Grady rose to his feet, rushing over to pick Madison up, holding her close for a moment. When he set her down, he swiped his fingers under his damp eyes, then picked up the mic.“I want to make one thing clear. Robbie, you are a gift. One I didn’t see coming. But, buddy, God doesn’t make mistakes, and he sure didn’t with you. It’s my honor to be your father, to watch as you use your brilliant mind to make the world better. And Sweet Pea, you’re my little girl. Always will be. I’m the lucky one, and don’t ever think I don’t know it.” He picked up his glass of wine from our table and held it aloft. “Thank you, everyone, for being with us today and for all the ways you encouraged and supported our love story. We may have taken a while to figure it all out, but we finally did. To family. To friends who feel like family. And finally, to my beautiful bride for bringing me into her world and letting me stay.”
Everyone raised their glasses, toasting, laughing, cheering—the scent of love as thick in the air as apple blossoms.
“Now, let’s eat, drink and be merry,” Grady said.
Once again, everyone cheered.
The reception spilledfrom the patio into the garden as the sky turned amber and pink. Hunter had traded the acoustic guitar for a portable speaker, and music drifted across the yard with a mix that Grady and I had put together on a lazy Sunday.
Most everyone joined us on the dance floor. Even my mother and father were dancing. Gillian, despite her belly, was shaking it with the best of them. But at the start of “Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go,” she abruptly stopped in the middle of the dance floor and looked down. Liquid gushed from under her skirt.
Her water had broken.
For one second, the whole party froze. The music kept playing, but everyone stopped. Then chaos.
Alex, by her side, led her over to a chair. Grace and Bella knelt on the grass beside her. “The baby’s coming now?” Grace asked.
“I think so,” Gillian said.
“I’ll pull the car around,” Alex said.
“I’ll drive,” Peter said. “You’ve had wine.”
“Yes, good point.” Alex ran his hands through his hair.
“Stay with Gillian,” Peter said. “I’ll get the car.”
He took off running.
“I’ve mapped the fastest route to the hospital,” Robbie said, appearing with his phone. “It’s fourteen minutes. I’ve also looked up the on-call OB schedule. Dr. Henley is on tonight. She has excellent reviews.”
“Thank you, Robbie,” Gillian said. “But, for once, we’re ahead of you.”
Seconds later, Alex guided Gillian out to the driveway. We all followed, reception forgotten. Alex helped Gillian into the passenger seat. Peter waited behind the wheel. Bella and Grace huddled together, both looking shaken.
“We’ll stay with the girls,” I said. “Don’t worry, they’re safe with us.”
“I’m sorry to ruin the fun,” Gillian said, reaching out of the window to take my hand.
“Not to worry. This is going to make a great story to tell the baby someday,” I said.
Peter pulled away, gravel crunching, taillights disappearing down Driftwood Lane. The party stood, watching them go, waving and shouting good wishes.
Grace sidled up next to me, leaning her cheek against my shoulder. “Will she be okay?”
“Women have had babies since the beginning of time,” I said, wrapping her in a hug. “She’s going to be fine.”
Madison tugged at my arm. “Does this mean Auntie Gillian is having the baby right now?”
“That’s right,” I said.
Madison looked delighted. “This is the best wedding ever.”
Baby Leo madehis entrance at three minutes after midnight. By the time we got the text from Alex, Bella and Grace had fallen asleep on our sectional. My kids had gone up to bed as well. After we heard that all was well and mother and baby were resting, Grady and I headed upstairs.
I changed into a pair of cotton pajamas, brushed my teeth and washed my face before getting in to bed with Grady. He was already there, sitting up against a stack of pillows, with an envelope in his hand.
”I have a wedding gift for you.” Grady handed me the envelope.
