Page 115 of The Grump I Loathe

The girls disappeared, giggling.

“Well,” I muttered. “I guess that’s what we’ll be listening to for the rest of the night.”

Eddie threaded her fingers through mine. “Your mom and X probably could have saved money on the DJ and just used your playlist,” she teased.

I shook my head. “Think you can get down to some Scarlett Rush?”

“You should take advantage of the fact your feet aren’t completely swollen yet and youcanstill get down,” Mia pointed out to Eddie.She stood. “C’mon, CJ. Want to go dance with Uncle Connor and Auntie Eddie?”

The baby shrieked.

Finn held his hand out for Sierra, and the two of them joined the rest of us on the dance floor.

“I still think we should have done a coordinated dance for the entrance,” Mia said, holding CJ on her hip as we carved out a place for our group near the middle of the floor.

“Mmm, no,” Finn said, “Liam has two left feet. He would have been stepping all over someone.”

“He’s notthatbad,” Mia argued.

“Let’s just hope CJ inherits his uncle’s smooth moves,” Finn said, pulling Sierra close, showing off.

I pretended to cover CJ’s eyes. “Keep it PG. There are children here.”

Finn shot us a wicked grin as he tightened his hold on Sierra, spinning her in a slow, sultry circle.

CJ batted at my hand, then reached out, making grabby fists in Liam’s direction as he cut his way back through the crowd.

“Wine is on the table,” he said, sweeping CJ into his arms and blowing a raspberry on his cheek. The baby giggled, and I stared down at Eddie.

I couldn’t wait for that to be us in a few short months. She caught my eye, knowing exactly what I was thinking. We swayed back and forth for a few minutes, just taking it all in. The simple joy of holding each other close. The pleasure of being surrounded by family.

“Should we be concerned that Grace and Alannah have found the fondue station?” Eddie asked, spying around my shoulder.

“I’m trying not to watch that closely,” I joked. “But if the chocolate consumption gets out of control, I’m sending them home with Uncle Finn.”

Eddie chuckled.

“And there’s the happy couple!” Liam announced as Mom and X drew toward us on the dance floor. They’d been busy mingling and greeting their guests in between rounds of dancing.

“Okay,” Mia said, sidling up to X. “What’s the likelihood of getting an autograph from Grant Taylor?”

“You know I met his father on a shark dive in the Maldives when I was getting ready to filmSunset Protocol? Grant had just gotten his foot into the industry. Wonderful family.”

“Wild,” Mia said, clearly still starstruck.

Mom was flushed but beaming, even as tears filled her eyes. I’d never seen her as content as she was right now, surrounded by all of us.

“What’s wrong?” Liam asked her.

“Nothing,” Mom said quickly, dabbing at her eyes. X hugged her close. “I just love seeing all of my babies together. Happy and thriving.” She reached for Eddie, wrapping her free arm around her shoulders. “Soon to be one more.”

“Connor and Eddie have promised the gender reveal is coming soon,” Finn said.

“Maybe you should have asked for that as your wedding present,” Liam told Mom. “You could have used it as leverage.”

Mom waved that idea off. “Oh, I’ve known for weeks.”

“You already know!” Mia and Finn cried at once. Liam turned an accusing finger on me. CJ reached out and tried to gnaw it.

I shrugged. “You really think I wasn’t going to tell Mom?”

Liam shook his head. “Should have seen that coming.”

“As long as everyone is happy and healthy, that’s all that matters,” Mom said, gathering everyone up for a group hug. She pulled back and poked CJ in the belly. He squealed, reaching for his grandma, and my heart lurched in my chest at the perfection of the moment.

Mom had finally gotten the happily ever after she’d always deserved, and the Lockharts had come a long way. As I took Eddie’s hand, twirling her around the dance floor, I knew this was just the beginning of our fairy tale. With her by my side, there’d be more laughter and joy, and most of all, a perfect ending with the perfect family we’d created.