Page 6 of Love Like This

“Good call,” Gia said. “Time for you to do nothing but relax.”

Hadley sighed in relief. She, too, had been waiting to hear thatstatement for weeks now, but Autumn was a stubborn one who refused to leave herbusiness, which she loved beyond all measure, until the last possible second,throwing Hadley’s worried heart into overdrive. “I’m going to bring you abasket of bath bombs later, and I order you to use them. Start with the blueglittery one. It’s called Moonlight Madness and it will make your life feellike it’s new again. Oh! And play some flute music while you soak. Does it forme every time.”

“Bless the blond girl,” Autumn said, with a hand over her heart.“Bless her sweet soul. If I didn’t have pregnancy brain, I might even rememberher name.”

“Flute lunatic works,” Isabel said.

“How’s Kate?” Gia asked. “I haven’t seen her around much.”

“She’s been picking up extra shifts at the firehouse any chanceshe gets, which will allow her to take more time off when the kiddos are here.”

“Smart,” Elle said, with a thoughtful look. “When I have kids oneday, I want to do the same. Take some time for just them.”

Autumn lit up. “So, does that sound like a game plan in theworks?” She looked from Gia to Elle.

“I wouldn’t put it on your calendar, but maybe,” Gia said, with asmall smile on her lips. She looked over at Elle and took her hand. “Down theroad. Yeah, I think we definitely want kids.”

“Who’s going to carry?” Hadley asked, sold on the idea instantly.She leaned forward with her chin in her hands, eager for details.

“I think when we decide we’re ready, I will,” Elle said, as pinktouched her cheeks. “I’ve always wanted to be pregnant.”

“God, I can’t wait to see that,” Gia said, looking skyward. Theglow coming off of her could light up the whole block in an outage.

Autumn pointed at her stomach, eyes wide. “If you hurry, thatlittle one can be friends with these guys.”

“Do the mysterious twins have names yet?” Isabel asked. “Taylorsuggested Donald and Daisy, but I like Elphaba and Fiyero.”

“Jack and Diane,” Gia offered.

“Jon Snow and Khaleesi,” Elle said with a grin, followed by asmolder.

Hadley shook her head. “Weirdos, no. Those are all couples. Youcan’t name the twins after couples.”

“She has a point,” Autumn said. “But no names yet. I might need tomeet them first. Get some experience with their out-in-the-world vibe.”

Isabel dropped her head onto the table with a thud. “Fine. Thus,we wait.”

They’d learned a few months back at a gender reveal party on thebeach that Kate and Autumn were expecting a boy and a girl, which had Hadleyshopping for them like a maniac. She’d singlehandedly purchased an entiresummer wardrobe for both babies, each item selected to compliment the outfit ofthe other twin, obviously. She’d matched accent colors, and hints of patterns,and even tossed in a few theme outfits, her favorite. With Fourth of July rightaround the corner, how could she resist little red, white, and blue top hats?No one could. It would be blasphemous.

“What about you guys?” Hadley asked Isabel. Of all the couples,she and Taylor had now been together the longest. “Any thoughts of little ones?Tiny creative writer feet prancing through the studio crafting conflict? Thatcould be fun!”

Isabel smiled. “Right now, we have two little ones with furry feetto worry about. Fat Tony is making great strides on his social skills, andRaisin has mastered ‘snuggle eyes’ like no one’s business. I think that’senough. Plus, I’d want to be married first. Start with that foundation andbuild from there.”

“And when is that happening?” Autumn asked, her eyes hopeful. “I’dbe happy to do the coffee for the reception.”

Isabel glanced at her watch. “Would you look at the time? Storymeeting in a little over an hour, and with traffic, I’m already gonna be late.Gotta jet.”

“Someone’s scared of commitment,” Gia called to Isabel’sretreating form.

“If it ain’t broke,” Isabel called back.

Autumn turned to the remaining group. “Oh, yeah. She’s terrified.”

“Totally,” Gia murmured. “What about you, Had?”

Hadley glanced from Gia to Autumn. “What about me?”

“Any big bang yet?”

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