Chapter Forty-Four #3
“Perfect.” I kissed him. “Now I can go buy those chickens. Um, the professor gave us something.” I took the rectangular wrapped gift out of my bag. The professor was also apologetic; he thought he told me that they were all coming.
“Oh, that was kind. Should we open it?” Spencer asked.
We unwrapped the gift, and inside was a framed piece of art.
The numbers of Pi formed a heart going around and around, the calligraphy numbers getting smaller and smaller, until they disappeared in the center.
Our names were inscribed on it, and it was accented in watercolors of mauve, green, and lavender.
“That is beautiful,” I breathed. I sent the professor a text thanking him.
Someone knocked on the door. “Are you ready for photos?”
I looked at Spencer. “Ready?”
He helped me up. “Yes.”
We left the room, arm in arm. Eunice stood there with her headset and clipboard. “Let’s go.”
First, we went off to a part of the gardens for some beautiful formal shots of just us. His publicist was there to oversee.
Brennan brought in Spencer’s motorcycle, and we took a couple of silly shots of us on it, for fun. Eunice fluffed my dress, and the photographer used a fan to make it more dramatic.
“What do you think?” The photographer showed us some of them.
“They’re perfect,” I replied.
“Hey, since all of your siblings are here, do you want to get one with everyone?” Brennan asked me, as he walked with Spencer, me, Eunice, and the photographer to the area where we were taking pack photos.
“Oh, I love that.” I turned to the photographer. “Do we have time to take one?”
“Of course."
Eunice nodded. “I’ll collect them for you.”
“Perfect.”
The rest of the pack was waiting for us.
“Fuck, you look perfect.” Riley rushed over to me.
“Hey, that’s my line.” Evan laughed.
“No, it’s mine.” Wes grinned, giving Evan a playful shove.
“We all know she looks great.” Jett looked me up and down suggestibly.
Brennan’s eyes met mine. “She does.”
“Yes, I made a good choice.” Spencer kissed me.
The photographer positioned us and took the photos.
“Here they are,” Eunice said, herding all nine of my siblings over. Verity was holding Hope.
“You want pictures of us?” Creed blinked.
“Since all ten of us are all together, I thought it would be nice. It was Brennan’s idea.” I laughed.
Verity smiled. “I love it. Okay, Hopey, let’s put you down.”
Hope shook her head.
“We could work with that,” the photographer said.
“Yeah, uppies for everyone.” Hale set Pax on his shoulders.
“Oh, we could do a silly picture,” the photographer suggested.
Honestly, even though I didn’t know them well yet, it seemed like it would be more us than a formal one.
“Grace, hold me?” Tru asked. She wore a cute purple dress, which had been one of the photos she had sent me.
“Let’s just make sure your shoes don’t get dirt on her skirt,” Riley said, helping me pick up Tru.
Dare put Chance on his shoulders, though it looked like they’d topple over any second.
“Incoming.” Mercy jumped on Creed’s back.
“This is great,” the photographer said. “So cute.”
We got a couple of shots. I’d have to send one to the professor.
“All right. I guess we’ll go through the garden reception, then head over to the party area to greet everyone?” I asked Eunice.
“Um, Grace, can I play something for you, first? The cellist in the quartet said I could.” Dare’s voice was soft.
“I’d love that. Thank you, Dare.” Awww.
We entered the garden, where friends and family mingled and ate. Riley grabbed Mercy and dragged her over to Hiro, Kilroy, Marcos, and Rose.
Dare went over to the string quartet and when they finished their song, whispered to the cellist.
“Hi, I’m Dare, and I want to play something for my sister.” Dare took the cello from the cellist and sat down.
Spencer put his arm around me. “I’ll make sure they get an extra good tip.”
“Thank you.” It was nice of them to do that.
Dare closed his eyes and started to play. A beautiful melody that reminded me of the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite in G Minor enveloped us. You could feel his passion in the music and see it on his face.
“Fuck, he’s good. That’s a piece that isn’t technically hard, but difficult to play well,” Brennan said softly.
“Dare’s talented. I really hope the parents let him study music,” Verity said quietly, joining us.
“Your family is into science, right?” Brennan asked.
“Boston Institute of Technology has one of the best collegiate music programs in the country. He could pretend to study something parental-approved and actually major in music. It’s difficult to get in, but a possibility, if he’s up for the deception. ”
I squeezed Brennan’s hand. I was guessing he’d investigated that at some point for piano.
Verity thought for a moment, still holding Hope. “Huh. That’s a thought. The parents would have a lot of difficulty saying no to that, even though we can study for free at Briar and Marquess.”
My attention went back to the music. Yes, that should be encouraged, just like Mercy’s passion for skate smash. It was a pity their parents didn’t see it.
Well, it was a good thing they now had me.