Chapter 11
A ll night with her sisters and mom, she carried her little secret around. She would announce it during their toasts, not at dinner. Jed had discreetly asked the staff to pour her a glass of sparkling cider to keep anyone from noticing that she wasn’t having real champagne.
When it was time for the toasts, she quickly realized she wasn’t the only one with a big fat secret. Her mother and sisters, one by one, introduced their new partners. “How did this happen while we were at the cabin?” she asked.
Stevie’s eyes twinkled. “Mine started a long time ago. This was more like the second act.”
“Love’s in the air,” Hailey said.
“Or in the snow or something,” Mom said, eyes shining.
“It’s just dumb luck,” Stevie said, rolling her eyes.
“Or fate.” Jo grinned back at her sister.
Alissa could weep with joy for all of them. She’d never seen her sisters glow as brightly. This was what they looked like in love, she thought. It was about time they all had what she had with Jed.
“Alissa, it’s your turn,” Mom said.
Alissa lifted her glass of cider. “Well, as it turns out—our wedding was actually quite necessary for more reasons than just being madly in love and wanting to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Mom cocked her head. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that by this time next year, there will be a baby added to our family,” Alissa said.
Mom’s hands flew to her mouth. “I’m going to be a grandma?”
Nan, also beaming, pulled Alissa into a hug. “And I’m going to be a great-nan.”
“This is amazing,” Stevie said, gruffly. “You’re going to be the best mom ever.”
“You totally will be,” Hailey said. “I can’t wait to be an auntie.”
“Me too,” Jo said. “You’re both going to be terrific parents.”
After hugs from everyone, including a tearful Hailey, who held her for an extra beat, Jed raised his hand. “We have other news. We’ve decided to move here to be with you all.”
Stevie shrieked. “You guys too? This is amazing.”
Hailey grabbed Alissa into yet another hug. “This is a dream come true. We’ll be together again.”
“Like we should be,” Alissa whispered in her ear.
“What made you decide?” Mom asked.
“We want to be near our family,” Jed said.
“Yes, yes, Jed, you are our family now.” Mom beamed at him, then gave him another squeeze.
“Is all forgiven?” Jed asked Stevie after Mom let him go.
She grinned and held out her arms. “I always wanted a little brother to torture. And yes, all is forgiven. As a matter of fact, I’ve recently learned how misunderstandings and misperceptions can happen.”
Alissa looked around at the beautiful faces of her family, amazed that there were now five new members and another growing inside her. What would the new year bring? How would it possibly top this one?
Jed leaned over to pull her into his arms and kiss her even though he’d already done it once when the clock struck midnight. “Happy New Year. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.”
“I think you have some competition for the happiest,” Alissa said, gesturing around at her delighted family members.
“Come on, let’s get you home for the last night of our honeymoon.” He held out his hand. “My pregnant wife needs her rest.”
They said their goodbyes and walked hand in hand back to the cabin.
The stars were out, brilliant in the black sky.
As they were about to reach the cabin, one star twinkled especially brightly.
Almost like a wink. Her parents. Up there watching.
Always there. They never left her. Now she would be a mother and she would pass all that love from them and from Maddie on to her own child.
She took one last look before following Jed into the cabin on the first day of the new year and the rest of her life.
Second chances and miracles were all around if one had a brave heart and open eyes. “Thank you for mine,” she said silently to God, her parents, Maddie, her sisters.
She wrapped her arms around Jed’s neck and nestled close. They swayed together to the music of their heartbeats.
“You and me and baby makes three,” Jed whispered into her hair.
She didn’t answer. What more could she say than that? All her dreams had come true. She snuggled closer, holding on to her anchor, her partner, the father of her child. Savor every moment. Every sweet second. Make memories.