He chuckled, not just because she was funny as hell. But because it was so damn good to see her carefree, running with her golden hair flowing out, her eyes crinkled with humor.
She was his. Maybe
she always had been. All he knew was he couldn’t let her go again.
“Okay, so there’s another reason why I asked you all to come here today,” Gray said when the documentary was over, and they’d finished raising their glasses to Cam. They were all sitting in the soft leather chairs Gray and Maddie had custom-made for their over-size den. They were big enough to fit three families on, which was a good thing, because there were a lot of them. Van looked around with a smile, taking in Tanner’s dad and Aunt Gina, plus his brothers, along with Maddie, her mom, and her sister and her family. Then there was Becca, who was sitting with Zoe, trying to teach her how to do a cat’s cradle.
Van couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this content. And her happiness had an enticing edge to it, thanks to the way Tanner kept shooting dark looks over at her.
It was strange how easily she’d slipped back into this life, this family.
“Don’t tell me. You’re getting your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Logan said, grinning at his older brother.
Gray sighed. “No. And shut up.”
“Play nice,” Maddie said, smiling at them both. “Just tell them, Gray.”
“C’mere,” Gray said, holding his hand out to her. “I don’t want to do this alone.”
“What’s this about?” Aunt Gina said, frowning. “You’re not going to tell us she’s pregnant, are you?”
For a moment there was complete silence, as everybody took in Gray and Maddie’s expressions.
Gray cleared his throat, his eyes meeting Maddie’s. “Uh, yeah. We were.”
Tanner coughed down a laugh, as Aunt Gina’s face turned white, and she covered her gaping mouth with her hand. “Oh my,” she said, her voice muffled. “I’m so sorry. I never dreamed…”
“You’re pregnant?” Becca asked, her eyes wide. “As in having Gray’s baby?” She stood up and ran to hug them both. “I’m going to be an auntie.”
“Congratulations, man,” Logan said, then he walked over to give Aung Gina a hug. She was all jittery, a combination of embarssment and excitement.
“Way to go,” Tanner said, walking over to shake Gray’s hand and hug Maddie. “I’m so pleased for you both.”
“That’ll explain the decaf coffee,” Van said, joining them. She grinned at Maddie.
“Yeah. I didn’t make it because it tastes good, that’s for sure.” Maddie wrinkled her nose. “I miss caffeine.”
Van felt a finger trace her spine. She turned to Tanner, who gave her an innocent stare.
“Stop,” she mouthed.
He winked back at her.
“Let’s hope your pregnancy doesn’t last as long as Regan’s,” Becca said, looking at Maddie’s stomach as though she was trying to discern a bump. “I swear she’s got the gestation period of an elephant. Is she ever going to have that baby?”
“It probably likes it where it is,” Maddie murmured. “It’s quiet and safe, compared to her house. I visited the other day. Her kids are louder than one of Gray’s concerts.”
“How far along are you?” Maddie’s sister, Ashleigh asked. Van had been introduced to her when she arrived at Gray’s house, though she remembered her from the old days. She didn’t look much different, apart from the wrinkles and the fact she wasn’t constantly wearing a cheerleader outfit.
Okay, so that was a bitchy thought. But then again, Ashleigh had never been nice to Van, either.
“Sixteen weeks,” Maddie said, her face glowing.
“So there’ll be a baby in five months?” Becca was almost shaking with excitement. “We have so much to plan. Where do you want your baby shower? What nursery theme are you going to have?” Her eyes lit up. “Have you started a registry yet? It’s never too early.”
“Becca,” Tanner said, his voice deadpan. He put his hand on her shoulder.
“Yeah?” Becca sighed and looked up at him.