Female Noveloffer. "There's no need to trouble you further. I'll take this one. It's perfect," she said, her voice tight withemotion.
Rose observed Clarissa's tension with a pang of sadness. "Ready-made garments may not offer thesame fit as bespoke ones. There might be some adjustments needed. I recommend trying it on in thefitting room for the best result. If alterations are necessary, I'll take care of it." Clarissa hesitated brieflybefore she walked into the fitting room. 9
Chapter 0442 “I’m guessing the Halloween party. We have been discussing costumes and food.” “Alecsaid she wants them to go a disco ball and a 70s person.” I looked at her to gage her reaction.
Penny tossed her head back and laughed. “Tloved that idea. It was by far one of the better ones shetossed out there.” “What else did she want?” I asked.
“Either she was going to be the volleyball from Castaway and make him Tom Hanks or be Juno.”“Those are horrible ideas.” Shaking my head, we walked back to the livingroom and sat down.
“There was some more sexual ones but we all decided to go as sornething funny.” Penny had madethe recliners | hers. There was pillows lining it all the edges. Cups and snacks were piled neatly on theend table and her computer was within arms reach.
“The Moon Goddess was funny?” I asked turning on the T.V.
“Better than the gumball machine she wanted me to be.” Penny pulled up a blanket as Friends startedplaying. By the time I looked over at the next commercial, she was passed out.
Wanting to be helpful, I got up and picked up the livingroom, did the dishes and got the laundry rotated.
There was some cleaning stuff out so | went ahead and cleaned the bathrooms. I had just finishedfolding
the blankets when the doorbell rang.
“What?” Penny shot up, looking confused.
“Looks like Alec and Ice are here.” I tried to hide my laughter as I opened the door.
“Hey!” Ice smiled as she came in. Alec was holding a few different bags and took them straight to thekitchen.
“Oh no! I was going to do some cleaning before you got here.” Penny frowned.
“Already did it.” I said as I went into the kitchen with Alec.
“You can come do my house next.” Ice laughed as the girls came in.
“The builders have finished putting in
all the cabinets and shit. Our hour is a giant dust collection.” Alec was pulling the food out. He placedtwo salads in front of the girls and him and I each got a steak.
“I can’t wait to see it!” Penny looked excited. “I'm surprised you managed to do it all by yourself.Usually, I have to do it all for you.” “Hey!” Ice faked looking hurt. I was mid way into a beer and chokedon it.
Beer came out my nose, making my eyes water.
“She isn’t wrong.” I laughed as I cleaned my face.
“If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t have even made it to fifteen years old.” Penny opened her salad andtook a bite.
“Send your ass back to the orphanage.” Ice grumbled. “I did some stuff!” Gi | “You did. You gave me allthe information and I organized, created a plan and submitted it. Then I did the followup checks anddaily set ups.” Penny looked at Ice like she dared her to argue.
“Whatever. I was running my own shop.” “Speaking of which, I am going to need a tattoo once ourbabies are born.” I said to her.novelbin
“What are you going to get?” Ice asked, eagerly.
“I'was thinking about their footprints down my arm or something.” “With three of them, that would be |
really cute.” Ice agreed.
“Yeah, that is what I am going for....cute.” Rolling my eyes, I just finished my beer off and got started onmy food.
“Alec said you have something you wanted to discuss with us?” Penny asked after we were quiet forawhile.
“Yeah so.... we found out we are having agirl.” “That’s so exciting!” Penny’s eyes got wide as shesmiled.
“Thank you. We wanted to have a handful of kids so Alec will have another chance for a boy.” “Hey!Girls are just as capable as men.” Penny pointed her fork at him.
“I know that but I'm not going to raise my daughter like Kristen was raised. If she wants to fight, that willbe her choice. If she wants to be a princess and get pampered, that’s okay too.” Part of me was a littleput off by that but I understood where he was coming from. Ice didn’t have the best upbringing and hadvery little choice on her life. He wanted to make sure his daughter was given the options her motherdidn’t have.
“So, what is the question?” I asked.
“Well, I was wanting to see if you guys have talked about baby names? We were discussing some and[ was thinking about naming our daughter, | Adalynn.”
That surprised me a little. We have talked about baby name some but nothing more than a fewsuggestions: Putting another bite in my mouth, I just looked at Ice. Alec and Penny didn’t say anythingbut watched us. Ice was clearly nervous but I wasn’t sure why.
“Why are you so nervous?” I finally asked.
“I’m not nervous!” She rolled her eyes and looked away from me.
“I can see it all over your face.” I said, calling her out on her bullshit.
“I just didn’t know if you wanted to name your daughter after our mother.” “I'haven’t really put muchthought into baby names. I’ve been busy doing
other things.” “Well, you should. Your babies will be here sooner than later and since there are three,you need to be ready.” Ice gave me a pointed look.
“I’m trying to make sure the world is a safer place and their mother isn’t in danger.” I challenged herback.
“We really have only thrown names out there but we haven’t had a serious conversation about what toname them.” Penny said, trying to defuse any tension.
“Ice, if you want to name your daughter Adalynn, that’s fine by me.” I tried to sound as neutral aspossible.
“Are you sure? We can look at other names.” Ice looked at me uneasily.
“I’m sure. Adalynn what?” I asked.
“Adalynn Grace.” y—