30. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Brixon
E vie has been bouncing off the walls for the last week with excitement since Mia accepted us as clients to plan our wedding.
Now she is running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to get ready for Alec and M.J.’s wedding. She hates everything today and it’s of course all my fault.
She also started her period yesterday, a week early, pissing her off even more. Now she is complaining that she looks bloated in her flowy, baby-blue dress that you can’t even see where her stomach is at.
She is just nervous as fuck to meet her brother and niece. She has almost shown up on their doorstep fifty times in the last week, after meeting Mia and getting to know her. She stops herself before she ever even gets close, but I support her choices, knowing that this isn’t easy for her.
I almost called Sin yesterday and just told him the truth so she could relax. Then she went into a full-blown meltdown with the what ifs. She is worried Cami is going to hate her for not coming to her sooner. That her brother isn’t going to like her. Evie is worried, knowing now, that either him or his wife have killed his other siblings. She also realizes that they deserved it.
“Have you seen my pearls? I laid them out and now I can’t find them. They are Grans pearls!” Evie comes into the bathroom for the fifth time in ten minutes looking for something she misplaced.
“Baby, calm down. You set them on the hearth in between your gran and mom’s urns. Remember, you thought she would like to be close to them again?”
Evie throws her hands up smiling, “Oh, yeah, thank you! I promise I’ll be better once this is done.” She goes up on her toes, kissing my cheek as she passes by going out the door again.
“God, I hope so.” I say under my breath.
“I heard that! So not scoring you points right now Brix!” She yells back.
Fuck.
The only time I had ever seen her like this was at my senior prom, when she thought I expected her to give up her virginity. I knew she wasn’t ready. I never pushed her. We were young and my world made everything about sex and control. I wanted her to give me that control willingly. I would never have taken that from her.
We had so much fun that night, once she told me what was bothering her. We danced at prom, went bowling, and stayed up in the quarter watching the sun rise from the steps of the Washington Artillery Park.
Genevieve loves sunrises. She told me her favorite to date is watching the sun rise and hit Jackson Square and the St Louis Cathedral that morning. That one was the most special, because it started raining, and the sun came up, brightly shining through the rain, casting a glow around her.
I pulled up one of her playlists and started singing along to, “Perfect,” by Ed Sheeran. I took her hand, and we danced. I sang the wrong lyrics, horribly tried to carry a tune, but she smiled and laughed anyway. She was insanely happy, letting me spin her around, still in her pretty red dress.
I made sure that night that she knew, yes, someday I would want to dominate her in every way imaginable. Back then, we were just kids insanely in love. Now we are well into adulthood, and the way I love her can’t be measured.
We reminisced quite a bit last night, after her freak out.
I woke her up at five this morning so that we could go watch the sunrise again from that very spot. Even though it wasn’t raining, I still danced with my girl as I horribly sang the lyrics of, “Slow It Down,” by Benson Boon, played on my phone.
She let me spin her around and hold her close. She forgot about everything for just a few minutes and enjoyed watching the sun peak up over the river. Evie bounced on her toes as the bright ball of light rose to all of its glory, throwing bright yellow, orange, and pink rays at the large cathedral, creating a masterpiece of colors in the sky above it.
It was magical to watch her watch it in awe. Evie believes there is something magical about every sunrise she sees. This one though. I will hold this morning, just a moment in time, in my memory forever.
She had the most perfect smile on her face as she laughed her corny chuckling laugh because I had to hum through some of the words, only remembering the tune itself, as I got lost in her.
While she will remember the bad singing, the dancing, and the sunrise itself. I will remember the way the morning sun hit her face. The glow not only that the sun gave her, but how it just highlighted the one she was already wearing.
We went to breakfast after at Café Fleur De Lis. She decided on their Seriously Southern Breakfast with all savory things, while I opted for the bourbon street Breakfast with all the sweet stuff, and we shared.
She didn’t start freaking out until we got home, and it all hit her again, like a ton of bricks.
I think it’s the fact that everything is about to change. Whether it’s a good change or not, we won’t know until we take the plunge today. We just have to keep everything we have set in motion progressing.
