Page 145

“Nothing,” Natasha says with a laugh. “I’m having a baby.”

“Oh my God!”

Carson smiles at me, and I return it. I had confided in him and swore him to secrecy.

He’s my person. My best friend. He knows what I know. But I also understand that anything I tell him is safe with him.

“More babies,” Lulu says as she wipes her eyes. “I love it so much.”

We all turn our eyes to Mateo and Violet. They’re the last ones to add babies to the mix.

Violet rolls her eyes.

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “No babies for us. I’m going to be the cool, rich, fun aunt that your kids call when they need to talk about stuff or want to go shopping.”

“For now,” Mateo adds with a wink. “There’s time.”

“So much time,” Violet agrees. “Besides, you’re having enough babies for all of us to fuss over. Do you know yet what the sex is?”

“No,” Natasha says. “It’s a little early. We do know that it’s twins.”

My jaw drops.

The room goes completely silent.

And then we’re cheering and hugging again.

“You didn’t tell me that part,” I say as I hug Natasha tight.

“I had to leave something for a surprise,” she says with a laugh. “Surprise!”

I’m a little weepy when I make my way to Carson, and he folds me into his arms.

“You okay, Sunshine?”

“I’m so fucking grateful. Thank you for finding me and bringing me home.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Epilogue

RINA

Christmas of the Following Year

“Carson. Wake up, babe.”

He jolts up in bed, fully awake, eyes scanning the room. “What’s wrong? Did the alarm go off?”

“No.” I chuckle and kiss his head. “But I need you to get up and take me to the hospital.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

He scowls and looks down at my enormous belly, and his hand comes up to cradle it.

“My water just broke.”

“It’s Christmas Day,” he reminds me, and I blink at him.