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Rae grins. “Yep. Me.”
My eyes widen. “Seriously? What about the outreach you do and your master’s program?”
She smiles. “So, Chels and I were texting the other night, and we both agreed it seemed silly to find nannies or daycare or whatever just for the couple hours we’re doing outreach, but also acknowledged it can be tricky to balance master’s work with baby stuff, so we thought we’d start our own little collective.”
“Collective?” Amelia asks.
“Yes. Starting at the end of next month, Chelsea’s going to be coming here most days and we’re going to work together taking care of Brooke and Emmie. If you’re in. Eventually we’ll have our baby with us too, and if you end up getting your law program, you can join us. That way there will always be two people here to cover when one needs to step out and we can work together to balance our school work for our programs. People say it takes a village to raise a family, and after working as a nanny, I really believe that. I love the idea of all of us coming together to take care of each other and our babies.”
Amelia is blown away by this information, but I just smile because that’s Rae. “I fucking love you, Rae McKinley.”
“Excuse me,” Aaron says.
“Don’t worry. It’s a thing,” Rae says with a wink.
“That is brilliant,” Amelia says softly, then I notice her eyes are glassy. “It’s perfect. Exactly the way our kids should be raised.” She lets out a shaky breath. “Sorry. I’m really grateful to have you guys.”
Rae reaches across the table and squeezes Amelia’s hand. “We’re lucky to have you too. We can talk about all the details later, but I just wanted you guys to know I’ve got you.”
“Thanks, kid.”
“Let me know if you need help,” Mackenzie says. “I’m happy to pop in and be the fun aunt.”
“Hey now,” Sarah says.
“You’ll be fun too. But one day, you’ll be a mom, and I honestly don’t think I want to do that, so I will always be the fun aunt.” She pets Cocoa’s head. “With the sweet pups.”
“And all our babies will be lucky to have you,” Rae says softly.
We’re quiet for a moment, all relaxed and happy. I’d say we’re full but… my stomach rumbles, and Rae laughs out loud.
“I take it you’re ready for dessert?”
Amelia laughs as I nod. “I’m always ready for dessert.”
“Let’s clean things up then,” Sarah says.
“Oh, before we do that… does anyone want to know what we’re having?” Rae asks casually.
Aaron chuckles as everyone else’s mouths drop.
“Tell us right now or I’ll look up your chart!” Sarah yells.
“Isn’t that a little… illegal?” Mackie asks with a laugh.
“Not when I’m one of the people medical information can be given to and technically work for the practice. Mostly. Tell me now!”
Rae laughs, then looks at Aaron, who squeezes her arm before saying, “Get ready for the first boy of the next generation.”
Sarah pushes out of her chair and hurries around the table, pulling Rae into her arms before resting a hand on Rae’s stomach. “A boy?”
Rae nods. “The first penis of the next generation.”
They collapse against each other, laughing hysterically.
Amelia looks over at me grinning, and I squeeze her hand.
God, I love my friends.
