Ryan's already calculating something on his phone. "If they start college at eighteen, and tuition inflation continues at current rates?—"
"Ryan. Stop."
"I'm just planning ahead."
"You're spiraling."
"Same thing."
Candace takes the phone from him. "No calculating college costs while holding babies. New rule."
We settle at a large table in the tasting room. The babies pass from person to person, cooed over and admired. I manage to eat an actual meal with both hands—a luxury I haven't experienced in six weeks.
"How's the part-time schedule working?" Joselyn asks.
"Better than expected. Sarah and Tom are handling everything. I go in Tuesdays and Thursdays, work from home when the babies sleep."
"Which is never," Miles adds.
"Which is never," I confirm. "But it works. Somehow."
Daisy and Ashe have been unusually quiet, exchanging glances. Finally, Daisy clears her throat.
"We have news," she says.
Everyone turns to look.
"We're pregnant," Ashe announces.
The table erupts in congratulations. My eyes are immediately wet.
"That's amazing!" I manage. "Congratulations!"
Daisy comes around the table to hug me. "Watching you do this made us ready. You made it look possible."
I laugh. "I make it look possible? I'm a disaster."
"A beautiful disaster," she corrects.
"I haven't slept in six weeks. I have spit-up in my hair right now. Yesterday I cried because Miles made me toast."
"See? Possible." Daisy grins. "If you can handle twins while running a law practice, we can handle one baby."
"You're insane."
"Probably. But we're doing it anyway."
Julie raises her wine glass—I'm drinking sparkling cider. "To Daisy and Ashe. May your baby sleep better than the Murphy twins."
"Impossible," Miles mutters.
"Accurate," I agree.
The afternoon passes in a blur of conversation, laughter, and babies being passed around like adorable footballs. Gracie spits up on Ryan's expensive shirt. Graham has a diaper blowout that requires Brennen's assistance. It's chaotic and exhausting and exactly what we needed.
"This is nice," I tell Miles quietly. "Being out of the house. Talking to adults."
"We should do this more often."
