“The surprises!” Maria exclaims. “Yes, oh my gosh, Joe, remember when we first found out I was pregnant with Carly? We thought our worlds were ending.”

Joey laughs. “Oh, wow, yeah, I think I blocked it out or something, because I’m only remembering it now.”

“I was applying for law school when I got pregnant with our first,” Maria explains. “And Joey had just started his job. We were already married by then, thankfully, but we thought we’d have more time by ourselves.”

Joey glances over at where the girls are playing on the couch.

“Protection doesn’t always work,” he whispers to one of Celeste’s video cameras.

Celeste, who’d been about to snap a picture, stops to raise her eyebrows at him.

“Sorry,” Joey adds before continuing in a normal volume, “we became parents earlier than we thought we would, but if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Definitely not,” agrees Maria. “Although, sometimes I do wonder what my life would be like if I had gone to law school and become a big-shot lawyer like I wanted to.”

I frown. “Do you regret not going to law school?”

She laughs. “Oh, no. In my twenties, the idea of being a lawyer in a fast-paced work environment seemed like the dream, but in retrospect, I’m glad I didn’t go down that path. I work part-time in another field now, and sure it’s less pay, but it’s great since I get so much more flexibility and time to spend with the girls. Or with Joey or by myself,” she adds with a laugh. “I’m so content with my life now.”

“And we’re lucky to have her,” Joey says. “We all are.”

They share a sweet forehead kiss, which Celeste rapidly snaps a photo of. The moment is picture-perfect, and I have no doubt it will look even more precious on camera.

Before I can stop it, an ugly pang of jealousy hits my stomach. A long-term relationship that actually became a marriage. A home and a family to call my own. Sure, it’s all a bit traditional. But I wanted that life. It was my dream, one that I wanted so much that I was willing to change who I was. And that, I now realize, was the problem. I’m angry at James for changing his mind, but I’m also angry at myself for being so stupid. For thinking everything would be fine if I just went with the flow.

Some of my college friends already have kids like Carly and Kaylee. Meanwhile, I don’t even have a place to call my own right now, and in a cruel twist of fate, I’m working with my college ex of all people. I’m only going backward, pushed away from the shore by an insurmountable wave.

I feel a little lightheaded, but I press on.