31. Kayla

Tears of happiness continue to stream down my face. Ash wants me. He wants the baby. He wants us.

My heart beats erratically as I take it all in. It feels too good to be true. I feel like I’m in a dream. If I am, I don’t want to wake up.

He said everything I was hoping he would. We still have a lot to figure out, but this is a good starting point.

Izzy runs over and searches my face. “What just happened?”

I wonder what it looked like from her perspective. We were crying, kissing, and hugging. It probably just looked like we reconciled. I look over at the town watching us intently and back at Izzy. If I tell her, everyone will know.

I wanted to keep it secret for a bit longer, but given the circumstances…

I say it loud enough for everyone to hear. “I’m pregnant.”

I vaguely hear a wave of excitement, but it’s drowned out by Izzy. She pounces on me. “I knew it!” She hugs me tight and bounces up and down.

I stop her from bouncing. “You’re making me nauseous.”

She grips me tight and then pulls back. Tears stream down her face. “I’m going to be an auntie!” She leans down and talks to my stomach. “Hello, in there. I’m your momma’s best friend, and we’re going to get into all sorts of trouble together.”

I laugh. I can imagine them getting up to lots of mischief.

She turns to Ash. “Firstly, I knew there was something going on. Secondly, I will murder you if you aren’t good to her. Thirdly, congratulations.” She steps forward and hugs him. His eyes go wide at the unexpected contact, and I laugh.

Izzy turns her head and mouths Oh, my God. I laugh and mouth back I know.

Jack walks over and pulls Izzy from Ash. “Don’t suffocate the man — he has a child on the way.”

I roll my eyes.

Jack narrows his eyes at Ash. Ash stiffens, like he’s preparing to be yelled at.

Jack puts his hand forward, and Ash audibly lets out a deep breath. They both laugh as they hug. “Congratulations, man.”

Ash chuckles. “It’s a lot to take in!”

Jack nods. “We’ve had a few weeks to process, and you’ve only had an hour. Give it time.”

Izzy smacks my arm, and I complain. “Precious cargo, dude.”

She crosses her arms. “You’ve known for weeks, and you didn’t tell me!”

Ash crosses his arms and mimics Izzy’s voice. “You didn’t tell me either.”

There’s a second of silence, and then we all burst out laughing. In this moment, it feels like all the stars have aligned and everything is how it’s supposed to be. All my favorite people are joking and laughing together.

I poke Ash. “I still think you got away with everything a bit too easily.”

He raises an eyebrow.

I smirk. “I thought Jack would’ve ripped your head off because of the whole sister thing. Don’t get me wrong; it’s very progressive of you, Jack.”

Jack shakes his head. “I think karma will sort it out for me.” He smirks and looks at Ash. “You haven’t had to deal with a hormonal Kayla yet.”

I slap Jack’s arm. “It’s not my fault that I’m full of hormones. It’s Ash’s.”

Ash holds his hands up in surrender. “How is it my fault?”

Izzy and I say the same thing at the same time. “It’s always the guy’s fault.” She catches my eye and winks.

I feel so relieved now that Ash and Izzy know. It feels like everything is right in the world. I shrug. “If I have to carry and birth a child, I can now blame Ash for impregnating me.”

Jack screws his face up in disgust. “I don’t need to think about that.”

Ash tries not to laugh. “I didn’t lay a finger on her.”

Izzy rolls her eyes. “It was immaculate conception?”

Ash furrows his brow. “Sure. Whatever that means.”

We all burst out laughing. I’m so lucky to have these people.

The rest of the town is either giving us space or gave up on listening in. I look around at everyone playing games and participating in our fundraiser and smile. Right now, I feel incredibly lucky.

I walk over, and Olivia engulfs me in a hug. She glances back at the people closest to us. “We weren’t trying to eavesdrop.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s fine. You were all bound to find out anyway.”

It occurs to me that there are a bunch of random people here that I don’t know, and they’ve witnessed this whole thing. I think they’re Jack’s associates, so he might have to do some damage control.

Knowing him, he’ll spin it as an authentic small-town experience.

Ash, Izzy and Jack join us. A few people come over and congratulate us.

Nathan bumps Izzy’s hip. “You kept this a secret!”

Izzy’s eyes go wide, and she gives Nathan a look.

I laugh. “She didn’t know until now — and don’t worry, Iz, you two are as obvious as we were.”

Izzy laughs awkwardly. “I wasn’t sure how to tell you, and with everything going on…”

Nathan puts his arm around her waist.

Olivia whispers something in Jack’s ear and laughs. Izzy and I give each other a knowing look. There’s definitely something going on there.

I smile to myself. At long last, it feels like all the puzzle pieces are clicking together.