Cherished (Wanted 4)

I quickly looked up at my mother. “Oh yeah! Let me go real quick, Mom…on my crutches and all.”

I made my way out of the room and down the hall. Everyone stood up at once. I knew the moment I opened my mouth, I was going to start crying again, and Jeff would probably call me a pussy. I looked at each of them standing there with smiles on their faces. These were my six friends who had stood by me through everything. I knew there wasn’t a damn thing we wouldn’t do for each other. My life would be empty without them in it. I knew this wouldn’t be the last time we were all going to be waiting to hear the news of another new baby. Our lives were just starting. So many more happy memories were waiting for all of us.

“Well?” Ari said. “Are you going to tell us, dickwad? Or make us all stand here and guess?”

I let out a laugh. Only Ari could make me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry.

“It’s a girl—Lauren Ashley,” I barely said.

They all made their way over to me. With every handshake and hug, my heart grew bigger and bigger, and my love for my friends grew tenfold.

“Congratulations, dude,” Gunner said as he took me in for a hug.

Each of the girls took turns giving me a kiss and wiping away my tears.

Josh smiled as he gave me a hug. “I told you, didn’t I?”

I nodded my head. “Yeah. You weren’t kidding either.”

When Jeff walked up to me, I braced myself for what I was sure was going to be an onslaught of snarky comments.

“Welcome to fatherhood, dude. It’s one of the coolest things ever. I’m glad you had a girl because if you had a boy, I would have to worry about him going after my Grace. If your son were anything like you…”

I started laughing and shook my head. “Thanks, Jeff.”

He smiled, and to my surprise, he brought me in for a quick hug and slap on the back. “I’m really happy for you and Jessie.”

As everyone stepped back, I saw my father walking down the hall with Starbucks coffees, and Bryce was following behind him with more coffees.

Dad stopped and smiled as he looked at me.

“A girl—Lauren Ashley,” I said.

He handed Josh the coffees, walked up to me, and pulled me in for a hug. “Son of a bitch. Well done, son. Well done. I’m so damn proud of you and Jessie.”

I smiled, and Bryce reached out and shook my ha

nd. Things hadn’t been the same with us ever since the whole Chelsea incident, but we were trying to work on it.

“So, I’m an uncle. Pretty damn cool.”

“Dad, would you like to see her?” I asked.

“Do horses shit?”

I laughed and shook my head. I turned and made my way back into the room as I listened to my father talk about all the things he was going to teach Lauren.

I never want this feeling to end.

As I held my daughter in my arms, I glanced over at Scott sleeping away in the recliner next to the bed. I smiled and slowly shook my head.

“Your daddy seems to be tired, sweet baby girl.”

I looked at the cast on his ankle, and my heart broke for him. He was supposed to be training a horse next week, and now, he couldn’t, and he was so upset about it. When he’d asked Ari if she would do it, I’d thought she was going to jump through the roof because she had been so happy.

Lauren yawned while I used the tip of my index finger to gently trace a pattern along her face. She smelled so good, and she was so precious. Every time I looked at her, my heart wanted to burst open.

“You know, I remember the first time I felt you move. I was standing outside, and at first, I thought it was like a nervous feeling, but then Ellie told me it was you moving around. I also remember the first time I saw your little body move across my stomach.” I let out a little chuckle. “Your daddy cried the first time he felt you move. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I’m pretty sure you are going to be spoiled beyond belief. Between your daddy and your two grandpas, you will be one tough little girl. Don’t worry though—your grandmother will be sure to keep you dressed to the nines in pink ribbons and bows.”