56. Epilogue Sunny
"Do we really want to read horror?" Winnie asks, her eyes wide.
"At least give it a shot. I seem to recall finding out all about how parking affects everything when you picked out that nonfiction book," Rose points out with an eye roll, evident that she did not appreciate learning about pavement.
" Paved Paradise was a really interesting look into how parking shapes our everyday lives. And parking doesn't give you nightmares for a month. The Omega Possession is definitely going to hinder my sleep," Winnie whines.
They both look at Clara.
"Listen, rules are rules,” she says. “We all have to read the book. Maybe it will turn out you love horror stories, and you've just never given them a chance. Maybe The Omega Possession is your gateway into a new literary world." Although even she looks skeptical at her own proclamation.
It's Rose's turn to pick out this month's book, and she's chosen The Omega Possession . It does make sense with this being October, but the only one who's excited about the pick is Rose. It's Bram Razor's latest book, and she's been dying to read it all year.
It's been three months since I joined the Night Pack, and it's been crazy.
The hotel is having a grand opening around Christmas.
I pointed out that it seemed like bad timing as we'll be leaving tourist season, but Cole insists it's perfect as the staff can be put through their paces without the pressure of large crowds.
Jess also stated, with no modesty at all, that they didn't need tourist season to attract high profile clients.
We lapse into town gossip. I lift the wine bottle to pour out another round for everyone, but when I get to Cali's it's still completely full. She hasn't touched it. I look up at her and her face has turned pink and she's holding back a grin. I quirk an eyebrow and she grins fully, nodding.
The conversation around us has stopped.
"Wait, what?" Rose asks. Clara lets loose an ear piercing squeal. Winnie covers her mouth with both hands.
"I'm pregnant," Cali confirms.
"How far along?"I ask.
"Twelve weeks," Cali says. "We wanted to get past the first trimester before telling anyone."
"Are you feeling ok?" Rose asks. She's looking a little sick by the entire notion.
"I was a little dizzy, and I had to pee a ton, but that was about it," Cali says, beaming.
"Wait! How have we not noticed for twelve weeks ?" Because we've definitely done book clubs and brunches in that time.
"I literally kept bringing my own ‘wine’ and hogged it. It was a pre-opened bottle with juice. A little extreme, but I really didn't want to tell anyone until I was ready, and I knew you'd guess."
We laugh and spend the rest of the book club talking about nursery themes and names.
When we’re finished Cali meets her pack outside. They’re excitedly talking to my pack. As they break off to help Cali into the car, I happily allow myself to be snuggled between Jess and Hunt while Luca leans down to kiss me.
"Pregnant." Cole's low timber draws my full attention to him. His gaze is dark and heated as he scans my face, and then lower to my belly. Heat builds between my legs at that gaze and I perfume. Hunt's mouth comes to nuzzle at the crook of my neck.
"Yep," I manage to squeak. We'd talked about kids.
The guys left it up to me as to when I want to start us down that particular journey.
I definitely want to fill the empty chairs at my ten-person dining table.
Having a farm full of kids is my dream. But, I'm also focused on bringing the farm into this century, and making it as successful as it can be.
I want to have something great to pass down to those children.
So I'd told them I'd like to wait a bit. But with Cali and her pack looking so happy. I'm second guessing myself. My grandmother once told me that if you wait for the perfect situation, you'll be waiting forever. Perfect doesn't exist. But happily ever after, without absolute perfection, can.
I smile at my pack, ready to seize my happily ever after.
***
Thank you for reading A Pack of Honey!