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“Let’s go” Natalie tugged on her mother’s arm, and the to backs with the distinct sense that she wasimportant

“Aren’t you exhausted?” Rachel leaned over the kitchen island two days later and rested her head on her outstretched arht of the rehearsal dinner, and out late last night at the wedding I need hed as she shucked corn for dinner “I guess it’s a good thing I had a nap this afternoon”

Rachel rolled her eyes “Sure you did Gabriel said he napped this afternoon, too, but he’s never napped a day in his life I doubt he naps when you’re in bed with him”

The color rose in Julia’s cheeks, and she focused intently on the corn as she changed the subject “The wedding was beautiful I can’t believe I got to dance with y to celebrate your birthday tonight, Jules I’m sorry I’m a bad friend” Rachel’s voice was o and take a nap?”

“I tried Like you, ”

Julia snickered “How is that co?”

Rachel slumped forward draroaned, eyes shut

“Yes, danant It’s depressing” She opened her eyes and rested her head on an upturned hand “I need a break Let me come and visit for a few days I won’t be a bother, I proht you wanted a baby”

“I do, but at what cost? I never thought I’d say this, but we’re having tooto feel like a machine”

“Good God, what have I wandered into?” Gabriel’s eyebrows knitted together as he entered the kitchen fro Your sister is just worn out Rachel, skip dinner and go lie down in our room You can join us for dessert”

“Really?”

Julia waved a cob of corn in the direction of the stairs “Go”

Like a shot, Rachel was off her stool and flying through the door

Gabriel watched her departing for to be like that”

“We aren’t going to be like that” Julia pressed a kiss to his temple

“Promise?”

“Promise”

“You convinced me to pursue a reversal, no matter what And you’ve almost convinced me that my family history doesn’t matter”

“It doesn’t, sweetheart Believe me”

He took the corn out of her hand and set it aside before clasping her hands in his

“We can’t get our hopes up It’s been al But for your own sake, I want us to try Eventually And with less dra with Rachel and Aaron”

Gabriel laughed and pulled her into his ar wide into a sustained yawn

Gabriel eyed her with concern “Why don’t you go and take a nap?”

“There’s tooa book on the back porch and Aaron is snoring in front of the television I think we’ll be having a late dinner”

“I gave our room to Rachel”