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briskly. “Damn hormones,” she complained as she pulled Scarlet in for a hug. “Thank you. That is more than we could have wished for.”
    “I can’t wait to start. It will make a change from my painting neutral colors in the houses Dad has lined up for me.” She looked about the room. “I think I might ask Bryce to come point up the walls a little so everything is smooth and clean for me to work on.”
    “How is Bryce doing? I’ve seen her coming and going but haven’t had a chance to actually speak to her other than to say hello in passing.”
    “She’s…” Scarlet didn’t know how to explain what she felt around Bryce. “She’s quiet. I can’t help wondering if that’s her personality or a result of the accident. And she’s very self-conscious of her scar. I’ve only seen it briefly before she covers it up again. ”
    “It hasn’t been long since she was released from the hospital,” Juliet said sympathetically. “She went through a lot too from what I understand.”
    “So Dad says. Something tells me Bryce will never mention it though.”
    “You think she’s the strong and silent type?”
    Scarlet hesitated. “More the ‘never admit there’s something wrong’ kind. I see her sometimes and she seems to be hurting, but she brushes it off. I don’t want to overstep with her. I don’t want to alienate the only other woman on Dad’s team.”
    “It’s strange being with you guys on this job. Usually we come in after you’ve all packed up and left.” Juliet sat in the rocking chair and rested her hands on her belly. “It’s been nice meeting all the people your dad has working for him.” She made a face. “They all seem very concerned when I waddle past them. I think they’re just worried I’ll go into labor while they’re working!”
    Scarlet laughed at Juliet’s exasperated expression. “I think it’s more of a case that they’re worried you’re going to attempt to lift something that you shouldn’t be touching.”
    “Don’t you start,” Juliet grumbled. “I’ve got Monica watching over me like a hawk as it is.”
    Scarlet decided not to needle Juliet any further on her apparent habit of trying to do too much. “You know Monica is so excited she’s going to be an aunt. The second that child enters the world it will be measured from head to toe for exclusive clothing.”
    “I know Elton is equally as excited. He’d been collecting the Disney Infinity figures so that the baby has its own set to play with on Mama’s Xbox when they’re old enough. Seemingly, gone are the days of baby showers with diapers and extra bibs as the standard.”
    “Your baby is going to be so loved.”
    Trent walked in at that moment. “No argument from me there.” She cast a critical eye around the room. “I can’t wait to see this all done and painted.”
    Juliet reached out to clasp Trent’s hand. “It will make it more real, won’t it?”
    “It was real the minute you and I sat waiting for the blue lines to appear on the pregnancy tester.”
    Juliet chuckled. “I’ll never forget Monica’s scream when we told her.”
    Trent smiled at her memory. “Elton outdid her though. He was such a girl when he was informed. My ears are still ringing from his squeals.”
    Scarlet laughed at the mental image of that particular scenario. “Let me get Bryce on board and we’ll get this room started.”
    “A Yoshi nursery,” Trent said as she bounced on her feet with barely restrained excitement. “Thank you, Scarlet.”
    Scarlet waved away the praise. “Hey, my part of all this is easy. It’s Juliet who has the hardest job to do.”
    Juliet tugged on Trent’s hand. “Speaking of hard, Trent, help me get up out of this rocker. I think I’m stuck!”
    As Trent solicitously aided Juliet, Scarlet couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever get the chance at family like these two were embarking on. She hoped to, one day. She just needed to find someone to share it all with.

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