Narrated by Mason:
After a memorable breakfast, we gather to meet with Riley and everyone else. Even my parents are here. It must be something very important that they have to tell us, that's for sure.
We sit down, and before saying anything, Lucas stands up determined to speak.
"We have called all of you here because Riley and I are about to take a huge step, and we hope to have your support," he says, both excited and nervous.
"They're getting married!" Sarah shouts with her hands up, happy with the idea she had.
"It's not that, but believe me, it's not me who doesn't want to do it," Lucas clarifies, looking at a blushing Riley.
"If it's not that, what decision have you made?" I ask, confused.
"We want to adopt Peyton's baby," Lucas says, looking attentively at my mother.
I think this took everyone by surprise, at least it didn't cross my mind, I didn't even think it was relevant. My mother is the first to react and she approaches Riley, excitedly embracing her. She whispers something in Riley's ear that only they can hear, and I see Riley nodding, filled with emotion from what my mother said.
Narrated by Paige:
The surprise they had for us, because it was more than just news, is incredible. Now my friend and my friend are going to be parents to a baby. It makes me proud of them; they are good people, and this proves it.
A new day and new things to do. The previous night, I went to sleep with Sarah and Riley. We had a girls' pajama party, sending Lucas and Ethan to sleep with Mason. We love our girls' nights.
Emily is taking care of all the legal matters, and Peyton will have to sign an agreement stating that she will never seek the baby's presence in their lives again. It's understandable to ask for that. From what she tells us, she is willing to sign it in order to disappear from the baby's life.
It's something I honestly don't understand. I couldn't bear to be separated from my little one, and she is willing to do anything to avoid being involved in the baby's life again.
We are having breakfast when Mason arrives with the guys at the house. They all have mysterious looks on their faces, and I can sense it. I know each one of them very well, but I don't say anything.
A few minutes later, Riley says goodbye with Lucas. They received a call from Emily about something they need to sign. Then Mason asks me to come see something, without telling me what it is, but I agree and follow him.
We get into his car, and I feel our baby moving. I take Mason's hand and make him feel the movement of our child. I see his eyes welling up with emotion from that demonstration. I smile and think about what I want in my life, what I want for my future, and it's this—a family with Mason and the children we can have in the future.
I believe it's time to let go of the past that has hurt me and, at the same time, made me stronger. It's time to turn the page and start writing our story from scratch. I'm confident that if I give him a chance to make me happy, he won't waste it in any way. On the contrary, he will find a way to compensate me for all the pasts hurt he caused.
But for now, we are focused on what will happen with Riley and Lucas. I notice that we are heading to the house that was and can be ours. I don't say anything, and when we arrive and get out of the car, I see Simba running towards us to greet us.
My eyes fill with tears as I remember when in the past we would come home and our little one would greet us excitedly. It's as if time hasn't passed, and that makes me realize what I want for the future. Now I am completely sure that this is what I want for my life, this life partner, this home, and this dog.
As we enter, I see that Mason has planned a movie afternoon, and we spend the rest of the day watching films, although I doze off during most of them.
Another day and we are on our way to the hospital. Peyton's delivery has come earlier than expected, which has our friends anxious and desperate. They are scared by the fact that the delivery is early, and they know nothing about it.
Time passes, and we hear nothing. This pressure is not helping me at all, and I don't even want to eat because of the nerves I feel. The clock keeps ticking, and still, we have no news. Riley is not doing well.
Both of them already feel that baby as their own, and they are anguished not knowing about him. All we know is that he is a boy, and they haven't chosen a name yet.
Finally, after hours, a doctor comes to tell us that it was a difficult delivery. They had to perform a cesarean because the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck, putting his life at risk. Fortunately, they were able to save him in time, and both mother and baby are in good health.
The new parents are invited to see the baby since the mother didn't even want to see him once, which I find unbelievable. After the parents go to see the baby, they make a video call to us since only they are allowed inside. We go crazy over the newest member of our dysfunctional family.
When it's time to go back home, we stop by Emily's, who already considers herself a grandmother to the baby, which makes her very excited. As we arrive to see her, I notice she has a bunch of things purchased for the baby, from a crib to a baby changer.
Mason looks at her and shakes his head, and in her defense, she says, "They didn't have time to buy anything, and everything is packed in boxes for easy transportation. I'm just helping them out." I admit she has a point.
Our friends couldn't buy anything because the baby was born prematurely, so I can't find any fault in her reasoning.
After helping her organize everything, we say goodbye and head home. It has been a day full of emotions, and I feel emotionally drained. Once again, I enter what used to be my room in this house, but this time I take Mason's hand and guide him with me to our bed.
Upon seeing that, he stops and says to me:
“I don't want you to regret doing something you're not sure about tomorrow," he says nervously.
“I'm sure that this is what I want for the future, I want you and the children we can have together. I want to give us a new chance," I say, taking his face in my hands and kissing his lips.
I won't go into details; I'll just say that it was an unforgettable night and that I can finally say we're back together as a couple.