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Wrapped in a blue hoodie and cradling a beer in both hands, Giacouldn’t wait to find out what kind of small folks they’d be meeting in just ahandful of months. In fact, she’d been counting the hours until they found out,a detail she didn’t admit freely, because those kinds of bursts of emotion werebest left to Hadley. However, the energy that floated playfully in the saltyair around them had Gia’s spirits high and her heart full. This was her family,and it was growing! This made it a big night for all of them.

“Are we taking bets?” Taylor asked with a grin, snuggling fartherbeneath the blanket around her shoulders. “Because I’ve been feeling like thisis a pair of boys from the beginning, and I’m known for killer intuition.”

Hadley’s eyes lit up. “Two little boys in caps and bowties willcause my heart to burst. I won’t be able to take it.”

“We wouldn’t blame you,” Isabel said.

Autumn placed a hand on her tummy, from where she sat cross-leggednear the fire for optimum warmth. “I don’t know, guys. We might be dealing withone of each. Remember they’re likely not identical. We transferred twoembryos.”

Taylor hugged herself. “I love that you guys don’t know, either.”

“Nope,” Autumn said. “I handed over the sealed envelope the doctorgave us. Only the bakery knows what was inside. I get that pink cake and bluecake is clichéd, but for clarity, that’s what we’re dealing with today. Iconsidered going with green and yellow to be politically correct, but withpregnancy brain, I didn’t want to confuse myself.”

Gia waved her off. “No judgment here.”

“Girls,” Kate said. “Just to break our hearts, and make us worryfor them. They’re gonna be girls. Just wait.”

“Now I’m picking out their swimsuits,” Hadley said, staring up atthe stars. “You guys are killing me!”

Gia laughed. “I think we have to know already or risk losing Had.Where are the clichéd cupcakes? Is it time?”

Kate picked up a foil-covered tray prepared by the bakery up thestreet. “Yep. I think we’re there.” She moved around the outside of the circle,handing out little cupcakes with chocolate frosting. “Two for everybody. Onewith chocolate icing, one with vanilla.”

“I’m going to die,” Hadley said. “We’re moments away, but I’mgoing to die before we get there.”

“You won’t die.” Autumn laughed as Hadley fanned the side of herface even though it was freezing out. “How are you more nervous than me?”

“Because she’s Hadley,” Isabel supplied. “I’m pretty sure shemight shoot up into the stars at any moment, which is why I’m staying the hellover here.”

“Mock me all you want,” Hadley said, gleefully raising a cupcakein each hand. “This is a huge moment!”

“Okay, ready?” Kate asked the group, who nodded back. “Chocolatefirst. On the count of three, take a bite. One, two, two and a half…”

“Hurry,” Autumn called out.

“Three!”

In unison, six women bit into their chocolate cupcakes and beganscreaming through mouthfuls of pink cake.

“It’s a girl!” Hadley squealed, leaping to her feet and turning ina circle, as if not quite sure how else to express herself.

Autumn laughed through sentimental tears, meeting Kate’s gaze.“We’re going to have a daughter.” Kate kissed her in response.

“Oh, man,” Gia said, shaking her head in disbelief. “A tiny surferchick.”

“Congratulations!” Isabel and Taylor yelled in unison, stillscarfing the cupcake. As the chatter picked up, and they all talked over oneanother in a celebratory flutter, Autumn held up her hands.

“Wait. Don’t forget, we have one more.”

As if programmed, everyone fell into silence and focused on thevanilla iced cupcakes. “You ready?” Autumn asked Kate, who nodded happily back.

Autumn turned to the group. “One, two, and three!”

A burst of blue greeted Gia as she took a tentative bite. Herheart filled and she grinned at her friends.

“Oh my God!” Hadley said to her cupcake. “You’re a boy. You’re alittle baby boy.”

“One of each,” Kate said, in mystification. “Now I feel like theone about to shoot off into the stars. Was not expecting this.”