Page 170 of Through the Storm

I freeze.

Ben laughs under his breath. “Oh no.”

Before I can process anything?—

POP.

Champagne explodes everywhere. Cold, fizzy, and chaotic.

I gasp as Ella shrieks, already drenched, shaking the bottle like she’s won a championship.

“Congratulations!”

Rebecca is right behind her, somehow louder, holding a second bottle. “This is the best news ever!” she screams, already spraying us again.

“What is happening—” I choke, laughing as I try to shield my face.

“Welcome home, fiancés!” Ella yells.

“I’m so happy for you, kids,” Grandma Patty says, a tear in her eye. She steps out behind Ella and Rebecca, and then I see my baby boy. Mini Ben is completely unfazed, tucked against his great-grandmother.

Everything else fades for a second.

“Hi baby, I missed you,” I breathe.

“Wait! Let me try to dry you off before you hold him,” Ella says as she runs inside to get a kitchen towel.

Once I don’t have as much champagne all over, I move toward himimmediately, taking him carefully, pressing my face into his soft little head. His smell. His warmth. Home.

Ben’s right there a second later, one hand settling at my back, the other brushing gently over our son’s head like it’s second nature.

Then I see the house, and it looks… insane.

There are streamers, balloons, and even a banner that saysFINALLYin giant letters—thank you, Ella and Bex. All of our friends and the family that matters. There’s music blasting.

I laugh, shaking my head. “This is aggressive.”

“This islove,” Rebecca corrects, pointing dramatically.

“You like it?” Ella asks, already grabbing my hand carefully because baby, and dragging me inside.

“Like it?” I laugh. “You threw a whole party for us!”

“Obviously,” Rebecca says. “You got engaged. What were we supposed to do, send a text?”

I look around at the chaos, the laughter, at all the people who showed up without hesitation. Who didn’t need to be told to celebrate us.

At our son in my arms.

At Ben beside me looking at him like he’s the best thing he’s ever seen.

“Yeah.” I smile. “This is perfect.”

Declan is suddenly there, pulling me into a hug that’s a little too tight.

“I’m happy for you,” he mutters stiffly. Then he turns to Ben and gives him one of those aggressive, half-threatening man hugs. “Don’t screw this up.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Ben grins. I think he’s used to the threats by now.