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Nora’s probably right, though—my parents will be happy about the baby, but I’m almost positive my mom is going to cry when I tell her about the wedding.

Raising four girls means dreaming of wedding festivities, even though Mom always told us that she wanted us to live our lives authentically to who we are. That meant if marriage wasn’t something we wanted for ourselves, she would support us. Same with kids.

However, since my mom is a romance novel and movie addict, it comes as no surprise that she would wish for that type of love for her kids, too.

“They’re delaying our funding for the fire academy?” Blair tips her glass of wine to her lips while staring across the table at our father.

Nora and I greet our mom as she stands at the stove, stirring the pot of homemade pasta sauce, before sliding into our usual spots at the table.

“They are,” my father replies, irritation tensing his shoulders. “How the hell am I supposed to train the firefighters for most of the state when I don’t have the necessary equipment?”

“Maybe you should ask Owen to get involved. See if there’s something the town can do?” Nora asks. The mention of Owen is another reminder of the news I need to share with everyone sooner rather than later. I’m just waiting for Hudson to arrive.

My father glances over at my baby sister. “Unfortunately, the smaller stations always get the short end of the stick, sweetie. That’s just how it goes.”

“Then maybe you need to consider a fundraiser,” she counters. “I’m sure the guys could help.”

Blair snorts. “Uh, yeah. Not sure if I’d put those boys in charge of a fundraiser.” Then she’s staring at the ceiling. “On second thought, a shirtless car wash might bring in some money. Or a calendar?”

“You have no problem sexualizing them like that?” my mother asks Blair.

“Absolutely not. They do that enough to themselves and love all of the attention. I’m sure if I text them all right now, they’d absolutely be up for it.”

My father shakes his head. “Those boys at the station are just that—boys. Immature, reckless, and horny. Except for the few that are married, the rest have only one thing on their minds.”

“Please don’t say the word horny ever again.” Hudson walks into the room at that moment with my nephew, James, close behind.

“Wait. Boys get horny?” James asks, his lips curled up in disgust, as he heads over to our father sitting in his chair, taking a seat in the spot next to him.

My mother arches a brow at my dad, cautioning him about his answer.

Dad locks eyes with James. “Uh, well…yes. Boys grow horns as they grow older, and then all they want to do is poke girls with their horns, son.”

Blair erupts in laughter, glancing around at everyone. “Oh, Jesus. Why isn’t anyone recording this?”

My brother glares at her. “God, I can’t wait for the day that you have children.”

“Why would a boy want to poke a girl?” James questions. “Wouldn’t that hurt her?”

“Only the first time,” Blair mumbles just as Hudson shoves her from the side.

“Blair. Enough,” my mother warns. “Perhaps your father’s judgment about his employees should be extended to you since you spend so much time with them.”

Dad nods. “I agree. She sounds exactly like them.”

Blair’s smile falls as she processes Mom’s words. “Sorry. I’ll, uh…behave myself now.”

Nora grunts. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Now that Hudson is here, I take this as my moment to change the subject and finally let the cat out of the bag. “So, I have some news.”

My mother’s ears perk up. “Oh? What’s that?”

“You—you might want to sit down for this, Mom.”

Her hand stills on the spoon. She flicks the burner off and takes her seat beside my father. “Is everything okay, Lennon?”

Nora taps me on the shoulder. “Should we call Sloane for this too?”