Page 140 of Implode

I laugh as my girl pulls out the tissue paper and then retrieves the tiny gift box. She lifts the lid and reveals a beautiful white-gold charm bracelet that already has a ring charm and a baby rattle charm attached.

“I figure you can buy more charms as you reach more events in your life that you want to remember,” Penny explains.

“I love it. I want to wear it now,” Claire says joyfully. She undoes the clasp and looks at me expectantly to help her snap it into place.

Once the bracelet is secured, I kiss her engagement band and join fingers with hers.

Angie grabs the next box that simply has a bow on top. “This is not necessarily a gift, but a proposal.”

Claire takes the box and puts it on her lap. “I’m confused,” she says softly.

“Open it and see.”

I watch as Claire pulls off the bow on the box and sees the Plus None logo underneath. Lifting the lid, she discovers a maternity lifestyle line in the form of a subscription box.

“Once I found out you were pregnant, I thought about how many other mommies or mommies-to-be out there are struggling to find cute outfits, comfortable shoes, and inspiration. I thought we could extend our box line and embrace moms too. You don’t have to answer now, we can—”

“Yes!” Claire says with confidence. “I love this idea, Angie. It is wonderful.”

“I also thought you could be the lead for this certain branch. After all, you are going to rock this lifestyle, and what better way to create a brand than to be experiencing it too?”

I smile and hug Claire to me. She has come a long way with her career goals and her confidence. It makes me so happy to stand by someone who is so strong and resilient. I have no doubt she is going to change the world. She is that special. The best leaders are the ones who have some life experience and some bruises that guide their choices.

We eat more food and finish up by cutting a cake that is designed to look like a sunflower—Claire’s favorite flower. After all of the presents are opened, we reminisce and share embarrassing stories. I’m pretty sure that is Asher and Graham’s favorite part, because they sure think they are hilarious—at my expense.

Regardless, it feels great to laugh and be surrounded by those I love.

“This is the best engagement and baby announcement party. I never expected this. It was a wonderful surprise. Thank you all for throwing this for me,” Claire says, her tone full of gratitude and warmth. “You guys sure know how to make a person feel special.”

I pull her toward me and kiss her temple. “If you all don’t mind, I need to sneak Claire away for a moment.”

“Where are we going?” she asks.

“You’ll see.”

I walk her down the boardwalk that leads onto the beach. We kick off our shoes and make a pile at the end of the wooden platform.

It is around noon and the sun is high in the sky. I have a blanket laid out waiting for us, something I was able to set up while Claire was in the shower earlier.

“What do we have here?” she asks, looking at the quilt and the folded board I have weighed down by a cooler.

“Sit.” I help Claire down onto the fabric and join her. I pick up the cooler and pull out the board, unfolding the trifold flaps. I watch as she scans over the magazine cutouts, laughing over my gesture.

“You made me a vision board,” she says fondly. She taps her fingers over the picture of the baby and smiles.

“It’s not complete. I want you to be a part of adding to it with me. I want your dreams to become our reality.”

Claire runs her fingers over the individual letters I cut out to spell the word “forever.” She then trails them over the small picture of the Eiffel Tower.

“You want to go back to Vegas?” she asks, looking over at me. “To where our story began?”

“Sure, we can do that. But I thought you would like to see the real tower with me in Paris.”

Claire sits up straighter, glancing between the board and me. “Paris?”

“You know, the city in France?” I laugh.

She launches herself at me, making me fall back. “Is that a yes?”

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