Chapter 94 Home – Briar
HOME
brIAR
TWO WEEKS LATER
“This is a bad idea.”
“Shut up.”
“It’s a bad idea.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I sass, the corner of my mouth ticking up.
Koen grumbles something unintelligible behind me, all while keeping a firm grip on my waist as I fight for my life on top of frozen water.
“Stop moving your feet so much!”
“Stop telling me what to do!” I growl at him while trying to slow down, my feet skittering like crazy under me.
“I’m going to tell you what to do as long as you don’t know what you’re doing!” he cries out, exasperated as he prevents yet another catastrophic fall.
We’re at the annual Boston Breakers Family Skate at the Edge Arena, surrounded by Breakers players and their families.
Remi’s living her best life, tearing up the ice with her stack of milk crates at high speed. Just ahead of us, she careens wildly into the boards, knocking herself off her feet, only to cackle maniacally before getting back up to do it again.
“She’s got a future in hockey,” Koen says, watching her.
I smile.
“You guys doing okay?”
The sound of Rory’s voice has my head turning, causing me to trip over my own blades again. Koen curses at my back as he catches me just before I hit the ice.
“Yes,” I say at the same time Koen growls, “No.”
“Do we intervene?” Rory looks up, asking Aidan at her side.
Aidan’s brows furrow. “You sure you're cleared for this? Didn’t the doctor say—”
“He said, ‘return to normal activity after two weeks while exercising caution,’” I repeat flatly.
“I wouldn’t consider ice skating to be a normal activity…” Koen challenges, but I wave him off.
“But I am exercising caution,” I say, patting the arm he has locked around my waist.
Aidan and Rory exchange a look. “Good enough for me.” Aidan shrugs, deftly avoiding Koen’s glare.
Ice skating, it turns out, is much harder than it looks, and honestly, I could actually use a break.
“Maybe we could get some water?” I throw out there, and the next thing I know, Koen’s swept me up into his arms and is skating for the bench.
“Hey!” I cry. “I could’ve made it on my own!”
He rolls his eyes. “We don’t have all week, Briar Rose.”
I huff, allowing him to carry me off the ice and deposit me onto the bench. There’s a bottle of water in my hands a minute later, and I take a few quick sips, searching for Remi on the ice.
I find her with Liam. They’ve ditched the crate, and instead he holds her up, pushing her in front of him while she squeals, a huge smile on both of their faces.
“So, I have something to tell you,” Koen says, sitting down next to me.
“Well, that sounds ominous...” I reply, shifting until I’m facing him.
“I talked to the director of the Boston Ballet.”
I nearly spit out my water. “You WHAT?!”
He just continues talking. “I explained how you missed the showcase because you were kidnapped—”
“Did you tell them you were the one who kidnapped me?” I say, cutting him off.
Koen waves the thought away. “Details…”
I smirk.
“Anyway, they’re still very interested in having you audition, so, as soon as you’re fully healed, they’ll arrange it.” His eyes search my face, hovering over my frown. “I thought you’d be happy?”
“I don’t want anything I didn’t earn…” I say. My voice is low.
He holds up both his hands innocently. “All I did was explain why you weren’t at the showcase. The audition… that’s between you and them,” he says, his eyes sincere. “It’s really not a surprise considering the only reason they were coming to the showcase was to see you.”
My eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”
“Briar, you haven’t headlined a performance in years. They thought you stopped performing, stepped back from ballet. They only committed to attend after word broke that you would be taking over the role.”
“Oh,” I breathe, too shocked to say anything else.
Koen takes my hand in his. “You’re an incredible dancer. You have talent, genuine talent, and whatever you choose to do with it, I’ll be here for you.” He reaches up to brush a lock of hair from my face. “Promise me you’ll at least think about it?”
That warm feeling creeps into my chest again, and I squeeze his hand. That explains the dance studio…
After I was released from the hospital, Koen set to work on renovating a couple of the empty loft apartments directly beneath his.
His plans include: an apartment just for me, him, and Remi; an apartment for Lily next door; and then across the hall.
.. a dance studio. For Lily, Rory, and me to use whenever we want.
“Okay, I’ll think about it,” I relent, while secretly plotting how soon I can convince him to let me resume training.
There’s been a little pressure from the heads of the other clans for Koen to make it official and get married, but he’s pushed back. Given what happened recently with Seamus, they’ve backed off—for now. Especially since Koen is adamant; he won’t get married without his sister… who’s still missing.
And honestly, I need time. We need time to just be together, without any of that added pressure.
“Daddy?” A little voice calls, and we both look up, seeing only ten tiny fingers clinging to the top of the boards.
“Remi?” Koen gets up, lifting our little blonde menace onto the bench. She’s wearing her #26 jersey; it looks super cute paired with her pink helmet and gloves.
“Will you skate with me?”
Koen’s face lights up and he nods. “Absolutely I will, but only if your mommy promises to stay right here and that she will not, under any circumstances, step back out on the ice alone.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re being dramatic.”
He arches a brow, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Fine.” I stand up, only to sit back down again but while making a show of it. “I’m staying put. Now go have fun!”
“Okay, Remi Rose.” Koen smiles. “Let me show you how it’s done.” He takes her hand, helping her through the gate and onto the ice.
“And you,” he looks over at me, “I’ll be back for you.”
“I’ll be here,” I tease, and watch them skate off. My heart swells when he puts his arm around our daughter, keeping her steady while still letting her lead.
It’s not long before I spy Koen sending one of his brothers back to check on me. I laugh, shaking my head.
This family, this chaotic, messy, terrifying family, had staked their claim on us, both of us. And for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself relax—being here, with them, with all of them… it feels like home.