Page 159 of Gracefully Yours

Wiping the blonde strands from Charlotte’s face, I took a moment to kiss my wife’s forehead as our friends cooed over our newborn.

Angelina came over, slinging an arm around my shoulder. “You did good, bro.”

“Thanks. I’m proud of you too, Lina.” I looked over at Benjamin, standing in the corner. “Married, kicking ass at your job… Life turned out pretty great for the both of us, huh?”

She smirked. “I’m just glad you didn’t break my best friend’s heart.”

“Never.” I’d never have dreamed of that. I was going to keep her heart safe for the rest of our lives.

Pulling my sister into a hug, I pulled back. “Ready to hold your niece, Auntie Angelina?”

She laughed. “Yes. Definitely.”

And my heart was so full—it was home.

CHAPTER40

Daniel

TWO YEARS LATER…

We were all gathered at Matthew & Noelle’s house, watching the snow fall in an unusually thick winter storm from the back deck. Luckily, we were all able to work from home, so we didn’t have to worry about going into the office or driving in the snow.

The dogs were happily playing in the snow, all three chasing each other: Snowball, Brownie, and Rowan, Gabbi and Hunter’s mini Aussie.

“So, what do you think?” Matthew looked out at the new fire pit they had built, admiring the string of lights that hung above it. The only reason we were outside in the cold weather was that it provided warmth. As the snow fell, we snuggled together under the overhang, watching the winter wonderland outside.

“It turned out great, man.” I loved being a part of our friends’ home-building journey, providing support and feedback. As a structural engineer, I had some knowledge from my years of work at the firm, even though it wasn’t my specialty.

“It’s perfect,” my wife sighed, slipping in next to me with a mug tucked in between her hands. “I think we need one of these inourbackyard, too.”

I laughed. “The porch swing I built wasn’t enough?”

She gave me a sly smile.

“How’s our daughter?”

“Still napping. All of that playing in the snow earlier really wore her out. Noelle’s got her eye on her.”

“Her hands aren’t too full, are they?”

Charlotte shook her head as Gabbi came out of the house, bundled up in a thick winter jacket. Hunter raised his eyebrows and slid his hand protectively over her belly as she sat next to him on the bench. He took the beanie off of his head and pulled it over the top of her head before settling back in, wrapping an arm around her. Hunter was always protective of his wife, but even more so now that she was pregnant.

“Thanks,” she huffed, adjusting his hat on her head so it sat further back, and then cuddled into her husband. “I’m pregnant, not suffering from hypothermia.”

Hunter grumbled in response.

The last two years had gone by in a flash for us ever since Abigail was born. We’d celebrated Gabbi and Hunter’s wedding six months later, and sometimes it felt like time would never slow down.

Moments like this were rare, where everything felt calm and peaceful. Just all four of us couples hanging out at one of our houses. We practically had a rotating nursery of care, as someone was inevitably pregnant or breastfeeding.

Angelina came out of the house, carrying two chubby babies bundled up in snowsuits—one red and one blue—and Benjamin instantly reached out to take one of the twins.

It had been the shock of my sister’s life when she found out she was pregnant with not one, but two babies.Boys.They were six months old now, happy, babbling boys.

“How’s my little man doing?” Ben asked the twin in his lap, bouncing him on his leg.

Angelina ran her fingers through her hair. “Good. After almost pulling his mother’s hair out.” She rubbed a spot on her head. “But they’re both fed, and diapers changed, so hopefully I can have a minute of peace now.” She sighed.

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