Page 96 of One Unexpected Gift

“Logan travels a lot. Nick made it sound like he doesn’t really have a homebase.”

“Nick’s always up for an adventure,” Gina said. “I don’t remember the last time I heard about one of his expeditions or crazy trips. Following the woman of his dreams, the mother of his child, seems like an epic adventure to me.”

Sky hadn’t told them about Nick’s medical issues. That was a private matter, and if he wanted anyone to know she’d let him tell them. The fact that his family hadn’t known until this past weekend made her keep her mouth shut about his dissections.

“What happens when he tires of this adventure? It may be new and exciting now, but sleepless nights catch up with you. There will be toddler tantrums. Attitude. Discipline issues. Is Nick really capable of parenting a child?”

“Are any of us?” Brooke asked. “There really isn’t a way to prepare besides diving head first into it.”

“Even Owen will have to start over when we have kids. Sure, he’s Olivia’s guardian, but he didn’t do the diaper changing, the sleepless nights. Give Nick some credit. He hasn’t balked at the responsibility of being a parent even once. I think that says something for his character.”

“Sounds like he’s pretty fond of taking care of you as well,” Gina added.

He sure the heck took care of her this morning. Twice. Sky’s cheeks warmed at the memory and, of course, her friends called her on it.

“Someone’s been getting lucky and has been holding out on us.”

“Not exactly.” Sky sipped her tea. “This morning was the first time we slept together. Well, we slept together this past weekend, but we didn’t...”

“How adorable. Our little Skylar can’t even say the word sex.” Charlie snorted.

“Can too.” Sky squared her shoulders. “Sex. Nick and I had sex this morning.”

“Oh, I love morning sex,” Gina gushed.

“Please, girl. Who would’ve thought you’d be the sex fiend of us all? I swear, you and Bryce are always doing the nasty. Morning, noon, and night.”

“Pot. Kettle,” Brooke chided Charlie.

“Seriously. All three of you are happy in love, and all three of you have amazing husbands.”

“And you have the most perfect, beautiful baby girl.” Brooke covered Gabby’s face in kisses.

“And the three bestest friends.” Charlie held out her beer in the middle of the table for a toast.

They all clinked glasses. “We all have the three bestest friends,” Sky said.

“Yes. Best friends who support each other in good and with the bad. Not that anything bad is happening. Right?” Charlie raised a brow waiting for confirmation.

“Nothing bad is happening. Just lots of questions and uncertainty. Are you sure you’re not upset about me bailing on you? Last month the three of you argued over whose house Gabby and I would crash at. I don’t want you to think I’m choosing a guy over my friends. My sisters.”

Gina made herself another fajita and folded it with expert precision. “The way you made it sound earlier, Nick would be busy at work from noon until close to ten at night. That means lunch and dinner with us are still a go.”

“It’s kinda the best of both worlds,” Charlie added. “Cuddles and sex all night with your man, maybe some more nookie after your morning coffee, then you have the rest of the day for us. Well, Gina until Brooke and I get home from work.”

“You guys are amazing. Thank you for not making me feel guilty about this.”

“You seriously thought we’d do that?” Brooke leaned back as if she’d been slapped. “I’m kinda offended.”

“To be fair,” Charlie interrupted. “We made her feel guilty about keeping her baby daddy a secret.”

“No, you didn’t make me feel guilty. That was all on my own. You three have been totally understanding. Too understanding, really.” Sky finished her tea and stood. She stacked the empty plates and carried them to the sink. “All the emotions, the depression, the tears, they’ve been all me. I’m surrounded by the most perfect people, the easiest baby, and I still can’t stop the tears and the worrying.”

Chairs scraped against the wood floor and seconds later she found herself in the middle of a group hug. She didn’t know how long she stood there, in the middle of a sea of comforting arms, and cried.

She blurted it all out. Her fear of raising Gabby alone, her fear of being deployed, her questions about her career and if she was meant to be career Army, her love for Nick...

Sky whipped her head up, nearly knocking Gina in the jaw. “Did I say that last part out loud?” She sniffed and wiped her nose with the cuff of her sleeve. Yeah, she was classy like that.

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