Oh, God, that has to be the worst smell…

I raised a brow behind my blindfold and scented the air for a second and third time. Whatever the hell that was creeping up my nostrils, it wasn’t good. Something thick, and meaty? Definitely pungent enough to turn my stomach. I hadn’t experienced any morning sickness in months, but this smell might convince my stomach otherwise.

“Hurry up!” someone called over the music.

I drew in another breath and nearly gagged. The hell was this? I contemplated the challenge laid before me and winced. One taste, that’s all…

Easier said than done.

But before anyone else could scold me, I slipped the spoon into my mouth. Flavor burst across my tongue, and it wasn’t good.

“Oh, God,” I grunted, lifting a hand to my mouth.

Laughter swelled within the room.

“Come on, Lucy!” Reagan shouted. “You can do it! We only need one more point.”

Choking back a laugh, I threw the spoon across the room. “You all suck!”

“Hurry up!” someone else shouted.

I forced myself to swallow what had to be the most heinous concoction known to man, then tipped my head back and scented the air again. “It tastes like ass! But smells like something leafy… I’m going to guess asparagus?”

“Yes!” Reagan shouted.

The sound of her cheer encouraged me to rip off my blindfold and face the room. The opposing group groaned and slumped back into their chairs while I met my best friend’s gaze with a blazing grin.

“We won?”

She fist-pumped the air. “You bet your chubby ass, we did!”

“Hey!” I scolded. “My ass is not chubby.”

“Oh, it’s chubby, my friend.” Laughing, Reagan trotted toward me and slapped another gold star up on our board. “But we love you regardless.” She spun on her heel. “That’s the game, girls! Now, pay up!”

I stared down at the glass jar in my hand and winced when the scent drifted back up to my nose. Stupid baby shower games, but Reagan had been adamant. Because of her, I’d just swallowed a spoonful of asparagus baby food—a flavor I promised I would never feed my child.

Without warning, diapers flew from all over the room, landing at Reagan’s feet. Grinning broadly, she collected our prize and stashed them in the pile growing next to me. I had to admit, she knew what she was doing. She’d turned my shower into one massive poker game, with payment being in the form of diapers. For every game played, the guests had to set their bets and decide whether to raise the bid or call, until they ran out of diapers. The result was, what I hoped to be, more diapers than I’d ever need.

I had to admit, I was having fun.

“Come on, Reagan,” one of our packmates griped. “Ante up. I need to win something.”

Chuckling, Reagan pointed toward the two balloons hovering in the back. One pink, one blue. Inside one were little bits of confetti. Whichever colored balloon held the confetti marked the sex of Leif’s and my child. Not even I knew. I’d promised Reagan I would wait until today. Thanks to some arrangements with my doctor, only she knew the sex. And we were about to find out.

“Come on, Leif!” Reagan called. “I know you’ve been dying to know whether you’re having a son or daughter.”

Chuckling, I watched as Leif rose from his seat next to Jerrik and strode toward me. It’d taken time, but they’d repaired their relationship and were brothers once again. I know it meant a great deal to both of them. I extended my hand, my heart sputtering when he took it with without hesitation. These had been some of the best months of my life, and it was all because of him. I’d never known such happiness.

“All right, ladies! Pay up!” Reagan called.

A flurry of excitement danced through the room as everyone started placing their bets. Diapers upon diapers piled up on the floor in front of the balloons. Once everyone had placed their bids, Reagan strode forward with a wink.

“Place your bid, Lucy.”

“Me?” I laughed.

“I can’t bet, I already know. So, you better guess correctly, because I’m not losing our stash.”

I laughed, and, with a hand on my enormous stomach, considered my options. A fifty-fifty chance, right? “Thirty diapers on girl.”

Everyone squealed with excitement when Reagan pulled out her little pin.

I honestly had no idea as to the sex, but I couldn’t wait to find out. A part of me had initially wanted a boy—a little miniature Leif running around the house. But then I’d had a dream a month back of a little girl with my blue eyes and his dark hair. She’d been so beautiful. I couldn’t help but wonder if my subconscious knew something I didn’t.

With a little dance, Reagan popped both balloons at the same time. And confetti came raining out of the pink balloon.

“A girl!” Reagan shouted. “And all the diapers! Thank you, ladies!”

Good natured groans rose from the losers.

A girl. I smoothed my palm over my stomach with a blissful smile. The image of that little girl in my head seemed much more real now. Leif crouched next to me and cupped my rounded stomach with his palms with a wide grin. He leaned in and kissed me, his eyes shining with untold emotion.

“Do you know her name?” Reagan asked, shushing the room.

Beaming, I announced my future daughter’s name. “Amalie.”

A moment of startled silence swept over the pack until finally, they broke into a loud cheer. Reagan walked toward me and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “She’ll make a beautiful flower girl.”

I nodded. Reagan and Jerrik had finally chosen their wedding date, set for half a year from now. Time enough for Amalie to enter the world and join our perfect family.

I couldn’t wait.