Boston in October was stunning.

I loved Wyoming, and I’d been to some amazing places growing up, but Boston in autumn was something else. The fact that it was Jax and Syll’s wedding only made it even more beautiful.

The last five months had been amazing. I’d moved in with Blake after our trip here back in May, but I’d also kept my apartment in Rawlins too. We both wanted to spend more time with his family here, but neither of us wanted to leave Wyoming, so he’d purchased a small private plane to make it easier to travel back and forth. We’d also come up with an additional solution but hadn’t told his family yet. We didn’t want to get their hopes up while we still had a lot to do. Find a place in Boston that had a place for Blake to do his work. Find a space where I could open another store. Find people I trusted even when I wasn’t there. Once we had all the logistics in place, we’d make the announcement.

I smiled at my reflection as I made sure the jeweled butterflies in my hair were secure. Syll had asked Cheyenne, Addison, and me to be bridesmaids, and all three of us, plus Syll’s friend Gilly, had gotten different accessories that matched each of our personalities. I looked forward to seeing Blake’s face when he saw my hair. Though I hadn’t ever used our safe word, it was still butterfly.

“You’re gorgeous,” Addison said as she came into the room. “Blake is going to lose it when he sees you. I mean, you’re beautiful all the time, but that dress and your hair and your makeup. I can never manage to get my makeup like that, and my hair does what it wants half the time–”

“You look beautiful too,” I said, stopping Addison’s babbling. She was almost as nervous as Syll, but more because she wasn’t the sort of person who liked being in front of a lot of people. I loved her. I was certain that, one day, I’d have three amazing sisters-in-law, and the more time I spent with them, the happier I was about it.

“Thanks.” She beamed.

“Everything okay, Chey?” I asked as Cheyenne came in, looking a little frazzled.

“It’s fine,” she said, stopping in front of the full-length mirror to straighten her hair. “Someone just gave Austin a couple cookies when Estrada was in the bathroom. I’m pretty sure it was Slade. He has a hard time saying no to Austin sometimes.”

Her tone made me think that she usually thought it was charming how much Slade loved her brother, but today wasn’t the best day for a sugar-high five-year-old. Not for the first time this week, I wondered what sort of father Blake would be. We hadn’t really talked about kids specifically, but we’d said enough to know that we both wanted more than one. Maybe Austin would prompt a natural conversation.

“How’s Estrada doing now that Austin’s in kindergarten?” I asked.

“Good,” Cheyenne said. “I was worried that once she didn’t have him all day, she’d feel like moving here was a mistake, but she’s really settled in and is happy here.”

“Once Jax and Syll get back from their honeymoon, we’ll have to discuss the holidays,” Addison said. “Do you think you and Blake will be able to come back for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Or we could all go out to you. Your parents’ retreat would have enough rooms for all of us.”

“It would,” I agreed. “I’ll tell Blake we’ll need to discuss plans then.”

Thinking of traditional holidays with this great big extended family brought another smile to my face. I loved them all as much as I loved my parents. Maybe they could even join the Hunters for Christmas, have something normal for once.

But first, a wedding.

“That was a beautiful ceremony,” I said as Blake pulled me closer. We didn’t dance a lot, but when we did, it was always slow songs, and he always held me as tightly as possible, as if he was worried I’d slip away.

“It was,” he agreed. “And I’ve never seen Jax look that happy before.”

“They’re really good together,” I said.

He nodded in agreement, then fell silent. We danced through the end of the song, and another one started.

I’d meant to wait until we were back home, but I couldn’t keep my news from him any longer. Not because this was a perfect moment, but because it wasn’t the timing that mattered. I just wanted to be able to share something important with my best friend.

“Blake, I have something to tell you.”

He looked down at me, all his attention focused on me.

“I’ve known for a couple days, but I wasn’t sure when would be the best time to tell you,” I began. “I don’t want to wait anymore though. I want to share it with you.” I smiled. “I’m pregnant.”

His eyes widened, but he didn’t miss a step. “You’re sure?”

I nodded, searching his face for some response to the news.

“That’s amazing!” He didn’t raise his voice, but he did kiss me, and that was better than a huge announcement. It was a sweet, passionate kiss, full of promises.

“I know we hadn’t talked about having kids, but this came out of nowhere. I believe we can make it work.”

He smiled at me, then brushed his lips across mine. “Your timing is actually perfect.”

“It is?”

He cupped my chin and ran his thumb along my bottom lip. “Yes. Because I want to marry you.”

“What?” I stopped dancing. I’d hoped we’d get there eventually, but I hadn’t expected it like this, not so soon.

“Marry me, Brea.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “Even if it’s just so I don’t have to carry this around anymore.”

He opened it, and I found myself looking at a beautifully crafted gold ring. Diamond chips glittered in the metal. It wasn’t a traditional engagement ring, and that made me love it even more.

“Yes,” I said, emotion making the words a whisper. “I would love to marry you.”

He kissed me hard, not caring about anyone around us. It was just the two of us, celebrating the new life ahead of us. Then I heard the cheers behind us, and as we ended our kiss, I saw that we were surrounded by family. They might not have heard my news, but they knew what it meant to see a man with a ring box in hand. And they were happy for us. This wasn’t only Blake and me and the baby on the way. It was all of us, because we were all family.