Page 92 of Only You

Andrew stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “Congratulations, gorgeous,” he said, dropping a kiss on her lips. She wrapped a hand behind his head and pulled his lips harder to hers, letting him know she would demand much more later. Andrew grinned down at her. Ana knew she’d never have to beg.

Andrew’s mum and dad were the next to step forward, pulling her into a family hug. “Congratulations, Ana,” Andrew’s mum added, her eyes glistening in the light.

Ana spent the next ten minutes greeting their friends and family. Millie and George finally stepped up, handing her a glass of bubbly.

Ana smiled. “This is as much a party for the two of you,” she said, grinning at her two best friends. They both stepped in for a group hug. Ana’s life was so different now. They filled her life with so much love and hugs it had become second nature.

“Who would have guessed? A group project!” Millie said, “We’ve come a long way.”

“Fate had a powerful hand in our lives that day,” George said.

Ana thought back. Without Millie and George, she would never have taken the job at Mount Crystals. Never had the chance to reconnect with Andrew, and she would not have her happily ever after.

“Thank you. Both of you. Your friendship means more than I can ever say.”

“That goes both ways. And don’t think you are getting rid of us... ever!” George said, sucking on her bottom lip.

“What time is your flight?” Ana asked, patting her friend on the arm.

George grinned. “Eight tomorrow morning.” George was flying out to see Julie.

Julie’s visa had expired, and she was struggling to get it renewed. She and George had been flying back and forth during the holidays over the past eighteen months. George had applied for a work permit this time, so she was going to see Julie. Their relationship was solid. Ana knew whatever happened, they would make it work.

“Don’t be a stranger,” Ana added.

“Never,” George grinned.

“What am I going to do without you?” Millie said, sobbing.

“You won’t be with me. I will always be here... maybe not for a physical hug, but I am always on the end of the phone.” George said, hugging her. “Plus, you two need to make this business work. I’ll be looking for a job when I come back!”

Millie sniffed.

Andrew came up behind Ana and wrapped his arms around her. Ana sank back into his embrace and watched as her two friends grinned at her.

“Do you mind, ladies, if I borrow Ana for a bit?”

“As if we stood a chance of stopping you,” Millie grinned. “She’d follow you to the ends of the earth.”

Andrew grinned. “At least it’s mutual.”

Andrew drew her away from her friends and into the kitchen. “Someone has just arrived.”

Ana entered the kitchen, and her eyes were immediately drawn to her sister. A wide grin spread over her face. Eva had been away for the past month, and Ana had really missed her. The past two and a half years had seen their relationship develop. No one would know that there were fourteen years between them. The past was exactly where it should be. Both Ana and Eva were only interested in the future.

Ana bent down and kissed her sister on the cheek. “Sorry, I can’t get up,” Eva said, rubbing her swollen stomach.

Ana laughed, dropping her hand to her sister’s ever-expanding waistline. “I think you can be forgiven. How are my niece and nephew doing?”

“Ensuring my wife gets no sleep,” came a voice behind her.

Ana spun around and hugged her brother-in-law. Eva had run from him, but he had followed. She’d battled against her feelings, but he had never once given up until she’d no fight or excuses left in her. For the love he showed her sister, Ana was eternally grateful. Now Eva was only a month or two away from delivering twins. Despite her difficult past, her sister had finally found her happily ever after.

Andrew clinked a glass with a spoon. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?”

Ana felt her colour rise; she hated being the centre of attention.

“As you know, my beautiful girlfriend and her friends have finished their degrees today and are about to embark on new adventures.” Everyone let out a cheer. Ana could not fault all their friends and family. They had been nothing but supportive since they’d announced their relationship.

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