Colby

"I swear she peed on me," Ari mutters, still attempting to shake off his earlier trauma.

"Honesto a la bondad," Mari groans with a roll of her eyes. "We already told you that her water broke, idiot."

"You think I care what kind of liquid it is?" Ari replies. "It all comes from the same place, and it's all over my shoe. It soaked through the canvas, and my sock, so I basically absorbed urine into my foot." He shudders at his sudden epiphany.

"I don't think I'd risk mentioning it to Wynn," Nash chuckles, giving Ari a consolatory pat on his broad shoulder.

We've been at the hospital for over two hours already, but I guess that's just what you do in this place. Wait.

The last time I had to come here was for Mama, and while this visit may, too, be full of tears, at least they will be due to joy this time. With Wyatt's arms wrapped around me, I rest my back against him. He leans casually on the wall behind us, the rise and fall of his chest calming me as we all wait anxiously for information regarding Wynn's progress.

"I said I want drugs!" Wynn bellows, the echoes of her demand bouncing off of the walls of the hallway leading to her delivery room.

We glance at one another warily, and behind me, I feel Wyatt shaking with suppressed laughter. Wynn is scary right now—we all know it. I shoot up a little prayer for her, and especially Cole.

We've been awaiting word of her progress since our arrival. Cole and Wynn were swiftly escorted to their room, leaving us to our own devices. Admittedly, none of us really know what to do with ourselves. Aside from a few remarks here and there, our group as a whole has remained subdued and contemplative. I think somehow the gravity of the change that's about to occur has rendered all of us somewhat speechless.

Until now.

A wild-eyed Cole comes into view, turning the corner at the end of the long corridor where he and Wynn vanished earlier. He looks like a different person entirely, appearing to have forgotten why he's even out here. Wyatt releases me from his hold, making his way over to Cole, who's now eyeing all of us curiously as we stare back at him.

"How's it going in there, man?" Wyatt asks, clapping his friend on the shoulder. Cole rubs his eyes violently, shaking his head and drawing himself out of his stupor.

"I think the baby's about to come," he admits, his eyes brightening with excitement. "Wynn's a little psycho right now, but it's manageable. She sure is mean when she's in pain." He smirks, and it's evident that he's loving every moment of this process.

"My mama made all of us watch her birthing video from when she had my youngest sister, and there's no way that doesn't hurt like hell," Nash asserts, and Cole glances at Nash, concern etching his flawless face.

"Gross," Ari grunts, wincing.

"I think you came out here for drugs," Mari reminds Cole as his gaze wanders aimlessly around the room. He curses under his breath, tearing off down the opposite hall from where Wynn is being held. A second later he returns, zipping past us with a nurse in tow.

"So much for a natural birth," I joke. Wynn has talked incessantly about not tainting her baby's entry into this realm, reading books and practicing breathing techniques. I even did some prenatal yoga discs alongside her, by way of encouragement.

"There's no way," Mari giggles. "I want the good stuff when it's my turn. I don't wanna feel a thing."

Moments later, a small army of nurses and a doctor pass us, making a beeline for Wynn's room.

It's time.

Groans of pain reverberate through the hallway as Wynn pushes, and I can just barely make out the words of encouragement flowing forth from her husband. He sounds like he's coaching a ball game, his voice stern, but full of reverence. I'm picturing the scene in my mind's eye as I strain to listen in on the exchange.

Their world is a few minutes from changing forever. For most people our age, I'd be worried that the pressure of starting a family so young would end in heartache, but Wynn and Cole have proven that they are stronger united than they are fighting their feelings for one another. They've shown that you can lose everything and still triumph in the end if you push beyond the struggle—a lesson that I needed to witness firsthand, in order to believe that out of darkness or tragedy can come the most vibrant of possibilities.

The hallway quiets before the soft cries of a precious new life fills them. My eyes brim with joyful tears for my best friend, and the adventure that lies ahead for their family.

"I don't think it's coincidental that their baby was born on Independence Day," Wyatt notes, smirking. His observation brings a smile to my own face, recognizing the meaning of his words.

"They're gonna have their hands full," I reply as he bends down, gently kissing my temple.

Cole peeks his head around the corner a short time later, grinning from ear to ear.

"Lyla wanted me to let everyone know that she's ready to meet y'all," he says, beaming with pride as he motions for us to follow him.

Welcome to the world, Lyla Rose Galloway.

...

It's hard to believe that summer has come and gone so quickly, but at least we're saying farewell on a high note. We've all set aside this final weekend in August to spend at Galveston Island, where we've been soaking up the warm rays and perfect days. The rented beach house we've occupied for the past three days is gorgeous and right on the water, creating the perfect getaway.

Lyla has kept us all up through many of the nights, but we all came here to make the most of our remaining time together, so the lack of sleep doesn't seem to bother anyone. Impromptu naps on the beach don't hurt either.

When we leave Galveston tomorrow we'll be going our separate ways, but at least our paths don't stray too far from one another. We'll only be a couple hours away from Mari, Ari, Nash, and Morgan at Baylor, and I know that the bonds we all share are strong enough to withstand the distance. Most of us have been together since early elementary, so the transition from living our daily lives as a unit, to occasional visits makes this extended weekend bittersweet.

