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“I’m actually glad to hear you say that,” I say with the hint of a smile. “I might need a little support.”
Mia’s grin grows as we share a look. My sisters-in-law also begin smiling.
Addy looks from me to the others. “What is it?” she asks, confused by the sudden shift in our behavior.
“There’s a reason I chose now to tell you about Christopher.” I can’t contain my full-on grin when I turn to the side, press my shirt flat against my belly and showcase my small bump with hands gripping it above and below.
Jaws drop. Mouths open. Gasps are audible.
“You’re pregnant?” Maddie squeals, jumping up from her chair.
My eyes fall on Ava, then Serenity. Both have been trying to get pregnant, and I know every time someone they know and love has a child, it’s just one more reminder of their failed attempts. I’m closer with Ren than I am with Ava. Ren and I have been friends practically our whole lives. She’s already a mom, having adopted Cody years ago, but she and Cooper have been trying for a biological child for at least a year. Still, she looks nothing but happy for me and she’s crossing the room nearly as fast as Maddie.
Ava is trying to show excitement over my news, but I know the tears in her eyes are both happy and sad. She and Trevor have been trying for a child forever. He’s a military doctor, stationed overseas for the past seven years. Every time he’s on leave, they disappear for days at a time. And if her cycle doesn’t match up with his leave, they freeze his sperm through a local lab and she self-inseminates when she’s ovulating. It’s been painful to watch her roller-coaster of emotions every time she thinksshe could be pregnant and then isn’t. After Regan and Lucas had Mitchell earlier this year, Ava and Trevor decided that when he’s permanently back home next year, they’ll move on to more aggressive measures.
Ava gives me her best attempt at a smile, but I can tell it’s forced. I don’t hold it against her. She’s had to watch her two very best friends—Maddie and Regan—have babies in the past year. I truly can’t wait for the day she becomes a mom. No one deserves it more.
“There’s more,” I say, after accepting all their hugs.
“You’re getting married!” Ren shrieks.
I shake my head. “No. I mean, maybe in the future.” I touch my bump again. “It’s twins.”
For the third time today, I’ve shocked my friends. Hell, I’ve shocked myself. Every time I say the word twins, or even think it, my heart flutters.
I’m being squeezed by Serenity as I look behind her to Ava, who is putting on a brave face but is obviously conflicted by my news. She can’t get pregnant and here I am accidentally having two. It makes me feel guilty.
But I also can’t help feeling oh so happy, because this time I get to enjoy it. Times two!
My ultrasound pictures get passed around the room.
Marti comes up by my side and slips her hand around my waist. “Do you have any idea how happy you’ve made my brother?”
I’m still trying to come to terms with the whirlwind that’s been this week. Asher and I are in love. We’re moving in together. We’re having babies. It’s a lot to wrap my mind around in such a short period of time. But sometimes, in the back of my mind, I wonder if, when the dust settles, either of us will have a change of heart.
I push aside the intrusive thought and return Marti’s hug, reminding myself to bask in this newfound happiness for as long as I possibly can. Because I know as well as she does that nothing in life is guaranteed.
Chapter Twenty-four
Asher
The past two weeks have been unpleasant to say the least. Not just because I haven’t seen Allie, but because life with Bug hasn’t exactly been a bed of roses. When she’s home—which isn’t much as she’s practically been living at Mel’s—she’s moping around. I really thought she’d come around after getting used to the idea. But she’s fighting it, unwilling to give in to the major changes coming.
It could just be that she’s getting closer to losing her best friend. Or leaving the only house she’s ever known. But my greatest fear is that she just won’t accept the fact that there’s a woman in my life. And I honestly do believe it has more to do with Allie than it does the babies. I overheard her talking with Mel on the phone about becoming a big sister. I dare say she even sounded excited about it. But it’s not enough for her to be on board with the twins, she needs to be on board with Allie.
I have my job cut out for me. And getting the most important person in the world to me to accept the other most important person may well be the most significant undertaking of my life.
Excitement courses through me as the cab pulls up to Allie’s parents’ house. Even Bug manages to crack a smile when she sees Charlie and Marti waiting for us out front. As soon as the cab comes to a stop, she’s out the door, racing over to give them hugs.
Bex, Charlie’s dog, is all too happy to lick Bug’s face as she sits on the porch stairs. It warms my heart to see all of them together, and I know it will be good for Bug to be around family again.
Movement to the left draws my attention. The air crackles when I see her. I didn’t think it was possible for her to look more beautiful than she did a few weeks ago. But, damn, she does. And she’s visibly showing now. I dart over to her, loving how her face lights up with a full-on smile.
Allie has changed. She was always fun to be around when we got together in the city, but there was always something missing. Something under the surface that kept her from completely letting go and being her true self. I know now that something was Christopher. And although the pain of him will never fully disappear, this Allie is on a whole other level. She’s full of hope and wonder and dare I say… happiness.
I cup her face with my hands, look down into her blue eyes, and lower my lips to hers. “God, I’ve missed you.”
It’s hard to kiss when we’re both smiling so much, but we manage. I don’t even care that we have an audience. We don’t have to hide anymore. And Bug needs to see this. She needs to understand how I feel about Allie. How every time I look at her, I see my entire future. I see fifty years or more of loving her. I see growing old together with our kids, grandkids, and maybe even a few pets. I see everything I’ve ever wanted but didn’t know was possible.