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Annie’s hand briefly touched her flat belly. “Ten weeks. It’s been awful. Were you sick at all?”
“For the first three months, but it gets drastically better. Until the end.”
“I’m so tired. All I want to do is go to bed, but then everyone will notice. Anyway, I don’t want to take away from Elliot’s big day by making it about me.”
I clucked sympathetically. “I know food probably sounds terrible, but you’ll feel better if you eat.”
“I’ve noticed that. It’s super weird.” She drew in a deep breath. “What if I’m not ready for this? We didn’t really plan it, and I’m supposed to film a movie next month. It’s terrible timing.”
“It’s never completely perfect timing, but then suddenly you won’t care because you’ll fall so helplessly in love with your baby.” I spontaneously hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. Having a child is the best thing that’ll ever happen to you, I promise.”
“I hope so.”
“Is Atticus excited?”
“Very much so. Although he’s been obsessively looking up pregnancy complications on the internet. He’s driving me a little nutty.”
I laughed. “He’s protective of you—it’s very sweet.”
“Seems it runs in the family. These Moon brothers know how to love a woman, don’t they?”
“They sure do. Which makes us lucky women.” I paused for a moment. “By the way, I wanted to thank you for your support throughout all my stuff. You’ve been a good friend.”
“We’re sisters. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you or Chloe.”
We hugged again, both of us tearing up. She could blame her hormones, but I had no excuse, other than I was in love.
“What are you doing up here anyway?” Annie asked.
“Bathroom,” I said. “The one downstairs was occupied.”
“Was it now?”
“Why do you say it that way?” I asked.
“I’m not sure, but I might not be the only pregnant one. Have you noticed the bride barely touched her champagne or the appetizers earlier?”
My hands flew to my mouth. “Do you think?”
“It’s either that or the salmon dip was bad, which I wouldn’t know because the smell drove me up here.”
I smiled, delighted. “I guess Chloe will have some cousins sooner than later.”
We hugged again and then parted ways. I went into the bathroom to use the toilet. When I was finished, I washed my hands at the sink, examining my own complexion. I’d bought a new dress for the wedding, a soft pink silky number that floated around my legs and flattered my fair skin. I held up my hand to look at my engagement ring, admiring the sparkle and the princess cut. I’d have said yes to Thad with or without the ring, but it was pretty and sparkly and made me feel very loved. It also represented the future. I’d never had so much to look forward to.
I bowed my head to say a silent prayer.
Thank you, God, for giving me all of this. I’ll try my best to never forget how lucky I am that you sent me here.
I opened my eyes to take another look at myself. Surprisingly, my makeup had stayed put and my hair had retained the waves I’d put in with a flat iron earlier. It was the dry air here, reminding me that I would not miss the humidity of the South, I thought, even though there were certain things that would always be with me. My love for the scent of magnolias and sweet tea and my accent remained. Thad had teased me about saying I was from Philly when it was so obvious my accent was Southern.
Anyway, this is where I lived now. I was a Montana girl. Chloe would grow up here and would most likely not remember anything about our old life. I certainly hoped so.
I went back downstairs. Everyone was about to sit down for dinner. Thad waved me over to our seats. My heart leaped as it usually did at the sight of him, so handsome in his suit and tie.
He held my chair, and I slipped into it. Chloe was already seated on my other side, chattering away to poor Arabella about her kittens.
I mouthed “thank you” to Arabella. She winked at me before returning her attention to my daughter.
