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Rae glances at Sarah and raises her eyebrows. With one hand wrapped around Joel’s, Sarah leans over and whispers something to Rae, and they both squeal and laugh.
“Okay, what’s with you two?” Mackenzie asks.
Sarah spins back around and looks at Joel again. He has a massive smile on his face.
Sarah shrugs. “I don’t know. Do you all want to know a secret?” she asks, busting out her signature line.
“The answer to that is always,” Amanda says.
Sarah nods, not saying anything for a minute, then her smile grows and she casually says, “I’m pregnant.”
My eyes go wide, and I’m instantly full of joy for them.
“Wow. You guys really are bringing in the next generation. Damn! I get to be an auntie again,” Mackie says, hugging Sarah and Joel at the same time.
I glance down at Amelia and kiss her cheek.
“We totally started the trend,” she whispers.
I chuckle. “We definitely did.”
Everyone is crowded near the kitchen counter now, congratulating them and asking them questions.
“Baby is due in mid-January. We kept it mostly to ourselves for a bit. It took us a while to get pregnant, so we wanted to make sure everything was healthy first,” Sarah says.
“How long did it take?” Chelsea asks in surprise. I think we’re all surprised because neither of them mentioned a word about it, and babies have been a frequent topic of discussion.
Sarah shrugs. “Almost a year. We started trying not long after we got married, but I didn’t want everyone’s attention or for any of the rest of you to feel weird about it when you were pregnant or trying.”
Joel wraps his arms around Sarah from behind. “It also wasn’t going to be a big deal for us if it didn’t happen.” He kisses her neck, then smiles. “We’re planning to adopt in the future.”
Joel’s smile is massive. I love these moments. Seeing my friends happy living their lives and building their futures.
Sarah’s cheeks tint pink as she smiles too. “Yeah. I want a house full of kids. I don’t care if I create them or not, I just want to love them.” She and Rae share a tearful smile, then Sarah claps her hands. “Anyway, we’re excited, but we also don’t have to spend all night discussing babies because I know that’s not where everyone is at.”
“Yeah, I need at least another year,” Dani says to Jesse. “I’m not ready to share you yet.”
“I appreciate no one pressuring each other,” Amanda says. “Jamie and I want kids one day, but not for a while. My mom definitely puts pressure there, and I hate it.”
“No one should feel like they have to have kids—or do anything—in a certain timeline or at all,” Sarah says. “That only leads to unhappiness for everyone.”
Mackie nods. “I think that’s why I don’t really want kids. I’m not against it, but it’s not something I really want to do either. I think I’ll be much happier to be the aunt who steals your kids for a day or two, then gives them back. And I want to be a dog mom. Have a garden.” She sighs softly. “A simple, peaceful life with a lot of happiness. Even if it’s not at the cute little Cape Cod house next door.” Mackie gives a playful pout.
The house next to the farmhouse sold a month or two ago, though I don’t think anyone has met the new owners yet. I know Mackie is a little bummed, but I truly believe she’ll find the right place for her eventually. She’s finally figuring out the career part of her life. Everything else will come in time.
“Here’s to all of us building the lives we want and finding our own version of happiness,” Aaron says.
“And on that note, let’s eat. I’m starving,” Rae says dramatically.
With a laugh, we all follow her to the table.
“Believe me, you’re not the only one he’s trying to get hints out of about the dress,” Rae says, rolling her eyes as she throws me under the bus. I’ve spent too long envisioning Amelia walking down the aisle to me, I want a clearer picture in my head.
Amelia just side eyes me and shakes her head.
Rae is bouncing Emmie on her lap as we relax around the massive table. It seats eight normally, but expands to fit sixteen—though that requires some finagling across the side of the kitchen that is the “dining room.” Still, it’s great that we can fit us all around the table. Once there’s a group of kids running around, we’ll set up a kids’ table in the living room. Seems like that’s going to happen sooner than later.
“Speaking of wedding things,” Amelia says. “I made a decision about the bridal party.”
