Chapter 213

[Cordelia]

All the lights blink on all at once. My mother is there along with Tilly and Clark. Gertrude is standing by the bar next to a giant cake. There are lots of presents stacked high on a table by the door and every surface is covered with green ribbons.

"Happy Baby Shower!" Tilly claps just before she rushes up to give me a big, awkward hug. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I never expected you to not return home." The sadness in her tone tugs at my heartstrings as she releases me, only to have Clark come up and give me his own big hug.

"How's it going, Sis," he insists on calling me, even though Atlas and I were not married when he died. "And how is little Mr. Steele?"

"He's fine," I pat my baby's little bottom which now sticks up pressed against my belly, "right now he is pressing up against my intestines. It's lovely," I groan as he grimaces sympathetically.

The room is far more full than I'd expect. Not only the staff of Delia Devaroux are all here along with several other