Chapter Twenty-Eight ~ Ming
Who knew baby showers were so much fun?
First of all, Cass went balls out on the decorations. She’d gone with a Peter Rabbit-themed shower, and asked everyone to bring their favorite children’s book to give to little baby O’Malley. The colors were sweet and neutral for either gender, and Brady’s living room was transformed into a pretty-looking garden.
She did it all in under an hour. Seriously, Cass was a magician.
Then, Gaby showed up with the most gorgeous desserts and cake. All white, pristine, and perfect. She even used books to display the cake.
I didn’t do such a bad job with the games. We played a Price is Right game, a Celebrity Name Game, Mad Libs, and Nursery Rhymes, but my favorites were the ones that had everyone involved and laughing their asses off.
“Okay, this one is called, Name That Poop,” I called out with a giggle, that last glass of champagne making me feel real good.
Everyone grabbed a diaper from the center of the table, and a series of groans hit the room when they began opening the diapers up.
“That’s fucking disgusting.”
“Sasha, language!”
“Shelly, there aren’t any children here, unless you’re saying I have to watch my mouth in front of Bronagh’s pregnant belly … Jeez.”
“Sorry, habit.”
I laughed as Gwen walked around the room, snapping pictures of the ladies smelling the oddly shaped mounds of brown and green piles in their diapers. Sasha let out a gagging sound when Gaby stuck her tongue out to taste her mystery pile.
“Is that legal?” Victoria asked, as Bronagh fell to her side in a fit of laughter.
“I’ll allow it,” I replied with a grin, then looked through my notes to see what games we had left.
Name the baby animal √
Play-doh babies √
Bobbing for nipples √
Predictions for baby √
It looked like all that was left was the What’s That Baby Food game. I strode gleefully to the kitchen to pour the jars of baby food into little bowls and put them on a tray. I made myself a color chart cheat sheet, so I’d know which bowls contained which food.
I was almost done when Bronagh came in, wiping her eyes.
“Oh, my gosh, that was too fun,” she said as she grabbed a water bottle and chugged. “Sasha cracks me up.”
I nodded with a smile as I emptied the jar of sweet potatoes and chicken into an orange bowl.
“So,” she began, getting close enough so she could whisper and I’d still hear her. “How’s everything going with Brady? Still moving forward?”
“Yeah, actually, he asked me to stay here after the party. For dinner, and then, hopefully, to spend the night.”
Bronagh clapped her hands together, just like she did when we were teenagers staying up all night talking about boys.
“Oh, goody, a sleepover.”
“It’s been great, Bronagh,” I admitted as I put the jar in the recycle bin and leaned into her so our shoulders were touching. “He’s really working on communicating, opening up about his past, and his fears. He has an appointment with a counselor, and I think that’ll really help him out.”
“That’s wonderful, Ming. He’s a really great guy, and I won’t lie, the thought of you two being together, and maybe one day getting married…” Bronagh trailed off when she began crying softly. “We’d be actual sisters.”
“Ahhh, Nonie,” I replied, feeling myself tear up as well, then pulled her in for a hug.
“Stupid hormones,” she muttered against my shoulder, but I just smiled.
I hadn’t actually thought of what would happen if Brady and I were serious enough to ever get married, I was just working on getting him to have a normal relationship. But, now that Bronagh had mentioned the possibility, I loved the idea of being family not just to her, but with all of the O’Malleys.
“Ready for the next game,” Cass said as she rushed in. She was not only a master planner, but crazy about her schedules. “Oh, is everything okay?”
“Perfect,” Bronagh said as she pulled away from me. “You guys have been so great, really. This is the best shower, more that I could’ve imagined.”
When she started getting misty again, Cass put her arm around Bronagh and led her back out of the kitchen. I could hear her saying, “That makes me so happy, you deserve it.”
As soon as I entered the living room with the tray in my hands, Sasha yelled, “Oh, hell no. I’m out of this one.”
With such delicacies as vegetable turkey, sweet carrots, tender peas, beef and beef broth, and spinach and zucchini medley, I didn’t blame her.
This was why I was the game lady, and not a gamer.
Shelly beat Gaby five to three and Victoria only got one right, everyone else got none. Not a lot of baby food eaters in this group.
Once we were done with games, everyone ooohed and aaahed over presents, while Gwen took a million pictures. By the time presents were over, Bronagh was exhausted, so we told her to go home and get some rest.
“Brock will bring by the presents later,” Victoria told Bronagh as she kissed her cheek goodbye.
“Thanks,” Bronagh answered with a tired smile, then turned to give me and Cass big hugs. “Thanks again, you guys, I loved everything so much. And thanks for the desserts, Gaby, and taking pictures, Gwen.”
“Get out of here before you fall asleep on your feet,” I said, knowing she’d stall and try to talk to everyone one last time.
“I’ll help you out,” Shelly said, placing her arm around Bronagh’s waist and maneuvering her out the door.
Everyone left and it was just me, Cass, and Victoria on cleanup, when I sent Brady the text to let him know the shower was over.
We’re finishing up now. What are you in the mood for? Thai, Burgers, Pizza?
