Page 8 of Finding My Forever

They were both at Lincoln University about an hour or so away. They came home to visit every few weeks, but I was shocked they made the trip down for this.

Mom beamed. “Elise was so excited when I told her your news!”

Huh. I appreciated her support but a national writing contest didn’t seem like a big enough deal to drive home.

The waiter came and took our drink orders, and by the time he got back, Elise and Dallin were walking in. I stood and gave them both hugs before anyone else could reach them.

Elise started listening to me and was actually wearing makeup and had her hair styled in waves. She was the only one in the family without red hair and I was envious of her lush, chestnut hair. That was one secret I’d never, ever reveal. It would go straight to her head. Dallin looked just as hot as ever, another secret that would never leave my lips. He had movie-star good looks without the awful personality. I loved having him around, especially because he brought out a softer side of Elise. Those two were definitely meant for each other. One day, I hoped to have a relationship as good as what they and Beth and Finn had.

“Thanks so much for coming you guys! You didn’t need to come all the way down.”

Elise smiled and hugged me again. “Yes, we did! I can’t believe you entered the contest without telling me! I could have helped you.”

She was always the studious one, and I let her believe I wasn’t. I spent my whole life finding ways to differentiate myself from my sisters, and that was one of them.

“I think I did pretty well on my own.”

“Of course you did! Amazing job, April.” Dallin pulled me into a bear hug and squeezed me until I was hitting his arm for air.

“Oh, let her go.” Elise laughed and Dallin finally relaxed.

“I just miss you.” He smiled down at me and I shook my head. Having brothers around was still taking some getting used to.

“Let’s take our seats.” Mom came from behind me and redirected us back to the table. It felt so good having everyone together, and it was all for me.

That thought kept me smiling through the whole dinner.

When we were finishing with desserts Beth cleared her throat and waited for our attention to turn to her. “I’m so happy we could all be here to support April and celebrate her success. I can’t wait to hear how your New York trip goes!”

Everyone agreed, but Beth spoke up again looking at me. “April, I hope you’ll forgive us.”

I narrowed my eyes, confused. She just smiled.

“We don’t mean to steal your night, but it’s not often we’re all together without more distractions around.”

She paused while all of us looked around the table at each other. It seemed everyone was just as confused as me.

“Finn and I have some news.”

My mind was immediately spinning. Were they moving? New jobs? Oh no. Please tell me it wasn’t a divorce? They looked way too happy for that.

“We’re pregnant!”

I gasped along with everyone at the table. Grandma and Mom immediately started crying. Dad stood up and went around the table to shake Finn’s hand and hug Beth. Elise and I made eye contact. She looked as shocked as I felt. Dallin was smiling and wishing them congratulations.

When things calmed down, I looked at them. “I’m so happy for you guys!”

“You’re not mad we announced it tonight?”

“No! I wrote a stupid paper. You guys made a tiny human!”

They laughed and Beth seemed to relax.

“But how?”

Elise started nodding. I could see her out of the corner of my eye.

Beth smiled and Finn smirked.