"Mary Lou Brown, we are waiting!" Lula was in a fabulous purple bathing suit with ruffles.

"I look fat." Mary Lou called from behind the door.

"Just come out and let us see." Stephanie tried to cox her friend. She was in a daring black bikini that made her glad she waxed last week.

"I haven't lost my baby weight."

"Good Lord Mary Lou, I am the size of a small house so come on already." Lauren, her big pregnant belly covered in a yellow polka dot maternity swimsuit, knocked on the bedroom door. "I am paying the photographer by the hour and we are wasting daylight."

The three babies were each in the cutest drawstring shorts and sun hats.

On the beach, the umbrellas were up and blankets were out, and Stephanie tried to remember how Lauren talked them into modeling for a "Moms and Babies" calendar in the first place. Probably the same way she convinced them they would look great in their enormous bridesmaid dresses last year.

Finally, Mary Lou emerged in a rich blue one piece that emphasized her enhanced bust and held her firmly across her belly.

"Damn, girl, you look way too hot to be the mother of twins." Lula looked her up and down.

"Where are Tank and Bobby?"

"Outside grilling and drinking beer with Dave and Brian."

Grilling, of course. Because modeling would make the girls hungry.

Lauren and David arrived a week ago, to celebrate their anniversary on Valentine's Day and let all their friends know they were going to stay in Southern California. In many ways, this was the girls last big beach party. And then they heard, "Hey, can anyone join this harem?"

"VALARIE!" the shout rang out from multiple people.

"You came!" Stephanie ran up and hugged her sister

"I wouldn't miss it." She took Mateo from Steph's arms.

"Oh my God! And where is your hubby?" Lauren squealed. "I want a good look at him!"

"He had to work."

"We are all together again!" Mary Lou was practically vibrating with the excitement.

"Heaven help us." Which of the men said it was unimportant as each of them had the same thought.

After Val did a quick change into a very pink one piece that was cut high on the thighs and low at her cleavage, the photoshoot got under way and everyone had so much fun. Each family had a series of photos, all the girls together was another, and the moms and babies photos for the calendar were in the mix as well.

The beer flowed, the steak was first rate and the stories were HILARIOUS. Lauren's mom still wanted to return the hats and parasols as she was sure the girls would wear their dresses again. Mary Lou and her infamous shower. Tank and Lula confessing to early kisses… Candid shots were taken throughout the evening and as darkness fell, the photographer and his team packed up.

"My bridesmaids- who would have thought one year on that so much would change?" Lauren said before stealing Mateo away from Val. All the others drifted inside while Stephanie sat with Val watching the surf.

Val swallowed hard and didn't look at Stephanie as she said, "I am pregnant again."

Stephanie noted her sister didn't seem excited. "Were you and Steve trying?"

"Steve doesn't believe in birth control. With anyone, it seems."

"What do you mean?"

"I went to the GYN because I was having a problem and she found out the problem was syphilis, with a touch of gonorrhea and chlamydia on the side. None of which I had when Mateo was born."

"Could the infections be from before Steve's accident? Maybe he doesn't know."

"I checked our health insurance statements after I got home from the doctor. He was treated with the same medications three weeks ago. He stopped having sex with me after he was treated, so he wouldn't get reinfected and he never told me I was sick."

"Oh Val."

"And now I am pregnant and married to a philandering bastard."

"Do you know who he is seeing?"

Val shook her head. "I am not even sure it is only one person."

"What will you do?"

"I took vows. I can't break them. But I have to protect myself from whatever he might bring home. At least my HIV test was negative."

"How can I help?"

"You already have. You invited me to revisit my old life- to escape my sad reality for a few days."

"You could stay. We can make room for you."

"No Steph. You tried to warn me I was rushing into this. We should have dated. I should have taken my time to see if he really had changed. Or as the old saying goes- when they show you who they are the first time, believe them. Now I have to live with my choices."

And regrets.

In the house, Lauren asked how it was Stephanie of all people had an affair and a baby with no sign of the dad anywhere. "It just seems so out of character. I mean, she barely dated and was always so gun shy since that guy Morelli back in Trenton."

Tank, usually quiet, asked, "Morelli? What happened there?'

Mary Lou explained and Tank and Bobby both dropped their blank faces in place. It was good for Joe Morelli he lived out of state, Mary Lou thought, watching her husband and Tank.

"I bet she is an amazing card player." Brian offered to ease the tension in the room. This led to the Vegas wedding story and how every direction began with- go through the casino and… Lula explaining just how lucky Stephanie had been at Blackjack.

"I never seen anyone win so much so quickly. And then she says she is hungry and just walks away, like a winning streak was not happening. Won almost eight thousand dollars playing three hands at a time. But she did pay for lunch…"

"Stephanie hungry can be an unstoppable force- and at an all you can eat buffet…"

"I heard that, Mary Lou." Stephanie and Val joined the conversation as they entered the room. "Of course, there might be some accuracy in what she says." Laughter erupted and stories were told and songs were sung.

It was the best of times.