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Given the time that had passed since Hudson’s departure, she shouldn’t still be in such an emotionally vulnerable state. But she was. The anger had faded in the month since Alexander had visited, but the hurt and sadness remained deeply entrenched in her heart.
She kept telling herself that God had something better for her, but it was definitely hard to believe when the connection she’d shared with Hudson had felt so perfect. What could possibly be better than a relationship with him?
It wasn’t easy to see her siblings with their significant others, all happy and in love. Previously, she’d had no difficulties seeing the happy couples. But falling in love with Hudson and then losing him had changed all that.
The yearning in her heart to have someone by her side like her siblings had was only there because of what she’d experienced with Hudson. And it wasn’t a longing to havesomeoneto love. She wanted that someone to be Hudson.
“So there’s no chance of Hudson returning?”
“Not unless something bad happens, which I’d really prefer not.” That wasn’t exactly true. Even knowing how much it would hurt, she longed to see Hudson again, whatever the circumstances might be.
But if Hudson was coping as badly as Alexander said, he wasn’t going to want to come back for any reason.
Jay was distracted when Ciara toddled over to him and lifted her arms. Grateful for Jay’s attention being elsewhere, Kayleigh focused on trying to eat bites of everything on her plate.
After they’d finished eating, they all pitched in to clear away the food and dishes. Kayleigh got the cream puffs from the fridge, then followed her mom as she carried the cake out to the deck and set it on the picnic table where Charli sat.
Layla crowded close to Charli as their mom lit the candles on the cake.
“You could’ve just put number candles on this, Mom,” Charli said.
“Where’s the fun in that?” her mom asked with a laugh. “I’m sure Layla will help you blow them out if you think you can’t handle them all on your own.”
“I will, Momma.”
Jay’s son, Peyton, had come to kneel on the bench opposite Charli and Layla, but Jay had a firm hold on Ciara. She’d no doubt be going right for the cake if she had the chance.
They sangHappy Birthday, then cheered as Charli and Layla blew out the candles. Several people held phones that connected them via video chat to the people who weren’t able to be there in person.
“Sorry you can’t share this cake with me, Zane,” Charli said in the direction of the phone her dad held. “But I’ll eat a piece for you.”
“Before you guys on video chat go,” Gareth said, drawing Aria close to his side. She smiled up at Gareth as she leaned into him. “Aria and I have something to share.”
Kayleigh had an idea of what they were going to say, and from the beaming smile on their mom’s face, it looked like she did too.
“We’re happy to announce that Aria is pregnant.”
There were more cheers as the family reacted to the good news. Her mom walked over to hug Gareth and Aria. “Grandbaby number four! This is wonderful!”
Kayleigh wasn’t surprised that in addition to Layla and Peyton, who were the kids of her kids, her mom also considered Ciara a grandchild, even though she wasn’t technically one yet. However, Jay and Misha were just weeks away from their wedding, so it wouldn’t be long before Ciara was an official grandchild.
When her mom began to cut the cake, Kayleigh went to Gareth and Aria and hugged each of them. “Congratulations, you two. You’re going to be great parents.”
Gareth grinned, and Kayleigh could see how thrilled he was at the prospect of becoming a dad. “It’s going to be amazing.”
“How are you feeling, Aria?” Kayleigh asked her sister-in-law.
“Tired. A bit weepy. Mildly nauseous.”
“And she’s drinking lemonade slushies like they’re going out of style,” Gareth added.
“They’re soooooyummy!”
“Well, you’re pregnant at a good time of year if you’re craving lemonade.”
“That’s whatIsaid,” Aria exclaimed. “So, when I crave it, Gareth can’t complain that he has to squeeze the lemons himself.”
Kayleigh wasn’t super close to Aria, but she appreciated her sister-in-law’s warm nature and how happy she made Gareth.
