by Leia Stone
“Ohmygod!” Elle rushed the words together. “This is so beautiful.”
Liam’s mother smiled, “Only the best for my kids,” she told Elle and Cam. It was well-known that Cam was considered one of her boys now, too, like a son to her.
She’d found a job in town teaching at a preschool, and she loved it. She was one of those natural mothers. All of her boys pressed in on her and squeezed her into a giant hug, causing her to laugh and nearly stumble over. It was sad they only got to see her for a few hours every day, but it was the only way to keep everyone healthy.
When she pulled away, she gestured to a table that was tucked back along the far wall. “Champagne for the adults!”
Elle squealed and ran to the back, starting to pass them out. Jasper took two and downed them both before taking a third. He’d taken residence over a pristine twenty-acre plot in Spring, and the Queen had officially named him a Lord, at his request, of course. We all teased him endlessly, calling him Lord Jasper any chance we got.
Trissa grabbed a glass of champagne and started to hand one to Liam’s mom when I panicked. What would I say when someone offered me one? I loved champagne, especially with strawberries, and this was my best friend’s engagement, why would I not celebrate with—
“Lily! Cheers.” Elle handed me a glass.
I grabbed it, slightly wide-eyed, but recovered quickly. “Cheers!” We clinked glasses and I let mine rest at my waist without taking a sip while Elle drank hers. I looked around the room nervously, hoping she wouldn’t notice.
“Why aren’t you drinking?” she said loudly, causing a few people to stop their conversation and stare.
I gave her a nervous laugh. “Just… not feeling it tonight,” I lied.
Her mouth hung open. “Lily! Why aren’t you drinking?” she shouted louder. “Ohmygod! Are you pregnant?”
The entire room fell silent. I looked up and found Liam’s gaze. He was frozen, eyes like burning embers.
I turned to my bestie. “I didn’t want to ruin your special night.”
She shrieked like a wild animal and attacked me with a hug, causing the champagne to spill on my dress. “Lily!” Her joy brought tears to my eyes, and then everyone started clapping. When Elle pulled away from me, Liam was there.
“Lily? Are you?” His gaze was smoldering.
I swallowed hard, nodding. “I think we’re going to need a bigger house.”
With a grin, he swooped me up into his arms and lifted me into the air, holding the back of my legs so that I was flush against him.
“I’m going to be a dad!”
The joy in the room was palpable. Liam’s mom, Trissa, Jasper, everyone came to give their congratulations, and I hugged each one of them, feeling happier than ever.
Only later, on the porch when we were looking at the tree Mara was buried under, did I finally have a private moment alone with Liam.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he said, running his finger along my bottom lip.
I grinned and then looked back at the tree. “Liam?”
“Yes, my love?”
“If it’s a girl, I want to name her Mara.”
He smiled, and it lit up his whole face. “I think that’s perfect.”
When he pulled me into his arms for a kiss, I’d never felt so happy and complete in all my life.
The End
If you liked this series you might also like my newest release Shifter Island.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to everyone who loved Liam and Lily, they were so fun to write. A special thank you to my ARC team who stepped in to find any last minute errors. I love you guys! To Dawn and Kate, my editors, thank you for finding all the big mistakes that I seem to have so many of LOL. Muah!