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Something great.
We are greeted by Shelli, Aiden, Wes, Posey, Amelia, and Boon when we enter. I go straight for Amelia, Posey and Shelli’s cousin, hugging her tightly. She looks amazing after having twins, but since she’s an ex-gymnast, I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less.
“I’ve missed you so.”
“Me too! You have to come visit Chandler and me in South Carolina,” she demands. I hadn’t even noticed her husband by the wall. I rush to him since he is wearing both babies on him. One on his chest and the other on his back. I gush over her beautiful babies, Carter and Hannah, before grinning over at him.
“Hey, Chandler.”
He gives me a dark look. “Nope, I was a fourth damn thought! It went Amelia, Carter, and Hannah before you remembered me.”
I laugh as I hug him tightly. “I’ll make it up to you.”
He scoffs. “Don’t know how.”
“Free babysitting when I come visit.”
He beams. “Done.”
We share a smile, but then I notice how white Posey is. My stomach aches with fear as I go to her, pressing my hands to her face but feeling no fever. “You look like death.”
She forces a smile. “Thanks, friend.”
“Are you okay?”
She shrugs. “No and yes. I feel a bit better, but I can’t seem to get back to me. I’m exhausted. I’m going to have to go back to the doctor after this road trip.”
“Maybe you should skip it?”
She shakes her head. “No, it’s important, and my mom and Shelli are going. I can’t skip.”
I want to yell at her, but she’s a grown woman. It isn’t like I’m able to either because, out of nowhere, Claire Sinclair enters the room.
My jaw drops as I shriek, “What the hell! When did you come in?”
My cousin embraces me, and I almost feel like crying when her overextended belly presses into mine. I have known this woman for almost my whole life, and I’ve been a witness to her struggles to get pregnant. For years, they tried and tried, but it always ended in a failed pregnancy. It broke her and Jude, and it killed us all each time. We wanted so much for them to have a baby, and it brought back some nasty memories for my family. There were nights I heard my mom on the phone with Claire, crying, and it still breaks my heart. I couldn’t imagine losing a baby, but multiple ti
mes? That’s awful. But this baby, it stuck. It’s crazy since they just adopted the most precious baby boy, Harrison. Though, in a way, it’s a truly perfect love story for her and Jude.
I squeeze her hard as she kisses my cheek. “Surprise!”
I laugh as I beam at her. “So, tell me what it is.”
She shakes her head. “We don’t know. It’s going to be a surprise, just as this pregnancy has been.”
My heart soars. “Oh, Claire, that’s beautiful.”
She nods. “I know. I’m so thrilled. It’s going to be hell to push this sucker out, but I can’t wait.”
“I bet! I am so excited for you.”
We share a huge smile and then embrace once more before Shelli is clapping her hands. “Okay, we have a plane to catch tonight, and I have to pack. Let’s get started.”
I glare at her. “Um, excuse you. Family moment.”
Shelli glares back. “She’s here until tomorrow. Surprise!” she says, waving her hands, and I giggle as I wrap my arms around Shelli’s neck.
“Aw, you do love me!” I exclaim since I know she’s aware I miss Claire all the time.
