Johnny carefully places Aston in my arms. I cradle him, and the second I see his tiny face, my breath catches, not in grief, but in undeniable awe. “He’s perfect,” I whisper, touching his nose. My tears fall freely, but they’re warm. Happy.
He’s perfect.
Colt rushes to my side. “If it’s too much, baby—”
“No,” I interrupt. “I’m simply overwhelmed.”
Anna clutches Johnny and watches me like her heart is full.
Colt brushes my hair from my shoulder, asking softly, “ So you’re okay?”
“I’m great… look at what you made, Anna!” Aston yawns in my arms, and we all melt. Colt wraps his arm around my shoulder, and I lean into him.
We chat.
We laugh.
Anna shows us the nursery—zoo-themed, colorful, adorable—while I push down the twinge of sadness.
“You okay?” Anna whispers.
“Yeah. Just thinking.”
Anna leans in, wrapping her arm around me. “I know you and Colt will have this too, Dee. I don’t know how, but I feel it in my bones.”
I smile up at her weakly. “I hope so. But who would have ever thought Madam A would have put her whips down in exchange for breast pumps and diapers?” I tease.
Anna grins, waggling her brows. “Who said that Madam A has gone anywhere? When Aston sleeps, Johnny and I can still play…” She pauses with a huge grin. “Once I am all healed up, that is.”
I can’t help but let out a laugh. A real belly laugh. One that I haven’t felt in ages, and it’s nice to feel a little more like myself. Being around my best friend, and her being exactly as she alwaysis around me—like nothing has ever changed between us—is not what I was expecting, but it ispreciselywhat I needed.
And I love her for it!
Suddenly, Johnny peers around the corner, his loud voice booming through the room. “Lunch is ready.”
Colt grins. “Finally. I’m starving.”
“Men,” Anna says, rolling her eyes, as she takes my hand and we walk to the dining room.
As we sit around the table and talk weddings and plans, I soak it all in.
There will be more bad days.
But for now?
This feels like a real win.
Chapter Twelve
DEE
After having a fantastic lunch with Anna and Johnny, we stayed a little longer, and Anna helped me organize a few things for the wedding. Now that I know how to plan it properly, I’m actually excited.
We left when Aston woke. I probably would have been fine hanging out a little longer, but Colt didn’t want to risk me having a panic attack, so he decided we should head home. Honestly, he was probably right.
Seeing Anna, Johnny, and little Aston made me feel lighter. I’m so happy for them, and even though they’re exhausted—Anna yawned every five minutes—Aston is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Colt looks more relaxed too, and as the afternoon fades, neither of us can be bothered to cook. He orders us takeout while I lounge on the sofa, Princess curled up in my lap.
