Chapter Forty-Seven
At The Cozy Crescent, we have Christmas music ambiance, mood lighting, our favorite kid-friendly holiday movies on the TV, rolling conversation, smiles, and, dare I say it, joy.
A few days before Bec, my family, and Matthew’s dad showed up, Asher and I moved our things into the apartment downstairs and later helped clean all the rooms, change bedding, and re-installed the missing scent neutralizers.
My parents had arrived first yesterday, and fell in love with the B&B immediately. When I had shown them to their room, my mom turned curious eyes on me. “Not that I’m complaining, but why are you showing us to our room?”
I hadn’t really thought about it beforehand, just automatically shifted into Hostess Mode because, well… this place is my home. At least for now.
“We have a lot to talk about,” I had told her. “But I want you two to get settled in first.”
And once that happened, both my parents came downstairs with expectant looks, watching every move that I made with my Alphas in the living room and kitchen. I ushered them to the couch and sat in the armchair while Asher and Will finished setting up the extra chairs around us for the party.
I steeled myself, not knowing how they’d react to what I was about to tell them, and part of me not really caring anymore.
I love my Alphas, and anyone who doesn’t support us can, as Asher would say, “Jog on.”
But first…
“I lied to you both.”
My parents had blinked in surprise, my dad’s brows drawing together.
“I wasn’t working at Thanksgiving, and obviously, I’m not working at Christmas. In fact, I was laid off recently.” Not a total lie.
My mom’s face had filled with unexpected concern. “Isabelle,” she breathed. “I’m so sorry. I know that you loved your job.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” my father had asked.
I winced, pursed my lips. “I… wasn’t sure how to.” Also, not a complete lie. “But, there’s good news, too.” I had braced myself. “I found my pack.”
To the point, Izzy. Good work.
“And Asher, Will, and—” I looked around the room. “Matthew!” I had called, immediately followed by pounding footsteps on the basement stairs, before the door had flown open and he rushed out.
I looked at my startled parents. “And Matthew,” I amended, “are my Alphas.”
My mother rose from the couch with a smile, her arms held open. “Matthew,” she had said before they briefly embraced. Then she turned to Asher, who was closest. “Asher, is it?”
“Yes, mum,” he had replied, making her squeal with delight before hugging him, too.
“Mum!” she exclaimed, looking over at my dad. “Did you hear that, George? I’m finally ‘Mum.’”
“I heard it, Josephine,” he had said, bemused.
“And you must be Will.” When my mom hugged him, he seemed to melt a little, making me smile.
“Yes, I’m Will,” he had said as they separated.
Then, as my mom approached me and took me into her arms, my dad rose from his seat and began to shake hands with each of my Alphas.
“I’m so proud of you, Isabelle,” my mom had whispered in my ear, a quiver to her voice. “I’m still sorry about your job, but I know you’ll find another. You’re so talented.”
I blinked back tears just as my dad hugged me, too. “You have a family of your own,” he had said as he looked down at me, expression serious but warm. “I know you’ve worked hard to be independent, Isabelle.”
His words had shocked the hell out of me. My mom’s, too.
“But you now have love and support that can take you further in life.”
Love and support indeed.
“Hey, Belly.”
At the use of his obnoxious nickname, I turn to my brother, Christian, who holds up a pint glass like a salute.
“This is a great party.” He gets closer, his expression and aura growing serious. “Thank you for inviting me.”
I blink up at him, my impossibly tall brother, and cast him a confused look. “Why wouldn’t I invite you?”
His head tilts, a little black ink from a hidden tattoo below his sweater is exposed on his neck with the movement. “I know our relationship has been strained since I moved. I’m just really glad to see you.”
My mouth opens and closes a few times before I look around the room to make sure no one is about to pounce on me, screaming I’m on a hidden camera stream.
But nope. So I look back at Christian with a slow nod.
“I’m glad to see you, too.” My voice is more airy than I meant it, and the smile that stretches across his face is something I haven’t seen in years.
It warms my heart more than the one-armed hug he gives me after.
“So, listen,” he says a little conspiratorially. “Who’s your friend with the blond hair?”
Confused for a millisecond, I laugh before smirking at him. “That’s Bec. Be careful. She’ll break your kneecaps.”
The way his eyes grow hooded as he stares at her across the room, talking to Violet and her family, makes me cringe a bit. I don’t really want to know if my brother has masochistic tendencies.
As the night goes on, the laughter grows louder, the happiness all around increasing with each memory reminisced and future plan shared among friends and family.
And tears well in my eyes as I watch the crowd move all around, hugs and kisses, looks of love.
Matthew joins me in the corner of the room, sitting on the arm of my chair, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “I’m ‘Unca Two’ now. Officially.”
I shoot him a questioning look before laughing. “What?”
His smile is lopsided. “Violet told Ivy not to call me ‘Matt,’ and she can’t say ‘Matthew’ yet.”
“Ohhh,” I sing with a smile. “So, ‘Unca Two.’”
He gives me an affirmative hum before joining me to look out at our group of family and friends. “This is really nice, isn’t it?”
“It is. It feels good not to have any drama to contend with.”
“Speaking of,” he starts with caution, “how’s everything with Christian?”
I look over at my brother as he chats with an unimpressed Bec, and huff a laugh. “We’re fine. I can’t say the same of his game, though.”
“His…?” Matthew’s gaze follows mine, his eyes widening a fraction. “Shit.”
My brow twitches. “What?”
His head shakes, his expression disbelieving. “I’ll tell you about it tonight.”