“Deal.”
Dropping my hand, Lily walks over to my bag and extracts a bottle of pills. “Now take these so we don’t have any visits to the porcelain throne today.”
Throwing back the medication that has been an absolute blessing at taming my morning sickness — as long as I don’t smell coffee, that is — I wander over to the small table where, somehow, Lily managed to get an array of breakfast food set up without me even knowing.
“Did I sleep through all of this?” I ask, nibbling on a piece of melon.
Lily nods. “Yeah, you were dead to the world, girlfriend.”
“Pregnancy is exhausting.” I move on to a scone, fresh bursts of cranberry and orange hitting my tongue. “God, Mila is a baking genius. These taste like Christmas.”
I’ve just finished my second scone when there’s a knock at the door. Lily hurries to open it, and in pour my mom, Heidi, and Cam.
After a round of hugs, everyone settles in with their breakfast. Clapping her hands, cruise-director Lily stands up yet again. This time, anticipation fills me. Because instead of just reviewing the itinerary for today, we’re also going to tell my future sisters-in-law about the baby. I’ve got something special planned for my brothers, but when it came to thinking of how to tell Cam and Heidi, I was stumped. Until Lily came up with the perfect idea.
“Alright, ladies. Let’s review the itinerary. Hair and makeup starts in half an hour, then photos, ceremony, photos, reception.”
I stand up. “But first, I wanted to give the three of you something to say thank you for being with me today.” Handing out the small boxes, I bite my lip to hold back my grin.
Heidi opens hers first, lifting out the delicate white gold bracelet with a simple knot charm in the center. “This is gorgeous, Kat.”
Cam’s the one to see the second part of the gift. “Wait. Hold the fuck — sorry Claire — Kat’s pregnant?”
She lifts up the copy of the ultrasound picture and looks at me. I don’t bother holding back my smile any longer as Heidi and Cam both jump up and hug me. Lily joins in, and I know my mother is right there snapping photos of this moment for me. These women are my sisters in every way except biological. And telling them they’re going to be aunties in a few months is so incredibly special, I want to remember it forever.
But a knock at the door brings the poignant moment to an end. Cam goes to open it and ushers in the beauty team for hair and makeup, and Flora our photographer for the day.
The next three hours fly by as we all get dolled up, enjoying trays of delicious snacks, champagne for the others, ginger ale for me, and plenty of laughter and love. It feels like no time has passed since Lily woke me up before I’m surrounded by stunning women, all of whom are here to stand beside me and Hunter on our day.
But first, we’ve got to surprise my brothers.
“Are you ready to knock those boys off their feet?” Heidi asks, taking the lip stain from me and setting it on the counter.
I give her a wide smile. “Absolutely.”
Flora checks her camera. “I’m going to get in position. Darren is ready for video; he just texted that your brothers are downstairs waiting.”
I give her a nod of acknowledgment, and as a group we make our way to the elevator and down to the lobby. The tasteful Christmas decor is understated, as to be expected from a Devereaux Hotel. My brothers are clustered around a large river rock fireplace, thankfully with their backs to us as we approach.
“Eyes closed, boys,” Mom instructs, walking over to make sure they’re all following orders.
My cheeks already hurt from smiling so much as I make my way to where I’ll stand. Heidi and Cam fluff out my dress as Lily fidgets with the ultrasound picture.
“Gotta make sure it’s the right way up,” she whispers with a wink.
“You’re ready.” Cam makes a last-minute adjustment to my veil, and I’m surprised to see tears forming in her eyes.
“Are you crying?” I whisper, and she chokes out a laugh.
“No. Shut it, woman. There’s dust in my eye.”
We share a quiet giggle, then she squeezes my arm and steps back.
“C’mon, Kat, we’re going a little crazy here,” Sawyer calls out.
I see Jude reach out and punch him lightly in the side. “Ignore him, sis, you’ll be worth the wait.”
“Good God, I love that man,” Lily mutters from behind me. “But let’s put them out of their misery.”
