“I can’t believe we’re going home tomorrow,” Em said to David as she packed the last of her things, leaving out a dress for tonight’s dinner in town, and a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt for the flight home.

“It’s been an eventful holiday, that’s for sure,” David said, grinning.

“You got that right.” She straightened up and stretched. “I’m not looking forward to the freezing temperatures back home.”

David slipped his arms around her waist and propped his chin on her shoulder. “Let’s book another trip away as soon as we get home—just the two of us—maybe the Canary Islands? We could go in early spring. The weather is lovely that time of year.”

Em nodded, although part of her still hoped Cash would come around and she’d be spending the springtime having her eggs “harvested”. She suppressed a chuckle. It sounded ridiculous but, apparently, that was the medical term.

Cash, though, hadn’t raised the issue of surrogacy again, either with them, or Tally. Tal had briefed them on her last conversation with him, and explained she’d promised him as much time as he needed. That still didn’t stop Em from holding her breath every time Cash spoke to her, in case it was to tell her no.

She twisted in David’s arms and reached up for a kiss, but a rap on the door stopped their lips from touching. She crossed the room and then opened the door.

“Cash,” she said, her stomach heading north and lodging itself in her throat.

“Can I come in?”

She stepped back, gesturing. “Sure.”

This is it. Cash’s expression was far too serious to be a “fancy a quick drink before dinner?” conversation.

Em perched on the end of the bed while Cash and David sat on the small sofa. “It’s a no, isn’t it, Cash? I mean, you can say it. I don’t blame you at all. I understand how difficult this must be for you, and I really appreciate you taking the time to think about it properly. This won’t affect our friendship, will it? I know it took us years to finally admit we liked each other, and now we’re there, I don’t want to lose that over this...” She sucked in a breath. “Sorry, I’m rambling.”

Cash threw back his head and laughed. So not the response Em had expected.

“That might be the least confident I’ve ever heard you,” he said. “And definitely the humblest.”

She leaned forward and slapped his knee. “Stop teasing me.”

He held up his hands. “Okay, okay.” He glanced at David then back at her. “I’ve thought long and hard about this, and I’m not going to lie. I’ve been back and forth. But knowing what it’s like to hold your child in your arms—a human being you created out of your intense love for one another—well, I can’t rip that dream from someone else. Natalia is the one taking all the risks here and, if she wants to do this for you, then who am I to stand in her way?”

Stunned, Em could only stare at him. She opened and closed her mouth several times, but nothing came out – thankfully, David stepped in.

“Jesus, man, are you sure?” Cash nodded.

“I won’t change my mind. That’s why I took the time to really think about it. Natalia and I have privately talked about little else but, in true Natalia style, she let me come to my own conclusions.”

A sob broke from Emmalee’s throat, the strangled sound the culmination of the rollercoaster she’d been on ever since the doctor had told her that her chances of conceiving were very small – followed by the last few days of hope, despair, then hope again. Feeling dizzy with relief, she stumbled to her feet and threw her arms around Cash.

“Thank you so much. Oh, Cash, you have no idea what this means to me. To us.”

After Em released him, David shook his hand. “We’ll never forget this.”

They chatted for a little while longer, then Cash left them alone to absorb the change this was going to bring to their lives, not to mention Tally’s.

A moment of doubt crept into Em’s mind. This was huge. She’d been so busy thinking about herself, she’d only paid lip service to the impact it would have on Tally.

“I need to talk to Tal,” Em said, adding, “Alone” when David rose to his feet.

He nodded and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right here.”

Em found Tally in the kitchen with Meredith. The two of them were trying to get a meal down the kids before the babysitter arrived. Tally had insisted Meredith and Rachael come to the restaurant that evening – the grandmothers had been content to lounge around by the pool drinking gin while the six of them had gone out but, as it was their last night, Tally had arranged for a highly recommended sitting service to look after the kids.

“Cash came by,” Em said, casually pinching a carrot from Darcey’s plate.

Her goddaughter responded with, “Take the rest, please Auntie Em.”

“Not a chance, kiddo. Eat your veggies. They’re good for you.”

Tally nodded. “Want to talk?”

“Yeah.”

“Talk about what?” Cian asked. “Can I come?”

“No,” Tally said. “Eat your food, and don’t give Nana Meredith any cheek.”

Meredith beamed. Every time Tally referred to Meredith’s grandmother status, the woman would climb on top of Cloud Nine, lie down, fold her hands behind her head, and grin broadly for the next couple of hours.

Em closed the door to the sitting room then flung her arms around Tally’s neck. It was several minutes before they parted. Both had tears running down their faces.

“Babes, I don’t know how you did it. I couldn’t love you more.”

Tally dabbed at her damp cheeks. “I didn’t do anything. Cash came to the same conclusion I did. It just took him a while longer.”

“But he’s good with it? Really?”

“Yes, really,” Tally reassured her. “He knows what this means to you, and to me. We want you to experience the joy of holding your own baby in your arms, of raising him or her, of watching your child grow and develop. You’re my sister from another mister, Em. I’m happy to be the oven.” She chuckled.

Em covered her face. “I can’t believe it.”

Tally took hold of Em’s wrists and gently parted her hands. “So, mum to be, when do you want to start?”