JOSHUA
“How do I look?” Caitlyn asks, turning from the mirror to face me.
She’s wearing a midnight blue cocktail dress, with a high, lace collar.
The hem of the dress grazes her knees, and she’s accompanied the outfit with silver heeled pumps, and matching silver jewelry.
Her curly, dark hair is pulled back into an elegant, ballerina style bun that shows off the new sapphire earrings I recently bought for her because they reminded me of her eyes.
“You look amazing,” I reply, unable to hide my grin.
“And you’re sure this is the right thing to wear for dinner?”
I cross the room and pull Caitlyn into my arms. “It’s perfect. Ryan is pretty formal, so he expects us to dress well for dinner. You will fit in wonderfully.”
Caitlyn loops her arms around my neck and presses her lips to mine. “I could get used to seeing you dressed up.”
“You don’t like me in my gym gear?” I tease.
“I like you out of your gym gear,” she replies, her eyes darkening with lust.
While I’d love to strip off her cocktail dress, and ravage her, we’re due at Ryan’s in thirty minutes, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.
Memories of the last time I was supposed to introduce Caitlyn to my family flood my mind. I know now it wasn’t her fault and that David was blackmailing her, but I don’t think I’ll be able to relax until we’re all gathered around the dining table.
It’s been like that a lot, actually. Every day I’m at the gym, I half expect David to storm in with more threats, or for me to return to the house and find Caitlyn packing up her stuff.
But nothing terrible has happened yet. In fact, everything is going really well.
Even though nothing has been made official, Caitlyn has all but moved in with me.
She wasn’t able to get her old house back, the landlord had already rented it to someone else, and honestly, I don’t want to let her out of my sight.
We’re still getting used to us sharing the same space, as well as having Tucker here, and of course Bella, who is overjoyed to have Caitlyn back.
The gossip I’ve heard around the city is that David Morgan has disappeared off the face of the earth.
His father is looking for him, but Caitlyn’s ex hasn’t been found yet, and people are theorizing he’s either done a runner and is hiding in another state, or he’s been killed.
I don’t care what’s happened to David, as long as we never see him again.
Knowing if I remain in Caitlyn’s embrace much longer, temptation will win out, I pull away and say, “Let’s get going.”
Caitlyn smiles and grabs her purse off the vanity table. “Sure. Just let me check Bella has everything she needs.”
Caitlyn makes sure the dog has plenty of food and water, and space to roam around the house.
We can’t leave the back door open to the yard as Bella could escape, but she’s been outside most of the day anyway.
Caitlyn and I are already planning on having a dog-patio built, so she can safely go outside when we’re not here.
Just as we’re about to leave, Tucker shows up looking hungover. I don’t chide my brother, and instead offer to wait for him to freshen up so he can ride to Ryan’s with us.
“Thanks,” Tucker says, flashing me and Caitlyn a genuine smile. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”
I haven’t pressed Tucker about sleeping with Amber, it’s not my place to interfere in his love-life, but as a show of gratitude, I have been taking it easier on him, and acting as a buffer between him and Ryan whenever I can.
Tension between my oldest and youngest brother is still fraught, and I know it’s going to come to a head soon.
I don’t want to take sides, as Ryan has been good to me since we lost our parents, while Tucker isn’t always perfect, but it’s not that black and white, and I do think Ryan has some faults of his own to admit too.
Tucker races down the stairs ten minutes later, looking much refreshed even though he is still wearing his trademark ripped jeans, a white T-shirt and leather jacket.
Despite how many times Ryan insists we dress up for dinner, Tucker never does.
I can already envision the argument it will cause when we arrive.
We all get into my car, and drive across town to Ryan’s place, where the cars of my other brothers are parked down the long driveway.
Despite me asking we keep things small, so as not to overwhelm Caitlyn, Ryan has insisted he invites the whole family, meaning everyone is there -- all my brothers, their partners, children, and of course Alicia’s siblings.
Ryan’s dining room is like a banquet hall, with a massive twenty-seater table so that there’s room for everyone, and then some, for when the babies are born.
It’s nice knowing mine and Caitlyn’s child will grow up with cousins of a similar age.
Tucker gets out of the car first, and heads inside, giving me and Caitlyn a moment alone together.
She takes a deep breath, and I gently take hold of her hands.
“It’s going to be fine,” I promise.
“That’s easy for you to say, you know everyone.”
“You know my brothers, and everyone else will love you as much as I do,” I promise, leaning in for a kiss.
“Ryan still doesn’t like me,” Caitlyn insists.
