Page 42 of Stolen Holidays
“I-I guess I can work with that,” Emery stutters. She clutches her stomach, and I jump forward, ready to shout for Mason, when she exhales a deep breath. “Those practice contractions are something else.”
I lay a hand on my chest. “Geez, that scared me. I almost threw up. I thought the baby was going to pop out.”
Talia throws her head back and laughs. “Girl, I’m gifting you some private Lamaze classes for Christmas. We need you ready for when this baby arrives.”
We all break out into a fit of laughter. It feels good to be surrounded by these gorgeous women. They are all so supportive and kind. They are successful and well educated, but I never feel judged or looked down on by them for only having a GED—not by choice. I would have loved to have gone to high school and college. Experience a real, normal life instead of the public life that was forced onto me.
“That’s probably a good idea, seeing as I won’t have the queen of babies with me.” I nod towards Rylann, whose mouth falls open in mock offence.
“Hey now, I am not the baby queen. I only have three children.” She crosses her arms and glares at me.
“For now,” Emery teases, hiding her smile behind her water bottle.
Rylann throws a pillow at her. “Rude. True, but rude.”
For a split second, my brain pictures my mom’s face. A trickle of sadness hits me, but I push it away. While I know she needs more time, it doesn’t hurt any less knowing she won’t be around to lend me her support while I embark on my journey into motherhood.
“Are you excited about having a baby?” Talia asks, pulling me from my mini spiral.
“Definitely. I know it’s fast, but I just love Eli so much. I’ve always wanted a big family,” I tell them.
“Maybe you’ll be the lucky one and give us another girl.”
I shake my head. “No way. I want a boy. Sisters are nothing but trouble.” Everyone freezes at my comment, and I slap a hand over my mouth.
We all burst out laughing. Even though I am not angry at Silla anymore, I will never ever forgive her. She’s not even a thought in my mind. She is where she’s supposed to be, rotting in prison, while I get to move on and live a beautiful life.
Rylann straightens up. “You know, none of us have sisters. We either have brothers or are only children.” She looks at me and places her hand on mine. “You are all my sisters now. Like Scarlett, I am choosing each of you. You are my family, my sisters from other misters, and I promise nothing will ever change that. I love you all so much.”
“I love you ladies too.” Emery dabs at the tears streaming down her face with a tissue. “Damn you, Rylann Miller, for making me cry.”
I wipe away a tear and chuckle. “I think it’s the hormones.”
“Then what’s my excuse?” Talia sniffs. “I love you all too. Thank you for welcoming me into your family.”
My ribs feel tight as I look around at my newfound family. I have proper sisters now. “I’ve never even had girlfriends before, and now I have three amazing sisters. Thank you.”
The four of us lean forward and wrap our arms around each other’s shoulders for a teary group hug. I’m so grateful for these women and their friendship. This is a true sisterhood.
The crack of the ball hitting a bat has us turning our heads towards the guys standing out on the grassy field with Rhys and Riah. They are playing baseball and having a great time. Cam pitches the ball to Rhys, who knocks it deep and to the right, where Jace is waiting to catch the ball.
“Foul ball!” Mason hides a smirk as Cam and Jace tell him off for cheating and giving Rhys another at bat.
Rhys bumps Mason’s knuckles and gets ready for the next pitch. This time, Rhys hits the ball perfectly down the middle. He takes off, sprinting around the bases.
Riah chases after Rhys—not wanting to be left out—with Eli hot on her heels. Her little legs wobble as she hits a bump and starts to fall. Eli grabs the back of her little pink jacket just in time and swings her around. She lets out a high-pitched squeal of delight.
The sound is the best kind of music, hitting me right in the feels. My eyes water as I watch the man I love pull his niece into a hug and blow raspberries on her cheek.
“He’s going to be so excited when you tell him, Callie.” The warmth of Rylann’s hand seeps into me as she lays it on my shoulder.
“He is.”
Eli and I might have been caught up in the moment the other day, but deep down, I know this is exactly what we both want: to start the rest of our lives now.
eighteen
Eli
