Ellie grinned. “It was really more Jeff’s idea. I’m glad we did it though.”
Her smile faded and she looked away. Sitting up, I took her hand in mine. “Ells, what’s going on?”
With a shrug, she turned to look at us both. “I guess I’m worried this is it. That once you both have the babies, our friendship will kind of take a backseat.”
“What?” Heather said as she moved closer to us and took Ellie’s other hand.
My chest felt tight. I knew exactly how Ellie felt because I’d been feeling the same way.
“Truth be told, I’ve already expressed my concerns to Jeff. I don’t want to give up times like this, but once we all have kids, will we still be able to do stuff like this?”
Heather squeezed both Ellie and mines hand. “Apart from my moment of insanity this weekend, I can honestly say you two mean so much to me. But, things are going to change. They already have. We made this weekend work; we’ll make another one work. The great thing about this is we can still do things together, but now we can do them with our kids.”
A tear slipped slid down my cheek. “I want our kids to all grow up together.”
“They will,” Heather said with a smile. “They’re going to grow up loving each other and being the best of friends. They’ll fight.” Heather winked at us then scrunched up nose up. “They’ll be the best of friends and probably get into a lot of trouble together.”
Ellie giggled. “Especially if you have a boy, Heather. Him and Luke, I can see it now if they are anything like their fathers.”
We all laughed. Ellie took in a deep breath and exhaled.
“Ells,” Heather said with that sweet smile of hers.
“I just love you both so much, I don’t ever want to lose what we have. I don’t want it to change.”
I stood up and motioned for Ellie and Heather to stand up. “We’ve been friends a long time. Been through a lot together and I know the future is going to hold a lot of laughter, tears, and most likely a few arguments.”
I took both of their hands in mine. “But the one thing that will never change is us.”
We all embraced in a hug and started laughing when Heather’s pregnant belly nearly touched mine.
My heart felt full and I knew deep down inside, nothing important would ever change. I’d always have these women by my side through thick and thin.
“I love you bitches,” I said through a sob.
Ellie sniffled and hugged me tighter. “I love you too, Ari.”
Heather pulled back and looked into my eyes. “I love you to infinity.”
We hugged for a few more minutes before we got our emotions under control.
Sitting back on the blanket, we talked about baby rooms and Heather’s wedding. The whole time I couldn’t help but think about Jeff’s promise of coming back to the state park with our kids and their kids.
With a smile, I filed this spot deep within my heart. The three of us would sit in this spot again one day; I believed it deep within the depth of my soul.
I leaned back and let the warm Texas sun hit my face as I listened to Heather and Ellie argue about what would be the best way to set up the chairs on the beach for Heather’s wedding. With a smile, I listened to them go on and on.
This is what life was all about and I’d never take it for granted. Every smile, tear, and angry word spoken. It all shaped us into who we were and who we would become.
My heart felt heavy as I shut the tailgate on my truck. The weekend was over and we’d all be heading back to reality.
“You all right, Gunner?”
Josh’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m fine. A little sad to see the weekend ending. It’s been fun hanging out like old times.”
Josh nodded and blew out a deep breath. “Things are really going to change in a few months.”