Love Lasts Forever

anouncments

I'm currently giving my all to clean our large home, even though Charlie's parents keep insisting that we hire a maid. I want to prove to them that Charlie and I can manage on our own, especially now that our adorable baby girl, Demi, is seven months old and keeping us busy.

Charlie, my loving husband and Demi's doting father, is in the kitchen preparing dinner. I can't help but smile as I listen to him moving around and humming a little tune. Demi is in her playpen, attempting to crawl and make her way to her favorite stuffed bunny. She hasn't quite mastered the art of crawling yet, but she's getting closer every day.

Just as I finish wiping down the coffee table, the doorbell rings. I walk over and open the door to find Charlie's twin sister, Cecily, and her fiancé, Noah.

"Hey, you two!" I greet them warmly.

Cecily smiles back at me. "Hi, Harper. Hey, Demi!" She waves at the baby, who coos in response. Cecily then turns to her fiancé. "Noah, why don't you go and see what Charlie's making for dinner?"

Noah nods and makes his way to the kitchen, leaving Cecily and me alone in the living room.

Cecily looks at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Harper, I have some news. But you have to promise me you won't tell anyone yet."

I feel a flutter of excitement in my stomach. "Of course, Cecily. You know I won't breathe a word."

Cecily takes a deep breath and places a hand on her still-flat stomach. "Noah and I are expecting. We wanted to tell Charlie and you first, before we tell our families."

My eyes widen in surprise and excitement. "Oh my gosh, Cecily! That's amazing news! I'm so happy for you both!" I give her a quick hug, careful not to squeeze too hard.

Cecily grins at me. "Thanks, Harper. I'm so glad you're happy for us. We're going to announce it at dinner in two weeks, and we wanted to make sure you and Charlie were there."

I nod, still in shock. "Of course, we'll be there. And I won't say a word until then, I promise."

Cecily nods, satisfied. "Thanks, Harper. I know I can always count on you."

Just then, Noah and Charlie come back into the living room. Noah is carrying a plate of freshly baked bread, and Charlie has a tray of steaming vegetables.

"Hey, Cecily," Charlie says, giving his sister a hug. "Noah, how's it going?"

Noah grins at his future brother-in-law. "Can't complain. How about you, Charlie? How's married life treating you?"

Charlie grins back. "It's great. Harper and Demi are the lights of my life."

I feel my cheeks flush at the sincerity in Charlie's voice. "And Charlie is the best husband and father," I add.

Cecily looks at us, her eyes soft. "You two are the epitome of love and happiness. I'm so glad I have you both in my life."

We all sit down at the dinner table, passing around the plates of food and sharing stories from the past week. I can't help but feel grateful for my little family and the friends who have become like family to us. And as I look at Demi, happily gumming a piece of bread, I know that our little family is only going to get bigger and better.