We got dressed and stopped at Sweet Dreams on the way, picking up pastries and coffee. The machine needed about twenty minutes to heat, giving me time to bake the croissants and buns I’d made the day before.
By the time we got to the waiting room where Willa, Jameson, Stella, Mason, Kinsley, and Landon were already sitting, it was nearly an hour later. Maisie’s parents were lying on the floor, asleep.
“This is what you call soon?” Willa greeted me, her hair plastered to her head on one side and sticking up on the other.
“Thought you might need proper coffee and food.”
She shot out of her chair and held out her arms. “I forgive you.”
Grayson and I handed out the goods and sat down. “I got stuff for Maisie’s parents as well. But their coffees might get cold by the time they wake up.”
Both of them were snoring up a storm, the sound loud in the small waiting room. Stella giggled when one of them murmured something in their sleep that sounded like “My weed is exceptional quality.”
It took another five hours and twenty minutes before Oliver came out, looking tired but elated. “It’s a boy. And they’re both doing well.”
We all cheered and hugged him, crowding around the proud father. Grayson was right there in the huddle with me, fitting in as if he’d always been there.
I stepped back, and one by one we all visited Maisie and the baby. When it was my turn, Grayson came with me.
“You think this will be us one day?” he asked.
My steps slowed. I wanted it to be us. The thought of a little baby Grayson made my heart beat faster. “I hope so.”
When he didn’t respond, I chanced a glance at him. I shouldn’t have worried, since there was a smile on his face. “Good.”
We walked into Maisie’s room hand in hand, and tears shot to my eyes at the sight of her holding her baby. “Oh, Maisie, congratulations.”
She beamed a tired smile at me. “Rayna, meet Silas.”
I stepped closer and peered at the tiny bundle in her arms. He was wrapped up tight, but I could make out his midnight-black hair peeking out from under his hat. I leaned down and placed a kiss on Maisie’s hair. “You did it. Congrats.”
“You want to hold him?”
I nodded eagerly and took Silas from her as if he were the most delicate merengue. I studied his sleeping face, noting his tiny nose and adorable little pout. “He’s perfect.”
Maisie laughed. “Good thing you get to meet him when he’s sleeping. He already spat up on Willa and screamed his head off when Stella was in here.”
We left shortly after, giving Maisie and Oliver some time together with their son. Everyone had left, the previously crowded waiting room now empty.
Grayson hugged me to him, and we walked outside, our arms around each other. “You want to grab a burger?”
“I could eat.”
We went to Bo’s Diner, the place we used to hang out at when we were younger. The place I used to avoid had become our favorite spot once again, the history we shared here no longer painful.
Truly, the waitress, didn’t ask for our order and brought our drinks over as soon as we sat down. Grayson put his arm on top of the bench seat, playing with my hair.
“You ready for your first day in court?” I asked. Grayson and Lester hadn’t taken long to sort everything out.
Lester would shadow him for a while, but Grayson was essentially taking on clients as of last week.
“I think so.”
Truly brought our food out, and my stomach growled at the sight of the burger and fries.
“Let’s hope I haven’t forgotten everything I’ve learned,” he continued.
I swallowed the too-big bite I’d taken while he spoke. “Not possible. You’ll be great.”
