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“Girl, you look beautiful,” Mesha complimented, stepping back to admire me.

“Joni ain’t gonna leave you alone,” Rah added.

“When is he not?” I laughed.

I gave myself one last look before following them downstairs.

***

“Y’all really outdid yourselves,” I told Rah and Mesha, admiring everything they’d put together.

The backyard was beautiful. Powder blue, ivory, white, and champagne had been incorporated into the decorations, with floral arrangements, elegant table settings, and an elaborate dessert display filled with treats customized for the twins.

Khajoni and Khori’s names were displayed behind the seating area where Joni and I were sitting, surrounded by flowers and balloons that complemented the entire setup.

Every little detail had been thought out, and I couldn’t have imagined anything better.

“We told you we had it,” Rah replied, smiling proudly.

“And y’all definitely did,” I assured her, hugging them both.

Joni stood nearby talking with Buck and Kilo, but when I caught his attention, he smiled and came over to kiss me.

“You enjoying yourself, baby?” he asked, settling his hand against my stomach.

“I am. Everything is perfect.”

“Good. That’s what I wanted.”

Our backyard was filled with family and friends, and I couldn’t have asked for a better turnout. Saint and Eve were there, along with Harlow, Buck and Nic, Stacks and Kasha, and Kilo and Mel. Having everybody together made the day even more special.

The men had claimed a couple of tables near the food, where they spent most of their time laughing and talking shit. They were acting like this was a regular kickback instead of a baby shower. I was looking for a deck of cards or dice to come out at any minute.

AJ was hanging out with Stacks’s son, Jace and Keenan, Nic’s younger brother. All three played on the same football team, so they’d naturally ended up together. Kayla even came with her cousins, and I noticed AJ kept finding reasons to wander away from the boys whenever she was nearby.

Leah had been enjoying herself just as much. She’d spent part of the afternoon helping pass out favors before deciding she needed to supervise the dessert table. GiGi had already caught her sneaking extra treats and judging by the way my daughter was now sitting beside Buck with a cookie, she’d found somebody willing to help her break the rules.

“Buck, you know GiGi told her she couldn’t have anything else,” I called when I walked past their table.

“I gave her mine. Between her and Shawnie, I can’t have shit no way,” he countered.

“Watch your mouth about my baby, Lincoln!” Nic fussed from her seat.

“Bring that down baby and come get her bad ass.” He shot her a look, and she blushed.

Leah grinned and took another bite, clearly enjoying herself.

I shook my head and continued toward the seating area.

We’d played several games throughout the afternoon, and watching everybody participate had been one of my favorite parts. Rah and Mesha had managed to get almost everybody involved, including the men, which naturally turned some of the games into competitions.

We were finishing up opening gifts, and I was completely overwhelmed by how much everybody had bought for the boys.

There were personalized blankets, matching outfits, bottles, diapers, toys, and just about everything else my babies could possibly need. Eve had given us a beautiful set of matching outfits with the boys’ names embroidered on them, while Nic and Buck surprised us with an expensive double stroller that Buck said they better use until the graduate.

Kasha and Stacks had brought several gifts, including some adorable matching clothes and other things we’d need once the twins arrived. Kilo and Mel had added to our collection of baby essentials, and I couldn’t stop smiling at all the love being shown to our growing family.

“Okay, Tori, we got one more gift,” Mesha announced, looking over at Joni.