I sigh. “I don’t know if Ryan likes anyone these days. He’s got a stick up his ass about something. That doesn’t excuse him being rude to you, though, and if he gives you any trouble, tell me and I’ll set him straight.”
Caitlyn bites her lip. “I don’t want to come in between you and your family.”
“You’re my family now. You and the little one. I can’t wait until we get to see them in a few weeks.”
Caitlyn grins, all her worries melting away at the mention of our child. “Yeah, me too.”
I get out of the car and walk around to the passenger side to open the door for Caitlyn and offer her my hand.
She loops her arm through mine, and together, we walk into Ryan’s house.
We barely make it through the door before Noah comes barreling into us, his coiled hair bouncing with each movement. “Uncle Josh!” he exclaims, eyes wide with excitement. “Daddy said I can have a pony.”
“Did he now?” I reply with a chuckle, imagining Sebastian wants to get his son used to horses as young as possible.
I lead Caitlyn through to the main room, where my family has broken off into various smaller groups to chat and hangout.
All the kids are playing together in the yard, and I’m surprised to see even Alicia’s fifteen-year-old brother Dave is out there.
Usually, he locks himself in his room, occupied with his computer and studying.
Alicia and Erin are together talking about pregnancies and babies, while Alicia’s sister, Jackie, is chatting to Lana.
Everyone falls silent for a moment as Caitlyn and I enter, and then Erin beckons Caitlyn over. “Hey, Antony told me you're expecting. Why don’t you come chat with me and Alicia, and we can compare notes? Are you still in the awful morning sickness phase?”
Caitlyn sits down with Erin and Alicia, who’re soon giving her their best tips to quell morning sickness, and other useful things they’ve learned in the course of their respective pregnancies.
Knowing she’s in safe hands, I seek out my brothers, who’re gathered in the kitchen.
I’m surprised when I see Ryan and Tucker sitting at the breakfast bar laughing at something over a bottle of beer each, while Antony tries to teach Sebastian how to cook.
“I heard you’re getting Noah a pony,” I say, announcing my presence in the room.
Sebastian laughs. “Yeah, I thought it would be nice for us to have something to do together.”
“Just don’t say the P-word in front of Evie or Tommy. They’ve been begging Alicia and I for a horse ever since Seb took all the kids out riding.”
From by the stove, Antony laughs. “Yeah, Elizabeth and Aaron have been too. You’ve got all this to look forward to, Josh.”
“Well, our wonderful brother does own a ranch. I’m sure he could sort us out.”
Sebastian grins. “Yeah, let's get ponies for all the kids.”
Ryan rolls his eyes but laughs. “Between the horses, and Caitlyn’s dog breeding, soon the resort will turn into a zoo or something.”
I smile at the fact Ryan is including Caitlyn in the family already and grab myself a beer from the fridge.
Careful not to leave Caitlyn alone for too long, I quickly catch up with my brothers, before heading back into the living room to see if she’s alright. She’s still sitting with Alicia and Erin when I approach, and the three of them are deep in conversation.
I catch Caitlyn’s eye and mouth, ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m perfect,’ she mouths back, offering me a contented smile.
I feel a weight lift from my chest, knowing Cait has settled in with my family so quickly.
I don’t have time to dwell on my thoughts though, as the kids drag me outside, and convince me to play with them.
“Pony! Pony!” Little Evie chants, and I’m forced to get down on all fours so the children can take turns riding on my back around the yard.
I’m exhausted by the time Caitlyn finds me, and she giggles. “Ryan said dinner is ready, so you’re relieved of your pony duties.”
“Why is it always me who gets roped into doing these things?” I ask, as I stand and brush grass off my knees.
“Because you’re so strong, and excellent with children,” Caitlyn says, looping her arms around mine and pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Our little one will be lucky to have a dad like you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” I say.
From behind me the children start giggling, and Evie says, “When I grow up, I want to marry someone strong, just like Uncle Josh.”
We all settle at the table, and Antony serves up an amazing smelling meal, the centerpiece is a massive beef joint, accompanied by sides of French beans in garlic butter, carrots roasted in honey and spices, and dauphinoise potatoes.
There’s merlot wine for those who want it, and virgin cocktails with cranberry juice and soda water for those who’re not drinking alcohol.
Before we all tuck into the meal, Ryan makes sure all glasses are full, and then stands to address the room.
“I won’t keep us long from this wonderful meal Antony has prepared,” he smiles at our brother, who inclines his head. “But I just want to welcome Caitlyn to the family.”
“To Caitlyn,” Alicia adds, and everyone joins in toasting the newest member of the Braddock clan.