My little witch realizes now, more than ever, that every move we make will have consequences. We just don’t know who will suffer those consequences. Whether it’s us, or the ones trying to rip us apart again, we know it’s coming either way.
I know I’m running out of time.
Evie
Brixon puts his hand on my thigh, calming my bouncing leg. He leans down to my ear, whispering, “I’ve got you, just breathe, baby.”
I lean into his arm, sliding my arm under his, “I’m okay.” I whisper, letting out a breath.
My pulse quickens when Alec, Joe, Jasper, Nick, Charlie, and the priest walk out onto the stage from the back, taking their places in front of the alter as music begins to play.
I look around the beautiful church, decorated with light pink and white roses of every shape and size, accented with baby’s breath, pearls, and clear rhinestones. Pink and white silk bunting drapes the church in a way not to mask anything but accentuate its beauty.
Brix lightly squeezes my thigh, reminding me I’m not alone, when he feels me take in a deep breath as we watch Savvy slowly make her way down the aisle and up to her designated spot, giving Alec a reassuring nod. She turns to the crowd watching as each of her friends come and take their places beside her.
Brixon mentioned that Liam had told Alec to add Savvy and Christian to the wedding to show that they are a unit. The Saints are changing, and the boys have to send a message, showing what they stand for.
I feel a tear slip down my cheek when I see Cami come out and I see how beautiful she looks. She is thriving, just like I always knew she would.
The rest of the Devereaux crew comes out before the cutest flower girl I have ever seen makes her appearance.
She has dark curly hair with little flowers and pearls in a crown on top of her head. She is in a princess-like white fluffy dress with a light pink sash that ties into the perfect bow on her back. The petite little thing bounces down the aisle, giggling, and tossing handfuls of pink and white rose petals onto the white silk draped isle.
I can’t help but wonder, is she what our children would look like.
The music stops, making everyone stand to watch as the large double doors open back up, revealing Christian with M.J. on his arm in the most beautiful strapless gown, I have ever seen. Her smile reaches her eyes as she looks up the long aisle to the man she has chosen to be hers.
I notice Savvy smirking at her husband through the tears that well up in her eyes. I see the love between them. I have watched them both during the last month, showing their love for each other and their family in so many different ways.
Brix hands me a tissue when he hears me sniff. I dab my eyes, trying to contain the continuously building liquid threatening to ruin my makeup, more than it already has.
I watch as my brother kisses M.J.’s hand before placing it in Alecs.
We listen to the couple recite their vows, go through all the motions, and finally, I watch the bride and groom give each other a very PDA first kiss as husband and wife.
Christian and Savvy are the last to walk back down the aisle, this time arm in arm, looking every bit, the power couple they have become.
I envy them as we stand, watching them all live their happily ever after. They have no idea how much I idolize them. They beat the odds.
I grip Brixon’s arm, feeling all the emotions right now.
I follow the line out, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.
I feel Brix grip my hand tighter as we make our way out of the church and straight towards Christian and Savvy.
“Hey, Devereaux, congrats on the new baby boy! Thanks for inviting me. I would like to introduce you to my plus one.” Brixon hollers as we approach closer.
I watch my brother turn to me, eyes going wide as he stumbles backwards for a split second but recovers quickly. He looks to Brix who I know is telling him no.
“Brixon, nice to see you man!” Christian replies, extending his hand out to shake Brixon’s, while keeping a firm grip on his wife.
He doesn’t trust him yet and that’s ok.
“This is the love of my life, Genevieve LaBlanc. She grew up here and has a fascination with a show that has your house in it, and I promised her I would introduce you.” Brix introduces me to my brother.
My brother. I can’t help but smirk a bit, letting out a little of my jitters as I feel tears start to weasel their way up, threatening to spill over. I blink quickly, taking a calming breath as I put my hand out to shake both of theirs.
I brace myself to get hit with a vision, but I get nothing.
Hmm.
“Sorry to bother you both, but I couldn’t pass up asking for a tour someday, of Klaus Michaelson’s home! I know, silly, but I used to watch the show with my mother before she passed away, a couple of years ago, and well, it never hurts to ask.” I speak first, trying not to sound like my heart is about to beat out of my chest.
