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Thankfully for us, it seemed like the party was already in full swing. Music was playing, and people were joking and grilling and drinking. I spotted Everett and Helen and Brett and Harleigh along with our wedding party. I was sure Carter, Lauren, Deacon and Rebecca were around in the crowd of people that included other workers from the logging company.
Malia was the first to greet us, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing me like she hadn’t seen me in a year. Then, inexplicably, both of us began to tear up, and I held her tight as we cried joyful tears. The emotion was overwhelming, and as I held my sister tight and thought about how far we had come in such a short time. It wasn’t too long ago that I got the call about her horrible accident and we decided she could come live with me in Ashford.
When we let each other go, we had descended from crying to soft laughter, dotting our eyes with our sleeves and checking each other’s makeup. Then she wrapped her arms around Hawk and gave him a huge hug.
“Thank you,” he said.
“Thank you for making her so happy,” Malia said, causing a fresh round of tears to well up in my own eyes.
When we were finally under control of our emotions again, we headed out of the cabin and onto the back porch. The porch was huge and long and had several places to sit, but it seemed like the entire group, save the few down by the fire, was standing there. There was a buzz in the air like everyone knew an announcement was coming but didn’t want to let on.
“Ahh,” Hawk said when he saw everyone looking at him with expectant looks on their faces.
“I guess we should tell them,” I said.
The group around us went quiet, and someone turned the music down. A few heads down by the bonfire turned, and I could just make out Harleigh there. Hawk cleared his throat.
“I figured I would make an announcement if I could get everyone’s attention. Make it easier than telling everyone individually,” Hawk said, his deep, booming voice getting everyone’s full attention. “Today we had the guardianship meeting for Rose, as many of you know, and I was granted full guardianship in lieu of adoption!”
A cheer went up, but it felt a bit reserved. Almost as if everyone knew there was something else coming.
“Congrats, Hawk,” Gerry said, a cheeky grin on his face.
“Also,” Hawk continued, and the group of friends went silent. I felt my bones vibrating with anticipation, almost as much as I was standing in front of the judge. It was like telling everyone was going to make it more real somehow. “While we were there, Dee and I decided to get married.”
“You got engaged?” Helen asked, gasping.
“We got married,” I blurted out and then laughed at myself for doing it.
A cheer went up that seemed to rumble the area, and I was immediately brought into a bear hug by Helen.
“I am so happy for you,” she said. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” I said.
The party might have been going before, but now it was in full swing. Drinks were poured, and toasts were made in a dizzying, emotionally triumphant evening, and I celebrated with our friends and Hawk. All evening we were brought into little pods of people who celebrated us with well-wishes and toasts.
Wendy took Rose and went inside, bringing her in with the other babies and little ones to the nursery there. Parties were always marked by several of us taking shifts watching the kids and then coming out when we didn’t have them all out there with us. Before she went in, she hugged me again and kissed the top of my head.
“You know I was about to explode with the secret,” she said.
“I know. Both you and Desiree looked like you were going to spin out of control,” I said. “I’m glad Hawk just kind of dropped the bomb early. I don’t know how long I would have lasted.”
“Not long,” Wendy laughed. “Because I would have done it for you. I am a terrible best friend.”
“No, you aren’t. I don’t even like you joking about that. I love you, friend.”
“I love you too, friend. Now give me that baby,” she said.
Malia later admitted that she was only able to hold it in because of Gerry, who kept reminding her that I would probably never forgive her if she let the secret out. I didn’t know if I agreed with that assessment, but I was glad he was able to keep her in check.
Eventually, as we were hanging out with another group of friends, I noticed that Gerry, Malia, Wendy, and Everett were all missing. I pointed it out to Hawk, who shrugged, and we didn’t think much more about it until we saw them all coming back from the front parking area at the same time. Wendy was giggling, and I rolled my eyes. I had an idea what had just happened.
