Page 104 of Aiden & Lily

EPILOGUE

LILY

TWO WEEKS LATER

“Inever knew just how much went into planning a wedding,” Lily murmured. Then she grimaced as she made eye contact with Penny.

Penny laughed. “It’s true. Maybe you should just elope. Then you don’t have to deal with any of this. At least your father is letting you get married on the property. I doubt he would’ve been nearly as accommodating with me.”

Jasmine snorted. “I don’t think he would’ve had a choice if that was what you wanted. He’s just a big softy once you get past the grudge he’s been holding onto since the beginning of time.”

Lily nodded knowingly. “I bet we could’ve talked him into it. Speaking of, maybe that’s what we should do. After the baby comes, you should have a reception since we never got to give you one.”

Penny rubbed her belly. She looked about ready to pop. “Didn’t we?” She tossed Lily a smirk. “That baby shower was over the top. I honestly feel like I could do with a little less attention.”

She grimaced and sucked in a breath.

Both Lily and Jasmine froze as they watched her like she might actually explode. But then Penny blew out a steadying breath.

Jasmine inched closer. “Penny…” she drawled. “Remind me when your due date is.”

Penny didn’t meet her eyes right away. “It was yesterday, actually.”

Lily gasped. “Please tell me you didn’t come over here to help with wedding planning while you’re in labor.”

Her cousin waved a dismissive hand. “It’s Braxton Hicks. I’ve been dealing with this off and on for the last week.”

Jasmine didn’t look convinced as she pulled out her phone. “I’m calling Aiden.”

“What? No. I’m fine,” Penny said, her voice tight. “Besides, I won’t hear the end of it if I’m taken to the hospital. Do you know how hard I had to fight Royce on coming over today?”

Lily’s eyes widened, and Jasmine made a surprised choking sound.

“That’s it. I’m definitely calling Aiden. And Royce.” She pointed her phone at Penny. “And you’re going to start timing how far apart those contractions are.”

Penny paled.

Lily leaned over and murmured in Jasmine’s ear, “How do you know all this? What’s going on?”

Jasmine shrugged. “You know I want kids. Like, really bad.”

“Yeah? So?” Lily murmured.

Her twin shot her a pointed look. “I need to know what I’m getting into, right?”

Lily gasped. “You’re not?—”

“What? No! Of course not. I’d have to find a donor first.”

This time, the air seemed to be sucked from the room as both Lily and Penny gasped.

Jasmine glanced from one to the other, then sighed. “Oh, come on. This isn’t the eighteenth century. If a woman wants to start a family, she can do it on her own. I have some savings, and I think I can make it work.”

Lily was fully aware she looked like a fish. Her mouth opened and closed several times, and when she glanced at Penny to see if she felt the same, she was reminded that this wasn’t the most pressing issue.

Penny’s face crumpled with pain.

Lily moved to her side. “Breathe. Do those exercises you’ve been practicing.”