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Everyone arrives, and we all just enjoy a relaxing night together. Sage is still the center of attention as her grandparents dote on her—both my parents and Rory’s dad. The rest of us mingle and drink and have fun.

I top off my glass of wine and walk over to where my friends are standing by the balcony doors.

“Hello, ladies!” I chime, a bright smile on my face.

“You look really happy right now, Liv.” Harlow gives me a curious look.

“It’s my boyfriend’s birthday,” I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant.

Lucia smirks at her. “You expect us to believe you’re just happy because it’s Lane’s birthday? No, something happened, didn’t it?”

“She probably got laid this morning,” Rory laughs.

“I mean… we definitely had some fun earlier.” I smile even wider. “That’s not why I’m happy, though.”

“What’s going on, Liv?” Ella asks.

“Lane asked me to adopt Sage this morning.”

“What?!” they all shriek in unison.

“You’re going to officially be her mom now?” Lo’s excitement is palpable.

“Yes,” I grin. “We’re going to complete the paperwork tonight to start the process.”

“Liv, that’s amazing!” Lucia says happily. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m so fucking happy,” I admit. “I get to officially be a mom. I finally get everything I’ve always wanted.”

“I’m so damn happy for you,” Ella squeals, throwing her arms around me.

“Me too,” Rory smiles. “Even if you are going to put me out of a job.”

I throw back my head and laugh. “We haven’t talked at all about what that looks like. But considering I want to go back to school soon, I’d say your job is still safe for now.”

“Well, I say we toast,” Lucia states. “Do you need a drink, Ella?”

“Why not?” Ella says softly. “I could use a drink right now.”

We can all tell by the tone of her voice exactly what that means.

“Still no luck?” I ask gently.

“No.” She shakes her head.

Rory pulls her in for a hug. “It’ll happen, Ell.”

“I know,” Ella breathes. “It’s just hard waiting.”

“But you do get to have a lot of sex in the meantime,” Lucia teases.

“Of course, that’s what you’d be thinking about,” Ella laughs.

“Yeah, I’m thinking about it,” Lucia says emphatically. “I haven’t been laid since my fucking ex stuck his dick in someone else.”

Harlow looks at her in surprise. “Not at all?”

Lucia sighs. “Nope. We’ve been busy with this season, and I haven’t really wanted to get back on any of the dating apps. I’m stressed enough as it is.”

“Everything okay?” I question.

“My landlord gave me notice recently that he’s raising my rent.

Significantly raising my rent. I make good money but not live-solo-in-a-nice-apartment-in-Chelsea-when-my-landlord-decides-I-should-pay-more kind of money.

My lease is up in the middle of December, and I haven’t figured out what to do. ”

“We all have extra rooms. Stay with one of us,” Harlow suggests.

Lucia gives her a soft smile. “I appreciate the offer, Lo, but you’re all in relationships. My single ass has no desire to listen to everyone else get fucked when I’m not.”

Rory looks at her mischievously. “Ari is single, and he has an extra room.”

Lucia practically chokes on her wine. “I’d rather gauge my eyes out than live with Ari fucking Morgan.

Especially when I need to focus next season on getting that Head Trainer position over Logan when Dave leaves.

” She lets out a breath. “I’ve still got a couple months before my lease is up. I’ll figure something out.”

Lane appears now, draping his arm over my shoulders. “Mind if I steal my girl?”

“She’s all yours,” Ella says, gesturing over to me.

Lane takes my hand and leads me out onto the balcony. The cool fall breeze feels incredible right now.

“What’s up, Lane?” I ask.

“Just wanted a moment alone with you,” he smiles. “Today has been amazing, Liv.”

“I’m so glad,” I grin, nuzzling against him and wrapping my arms around his waist. “You deserve to have a great birthday.”

Lane kisses me gently. “Best birthday I’ve had. Woke up with you beside me, and you’re going to adopt our daughter. It’s been fucking perfect.”

“You have no idea how grateful I am that I made myself go up and talk to you that day in Urban Grind last year.”

He chuckles. “If you didn’t talk to me then, I can promise you I would have just annoyed the hell out of you at Sage’s lesson the next day. There’s no chance we wouldn’t end up right where we are now.”

“Luna would say the universe was pushing us together,” I say lightly.

“Thank fuck for the universe then.”

Lane leans down and captures my lips, kissing me passionately. I know our friends are watching through the windows, but I don’t care. They know how happy we are, and I don’t mind showing that off.

My life has taken such a drastic change over the past year.

I have amazing friends.

I have an incredible boyfriend.

I have the world’s cutest daughter.

Everything is perfect, and I couldn’t have envisioned my life going this way when I was seventeen.

I still have those memories, but they don’t haunt me as often as they used to. I’ve seen how much better off I am, and I’m letting myself enjoy every moment.

Lane has shown me how a real man treats somebody they care about.

I’ve never had to question his love, and I’ve never had anything to fear.

I feel safe and secure every night I spend wrapped in his arms with our daughter sleeping just down the hall.

Life is incredible, and it feels even better getting to be the fielder’s choice.