Christmas in Pine Island: A small town holiday romance

the last Christmas that we spend together before we add one more to our group. I just want it to be special. I want, for a little while, to pretend like nothing at all will change. Like we’ll always be this close, free to dress up and grab a drink at whatever hip new place the city has to offer.
But that’s impossible.
Nothing this perfect can last forever . . . can it?
Chloe, Morgan, and I have always been so close. We met here—three wide-eyed transplants to New York City with stars in our eyes and big dreams in our hearts. Somehow, we made it. We found our way together. It wasn’t easy but living with them in that crappy Brooklyn apartment as we all struggled to find our footings in life was bonding.
I adored every minute of that struggle. At the end of the day, we had each other to fall back on. They’re sisters to me, and if we start to drift apart . . . I'm not sure my heart can take it. I feel like I need them more than ever now. But I know they have busy lives of their own—lives with their own amazing fiancés.
Donovan and Eric are such special people in their own right. Donovan might come off a little guarded and aloof, but he’s got a real heart of gold underneath the expensive suits he always wears. Eric, too. He’s warm and gentle despite his mischievous smile and rocker tattoos. After meeting Morgan, Eric was finally able to face his demons and kick the bottle. He’s flourished ever since. He’s become the kind of man that Morgan needs. He may be a rockstar, but I know to her, he’s just her rock.
I love that both of my best friends have found such amazing men. They’ve become my family just as much as Chloe and Morgan are. And they truly melt my heart every time they interact with Ryan. It surprised me how open they were to having a kid around and all the changes that come with that. But what about a baby?
Will they accept that change so easily? Will they love my child like they love me and Jake and Ryan? Will they still want to spend time with us once we have a baby who needs our constant attention?
I just don’t know how the dynamic between all of us will survive such a big change. It doesn’t make me any less excited about this incredible blessing Jake and I are about to welcome into the world, but I’ve always been an over-thinker and a problem solver.
But this situation? I’m not sure how to navigate these uncharted waters.
Jake strokes my arm as he chats with Eric about whether or not our future baby will be a football player like him. My fiancé has been such a champ since finding out about the pregnancy. He’s so devoted and loving, always making sure I'm okay and happy and healthy. I know he worries a lot about Ryan and me, especially because he’s still grieving the loss of his sister. I think, because of his loss, he fears losing Ryan or me, or the future baby much more intensely than I can imagine.
He’s always been protective, but that defensive impulse of his has been in overdrive since the pregnancy test flashed that fateful little plus sign.
“Have you thought about any baby names yet?” Chloe asks as she fidgets with her engagement ring.
“It’s way too early for that!” I laugh. “Besides, we’ve chatted enough about us. What’s everyone else been up to?” I glance around at the faces of my friends eagerly, not so subtly trying to drive the conversation in a different direction.
Eric lifts Morgan’s hand and noisily kisses it before smirking at the rest of us. “Well, you all know what my muse and I have been up to—but if you need a refresher, I’d be happy to oblige. I'm rocking every radio station and Morgan is on every magazine cover, which you should all know unless you’ve been living under a rock.”
Even Donovan cracks a grin from over his glass of scotch. “Humble as always,” the business mogul quips.
The whole table descends into laughter as I nestle against Jake’s side. I take my time watching all of my best friends, trying to ingrain this moment into my mind so that I never forget what it’s like to be this close to them.
Change is upon us, and there’s no turning back now.

Eric King
It’s been so long since I last had a drop of alcohol that I don’t even crave it anymore, even while watching my best pal chug his expensive scotch. Donovan’s not typically a heavy drinker, but right now, he’s definitely hunting for the bottom of his glass.
What’s going on with him?
I stifle a yawn and shake my head. I’ll interrogate him later. Right now, I'm way too exhausted. It’s a battle just to keep my eyes open. Even though I want to celebrate with Jake and Stacy over their happy news, I’d rather just be home, snuggled in my bed with Morgan.
It’s been so long since we had a night off. We haven’t even been home yet. I vaguely wonder if I’ll even recognize our Manhattan apartment.
We came straight from Teterboro to the club and we were still late. That expression, ‘burning the candle at both ends’, is starting to make sense to me. I never thought I’d be sick of performing in front of sold-out crowds roaring for my music. And I’m not. It’s just there’s not enough of me to go around. Being on the road is exhausting and I don’t get to see Morgan nearly as much as I’d like.
But it’s not just me living this lifestyle. Morgan is killing it on the runway and I’m so damn proud of my girl. Our life is pretty freaking great. I know I shouldn’t complain. I’m engaged to my dream girl, who just happens to be the hottest model