Everyone piled into Mrs. G.'s house. As they looked around everything seemed almost unchanged. Mrs. G hugged each of the women, and tears fell down everyone's cheeks. They explained how Beverly Ann had planned the reunion to help Edna. They told her how they had all made up. They told her they knew why she had not allowed them back into her home, but that they hoped they were welcome now.
"Of course you're welcome here," Edna's words were muffled by her sobs. "I wish I had tried harder back then. We have all lost so much time."
"We were not ready then," Blair responded. "We are now. This is the hardest thing any of us has ever done. It was worth it."
All of the women nodded in agreement. Then Natalie introduced her son to Mrs. G and Beverly Ann. "This is my son Noah. He is my pride and joy and I am his worst embarrassment," she laughed.
"Hi. It is nice to meet you," Noah said politely.
"Well, aren't you charming. I can see your mom has raised you right. How old are you?" Beverly Ann asked the young man.
"I am eight, and my dad raised me right," Noah snickered and glanced at his mother. "I don't live with her."
Everyone looked at Natalie. She was really embarrassed. She had not wanted her friends to know she wasn't raising her son. Now she had no choice but to tell the truth and hope they were not too judgmental.
"Noah lives with his dad. We all thought it would be best for him considering my career is so demanding. But it works for us. We are all happy." Natalie hoped she sounded convincing, but the looks on everyone's faces did not seem too believing. Even Noah looked as if Natalie's explanation was unacceptable.
"Well, we're just glad Noah could come with you," Mrs. G. said trying to save the moment. "And who are these beautiful young ladies?" She looked over at Jo's four daughters still standing in the doorway.
"These are my girls," Jo answered. "This is Katie." Jo picked up the toddler and held her in her arms. "And this is Charli."
The little girl warmed up to new people instantly. "I'm in kindergarten and I know all my letters and my numbers…"
"She's not shy. I'll give her that," Jo laughed. "And you remember Ricki and Jordyn." She motioned for her oldest daughters to come closer.
"My, you are so grown up." Mrs. G. reached out and hugged the girls. "It has been so long since I have seen you. Do you remember me?"
"I remember your cookies," Ricki grinned. "They were the best. Mom's don't even come close."
"Well then, I guess we'll have to do some baking," Mrs. G. said.
As the reunited group of friends and extended family continued to talk and laugh and even cry, although the tears were joyful, Beverly Ann stood back and watched. She took pride in what she had accomplished. She had brought them all together again, and for the first time in weeks, Edna was smiling.