Trying to hide her trembling hands from him, Jenny snuggled Hailey, her mind racing with the thoughts he’d planted in her brain. The two of them together long-term, having children together and watching them grow up… A powerful sense of yearning filled her, and she had a feeling he knew just how much his words had affected her.

“Hey, you guys,” Maddie called. “They’re coming.”

Alex stood and extended a hand to Jenny. She picked up Hailey, Alex took Holden, and Jenny called for Ashleigh and Thomas to come along with them.

Tiffany and Blaine arrived in his police-issued SUV.

“Are we late or something?” Tiffany asked as she took in the gathering that had grown and multiplied while Alex was rocking her world on the blanket.

“Surprise!” they all said in unison.

“Happy wedding shower,” Maddie said to her sister as she hugged her.

Tiffany’s mouth fell open. Beside her, Blaine smiled at her reaction.

“We totally got you,” Laura said.

“I’m stunned,” Tiffany said as she received hugs from her mother and Ned. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“Oh, we know,” Stephanie said with a grin.

Poor Tiffany had no idea what she was in for. It was a good thing they’d set up lots of games and things to keep Thomas and Ashleigh busy during the present stage of the festivities.

After Jenny and Alex returned the babies to their mothers, he stayed close to her, keeping an arm around her shoulders or his hand clasped tightly to hers. He was making a very public statement of their coupledom, which was yet another thrilling moment with him.

Stephanie, Laura and Abby managed to get Jenny away from Alex long enough to pump her for information that she happily gave up.

“I can’t believe you kept this from us,” Laura said with a teasing smile. “No wonder you didn’t click with Mason or Linc.”

“I only met Alex the day before I went out with Linc. There was no juggling going on. I swear.”

“I’m really happy for you, Jenny,” Abby said. “You’re positively glowing.”

Jenny raised her hands to her face. “Am I?”

“Positively,” Stephanie confirmed.

“Are you guys for real?” Tiffany asked loudly as she opened the first of her presents—a skimpy see-through nightgown and an incredibly large dildo. “In front of my mother?”

“Relax, dear,” Francine said dryly. “Wait till you see what I got you.”

“I can’t believe you guys did this behind my back in my own store! I wondered why we had such an off-the-charts week. Patty, you’re so fired!”

“You can’t function without me, boss,” Patty retorted.

“That’s true, but you’re still fired,” Tiffany said, adding in a hissing whisper, “Mr. McCarthy is here.”

“And he’s a big fan of your store,” Linda said, making the women laugh and her sons groan in agony.