Page 121 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

“Oh my gosh! Your house is beautiful!”

I can’t help but chuckle as Sarah’s gasp fills the entire foyer as she and Ryan step into our new house.

“We got really lucky it came on the market when it did,” Jackson says as he shuts the door behind them. “We only just finished decorating a few weeks ago.”

Cassidy hugs her brother before looping her arm with Sarah. “Let me show you the nursery. It’s so cute!”

I smile as I watch Cassidy whisk her friend away to show her weeks’ worth of work. We painted the walls a pastel green color, filled the room with toys, clothes, a rocking chair, a crib, and other essentials, and baby-proofed everything we possibly could.

Before we know it, our little one will be here, so we’ve been kicking it into gear getting ready to be parents.

“I’m glad you guys are just ten minutes down the road. It beats being in a whole different town,” Ryan says as he admires the high ceiling in the foyer and the wooden flooring.

“It just made more sense to set up shop here close to family,” Tyler replies. “The schools are good here too.”

“I never thought I’d hear this one say something like that,” Ryan laughs as he pats Tyler on the back of the shoulder. “You guys are going to be dads soon.”

“It has been the best kind of chaos already,” Jackson replies, sharing a smile with the rest of us. “We’ve been taking her back and forth to the doctor for check-ups. Marcus found another studio to work at, I transferred to the city fire station here, and Tyler is opening up a new club downtown.”

Ryan whistles. “You’ve been busy.”

“Busier than ever before,” I say with a light laugh.

We’re all tired, but we’ve never been happier. We got a great two-story house in a nice neighborhood full of other families that’s close to where our best friends live, we have a baby on the way, and we’re all together under one roof.

It’s hard to beat that.

“Thanks for having us over for dinner,” Ryan tells us as we lead him to the dining room.

“It’s been too long since we last saw each other,” I say as I nudge him.

“It’s only been a month,” Jackson reminds me with a laugh.

“Still too long,” I reply with a wry smile before heading into the kitchen to check on dinner.

Pot roast with mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls. Wine for us. Sparkling water for Cassidy.

“And this is the kitchen,” Cassidy says as she leads Sarah into the room.

“I love the white quartz countertops with the dark appliances,” Sarah gasps as she wanders around the kitchen to admire everything.

“Is everything ready?” Cassidy asks me as she walks over to kiss me on the cheek.

“Ready to go,” I confirm, smiling at her. “I’ll start bringing everything to the table.”

“Love you,” Cassidy says before motioning for Sarah to follow her into the dining room.

Sarah shoots me a proud smile before leaving the room.

Just a few months ago, we were all so doom and gloom. We thought nothing was going to work out as it should, but here we are now. Our dreams have come true. Our family is bigger than before.

Life is so good, and it’s going to get even better in just a few months.

Once Jackson, Tyler, and I place all the dishes on the dining table, everyone takes a seat and starts making their plates, a warm feeling settling in the air.

A lot of us didn’t get to have this kind of environment growing up. We’re correcting the past by doing this. We’re going to make our own traditions.

“How’s married life?” Jackson asks Sarah and Ryan as they sit on the other side of the table.