Epilogue
Ann leaned back on the blanket to catch some afternoon sun on the beach.
The interview went extremely well. GQ and Business Weekly had done tasteful covers.
The company had recovered from the scandal and Noah had managed to get Gains to have the position that he deserved as head of the company.
It had taken a few months but now their lives were back to normal.
Michael had only one more seizure. They had his medicines adjusted and it was unlikely he would have another if everything went well.
Otherwise, he was in perfect health, which made Ann very happy.
Elle waddled to the blanket on the beach and carefully plunked herself onto it. She rubbed her distended stomach and sighed. “If they kick any harder, they are going to come out the wrong way.”
“Did you find out the sex?” asked Piaget.
“Boys. Two boys again,” Elle shook her head. “I cannot believe I am silly enough to have four baby boys under four. I am going to lose my mind.”
“Should I lend you FenLei?” questioned Ann.
“Don’t offer what you aren’t willing to give,” warned Elle.
“We will all help,” said Piaget, slathering on sunscreen for her fair skin. Her own baby bump was tiny even though she was three weeks ahead of Elle in her pregnancy. “Group momming. I think it could really catch on.”
“Did you get the nursery painted?” Elle asked her.
“It is a beautiful sky blue for baby Morgan,” Piaget was also having a boy.
Once she and Max had announced the news Michael had handed over the key to the downtown condo.
It was a three bedroom which was far better than Piaget’s single.
Max and Piaget had protested but Michael had insisted in his own quiet way. “Have you picked out names?”
“We are arguing still,” Elle took a sip of her iced tea. “Noah has bad taste in names.”
Ann watched as the guys slowly took the sailboat out.
Michael was trying, this time more successfully, to teach Max how to sail.
Noah had gone along since the water was calm today, but she doubted he would last long.
He looked green the minute he stepped onto the boat.
FenLei had two napping twins in the house.
FedEx had a lifejacket and was on the boat, since she simply would not let Michael out of her sight.
Life was very good. It was about to get better.
“Why did he insist on going on the boat? Noah knows better,” Elle muttered as she watched them go further out. “He is going to be sicker than ever.”
“He had to go. Michael asked him to,” Ann said calmly. “He wants to commandeer both your husbands for a small task and had to talk details.”
Elle looked at her expectantly.
“Why? What does he want them to do?” Piaget asked curiously.
Ann smiled. “Well, I am figuring it has to do with shopping for a diamond ring since he had a page torn out of a jewelry magazine in the pocket of his shorts this morning with all sorts of them on it.”
Elle and Piaget both sat up on the blanket, alert.
“Really?” grinned Piaget.
“It is about time!” Elle exclaimed. “I am so happy for you.”
“Don’t tell. He doesn’t know that I know,” Ann could not contain her happiness. She grinned happily.
“We will have to start planning, shopping, dress hunting,” Piaget said dreamily. “When do you think you would like to marry? Fall? Winter?”
“Summer,” Ann said firmly. Here, on the beach, right in the back yard. It was going to be perfect.
“Next year?” nodded Piaget. “That is doable. It always takes a while to find a good venue anyways.”
“This year. Hopefully before my baby bump shows too much. Not that I really care anyways,” Ann said casually. She saw Michael wave from the boat. She waved in return.
Elle grabbed her in a hug. “Congratulations!”
Piaget hugged them both. “Does Michael know?”
“He found out this morning. After I stuffed that page of rings back in his pocket,” Ann laughed and hugged her two sisters-in-law. “I had to tell him to distract him before he figured out that I knew what he was up to.”
They leaned back and watched the guys, chatting about baby names.
Life was good.