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"What about you two?" I ask

"Orange juice for me," Pippa says, and we all raise our brows

"Since when do you drink only orange juice?" Rainer asks

"Since I got pregnant"

I squeal loudly and Tyke laughs, shaking his head I practically throw myself over the bar and wrap my arms around her Belle does the same and we all s her face into be a mother?"

Her cheeks flush and she smiles "Yes"

"I’m so happy for you"

I turn to Tyke "Congrats, dude"

He winks at me "Thanks"

Rainer walks around the bar and scoops Pippa into a hug, swinging her around She laughs softly and hugs hi happy for you, sweetheart"

"Thank you We’re pretty happy about it"

"When are you due?" Belle asks

I work, and listen to them talk I’m happy for Pippa She deserves a babymother, because she knohat it’s like to live a hard life I look over to Rainer and he winks at me My heart swells and I mouth an I love you, which he returns

Yeah, maybe one day that’ll be us

I can’t wait

~~~~~

"Seriously, where are you takingover my eyes

"It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you Now sit still Your squirh and he chuckles

I can feel paveure we’re so me and finally, he stops "Are you ready?" he asks

"I don’t know"

He laughs "You’re ready"

He lowers his hands and I stare in front oftree in his front yard, but I don’t get it

"Huh?"

"Look up, kid"

I look up and gasp, pressing a hand over my mouth There, in the tree, is the old tree house we used to sit in together

"Where did you get that?" I whisper,with tears

"The people who purchased your parents’ old house still had it, so I paid them and they sold it to me"

"Oh, Rai Rai"

"Come on"

He takes my hand and leads me to the ladder on the other side I cli up behind me We climb into the tree house and my heart explodes with happiness I crawl over to the piece of old e scratched our names in, and there they are, still there as if it’d only been done yesterday Rainer and Emalie Best friends for life