Four months later
OUR HOUSE WAS FILLED with noise—one barking dog, two kids running up and down the stairs as their parents tried wrangling them. Laughter and music filled every corner. Glasses clicked in celebration of another year gone by. Conversations flowed as freely as the whiskey and champagne.
“I’m so happy this year is over,” Holliday said over her champagne glass.
“You say that every year,” Harlow chided, sliding her long auburn waves over her shoulder.
Grady appeared by her side in an ink black suit. “And every year you tell me that you’re going to marry me,” he pointed out, and dropped a kiss to her cheek.
“Everly Rowan,” Alex called out, his hands shoved into the pockets of his black suit. “Put the scissors down and step away from the puppy.” Each word was drawn out with precise enunciation.
“But, Daddy,” she whined. “I want to give her a haircut.”
Ella threw her hands up. “Where in the world did she get scissors?”
I stepped in front of Everly and held out my palm. “Hand them over.”
Matthew scooped up Sugar, our miniature poodle, who wiggled and squirmed in his arms. “Okay, Sugar, time for you to go to your room.”
“Everly, sweetheart,” Alex said, running his hands through his salt and pepper hair. “Grab a drink and go find your brother.”
Ronan handed her a sparkling pink cup with a pink and white striped straw. “Here you go, peanut.”
“Thanks, Uncle Ronan,” she said, tossing her mother and father a smirk. Her blonde curls bouncing as she trekked down the hallway to the kitchen. Matthew reappeared with a drink and a shot of tequila in his hand.
Alex smirked. “We should have paid the nanny triple and had a child free night.”
“Are the security cameras on?” I asked.
My husband nodded and tossed back his shot. “Yeah. She won’t get far.”
“Seriously,” Ella said, placing her hands on her hips. “Where did she get scissors?”
“Who knows?” Alex shrugged, pouring himself a glass of scotch. “She’s headed for a life of crime. Breaking and entering is my guess.”
Holliday laughed. “Nah, Everly will be a world-class cat-burglar—jewels and art just like Selina Kyle.”
“Who’s Selina Kyle, again?” Ronan asked.
In unison, Grady and Alex answered, “Catwoman.”
“Oh yeah,” Ronan said, crossing his leg over his knee. “Michelle Pfeiffer, she was the best Catwoman.”
Grady shook his head. “No way, Halle Berry was, plus, she was a Bond Girl.”
“You’re both wrong, Anne Hathaway was,” Alex interjected. “Hands down, she was a badass. I would hire her—she’d be an awesome addition to Robertsen security.”
“This could go on all night,” Holliday mocked, rolling her eyes.
“Matt, who do you think is the best Catwoman?” Ronan asked.
“I’m more of a Wonder Woman kind of guy,” he said. “Gal Gadot played the part with such compassion. She had heart, all of those qualities made her smart and strong.”
“And she’s sexy,” Ella said, adjusting the straps of her glittering black dress.
Holliday pointed her champagne glass in my direction. “This place needs to be child proofed.”
Ella took a seat on the sofa next to Ronan. “You better do it soon.”
Harlow’s blue eyes went wide. “Wait. What?”
Ella’s fingers flew to her red lips and she closed her eyes. “Shit,” she mumbled.
My entire body froze and Matthew stepped in front of me. “Babe, is there something you need to tell me? Are you . . . ?”
Shaking my head and smiling, I looked over Matthew’s shoulder in Ella’s direction. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, smacking her palm to her forehead.
My gaze travelled back to my husband’s hazel eyes. “Yes, I’m pregnant,” I admitted, with a smile. “I was going to tell you at midnight. Holliday and Ella can’t keep a secret.”
Matthew’s entire face lit up and cheers erupted around room. My husband wrapped me in a warm embrace.
“I’m scared,” I whispered.
“Me too, but I’m also really fucking happy.”
“Same,” I breathed. “I love you.”
“I love you.” My husband cradled my face in his hands, and kissed me.
“Well, thanks a lot for including me in the news,” Harlow said, her voice light with laughter. “Looks like these two can keep a secret, because we were at lunch yesterday and they had every opportunity to spill the news, but they did not.”
“This calls for a toast,” Ronan said, raising his glass.
“Twenty bucks says, it’s an Irish blessing,” Grady mocked.
Alex pulled out his wallet. “You’re on, James.”
“Well, now you’ve ruined it,” Ronan grumbled.
“Nothing is ruined,” Holliday said placing her hand on Ronan’s forearm.
“Third time’s a charm,” Matthew whispered in my ear.
“You think?”
He nodded as his hand skimmed over my stomach. “I do, I really do.”
Harlow went to the task of refilling everyone’s glasses with champagne. Grady brought me a sparkling cider. “I’m so happy for you both,” he said, kissing my cheek.
“Everyone have a glass?” Holliday asked, nuzzling into her husband’s side.
“To Matthew and Tinley,” Ronan began. “As you grow your family tree, and from two, you become three—may you have a healthy and happy pregnancy. Cheers.”
“Here, here,” Alex said, raising his glass. “To another year gone by and the best is yet to come.”
“To The Riot Club,” Harlow added. “True friends are never apart. No distance can separate what is held close in our hearts.”
“To The Riot Club.”
Four words.
Eight friends.
Memories that will last a lifetime.
THE END