Page 119 of Love or Leave

She just wished so badly that it had been that easy for her.

Gale's hand landed gently on her back, and she shook off the feeling and forced a smile. "I'm okay," she said, before her mother-in-law could ask.

Gale and Amy nodded.

It was nice having them to talk to. Gale had opened up about her struggle to get pregnant with Ethan. And now that they'd seen the doctor, understood the problem and made a plan, she felt much better about the whole thing. Her doctor was confident that she could conceive with the right treatment.

Still, it ate away at her.

Ethan came up behind her and slipped a sparkly confetti popper into her hand. "It's almost time," he said before dropping a kiss to her head.

She smiled and let him tug her toward the dance floor where their friends had gathered.

"I've been thinking," Ethan said gently, drawing circles with his big hand along her upper back, "maybe we should tell them tonight. It's a lot to carry alone."

Natalie hesitated. It was likely old habits dying hard—bottling up her feelings and suffering alone and never showing vulnerability and running when things got too tough. In some ways it was easier to keep things to herself, but easier wasn’t necessarily better, and she didn't need to do that anymore.

She had family, friends, and, most importantly, Ethan. A whole group of people surrounding her, loving her.

She squeezed his hand and nodded. "Okay. Let's do it."

They reached the group just as Adam was handing out plastic hats and tiaras and tiny noisemakers.

Cara gave Natalie a long look, tilting her head. "Hey, you good?"

Natalie took a deep breath. "Yeah, I mean… not really."

Her eyes scanned their little group—her sister the bride, glowing next to her groom, Willow clinging to Max's arm, Cara nestled against Antonio, all of them looking back with concern.

And love.

Her eyes filled and Ethan's arm came around her shoulders, strong, sure.

"We saw a fertility doctor last week," she said. "We've been trying since our wedding and… we're starting treatment after the holidays."

Her friends didn't skip a beat. They all moved in unison toward her and pulled her and Ethan into a group hug in the middle of the dance floor. Arms wrapped around them as they all whispered their love and support.

The weight she’d been carrying left her shoulders and her eyes overflowed, but they were good tears. Hopeful tears.

The lights overhead dimmed, and Adam's uncle David began the countdown to the new year.

"Ten… nine… eight…"

The group separated, but Ethan stayed close. "Whatever happens, we've got this. You and me."

Natalie swallowed the lump in her throat and leaned into him. "I love you."

"Seven…"

"I love you, too."

She smiled at him and glanced around. Chelsea laughed as Adam put a tiara on both their heads.

"Six… Five…"

Cara giggled as Antonio covered her face with kisses.

"Four… Three…"