Thai, please. Could you get me coconut curry?
You got it.
I was still grinning to myself when I looked up and saw both Victoria and Cass watching me.
“If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t believe it,” Cass said, looking conspiratorially at Victoria.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Victoria replied, causing me to turn my smile on her. “I love seeing you both so happy, and I really hope things work out between you two … I hope that’s not overstepping.”
“No, of course not, I know how you and Brady feel about each other, and really, it means a lot to me that you’re okay with us being together.”
“Okay? I think it’s the best that’s happened since Brendan and Bronagh got together. He deserves to have someone like you, someone who loves him and brings out the best in him.”
That last part she said softly, as if she was once again worried she was speaking out of turn, but I wasn’t embarrassed that everyone could tell the way I felt about Brady. I just hoped he’d feel the same way about me, soon.
Chapter Twenty-Nine ~ Brady
My car was filled with the smells of coconut curry and the spicy chicken I’d gotten for myself. There was this strange feeling swirling within me, something like, anticipation. I don’t know if it was about seeing Ming again, or having a meal with her in my home, possibly having her in my bed, but it was kind of … nice.
When I pulled into my driveway, Brock was walking from the house to his truck carrying an armful of presents.
“Why didn’t you wait? I would have helped you,” I called out as I pulled the food out of the car and walked toward the house.
“Don’t worry about it,” my brother answered. “I wanted to get it loaded up and over to Bren’s so I can get home for some family time.”
Brock met me on the steps after dropping the load off.
“They still in there cleaning up?” I asked.
“Nah, they’re done. Your place looks better now than it has in years,” he teased. “Tori just walked home, and I think Cass is heading out. Ming-a-ling is in there waiting for you.”
I looked toward th
e house, that anticipation growing, then looked back at Brock when he chuckled.
“You’re in deep this time, huh?” he asked with a grin.
I looked into the eyes of the man who meant the world to me, the one I could never keep anything from, and admitted, “Yeah, I think so.”
“Happy for you, bro,” Brock said, slapping me on the back, then walking past me to go inside.
I stood on the step for another minute, trying to come to terms with how fast everything was happening. At least, it seemed fast to me. Ming may say otherwise, but to me it felt like I’ve been living in a whirlwind since New Year’s.
The sound of Ming’s laughter pulled me out of my head and caused my feet to propel me forward and inside.
My house looked immaculate, and I had to admit Brock was right … I really needed to stop being such a slob.
“Hey,” Ming said, her happiness at seeing me totally unfiltered.
Warmth flooded through me at the sight of her.
She’d pulled her hair back at some point throughout the day, the long, dark tresses hanging down her back in a tail. Her face was flushed with pleasure, and her already upturned lips were slightly parted as she crossed the room to greet me.
“Hi,” I said as she walked, then stopped talking when she paused in front of me and tilted her head up, offering her lips to me. I met her lips with mine, soft yet firm, not ready to stop when she pulled back with a laugh and took the bags out of my hands.
“I’ll take these to the kitchen if you want to help your brother with the last load,” Ming offered, then she was gone.
I looked after her, then my head swung over to where Brock was standing, picking up presents and watching me with a pleased look on his face.
It all felt so … domestic. I liked it. It almost seemed like this is what I’d been waiting for, I just hadn’t realized it.
“A little help?” Brock called, eyebrow arched as he looked at me knowingly.
“Yeah, sorry,” I muttered, shaking my head.
I needed to get it together.
Once we had everything loaded, Brock called goodbye to Ming and Cass, then headed off to Brendan’s. Cass was coming down the walkway just as I was about to go back inside, and there was an awkward moment where I wasn’t sure what the protocol was … She was one of Ming’s best friends, and although I knew her, we’d never really had a conversation. Still, it seemed like now that Ming and I were together, I should put forth more of an effort.
“Uh, see you later, Cass,” I said, giving her what I hoped was a friendly smile, and not the awkward-as-shit one it felt like.
“Thanks for letting us take over your place,” Cass replied with an easy smile. She was obviously so much better at this than I was … Small talk was my kryptonite. “It’s a great house.”
I grabbed the back of my neck with my hand and replied, “Thanks, we’ll, uh, have to get together for dinner sometime, or something.”
Cass’s face lit up, and I knew I’d done the right thing.
“I would love that,” she gushed. “I’ll check with Geo and let Ming know.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, desperate for this exchange to be over.
I breathed a sigh of relief when she said, “See you later.”
“Bye.”
When I got back into the house, Ming wasn’t in the living room, so I went into the kitchen.
“Dining room,” she called, and I rounded the corner to see her setting the table.
The food was in large bowls with serving spoons, and there were real plates (not paper) set out, with silverware. She had a glass of wine in front of one spot, and a bottle of beer at the head of the table.
“Wow,” I said, when I took it all in. “I figured we’d eat out of the carton in front of the TV.”
“Oh,” Ming replied, her cheeks turning a pretty pink. “I thought it would be nice to…”
“It is,” I stopped her, wishing I’d kept that thought about the TV to myself. Wanting to reassure her, I gave her a quick kiss before saying, “It’s perfect.”
