a/n: I'm so excited to put this chapter out! It was so easy and so fun to write, I'm hoping that y'all like what I put out!

Moving Forward

"Just add a pinch more sugar, and you've made authentic Southern Sweet Tea!"

"Oh, that's a load of crap, Paula! Get in my kitchen and I'll show you how it's done!"

Rylee chuckled at the other two women who sat on either side of her. The trip sat in the living room watching The Food Network, while their husbands took naps. They wanted to cook a special dinner for everyone, since they were starting over in a sense. Since their internet wasn't too reliable they decided that this was the best way to get some new recipes.

The atmosphere felt so much better now that everything was out in the open. Sure, it was kind of weird at first, but this was an opportunity to get to know each other like they should have before. They only had five days left together after all. Technically, four since the fifth day would be when they were all set to head out.

Emily looked so much more at ease now, her face, it just looked like all the stress was erased in the last hour. Her skin was so fair it was almost like a porcelain doll; and her bright blue eyes… they looked so full of life now. Rylee hoped that Stephen did good by her and fixed the in-law situation; Martha and Henry weren't doing the couple any good by getting into their business like they were. When they tried to do some of the same to her and Ted all those years ago, Rylee put the fear of God into them.

She hoped that they still had nightmares about the whole ordeal.

And Camila, oh she must have felt so much better now that all of that stress was off of her shoulders. The baby must feel a lot better too, knowing that its parents were going to be getting along now. Randy and Camila were meant for each other.

Randy had the tendency to run around on woman back in their school days. She had so many talks with him about it, but it went in one ear and out the other. Camila must have had something special in her to tame that sort of wildfire. She couldn't be prouder of the man he'd become.

Ted, oh her Ted, he has really torn that wall down earlier. She knew that it had to be difficult for him too, he had worked so hard to keep that façade up for the past few days. Thankfully, things had gone extremely well, just as she had expected it would. Her husband had his pride of course, so it was understandably tough for him.

Nonetheless, she was glad to have everything out in the open. Now everyone could really move forward with their lives, and hopefully make their relationship stronger. Feeling her left side being nudged, she turned to face Camila, who had her hands around her belly.

"Girls, the baby is kicking, feel!"

Smiling Rylee stretched her arm around and allowed Camila to place her hand where it needed to be. She did the same with Emily – who was a bit more hesitant than she was. After a few seconds, she felt her hand being raised slightly.

Tears instantly filled her eyes, she had never had the opportunity to be a part of something like this. She miscarried before her baby ever started to move. It had been the moment she was looking forward to the most, other than actually having the baby of course.

Presumably seeing the look on her face, Camila place a hand over hers, "Your time will come soon, sweetie. I'm sure of it."

"Thanks, I hope so."

Later that evening the girls found themselves in the kitchen preparing dinner. Their husbands had woken up already, but were outside having a couple drinks.

"I'm not quite sure that I did this right, ladies."

Camila and Rylee turned towards the over, where Emily had pulled out her batch of homemade biscuits. They hadn't risen very much, instead they looked like very small pancakes. But, they still looked edible, at least. Smiling, Rylee rubbed her arm.

"Oh, they look fine! A little flat, but we'll eat them."

"Are you sure? I could try and make some more."

"No, no… I promise your fine. Next time we'll just let the yeast rise a little more, before we put them in the oven. Now put them over there and come help us with these sides."

Placing the biscuits on a serving plate, Emily then walked over to the other two girls. She was feeling more at ease with them than she had in the beginning, she felt accepted. Things between her and Camila were still a little awkward, but she understood. It was her marriage that she had played with after all. Hopefully she'd get to talk to her one-on-one before they left, if only to give herself more piece of mind.

"Okay, ladies, I think that's it! Let me go get the guys, so they can help us carry this food out."

Maybe that time would come sooner, rather than later.

"Ca-Camila, c-can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what's up?"

With Camilas green eyes locked on her blue ones, she felt herself tense up a little, "I, I just wanted to clear the air about the pictures."

"I thought that we had already done that?"

Emily shrugged, "Well, yeah but, I still feel this tension between us."

Turning towards her, Camila leaned against the granite countertop, "Emily, I forgive you, okay? Am I still a little peeved? Yes. But I no longer have anger towards you. It took a lot of guts to fess up to the things you did; that tension you feel, it's all in your head sweetie."

Wiping a stray tear from her face, Emily nodded, "Thank you so much, Cam."

The brunette simply nodded and pulled her in for a welcoming hug. "Now let's start getting this food out, huh?"

Nodding they both grabbed bowls and headed towards the deck out back. Rylee and the guys were heading towards the kitchen to get the other things. Feeling a hand on her arm, Emily met the gaze of her husband. Leaning down he placed a small kiss on her lips.

"Everything okay, love? I saw you talking to Camila in there."

Smiling, she stood on the balls of her feet and kissed him, "Yes, baby, everything is great. I finally feel like I belong here."

"That's good, I love you so, so much."

"I love you too."

Moments later, everyone surrounded the dinner table. Ted led them in a small prayer over their food, and the rest of their vacation; just as he had since they had gotten there. But, this prayer, everyone felt it in their souls. They could finally be a peace with themselves and the secrets they had been keeping since their time here had begun.

Once Ted was done, Randy stood with his beer raised up high, "to family!"

"To family!" the others said in unison.

a/n: There we have it! What did y'all think? As always your reviews are greatly appreciated. How do you think the rest of their vacation will be spent?