born a few days prior - a healthy eight pounds four ounces and a head full of dark hair. Liv had come to see us in the hospital and every day since, even though she was ready to pop with her daughter any day now.
“I can’t wait until our kids can play together,” she squealed, swooping Nicholas into her arms. “They’re going to be the best of friends; I just know it!”
Her eyes fell to my hand, and I tried my best to cover it - but it was too late. She gasped and let out a screech. “You’re not? Are you?”
“Am I what?” I laughed, knowing full well what she was talking about.
“Where’s the lucky bastard? I have to congratulate him for getting to marry my best friend.”
“Oh, Liv…” I rolled my eyes at her theatrics, though my smile was so big it hurt my face.
“Let me see the rock,” she ordered. With a fake put-upon sigh, I held out my hand. “Jesus, that thing is huge!” she exclaimed, releasing my hand and encircling my son with both arms again. “And when were you going to tell me?”
“When I asked you to be my Matron of Honor, of course,” I teased. “I had an entire event planned and you ruined it.”
“I’ll pretend to be surprised,” she promised, rocking Nicholas. “But yes, I’ll be your Matron of Honor. Did you really think you’d have to ask?”
“God, I love you,” I said. “And I love being home.”
“There he is!” Liv handed Nicholas to me and rushed to the doorway, where Graham was standing with a confused look on his face.
“She knows we’re engaged,” I called out over her squeals.
Liv hugged Graham, nearly plowing him down with her big belly. “Congrats, Graham! You’re marrying the baddest bitch I’ve ever met.”
“Don’t I know it,” Graham said with a chuckle, entering the room. He headed over to me and his son, giving us both a kiss on our foreheads before sitting down beside me on the couch. He draped an arm over my shoulder, and I leaned into him.
“So, how did he ask?” Liv said, taking a seat across from us on the ottoman.
“When we brought Nicholas home, he had the house decorated and ready for me. A meal on the table with champagne and everything, though I didn’t have any.” I laughed. “Breastfeeding and all that.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think about that,” he said sheepishly.
I patted his thigh. “And during dinner, he got down on one knee and just asked me.”
“So sweet,” she giggled. “In your brand-new home and everything.”
I took Graham’s hand in mind. “Yes, it was perfect. The perfect way to start our life together as a family.”
“Speaking of which, when do I get a tour of the place?”
“Whenever you want.”
Graham and his brothers had bought a large plot of land just outside of Liberty, splitting it up in four patches. Each of the men would get their own section of land to build on. Our house was finished first, as we were in a hurry to set things up for the baby. It was finished days before the birth of our son and still had the “new house smell” about it.
It was my dream home and was large enough to accommodate several more children. A large dining table filled the dining room for when the family came over - which they did often. A guest quarters for his mother that I was sure she would utilize frequently was near the baby’s room. She was set to arrive later that week to help with the baby - her first grandchild.
The flooding had done some extensive damage to the town of Liberty, but the Harveys, along with several others, were helping with the rebuilding efforts. Our house had been finished in time, but it had taken nearly double the time because we were all so busy in town helping with the relief efforts. It would take time, but the town would come together, and things would be back to normal soon.
“And when do you start grad school?” Liv asked. “Aren’t you worried about keeping up with it while caring for a baby?”
I’d just been accepted into Utah University for my graduate program in counseling, and I was set to start the following semester.
“Next September. And good thing I’m not alone,” I laughed. “Nicholas has uncles and an Aunt Liv who I’m sure would love to babysit when I need help.”
“Well, yeah, of course,” she scoffed, waving a hand. “Baby playdates at my place.”
“I