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He laughs and reaches over to grab her. As soon as she’s on his lap, he tickles her. She twists and turns in his arms until he stops. Once he does, she kisses his cheek and goes back to running around.
“I will always wonder where she gets all her energy from.” He remarks.
I hum. “She took it from me while I was pregnant and stored it all away for later.”
“Sounds accurate.”
Looking out at the ocean, I think about how far we’ve all come.
Dawson and Skylar tried to get pregnant for a little over a year. When they went for fertility treatments, they learned that Sky won’t be able to carry a child. They were devastated. Of course, being the power couple they are, they got through it. Now they’re in the process of adopting a baby, a little boy who was born a couple months ago.
Bree and Riley are still together. After they graduated college, Bree got a job at Vogue and the two of them moved into an apartment in New York City. She still texts me all the time, impatiently waiting for him to propose.
Caleb ended up finding a girlfriend at the hospital when Charlotte was born. He had gone down to the café while he waited for me to get out of surgery and started talking to a girl sitting close to him. They exchanged numbers and a couple weeks later, Caleb took her out. They’ve been together ever since.
“Look Avary, it’s Aunt Kayleigh.” Emily’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
I grin widely as I look up. “Give me that little peanut.”
Emily hands me my goddaughter. She recently turned one year old and is the perfect combination of Brandon and Em. The summer after Charlie’s arrival, Brandon proposed to my best friend during the sunset one evening. She cried as she said yes, and they were married the following spring. Holden was the best man, I was the Maid of Honor, and Charlotte was the flower girl.
“Avary!” Charlie yells, coming over and kissing her cousin’s head.
“Hey princess.” Emily greets her.
“Hi Aunt Emmy.” She turns and sees Brandon. “Unkie Bran!” She shouts, jumping into his arms.
Em fakes a pout. “I can’t compete with him.”
I chuckle. “Be glad about that. She gets him to do every little thing she wants. It looks exhausting.”
“It is.” He confirms. “But she’s so worth it.” He kisses her cheek and makes her smile.
JOSEPHINE AND JASON ARRIVE back at the house just in time for us to leave for dinner. It’s nice to see them both. Since they got back together at our wedding, they’ve never looked back. Once Jo graduated, Caleb moved into my old apartment and she moved in with Jason while he finishes getting his Master’s Degree.
We get to the restaurant and I start to wonder what warrants such a fancy place. Holden, however, mumbles for me to just wait. I don’t ask questions. I know he won’t answer them anyway.
I go to sit Charlie between Holden and I but she insists on sitting between Aunt Emmy and Gran. Being the spoiled little girl she is, she gets exactly what she wants. Holden takes the seat next to me and places his hand on my thigh. I place mine on top of his.
The meal is delicious and I can only imagine how much this place is going to cost. Although, money has never been an issue with any of us. Holden got Brandon a job as one of the corporate executives for the Bruins. Once his contract with them ended, they offered him an extension – five years at six million per year. He took it immediately, right after checking with me.
As soon as Charlotte was old enough to leave the hospital, Holden stayed with me – only going back to hockey for the playoffs but he came home every single time he could. Even though he wasn’t gone long, being apart was exceptionally hard. When it came time for the next season, we spoke to the dean of the university who allowed me to finish my degree virtually. Holden and I bought a house and the three of us permanently moved to a small town right outside of Boston.
“I’d like to make a toast.” Jason says, giving Holden a nervous look before turning to Jo. “We’ve been together for four years now, not counting the short break up we had. I must admit, it’s been the best four years of my life. You are my best friend, my favorite person, and the love of my life. You motivate me when I need it and support me with everything I do. I appreciate everything you have done for me and I’m so lucky to have you by my side. I hope to never spend another day without you. With that being said…” He slides his chair back and stands up, pulling a small box from his pocket then getting down on one knee. She gasps. “Josephine Reese, will you marry me?”
She’s completely speechless and all she can manage to do is nod rapidly. A broad smile comes over Jason’s face. He pulls her into his arms, kissing her passionately. The whole restaurant breaks out in applause and Holden waves the waiter over.
“Two bottles of your nicest champagne please.”
“Very well, sir.”
We all congratulate the happy couple until Jo starts laughing. “Mom, why are you crying?”
“My last baby is getting married.”
Charlie pulls on her sleeve, getting her attention. “Gran, don’t worry. You have me.”
Everyone awes as she gives Heather a hug. The waiter comes back and pours everyone a glass of champagne, but when he gets to me, I shake my head.
