Who would have guessed? My husband. I hit more targets than Ram, which surprised me. Ram was a sniper in the Army. I shouldn't have beaten his score. Lester suggested Ram got cocky. Perhaps you should never bet on a sure thing.

We argued about who the "loser" would be for the challenge. It was ridiculous. Most of us were trying to hit more targets, while Vince and Hector attempted to hit the least by shooting from behind their backs, over their shoulders, beneath their arm and under their leg. I thought it was scary as heck. What if the bullet ricocheted off something and hit someone?

It could happen. I had a few nightmares after I shot Sasha. In the dream, I was outside a convenience store at a gas station. My boyfriend, who resembled Aaron Hotchner from Criminal Minds, asked me to go inside to buy him frozen chocolate milk. Is that even a thing? I never heard of frozen chocolate milk before. Oh well, it was just a dream. I reached for the door handle, but another woman pushed the door open as she checked her watch. She wore the smock over her shirt. The colour indicated she was the manager. Seriously, does the corporate head office not realize they are painting a target on the person in charge? Okay, back to the story.

The store manager winked at another woman who was standing a few feet away from me. I noticed a reflection of an object in her pocket, then moved farther from the door. The woman took a deep breath for a second before removing the weapon from her pocket and entering the store. She yelled, "Everybody put your hands up. This is a robbery. Hey, you, empty the cash register."

I returned to my boyfriend, who was sitting on the stone wall. He finished pumping gas into his car and patiently waited for me to return. His car was in the lot. We planned to walk around the block to enjoy our drinks before continuing our trip. He jumped off the wall and wrapped his arms around me. "Did you forget the drinks?" he asked.

"No. I think someone is robbing the store," I replied, ignoring the man and woman kissing a few feet away. "The manager is in on it."

"How are you so sure?" my boyfriend asked. I wasn't sure how I knew, but I did.

The manager approached the couple kissing. "Is everything okay inside?" she asked. I watched the man remove his phone and tap on the screen.

My boyfriend whispered, "See? She's not involved. Your imagination was running away with you."

We thought the manager was concerned about the employees until she said, "Did anyone try to disarm her?"

The man grinned, then answered, "Nobody tried to be a hero. Your employee cooperated and got the customers to hand over their valuables." My boyfriend tried to move me away from the building to escape in his car.

I saw the husband of the couple raise a gun that I never noticed and pull the trigger. The sound of the gun echoed in the air, which seemed odd.

Blood splatter was everywhere. I didn't feel any pain and assumed my boyfriend got shot. I rubbed my hands over my boyfriend's hair. He didn't wince from pain. When I looked at my hands, they had blood spots on them.

I thought we were unharmed until searing pain hit my head. Everything went black… until I opened my eyes from the nightmare.

Lester would hear me crying and hold me. I knew it was just a dream, but it still scared me. He thought my headache was residual from someone hitting me in the head. I wasn't convinced. It was guilt for taking Sasha's life.

Now, back to the bet. Since everyone participated, the "losers" were Hector and Vince. Somehow, they managed to tie for last place. Why would they want to change pooped diapers?

It was the strangest competition I have ever participated in. I finished first, and Ram was second. Lester, Tank, Carlos and Bobby tied for third. Vince and Hector tied for last place. "We have to test long-range shooting next," Lester suggested.

Ram rubbed his hands together, thinking his win was in the bag. I shook my head. Sunny, the owner of Sunny's Gun Shop, approached us.

She touched Ram's arm. "We have a range out back, and I'll loan you the weapons for your contest," Sunny said.

"Sure. I wouldn't mind getting this out of the way," I replied. "Just you and me, Ram?"

"Yup. Get ready to lose," Ram said. He followed Sunny to the case where she kept the long-range rifles and scopes. Ram selected a few. Sunny checked to ensure both weapons were in top shape. She passed me one, then gave Ram the other. Carlos handed Sunny cash to cover our fees.

I shrugged and followed them outside. Sunny used an ATV to drive to the back of the property. She set up eight bullseye targets and ten cans along the wall behind the targets.

When Sunny returned, Ram motioned for me to shoot first. "Hit four targets and five cans, then I'll take my turn," Ram said. "No prize for the winner or chores for the loser. We're doing this for fun."

The stitches tugged on my left arm as I got into position. Thank goodness my baby bump didn't extend past my hip bones. Sunny ran inside. She gave me a donut pillow to protect my stomach. "Thanks," I mumbled.

I took my time to line up the shot as Dad taught me. Exhaling, I pulled the trigger. I hit every target dead centre. My arm got tired when I aimed at the fifth can. I hit it, but barely.

Ram took his turn. He hit every target and knocked down every can. I was impressed until I remembered he was a sniper. Ram shouldn't miss targets.

The contest came down to accuracy on the bullseye targets. I conceded defeat. Ram won, fair and square. "I bow down to your superiority," I joked.

"I'm amazed at your achievement," Ram replied. "You're injured, and you still hit every target. I only won because your fourth bullseye shot was one millimetre off-centre."

"Next time, we're shooting grenades and rocket launchers," I said. Ram hugged me. He kissed my forehead and agreed to the plan. "Your job in the Rangers is safe."