“Okay,” she said with a relieved smile. “Let’s eat. I’m starving. All we had during the shower was sweets, baby food, and champagne.”
“There didn’t happen to be any leftover cupcakes, did there?” I asked, knowing that Gaby was bringing desserts from Bee Sweet.
“I may have saved you a few.”
“You’re the best.”
Ming giggled happily, then scooped some rice onto her plate before covering it with a serving of coconut curry.
She held the spoon toward me. “Do you want some?”
“Sure, I’ll give it a try.”
“It’s actually pretty good. Not too overpowered by coconut,” I said after I had a bite, then I reached for the rice and my spicy chicken. “Do you want to try this one?”
“Yeah,” Ming replied, holding her place out so I could put some chicken on it. “Oh, I ah, got a text from my mom today. I’m going over there for dinner tomorrow.”
“That’s good,” I said, as I dug into my food. Then I thought about what I said and wondered if I was right. “I mean, it is good, right? You guys get along?”
“For the most part,” she replied with a nod. “They’re pretty strict, and they’ve always had my life planned out for me. Goals set that I was supposed to meet over the years.”
She got quiet and kind of looked at me from the corner of her eye, and I guessed, “I’m probably not part of their plan, huh?” Suddenly uneasy.
“No, it’s not that,” Ming said quickly. “Once they get a chance to meet you, it’ll be great, they just tend to get an idea in their head and have a hard time navigating from it. I’ll talk to them tomorrow, explain everything…”
“You didn’t, ah, I mean, did you want me to go with you?” I asked, the thought turning my blood cold. I was just getting used to the idea of us being a couple, and Ming saying she loves me. I didn’t know if I was ready to throw strict parents who probably wanted their only daughter to end up with someone like Brandt, into the mix.
My panic must have been visible, because Ming laughed and placed her hand over mine.
“No, don’t worry. I wouldn’t do that to you, not before I had a chance to talk to them first.” She picked up her wine and added, “You can breathe, Brady.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding and said the first thing that came to mind, “This is good. Us. Easier than I thought. You’re easy to talk to, and you don’t make me feel like I’m some Neanderthal moron.”
Ming smiled beautifully in response, then we dug in and ate in comfortable silence.
Chapter Thirty ~ Ming
I looked around my parents’ immaculate house and allowed the comfort of my childhood home to wrap itself around me. I’d been nervous all day, and on the drive over, but now that I was here, my nerves were settling.
My mother was shorter than me, with a razor-cut bob, and perfect skin. She’d taught me everything I needed to know about grooming and looking my best when I was younger. Exercise to keep your body healthy, moisturize nightly to keep your skin smooth, and use Aragon oil in your hair every morning to keep it soft and shiny.
We’d always had a good relationship. Yes, she was strict, and yes, I’d gone through stages where she drove me crazy and I went out of my way to do the same to them. Like when I was about fifteen and I tore my room apart every morning, throwing clothes around and leaving crap everywhere. Every day when I got home, my room was back to being clean. This went on for weeks, but my mother never said anything, just kept cleaning.
We were both stubborn, but I guess in the end she won, because my loft is always clean.
“Ming,” my mother called as she came down the stairs.
“Konbanwa, ha-ha,” I replied in Japanese. “Ogenki desu ka?”
My mother was Chinese, but had been raised in Japan. I know she’d had a rough childhood because of her heritage, but she never talked about it. Never acted like being different had affected h
er. Instead, she’d grown up as if she were Japanese. Learning their language, accepting their culture as her own, following their traditions.
Still, when I was born, she’d stuck to her guns and got my father to agree to naming me after her mother.
"Genki desu," she replied as we walked back toward the formal dining room. “Everything here is the same. Your father’s job has kept him busy.”
“That’s good,” I replied. My parents had been together for over fifty years. I’d never thought about how significant that was until recently. The time, effort, patience, and understanding that would have to go into a relationship to make it endure that way.
I had a newfound respect for them.
My father was just getting settled when we entered the room.
I crossed over to him and pressed my lips lightly to his cheek.
“Konbanwa, chichi,” I said in greeting.
He gave me a small smile and nodded, indicating I should take my seat. My father had always been a hard man to get to know. Always working, and often reserved when he was home, but I’d always loved him fiercely.
I sat down at the table and placed the napkin over my lap. The food was brought out and bowls of rice, braised bok choy, grilled fish, and miso soup were placed in front of each of us.
We all placed our hands together in prayer position and said, “Itadakimasu.”
“How is work?” my father asked after a few moments.
“Very good,” I replied, picking up my rice bowl. “I won my last big case, and there’s been talk of them making me a partner. It hasn’t happened yet, but I think it’s just a matter of time.”
“That’s good,” he replied, then my mother chimed in with, “Are you dating anyone?”
Well, crap, I thought. I’d been hoping to ease in to this conversation, but it looks like my single status has been weighing on my mom’s mind.
I put the bowl down and took a sip of tea, totally stalling for time. When my head came back up, she was staring at me pointedly.
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