All had become good friends, kind humans who’d helped me through the stress of being a new mom, a new business owner, and the nightmares of the night my abusive ex, Shawn, was killed before he could kill me and our unborn child. Hailey called when I didn’t want to talk. Falyn gave me new mom advice. Ellie shared the invaluable knowledge she’d learned in therapy when I was depressed or anxious. She also connected me with the best psychologist in the area. Stavros was my rock as I took over from him ownership of the hotel. Caroline was a fellow Cheyenne Mountain Complex security spouse, and Naomi was Trex’s best friend—and now one of mine.

They’d all been instrumental in getting me to this point, and now they’d be the first to hear collectively that I was carrying Trex’s baby. They smiled at me as I opened the bathroom door and stepped out, holding up the positive test for all of them to see.

“Oh, my Lanta,” Carly said, her eyes wide.

“Are you fucking serious?” Naomi said, covering her instant smile. She grabbed the stick from my hand, focusing on the results. Then she handed it to Hailey.

“I’m going to be an aunt again?” Hailey squealed.

“Careful, or you’ll catch up with me,” Falyn said, rubbing her round middle.

“You okay?” Ellie asked.

“I’m…” I let the realization set in. “I’m okay. This isn’t the same. It’s Trex. He’s been through this before when I was pregnant with someone else’s child. Imagine how he’ll feel now … right?”

“Right? He’s going to be so fucking happy. It’s the best wedding day gift you could give him,” Naomi said.

“You look beautiful,” Stavros said.

He was a bridesman, but he wasn’t the only one in a suit. Naomi opted to wear one too, but her curves and the tailor’s lines made her look stunning. She wore a tank top under the blazer, the tie hanging loose from her neck. She was especially excited about the suspenders underneath.

Stavros held up the pink shot in his hand. “I was going to offer you this, but it seems inappropriate now.”

“Thank you,” I said. “But I don’t need it. I’m getting married surrounded by my best friends.”

“Did your mom call?” Ellie asked.

“Ellie,” Falyn scolded.

“It’s all right,” I said. “No, she didn’t. And, that’s okay. I only want happy people here today who love me.”

“And we do,” Hailey said. “So much.”

They all crowded around me and squeezed, then Hailey squealed again when Zeke brought in Maddie. I kneeled down to wait for her chubby legs to propel her forward slowly, waddling, leaning and pausing like a drunken sailor.

“Baby girl!” I said.