Baby Be Mine(Spinsters & Casanovas Series Book 1)(8)

How could she tell her mother and the rest of her family and friends that she wanted her own family, that she wanted love? But it was too late now. No man would even look at her. She had passed her prime.

But she couldn’t tell them that now, could she? Well, not when they were all smiling before her. To tell them the truth would ruin the whole mood. So she lied.

“I’m just so happy you did all this for me. And you both, coming all the way here from Dunedin, just for my birthday.” There, now the smiles were back, except for her two friends who eyed her, clearly broadcasting, We’ll talk to you later about this.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world, darling.” Her mother hugged her.

Just then, her little five-year-old nephew came and tugged at her skirt, asking in his little high-pitched voice, “Aunty Reece can I open your presents?”

Children and their presents, she thought, smiling as another sob erupted. She tried to hold back but almost choked on it, so she let nature take its course and more waterworks escaped her eyes.

“Why are you crying, Aunty Reece?” Timmy asked her.

Clarice lifted her nephew to straddle her hips, then hugged him tightly, feeling that warmth emitting from his small body.

“Because I’m so happy to be here, celebrating my birthday with you,” she replied.

“I love you, Aunty,” Timmy said, wiping away her tears. “So don’t cry anymore.”

“I love you too, Timmy.” She hugged him again. Then after she released him, she walked to the present table. “And which one would you like to open first?”

“That one!” he said, pointing to the largest on the table with his little wee fingers.

So cute, so adorable—her motherly instinct cried out to her.

After she finished cutting the cake and everyone got a piece each, they all said their congratulations, and a little while later, they all left her apartment. Her mother and father were the last to leave.

“Chantee, are you sure you’re okay?” her mother asked her worriedly.

“I’m fine. Just tired from work, I suppose, and then when I came home, I got a full-blown surprise.” She laughed drily, hoping her mother would believe her excuse.

“I didn’t want to surprise you too much, but Elise and Whitney suggested it,” her mother replied, hugging her warmly.

Clarice eyed her friends as they both eyed her from the couch. She knew they were waiting for her to explain what happened before.

“Thank you for today, Mum, Dad.” She went to hug them both, then led them out the door. “When are you heading back to Dunedin?”

“Tomorrow. Max will drop us off. You take the day off too. You work too hard.”

“I don’t work too hard. I’ll drop you off instead. Speaking of Max, where is he?” Clarice suddenly realized her favourite cousin wasn’t present during her birthday party.

“Not a clue, Chantee. You just make sure you look after that boy, though,” her father said, rubbing his temple.

Clarice knew her father had a lot to deal with when Max was in Dunedin, since both of his parents were away overseas, but now since he was here in Auckland, her father grew even more worried. That little cousin of hers was more robust than a rodent. There was no way of knowing when he would explode and cause trouble for them all.

“I will. I don’t understand why he can’t study in Dunedin when you’re both there to look after him.”

“It’s because he’s worried about you and wants to make sure that you’re fine,” her mother answered her instead. “He’s a boy, Chantee. He can look after you until Mr. Right comes along.”