Lester thoroughly kissed me after I hit the targets. He was impressed I was almost as accurate as a military-trained sniper.

Lucinda called while we were driving back home. She invited the men for dinner. When I entered the house, I smelled the tantalizing aromas of Salsa Verde Chicken, Ropa Vieja, lasagna and garlic bread.

Mateo got strapped into a carrier to Piper's chest. He chewed on his fist as Piper set the table. "Are you teething?" Piper asked when saliva dripped on the plate.

"I have teething rings in the freezer," I replied. "Mateo's been grumpy lately."

"Thanks," Piper said. She went to the refrigerator to find the item sealed inside a plastic container. Lucinda passed Piper a clean dishcloth to tuck beneath Mateo's chin. I smiled as Piper tended to my son.

"Did Matt sleep long?" Lester asked.

"He woke up when the car pulled out of the driveway," Piper replied. "Cal brought the carrier for me to borrow. I couldn't find yours."

"We don't have one," Lester replied. He went on the internet to order a few carriers.

I left the dining room to find Valerie and Cal. They were sitting on the couch, looking quite comfortable entwined. The ring on Valerie's left hand got me raising my eyebrows. "I'm assuming that's an engagement ring?" I asked after checking Cal's hand.

"Yes," Valerie replied. "I came over to show you, but Lucinda said you were at target practice."

"Isn't it a little soon to be engaged?" I wondered.

Cal grinned as he replied, "Val and I are living together. I refused to move in without being engaged. She knows I still have a few years with the SEALs."

Mary Alice tugged on my arm. "Mom is happy. Angie and I like Cal. He's nice to us."

"I'm happy because you and Angie are happy. Does Dad know, Valerie?"

"Cal asked Daddy for his permission. Dad said yes. So I said yes," Valerie replied, blushing. Cal gently stroked Valerie's cheek, publicly showing his affection. It made me happy to see it. Steve treated Valerie like an annoying gnat. Cal's face was expressive in displaying his admiration for my sister.

Something was different about Valerie's face. I stared for several minutes before checking the photographs I had placed on the fireplace mantel. When I observed Valerie's picture, I noticed her nose was slender. I turned to look at my sister, then back again. Excusing myself of the guests, I went to my closet to grab the photo album. "Well, I'll be damned!" I muttered.

"Why are you looking at the album?" Lester asked, tugging it from my hands.

"Do you see Valerie's nose in this image?" I asked, pointing to Valerie's face. Lester looked for a few minutes.

"What am I looking for?" he asked.

"Look at my nose in the image and now," I replied.

"Oh. Your nose is slightly wider now," Lester said. It took a few minutes to realize what I was attempting to convey. "Do you think Valerie's pregnant?"

"I know she is. Can you send her upstairs? I have an extra test in the bathroom," I replied. Lester kissed me before leaving to find Valerie.

"Lester said you wanted to see me," Valerie said, entering my bedroom. "Is something wrong?"

"Not really. I'm pregnant," I replied. "But this isn't about me. Are you pregnant?"

"I don't think so, but we had a condom break," Valerie replied. "You know I can't take contraceptives. They mess up my blood pressure."

"How long ago did the condom break?"

"About eight weeks ago," Valerie replied, making her response sound like a question. "My periods got messed up after the last miscarriage."

"I have a test in the vanity left side middle drawer. It would be best if you used it," I suggested.

Valerie grimaced and used the ensuite washroom. She washed her hands after placing the test on the counter. I set my timer for three minutes. "We aren't ready to have a baby together," Valerie whispered. "I wanted this time to be different. What am I supposed to do if I'm pregnant?"

"Wait until you and Cal are ready for the wedding ceremony. Don't let Mom bully you into getting married," I replied. "However, you can drive to Atlantic City, then you and Cal can exchange vows without anyone interfering."

Lester entered the bedroom, interrupting our conversation. "I can take one of those online courses to perform the ritual. Is your divorce finalized?" Lester asked.

"Yes. The judge signed off on it," Valerie replied. "I'm free to get married."

I grabbed my iPad from the nightstand drawer and logged onto the municipal site for marriage licenses. Valerie raised a brow as I applied for Val and Cal to get married. "It's good for a few months," I replied after locating Valerie's divorce decree filed in California. I paid the fee using my credit card. Valerie added her electronic signature.

Cal gave the door a light knock and waited for me to let him inside. He smiled when I passed him the iPad. Cal added his signature and confirmed he was applying with Valerie; then, he submitted the application.

My timer chimed. Valerie tugged Cal's hand and guided him to the washroom. "We're having a baby?" Cal shouted. "Val, I'm so fucking happy."

"It wasn't supposed to happen this way," Valerie cried. Cal didn't care. He hugged his fiancée before dropping to his knees.

"Can you guys not get carried away?" I teased when Cal pulled Valerie's pants low enough to kiss her abdomen.

"Oh. Sorry," Valerie replied. She stroked Cal's tattoo before fixing her pants.

I shook my head as they left the bathroom. "Two babies in the same year. Wow. What would the neighbours think?" I asked while laughing.