my beautiful wife, who is so strong and healthy and carrying our little girl so she can grow and come be with us. You look perfect.”

He kisses my head and pulls me downstairs to the kitchen. “I’ve got everything prepped for dinner, but I know you said you want to do the hors d’oeuvres.”

“Thank you, Kade. What about the drinks?”

“All good.”

I get to work organizing and plating hors d’oeuvres, trying to make everything look perfect. It is, after all, our first dinner party as a married couple, and I want it to go smoothly.

I’ve been getting closer and closer to Carly and Abbot, and I really want to keep this friend vibe going. The group is so fun, and everyone’s personalities mesh so well.

The band has started to treat me like a member of their family too, and everything has been getting better and better.

When I met Kade, I had no friends and let Archie keep me away from the world. My life has changed so much, and I honestly couldn’t be happier.

The doorbell rings, and Kade goes to get it. From the loud raucousness coming from the living room, I know Sean is here. I carry a tray of cheese and crackers into the living room and greet him.

“Hi, Sean.”

Sean smiles. “Wow, Sloan, you look so beautiful. Motherhood suits you.”

“Thank you. Can I get you something to drink?”

“You sit, baby, I’ll get the drinks,” Kade says.

“So, who all is coming tonight?” Sean asks once Kade leaves the room.

“I think you mean will Rhea be here?”

“Oh, damn, I didn’t realize it was so obvious.”

I giggle. “She is Kade’s sister; we talk, you know.”

“We’ve only hung out twice since the wedding. We’re not, like, together.”

“I know, but you want to be.”

Kade comes back into the room with two beers and a glass of water for me.

“Wow, Kade, don’t leave me alone with her again.” Sean laughs. “Two minutes, and she already has me by the balls.”

“Only because she knows that you’re trying to date my little sister,” Kade says in a serious tone.

“Shit, is that friendly fire, or should I hide?” Sean asks.

Kade smiles. “Obviously, it’s fine. Just don’t be a dick. I trust you, and if Rhea is happy, I’m happy.”

“We’re just giving you a hard time. We’re the family, it’s our job,” I add.

“Ugh, I’m already scared of your mom. Do you remember when she came at me with the newspaper?” Sean shivers.

Kade laughs. “You deserved that.”

The doorbell rings again, and I open it to see Abbot and Carly.

“Hey girls, come on in.”

I bring them into the kitchen to get them drinks.

“Sloan, you look so pretty,” Carly says.

“Thank you. I’m going to have to go shopping. Nothing really fits anymore; this is just stretchy.”

Abbot grins. “Well, you’re almost done, right? Then, you’ll have an adorable little baby to dress.”

“I know you’re right; it will be worth it. It’s just a new normal.”

“You and Kade will make such a pretty baby. You’re both so good looking. You’re going to have to lock her up,” Abbot says, laughing.

“She’s got quite a group of protectors with the band, so hopefully, her dad will let her out sometime.”

We all laugh, and soon, the doorbell rings again, and Priya and Rhea come to join us in the kitchen.

I smile. “Hey, girls.”

“Oh, my goodness, hi, Clover,” Priya squeaks.

I laugh. “Hey, I’m up here.”

“But, Sloan, she’s so cute,” Rhea adds.

“I know, she gets away with everything.” I laugh. “Do you girls all remember each other?”

“Of course,” Abbot says, smiling.

“Rhea, you’d better get out there, Sean has already been asking about you,” I say.

Rhea blushes, and the girls start to ooh and aw teasingly.

I want to take some of the heat off Rhea, so I turn my attention to Abbot. “And you, missy. Finn will be here soon, so you’d better get ready too.”

Priya laughs. “Whoa! Is everyone hooking up?”

“I’m not,” Carly admits.

“I’m not either,” Priya agrees.

“Tonight, we get these two coupled up and then we’ll find your men,” I explain, and everyone laughs.

“Is this a sisterhood now?” Rhea asks.

“Of course. I love it. We should have monthly meetings,” I say.

“Sloan is the boss. She’s obviously the one with her shit most together,” Priya concludes.

“We’ll see about that, but I’m all for this.”

“I need a shot,” Rhea squeaks.

“Rhea!” Priya yelps.

“This is stressful! You know that I’m shy,” she admits.

“Haven’t you two been out since the wedding?” I ask.

“Yes, twice, but he still makes me incredibly nervous. He’s so…” Rhea seems lost for words.

“He’s so Sean,” I offer. “He’s so silly, he’s so nice, and he likes you, so take a shot, then go talk to him.”

Everyone takes a shot, except for me, and cheers Rhea on when the doorbell rings again.

The girls follow Rhea out to the living room, while I go to answer the door. Finn and Archer smile when I open the door, and I welcome them inside.

I show them to the living room, and the group is already getting loud and raucous.

Abbot blushes immediately when Finn enters the room, and I can tell that I'm going to be in for an interesting night.