The air is thick and clean as the gentle breeze rustles across the sand. Waves crash, one after the other in a rhythmic sequence as I climb the steps toward the deck of our rental leading to where Wyatt sits.

"She sure makes you look good," I tease, watching him cradling Lyla in his muscular hold. She's so tiny compared to his arms that she almost doesn't look real.

Wyatt smiles, meeting my gaze as the sunset paints a masterful backdrop behind him. "You like that action, huh?"

I nod, seating myself in the chair beside him.

Lyla coos at the sound of his voice, her eyes taking in the details of his face. She's amazing to watch. Everything is new to her, and a fascinating discovery. At what point did we all become too lazy and self-absorbed to see life's beauty from that perspective? I suppose it's an outlook of innocence which is trampled all too easily in today's unrelenting world.

"It's my turn," Ari demands, stepping through the screen door from inside. He pulls a t-shirt over his deeply tanned skin. "I checked the clock, and you've had her for more than your time, which means I get an extra five minutes."

"By all means," Wyatt agrees, passing our favorite little toy off to yet another adoring fan. "I mean, it's not like I'm her godfather or anything."

The decision was made well before Wynona gave birth. Wyatt and I would be Lyla's godparents in the event of anything catastrophic happening to Wynn or Cole. We were both honored to accept, knowing full well that no matter who they chose from our inner circle of friends, that we would all play a meaningful role in her upbringing.

"Maybe officially, but she definitely likes me better," he retorts, nestling the sweet baby in his arms.

"She may like you better than Wyatt, but she loves me the most," Mari says from the opposite side of the deck railing.

Her bronzed figure lies in the sand, hand-in-hand with Nash, taking in the last minutes of sun before tomorrow steals us from this paradise. Morgan and Garrett are beside them, wrapped in their beach towels, still damp from the ocean.

"In your dreams," Ari scoffs. "She knows I'm more fun than you." He looks at Lyla as he gently rocks her from side to side. She blinks heavily, her eyelids fighting to stay open. He whispers warnings to her future suitors as he watches her, the playboy of North High a puddle at the feet of an infant.

"Looks like she's having a blast," I laugh as she drifts off to sleep. My phone chimes in my hand, and I turn it over to see a text from Wynn.

We pooled our funds to send Cole and Wynn on a much-deserved date before life takes off at a sprint for Cole. They haven't had much time to themselves since Lyla was born, so we thought a nice afternoon alone would be refreshing.

"Wynn says they're on their way back, and wants to know if dinner is ready," I say, relaying her message to our group.

"Pizza?" Wyatt suggests, a hint of panic lacing his tone.

Motherhood has made Wynn bossier than ever, and she's been sleep deprived since her third trimester. Cole never seems to notice, doting on his wife and daughter every chance he gets. She may be a bit salty, but she's happier than I've ever seen her.

I know she's milking the fear she still wields over the boys, and I have to admit that I love watching them all fall in line. Mostly, they see Wynn's demands as beneficial to Lyla, who has each one of us wrapped around her itty bitty finger.

"I'll order," Nash volunteers. His head pops up from where he's been hidden behind the rail, phone in hand.

It's our last night together, and I know we all feel the weight of it as the sun is swallowed by the night sky. While part of me dreads tomorrow, I'm excited about the future and all it holds for each of us. I've never been fond of change, but it's been in the midst of change that I've found who I'm meant to be.

Each passing day gives us a missing portion of our purpose, an essential piece in the development of our character. As I look upon my friends, I resolve to enjoy each moment as it exists rather than worrying about what lies ahead.

I don't want to miss a second of this beautiful life.

...

"I'm sad that they've all left," I say as I sit on the blanket that Wyatt spread across the smooth sand. Aside from Wynn, Cole, and Lyla, our group has dispersed. They'll remain together, just like the five of us.

I already miss them.

"Our best is still ahead of us, you know," Wyatt says, and I believe he's right. He feels the sting of change as deeply as I do, but he's always been better at seeing the good in any circumstances.

"Do you know how much I love you?" I ask, kissing him softly. Our eyes meet as he pushes me onto my back, trapping me beneath him.

"You may have told me once or twice," he breathes into my ear, my body shivering as he brushes his nose playfully across the tip of my own.

"Say it, Dodge," I demand. His mouth collides with mine, and I take in his familiar scent as his hands graze from the curve of my waist to the flare of my hip. The passion behind his kiss betrays his silence, showing me everything he feels in a way that words could never do justice—in a way that confirms he's forever mine.

Wyatt rolls himself off of me then, his body aligning with the contours of my own as he takes my hand in his. He kisses each fingertip in turn, pausing when he reaches the one shrouded in silver. He takes the promise we made so many years ago between his fingers, twisting the band back and forth thoughtfully.

"I'm always gonna love you, Colby Lynn Byers."

Thank you, thank you for joining me on this journey!! You guys are the best!! Your commentary, encouragement, and devotion to this book are so much more than I deserve, and I love you all so much!!

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