I look over Christian’s shoulder spotting Cami.
“Cami!?” I shout, trying not to be too obvious that I know for a fact that it is her.
Her eyes meet mine and it takes a few seconds as we make our way to each other for her to register and her eyes go wide with confusion.
“Oh my goddess, Genevieve! You are all grown up, I almost didn’t recognize you!” Cami shouts as she gives me a hug.
I hold her close as I whisper in her ear, “I know this is insane, but I need your help. Don’t act differently. We are just long-lost friends who made it back to each other for now. Please trust me. I promise I will explain everything, to all of you.” I get out what I have to as we both pull back from each other. Cami gives me a nod with a wickedly happy smile, as tears fill her eyes.
“You two know each other?” Brixon asks with raised brows, giving Sin a look before turning back to me and Cami. He is such a cute liar.
“Brix, we have known Cami since we were little, we used to hang out in the cemetery as kids, remember? How long has it been? Ten twelve years maybe?” I chuckle, so happy to finally be next to Cami again.
“Oh my gosh, Chamomile? Dang, you grew up, where is Charlie?” Brix and Cami give each other knowing smirks, and she nods.
“Hey guys, we need to go! We have to beat Cinderella to the ball, or Mia is going to kill us.” Abby turns, waddling out of the church towards us all, stopping dead in her tracks when she looks at me.
“Are you attending the ball?” Christian turns to me, almost looking anxious.
“We will see you there. You and I can talk more at Alec’s crest ceremony.” Brix replies, almost reassuring him.
“So sorry we have to run, Evie, I’ll find you when you get to the ball.” Savannah smiles, giving me a hopeful look.
“If you don’t, I’ll find you.” I try to joke, smiling like an idiot.
Brix and I head towards St Ann Street seeing Noah pull up, while we watch my brother and his family scurry towards the sleek black limos waiting for them.
Christian looks back after helping his wife into the car. He finally smiles, when it registers that I’m staring at him too, giving me a small wave, before he gets in the car and shuts the door.
“Well, that went well.” Brixon gloats.
“Yeah, it did. Even though you jumped before I could say ready.” I scold him, grinning, unable to actually be mad at him.
“I just gave you the push you needed. Not sorry my little witch.” He kisses my temple before helping me in our new black Escalade that Liam bought so that we could all start riding together as a group.
“So, how did it go?” Emily asks while everyone turns to me, gauging my facial expression.
Liam scowls, “Was he a dick? So, help me…”
“No! He was perfect! He is handsome and thoughtful. I didn’t get any visions from them either. I also didn’t get bad vibes, just happy tingles!” I stop my rant and start laughing, “Sorry guys, I’ know I’m blabbering like an idiot.” I can’t help how excited I am.
“No, baby, you are perfect. I’m so happy that the meeting part is over. I’m assuming you want to keep going and set up lunch so you can tell him the truth?” Brix asks sweetly as Noah starts driving.
I look at Noah’s eyes in his rearview mirror. He is the only one in the car not elated that it went well.
“Hey bub.” I holler at him from the very back seat and wait for him to acknowledge me. When he does, I continue, “You do realize that you have been my brother since we were like born, right?” I ask, seeing his eyes soften.
“Yeah, he may be your blood, but I was your brother first, and if he so much as makes you have a sad emotion, I will kick his ass. Understood!?” He eyes me with a serious look in his eyes. They are the only part of his face I can see in the tiny mirror, but it’s all I need to see to know he is not fucking around.
“Got it bub! If he fucks up, you will feed him to the gators. Sounds fair.” I laugh, trying to lighten his mood.
“Ooh, even better,” Liam rubs his hands together as his evil smirk curves up his face.
“Y’all are fucking ridiculous. You know that.” Lily fakes a yawn, “Childs play.” She eyes Noah, testing him.
“Yeah, if you want to know how to fuck someone up, read one of Lilys books. She is brutal with torture.” Emily replies, making us girls crack up, knowing how brutal some of her scenes are.
The boys start asking questions and by the time we get to the Saint Continental Hotel, not only are the boys taking notes from Lily, but Lily is also taking pointers from the boys.
“Let’s go get to know your family, little witch.”