AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She picked up Abby’s one-month-old daughter. Hannah had arrived early, but was thriving now. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“Not letting Mom and Dad sleep. And now look at her, snoring away.” Abby frowned. “Are you sure you just don’t want to play with Hannah?”
“You paid a lot for the piano, so I wanted to make sure you saw the damage.”
“I knew I should have waited for Ella to come back to have the piano delivered.” Abby pushed hair back into her ponytail.
“She’s visiting her family for Christmas.”
“We’re her family,” Abby grumbled as she climbed the stairs.
Carolina kept talking to Hannah, just in case the people in the ballroom were too loud. But it wasn’t necessary. When Abby pushed her way through the doors, the ballroom was dark.
“Surprise!” The lights flashed on and women converged on Abby.
“What?” Abby looked around and spotted the banner that said, Welcome Baby Hannah. “Oooh. You didn’t have to. Hannah’s a month old.”
“And because you delivered early, we missed your baby shower.” Carolina bumped her sister’s shoulder. “We know how you like a good party.”
“I can’t believe this.” Abby burst into tears.
Bess ran over and Dolley did her pregnant-woman waddle. She was due in another six weeks. Courtney and Cheryl followed right behind them.
“Abby?” Bess asked. “What’s wrong?”
Abby sobbed. “I can’t believe this. I have the best sisters and friends.”
And the four of them hugged, Hannah caught in the middle of the bodies. Then Abby grabbed Courtney and Cheryl. “You’re my sisters, too.”
Dolley wiped away her tears. “Lord, save us from baby hormones.”
Everyone laughed.
“Let me have my granddaughter before you smother her.” Mamie, the Fitzgeralds’ mother, stole Hannah from Carolina’s arms. “You can have her later.”
Somehow Mamie had accepted Carolina and Sage into the family. On the day Mamá died, it was Sage and Mamie holding Carolina’s hand. And during the funeral, she’d cried on Mamie’s shoulder.
Heavy footsteps echoed outside the ballroom, announcing the men.
Carolina couldn’t stop grinning as Sage came toward her.
He brushed a kiss on her lips. “Was she surprised?”
“Oh, yes.”
He wrapped his arms around her as Abby and Gray opened gifts.
This was perfect. She had her husband and her family. Days ago, they’d had a fabulous Christmas.
“You still look tired,” he said. “Are you feeling any better?”
“I’m fine.” More than fine.
It was hard to believe how much she’d been welcomed into the Fitzgerald family. And Sage, too. The men had gotten him hooked on having a Jameson each night. And the Forester brothers had found a home they’d wanted to remodel just off the next square, so she and Sage would be within walking distance of the B and B.
“Are you happy?” Sage whispered in her ear.
She couldn’t stop smiling. “Extremely.”
She turned in his arms, unable to keep her secret. Standing on her toes, she whispered, “Don’t tell anyone because this is Abby, Gray and Hannah’s day, but I’m pregnant.”
His face lost all his color. “You’re what?”
She grinned. “You heard me.”
He lifted her off her feet and spun her around.
“Get a room,” Kaden called over.
“I love you,” Sage whispered.
She whispered back, “I love you, too.”
Hannah started to fuss. Abby went to take her daughter from Mamie, but the grandmother waved her off. “We’ve got this.”
Mamie checked her diaper and then bounced her. Finally she carried her over to Carolina. “I think Hannah is looking for a song from her auntie.”
Carolina grinned. She headed for the door.
“No, stay.” Abby’s eyes were filling again. “We want to hear you sing.”
Her family echoed Abby’s wish.
“Please, love,” Sage encouraged.
She took a breath and, rocking Hannah in her arms, she sang, “‘A dormir va la rosa de los rosales…’” To sleep goes the rose of the roses.
And Rosa, her mother, was there with her. Along with Sage, their growing baby, and her entire family.
Life didn’t get any better than this.
* * * * *
