Page 48 of Pregnant in Plaid
"He's just being responsible."
"He's being a partner," Marnie corrects. "There's a difference."
"We're not—" I stop. What are we? "It's complicated."
"It always is," Sarah says. She's older, maybe mid-fifties, with kind eyes. "But complicated doesn't mean impossible."
"Sometimes it means exactly that."
"Not here." She gestures around. "You see this group? Emma's husband died five years ago. Marnie's divorced. I moved here after my kids grew up and I wanted a fresh start. Tessa left everything in Florida to move here." She smiles. "We're all complicated. But we're all figuring it out."
I swallow hard. "I don't know how."
"Start by admitting what you want," Tessa says quietly.
"I don't even know what that is anymore."
"That's okay too." She squeezes my hand. "What do you need right now?"
"To not feel so alone."
"Done." Marnie raises her glass. "You're officially not alone anymore. You're stuck with us."
Everyone laughs, and the conversation shifts.
Emma starts in about Tessa's dress. "We need details."
Tessa lights up. "It's simple. Cream-colored, long sleeves because Alaska in January. Nothing fancy."
"Has Gage seen it yet?" Marnie asks.
"Absolutely not. That's bad luck."
"Does he even care about that stuff?" Sarah laughs.
"No, but I do." Tessa grins. "Besides, I want him to be surprised."
"He'll cry," I say without thinking.
Everyone looks at me.
"What?" I shrug. "He cried when they got engaged.Tessa told me. He'll definitely cry at the actual wedding."
"Trace too," Marnie says. "Those two are basically the same person. Both big softies under all that Alaskan mountain man exterior."
"Trace doesn't cry," I say automatically.
"Oh honey." Dr. Martinez pats my hand. "Wait until the baby comes. He'll be a mess."
The baby. Right. Because that's actually happening. The baby kicks, hard, like it heard us talking about it.
"When are you due?" Emma asks gently.
"Late February or early March. About six weeks."
"First baby?"
"Yeah."
