Nonstop (Open Skies #3) - Becca Jameson Page 0,73

her birthday party. The cake Bracken had made was in the middle of the table, and it was exactly perfect. White frosting covered with tiny pastel roses in every color in the rainbow.

As promised, they had called both sets of parents that morning. In both phone calls, they’d started with the news of the baby and then moved on to assure them they were indeed getting married. That they would do so quietly soon and have a big reception later.

Bex was extremely relieved when those two conversations were over. She’d even been happy to pass her mother’s phone number to Joan so that the two women could talk and plot future baby gifts. Although Bex wasn’t particularly close to her parents, there wasn’t any animosity between them, and she hoped this baby would help bring her closer to them in the future.

Bex had taken a nap in the middle of the day, something she started doing over a month ago. If she didn’t, she couldn’t seem to stay up past about nine o’clock.

Finally, everyone was gathered. Bex was particularly glad that Raeann had joined their friend group. And it had worked out perfectly that she’d been looking for a place to live and had moved in with Shayla when Bex moved out entirely.

Bracken hauled Bex against his side and held up his free hand, clearing his throat dramatically to get everyone’s attention.

Once they all quieted down, he began. “Bex and I have several announcements to make on this exciting day of her birth.”

Their friends’ faces lit up. They all had suspicions. They couldn’t possibly know the extent of what was happening in Bracken and Bex’s world though.

“First of all, we are excited to announce that we’ve put in an offer for a retail space. In a few months, we will be opening our first bakery.”

Gasps, claps, and cheers spread around the room.

Bex smiled up at Bracken. The bakery had been a huge decision for them. It took a while for her to agree to the purchase and then only if Bracken was an equal partner. None of this silent partnership shit. He was at least as invested as she was. Half the recipes were his. He loved baking. And she would need him desperately after the baby was born. He’d even cut way back on his hours with Jake, remaining with Westside Programmers only as a consultant if they got in a bind. She loved working alongside him, and was excited that they were getting closer to opening.

It turned out to be exactly the right choice to insist he join her. The man had more energy than anyone she knew, and he spent long hours working on their business plan. Now, he would need to add the hard work of physically getting the space ready. She was pretty sure he was more excited about the bakery than she was.

“But wait, there’s more,” Bracken stated dramatically. He looked down at Bex, took her left hand, and lifted it so everyone could see the ring she’d been carefully hiding since their arrival. “This amazing woman has agreed to be my wife,” he shouted over the already noisy room as everyone rushed forward to hug them and congratulate them.

It took a while before the excitement once again subsided so that Bracken could continue. “But wait, there’s still more.” He laughed. “Eh, never mind. Let’s sing happy birthday and cut the cake. It can wait.”

A strange hush filled the room, everyone glancing at each other while Bracken started singing. “Happy birthday to you…”

They all chimed in, but their confusion was evident.

When the singing ended, Bracken pulled the cake toward him and cut into it. He lifted the first slice out and held it up for everyone to see. “Who wants cake?”

A collective gasp once again filled the room as everyone stared at the pink and blue marbled cake that had been hidden under the frosting. And then someone screamed excitedly. Bex thought it was Libby.

Destiny was the one to shout, “Oh my God. You’re pregnant.”

God only knows who said what after that. Bex was surrounded by her posse in less than a second. More hugs. More laughter. More screaming.

The men were all congratulating Bracken at the same time, but Bex eventually managed to catch his gaze over the crowd. He was smiling at her in that way that told her everything she needed to know.

Choosing him was exactly the right thing to do. He was her rock. Her man. The father of her child.