California Girls

She managed a smile and led the way back into the waiting area.

It took another forty minutes for her to be called. Clark waited outside while she put on a gown and robe, then stretched out on the table for the ultrasound. When the technician let him in, Bernie raced in with him and hovered by Zennie’s side.

“I’m sorry,” her friend said, the right side of her face swollen and puffy. “I’m so sorry. I woke up in horrible pain and went to the ER this morning. They sent me to my dentist where I had to have an emergency root canal. It took forever and they knocked me out with something and I never thought to text because I didn’t think it would take four hours.” Bernie grabbed her hand. “And Hayes is in court so he couldn’t contact you but he’s on his way and oh, Zennie, I’m sorry. I hope we didn’t scare you.”

The relief was sweet. Zennie held on to Bernie’s hand. “I’m okay,” she said. “I was worried that something had happened.” She glanced over her friend’s shoulder to see Clark giving her an “I told you so” smile. She smiled back.

Hayes walked in and hurried over.

“Everyone okay?” he asked. “Sorry I got stuck in court. Bernie, you look awful.”

“I feel awful. They drugged me. I had to Uber over, so we’ll need to get my car later, but none of that matters.” She squeezed Zennie’s hand again. “Let’s see our baby.”

“We’ll do the heartbeat first,” the technician said, pulling a container of gel out of a warming oven.

Zennie held out her free hand to Clark, so he could join them. Bernie looked between the two of them, but didn’t say anything. Later Zennie would tell her about the meltdown and they would all laugh, but for now, she was grateful for the support.

“Here we go,” the technician said.

For what felt like the longest time, there was nothing. Zennie knew that finding the heartbeat this early could take some doing. It all depended on the position of the baby in her body and the—

The sound of tiny galloping horses filled the room. Bernie cried out and clutched Hayes. Clark squeezed Zennie’s hand.

“Let me get Dr. McQueen,” the tech said with a smile. “She’ll want to count the beats.”

Zennie knew that one hundred and twenty to one hundred and sixty beats per minute was normal. The beats were strong and regular and there really was a person growing inside of her.

“Thank you,” Bernie said, with a shaky smile. “Oh, Zennie, thank you for everything.”

“Of course. You’re my friend.”

“And you’re a miracle.”

“I’ve never been a miracle before,” Zennie admitted, telling herself to remember this moment for when it got hard. Because this made it all worthwhile.





Chapter Thirty-One


    Six months later...


Ali studied the brochure from the Four Seasons in the Bahamas. It was a beautiful resort with every possible amenity. She didn’t dare imagine the price, but it was tempting.

“Are you sure?”

Daniel looked up from his desk. They were in his home office on a lazy Saturday morning, debating what to do after Mary Jo and Parker’s destination wedding on Valentine’s Day. The happy couple was flying everyone to Jamaica for the ceremony at one of those all-inclusive resorts. The timing worked out—Zennie would be recovered from having Bernie’s baby and Finola could easily fly in from New York.

“Ali, I want what you want. You know that. I love you and I want to get married, but the how is up to you. It was just a suggestion. If you don’t like it, we can have a big wedding somewhere here, if you’d like. The beach or a hotel. The Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey is beautiful.”

It was and yes, they could have a big wedding. Only she kind of felt she’d already done that. And Daniel’s first marriage had started with a blowout wedding. This time she wanted something smaller. Something that felt like them.

Valentine’s Day was a Friday and Parker and her mom were putting everyone up through Sunday. Daniel’s idea was to fly from Jamaica to the Bahamas and get married there. Just the two of them.

Ali had been in touch with the resort’s wedding planner and the process was fairly simple. A couple could apply for a wedding license after being on the island twenty-four hours and get married one day later. If she and Daniel arrived Sunday morning, they could apply Monday afternoon and get married on Wednesday. The wedding planner had told them that a midweek wedding would be available with no problem. One of the gorgeous beachfront suites was available for the week. The wedding planner would handle all the details, including providing the required two witnesses. Easy peasy.

There were a lot of advantages to eloping, she thought. It spared everyone wedding awkwardness. While Glen had come around and was even dating someone else, Ali didn’t relish the thought of walking down the aisle only to see him standing next to Daniel. Not having his brother as best man was an option, but also a difficult decision. Tying the knot in the Bahamas seemed like the perfect solution.

“Let’s do it,” she said.

He grinned. “You sure?”

“I am.”

“All right. Let’s make our reservations. I’m getting married!”

His excitement was gratifying. Every day, Daniel made it clear how much he loved her. They were happy and looking forward to their future together. Ali was thinking that she just might talk to Daniel about her going off birth control so that they could start trying to get pregnant on their honeymoon. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Her cell phone buzzed. She glanced down and read the text, then jumped to her feet.

“Zennie’s in labor.” She grabbed her phone. “She’s been in labor all night and they’re on their way to the hospital right now. We should go, too.”

“By ‘they’ you mean Zennie and Clark?”

“Yes. Who else?”

“But they’re not dating.”

“They’re friends.”

“He practically lives there. They’re together all the time.”

Ali didn’t understand why Daniel couldn’t get it. “But as friends.”

“So no sex.”

She smiled. “Not everyone wants it as much as you do.”