Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“So, what’s the occasion?” Royce asks.
“Figures, they started the party without us,” Conrad says, entering the room, Marshall right behind him.
“Oh, Aurora. Did you bring me anything?” Marshall asks, batting his eyelashes at me.
“I did. They’re on the kitchen counter.” When I couldn’t sleep, I cleaned and had the laundry caught up, so I made some fudge brownies to bring tonight.
“You ever get tired of this one. You know where to find me.” He winks.
“Back off, little brother,” Grant warns.
“I think you can take him,” Conrad tells Marshall. “I mean, this is your stomach we’re talking about. No mercy,” he says, and we all laugh. Conrad sits in one of the two remaining chairs. Marshall takes the other, shoving a brownie into his mouth.
“Well, we’ve been talking about the wedding. Owen doesn’t really want to travel with me being pregnant.”
“You know it’s safe, right?” Sawyer asks him.
“Yeah, sis, I do, but I’d rather not if we don’t have to,” Owen replies.
“So we were thinking of doing it here.” Layla looks over at Owen. “This is our home, and new memories are what we need.” The way she says it makes me think that something happened. It also makes me think that Owen needs it more than she does.
“You sure about that?” Marshall asks her. He’s suddenly more serious than I’ve ever seen him.
“I am. This is what I want. This is our home, and that night doesn’t define us. It’s the memories we make here. Getting married here, and bringing our little man home. This is where I want to raise him.”
“Layla,” Owen starts, but she places her fingers to his lips to stop him.
“I want this. I’ve always loved this house. I want to make it our home. I won’t let her take another damn thing from me. We’ve already renovated. It doesn’t even look like the same place. The security is top-notch, and we have plenty of room for a small ceremony and reception.”
“What did I miss?” I whisper to Grant.
“I’ll fill you in later,” he says, kissing my temple. I fight the urge to sigh. He’s always doing sweet things like that, and I fall harder every time.
“What can we do?” Sawyer asks.
“I need a dress, and we’ll need food and a cake.”
“I can take care of the cake,” I speak up, surprising myself.
“Really?” Layla asks.
“Sure. I can put together a tasting if you want.” Grant gives my leg a gentle squeeze, showing me his support.
“No. I trust you. We both eat anything. Just… thank you, Aurora.”
“Sure. I’ll take care of it. Just let me know how many people.”
“Small,” she says immediately.
“All of you. Stanley and Lena, your sister, and Ronnie and Linda.” She points to Conrad and Marshall. “If these two want to bring a date.” She chuckles.
“Nah,” the two youngest brothers say at the same time.
“When is this shindig taking place?” Marshall asks.
“This little guy is due to be here in four weeks.” Layla looks over at Owen. “We were thinking two weeks.” She turns her gaze to me. “Is that okay? Can you do two weeks?”
“Yes.” I nod.
“What about you? Can you find a dress in that time?”
“I just want something simple. I’m sure I can find something. I was hoping Lena could do the food.”
“She’s going to be all over that,” Royce says.
“I’ll help,” Sawyer adds.
“I can help too.”
Layla’s eyes well with tears. “I’ve never had a family, not a functional one. I love you all so much, and I’m thrilled to be able to call all of you my family.” She wipes at her eyes. I find myself doing the same, and a quick glance at Sawyer shows she’s in her feelings too.
“Damn it, sis,” Conrad says, clearing his throat. That breaks the tension, causing us all to laugh.
“I’m sorry. It’s the pregnancy hormones, but I meant every word. I don’t know what I did to have each of you come into my life, but I will be forever grateful.”
“Fucking love you,” Owen says, not caring who hears before his lips crash with hers. The doorbell interrupts them, but Royce stands.
“I’ll get it,” he tells his brother, making his way to the front door, Marshall on his heels to help carry the food.
The rest of the night is filled with laughter and a whole lot of love. Plans are made, and even Lena and Stanley show up after Owen called them to fill them in. It has me missing my parents more than ever, but it also solidifies that the Riggins family is the real deal. I can only hope that Aspen and I both find this kind of love and acceptance in our futures. I glance across the room at Grant. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I can’t help but let a little sprout of hope fill my heart that this too is my future.