Page 154 of Gracefully Yours

“A girl.” Charlotte’s lips tilted up into a smile as her eyes filled with happy tears.

“I knew she was. Our little dancer.” I leaned over, kissing her forehead.

“If you two don’t have questions for me, I’ll go print out some photos and you can head home. I’ll see you again in a few weeks. Congrats again.”

“Thank you so much, Miranda. Truly. We’re so happy.”

I squeezed Charlotte’s hand in response.I love you,it meant.

“Come on, darling. Let’s get you two home.”

CHAPTER38

Charlotte

OCTOBER

“God, look at you!” Noelle gushed, and I couldn’t help but feel like the roles should be reversed.

“Babe, look atyou. It’s your wedding day.” Her hair was perfectly curled, those red tendrils laying down her back. She’d done the top part in swooping braids, ready for her veil to be tucked underneath it. “You look so beautiful, Noelle.”

We’d all spent the morning getting ready together, pampered by getting our hair and makeup done at the salon. After, we’d been chauffeured to the venue for Matthew and Noelle’s wedding, the crisp autumn air swirling around us as we stepped out of the car. The pumpkin patch made for a charming wedding venue that perfectly reflected her personality. Her bridesmaids were us three, and Matthew’s sister, Tessa. We were currently crowded in one bedroom at the little house on the venue, all trying to change at once.

“And you’reglowing.”Angelina smiled, squeezing my hand. “And just think, my niece or nephew is in there.”

My dress was now zipped, my bump apparent even through the chiffon fabric that draped over it.

“I’m pretty sure we’re supposed to be complimenting the bride, not the pregnant maid-of-honor,” I said, attempting to crack a joke. Running my hands down my burnt orange bridesmaid dress, I took the time to inspect around me. The decorations were rustic, the colors perfectly fall toned, everything matching right down to Noelle’s lace dress.

I’d had to get my dress hemmed when I realized I could no longer wear heels with my dress, but my very prominent bump stuck out far enough that I could no longer see my feet. Daniel had suggested I wear flats, and I couldn’t argue with his logic.

Thirty-two weeks.I felt like I was massive, though I wasn’t sure what else I expected at eight months pregnant. Somehow, my brain was finding it hard to believe I still had eight weeks to go. The whole nine months thing currently felt like a big fatlie.December felt like ages away.

On the bright side, we’d have two things to celebrate this year: our one-year anniversary, and a tiny little bundle of joy.

I slipped on my shimmery gold shoes, trying to ignore how big my ankles currently were. The thought of Daniel giving me a foot rub was the only thing getting me through the day. He’d already popped his head in twice to check in on me, and we’d had to shoo him out.

“I’m gonna go check on the guys,” Tessa murmured, slipping out of the door.

We all exchanged looks. “I think she’s crushing on my cousin,” Noelle admitted. Her cousin Oliver had been hanging out with them a lot more since he met Tess. “It’s kind of cute.”

If there was anything I’d learned from all of us hanging out, it was that love was a little contagious. But I couldn’t complain. I had my dream guy.

“Any advice from the two already married?” Noelle asked, suddenly looking nervous.

Angelina and I looked at each other, and she placed a hand on Noelle’s shoulder. “Breathe. You love him, and he loves you. Nothing else matters.”

Noelle nodded. “You’re right.” She looked at me.

I laughed, plopping down on a chair in the room. “You’re asking the wrong girl, considering Daniel and I didn’t fall in love untilafterwe were married.” I rubbed a hand over my stomach. They were already aware of all the details of the marriage pact, as I had confessed to them a while ago. “But she’s right. You two are perfect together. I’ve known it from the very first moment you told us about him.”

“Thank you.” She pulled us all into a hug, squeezing tight.

Gabbi fiddled with the engagement ring on her finger. “Can you believe we only have one more of these before we’re all married?” They were busy planning a small wedding on the Oregon Coast for the upcoming summer.

“No.”Where had the time gone?“It feels like we just graduated from college.”

“It feels like I just started dating Matthew.” Noelle blinked, looking up at the ceiling like she was trying not to cry. “I can’t believe it’s been two and a half years.”

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