Page 67 of The Homecoming

“What happened with Rebecca?” she asked, knowing her curiosity would have gotten the best of her, anyway.

His smile vanished as he shook his head. “What do you mean?”

“I saw you kiss on New Year’s Eve; I’d have hoped you two would be a couple by now.” She smiled.

He shrugged and looked away. “It’s nothing.” He fidgeted, and Autumn had never seen him stymied for words before. “I just got carried away with the booze and dancing.” He turned to the door. “We’re just friends. Get some rest, Ms. Mac.”

35.

The following night, Autumn stayed glued to her cell phone for updates on the inaugural wedding at Huntington Farms. She and Danny were stuck in the hospital for at least another day—maybe two—but she had grown stir-crazy. She’d gotten little information from anyone at the wedding, which was good. It meant they were busy and things had not gone off the rails.

Or maybe things had gone off the rails.

Her hospital room door may as well have been a revolving one, as relatives were practically running a conga line in and out throughout the day. Each one had their own advice that contradicted the other. Shirley had spent the morning sitting on the couch, occasionally reminding Autumn that she couldn’t do this on her own. When she left to call and check on Jason, who was now in Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Carmen Madera took her place. Thankfully, Carmen spent her time cooing over Danny and singing lullabies in Spanish. She didn’t mention Daniel or question Autumn’s capability to be a mom. So far, Carmen was her favorite visitor of the day.

Night soon fell, and she was left alone with Danny and her anxiety over the wedding she couldn’t attend. Huntington Farms biggest night, and there Autumn sat in a giant maternity nightgown with slits strategically placed to allow for breastfeeding. Speaking of, her breasts had gone haywire; one minute they were fine and the next, it looked like she’d purchased them.

Without warning, the door opened and Hannah appeared in her white wedding gown with Justin trailing her in his tux. Autumn had just finished changing Danny’s diaper for the millionth time.

“Aw,” Hannah eyes were glued to the baby laying on the bed as Autumn worked to tie him into the burrito bundle preferred by OB nurses everywhere.

“Look at you,” Autumn cried. “So pretty.”

“Thanks,” Hannah said, sights still set on the baby.

“So, how did it go?”

She looked at Autumn. “It was amazing, so beautiful. The barn was all set up with the twinkle lights and candles.” Hannah grinned from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, Justin looked at his wife like she was a dessert.

“I wish you could have been there. It was perfect.” Hannah exclaimed.

Autumn exhaled in relief, glad their wedding had been everything they wanted, and glad they were happy.How did Brandon and Ben think tonight went?Hannah held up a bouquet. “Wait,” Autumn said. “You didn’t toss the bouquet?”

Hannah shook her head. “I didn’t plan on tossing my real bouquet. I had a special one made to throw, but I decided I want you to have it, instead.”

Autumn’s hand went to her chest as she smiled. “That’s so sweet. But I’m guessing some of the girls there didn’t care for that.”

Hannah shrugged.

“You should have given it to Rebecca.”

She smiled. “You can give her yours.”

Autumn shook her head and opted not to argue the point, placing Danny back into the plastic bassinet.

Hannah tossed her the bouquet, allowing Autumn to catch it in her hospital bed.

“We brought a vase you can put it in,” Justin said, producing a small, glass vase from behind his back and went to the sink to fill it. Hannah had made a beeline to Danny after tossing the bouquet. She cuddled the baby close, rocking him back and forth and smelling his head as Justin placed the flowers in the vase on the bedside table. Autumn could practically see her friend’s biological alarm clock ringing.

“He’s so sweet,” Hannah cooed.

“Just wait till he takes a poop,” Autumn said. “That’s not sweet.”

Hannah laughed as she squeezed her puffy dress into the rocking chair while holding the baby. “Did they ever say why you went into labor so early?”

“Placenta abruption. They don’t know the cause, but sometimes the placenta detaches from the uterine wall too early. It’s why I bled like that and passed out. It didn’t help that he was breech.”

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