Page 22 of Can We Try?

“Yeah, Uncle Rome,” Forrest jabs.

“Who’s doing whose makeup?” Monroe asks.

“Me and sissy are doing Uncle Rome’s,” Rayne tells her.

“Maybe later, double squirts,” Roman says, and the girls fall into a fit of giggles at the bizarre nickname. I get it, we all do, but to the girls, it’s absolutely hilarious.

“Hand her over,” Maddox says, walking into the room and straight for Lilly. She cackles as he takes her into his arms. “When will he wake up?” Maddox nods to where Kane is sleeping against Legend’s chest.

“After the sh—dump he took, he’s probably content for a while,” Legend says, fondly staring down at his sleeping son.

“He’s had some issues today, so we’re letting him sleep. He only napped for about twenty minutes earlier,” Monroe explains.

“Sounds like Lilly.”

“We’re big girls. We don’t nap, right, sissy?” River asks Rayne.

“Nope. No naps for us big kids,” Rayne agrees.

“Can we go play, Mommy?” River asks.

Briar looks up at Emerson. “Of course,” she replies. “Lilly, do you want to go play?”

She nods and wiggles for Maddox to let her down, and the three of them take off to the corner of the living room, where Lilly has a little play area.

“Okay, did I miss someone’s birthday?” Maddox asks. “I know I’ve been a little preoccupied, so if I did, I’m sorry.” He furrows his brow like he’s trying really hard to figure out why we’re all here.

“Can’t we all just get together randomly without a reason?” Roman asks him. His eyes flash to where Lachlan and I are standing.

“There is a reason,” Lachlan speaks up. “And it’s not a birthday.”

“And that reason is?” Legend prompts him.

Lachlan reaches down and laces his fingers through mine. I squeeze his hand, knowing our friends are going to get the wrong idea, but I need his touch to keep me grounded for this.

“Maggie and I are having a baby.” He says the words casually, as if he’s talking about the weather, then lifts our joined hands to his lips, and kisses my knuckles.

“Rewind,” Maddox says. He looks at Brogan. “Did he just say…?” His voice trails off as if he can’t believe the news.

“How?” Monroe asks. “I know how, but how?” She chuckles.

“When?” Briar asks.

“Where?” Brogan chimes in.

“Are the two of you together?” Emerson adds.

I take in a breath and slowly exhale, preparing to tell them all the things, but Lachlan beats me to it.

“Mo, I think you know how babies are made. Briar, we had a night together at the cabin in Gatlinburg, and in case your question has a double meaning, we’re due at the middle of March. Em, we’re not together, not as a couple, but we are going to raise this baby together.” He answers all of their questions quickly and efficiently.

The room is eerily silent for a few seconds, and then everyone starts talking at once. We’re pulled into hugs and slaps on the back, kisses on the cheek, and congratulations all around.

“You did this to beat me,” Maddox teases.

“I didn’t.” I hear Lachlan tell him. “But I gotta tell ya, man, I wouldn’t change it even if I could.” My heart melts, and the girls must notice because they all offer me watery smiles.

“Why’s everyone being so loud?” Rayne asks.

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