44. Blake
Chapter 44
Blake
I was having an out-of-body experience.
At least, that's what it felt like watching Delaney put the finishing touches on a gigantic "Congratulations" banner while Amelia sat on a blanket nearby, happily gnawing on a teething ring. The evening sun filtered through the windows of Delaney and Trace's farmhouse, casting everything in a golden glow that felt almost magical.
Like the universe was putting a spotlight on exactly how much my life had changed.
"Do you think it's crooked?" Delaney asked, backing away from the wall with her hands on her hips, her eight-month baby bump prominent beneath her floral dress.
"It's perfect," I assured her, though I honestly wouldn't have cared if it had been hanging upside down. Everything felt perfect today.
I twisted the ring on my finger, still not used to the weight of it. The simple solitaire diamond caught the light, sending tiny rainbows dancing across the wall.
"You're doing it again," Delaney said, nudging me with her elbow.
"Doing what?"
"That dreamy smile thing. It's disgustingly sweet." She grinned to show she was teasing, but then her expression softened. "I'm so happy for you, Blake."
I pulled her into a hug, careful of her baby bump. "I never thought I'd have this," I confessed against her hair. "Any of it."
She pulled back to look at me, her eyes suspiciously shiny. "You deserve every bit of it."
Amelia let out a squeal, demanding our attention. I scooped her up, settling her on my hip where she immediately grabbed a fistful of my hair.
"Guess who's here?" Delaney said, peering out the window. "Your future father-in-law."
My stomach did a little flip. Despite all that had happened—all that we knew—Jasper was still a complicated figure in our lives. But he'd pulled through for us when we needed to find Madison, and he was determined to prove that he meant what he said about wanting to be there for his sons.
And now, for me and Amelia too.
"I should go help Trace with the food before he burns something," Delaney said, disappearing into the kitchen.
I watched out the window as Jasper climbed out of his truck, then paused to look up at the house. He seemed to take a deep breath before heading for the door. He still carried himself like a man who wasn't sure of his welcome, and there was something in that uncertainty that made me ache for him.
Healing took time. None of us knew that better than Xander.
The sound of another car pulling up the driveway drew my attention, and I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face when I recognized Xander's truck. He'd been running last- minute errands all afternoon, insisting that our impromptu engagement party needed a proper cake.
"Look who's here, strawberry," I whispered to Amelia. "It's your daddy."
I watched as Xander climbed out of his truck, grocery bags in hand. He paused to say something to Jasper, who had stopped halfway up the path. I couldn't hear what was said, but I saw Jasper nod, saw the small smile that curved his lips. Then Xander clapped a hand on his father's shoulder, and they walked to the door together.
Something loosened in my chest at the sight.
We'd all been broken in different ways. All carried scars from people who should have loved us unconditionally but didn't. But here we were, making a different choice. Building something better.
The front door opened, and Xander stepped inside, his face lighting up when he spotted me and Amelia by the window.
"Hey, you," he said, crossing the room to press a kiss to my temple. "Miss me?"
"Terribly," I deadpanned. "We were absolutely bereft without you for the whole three hours you were gone."
He grinned, then bent to kiss Amelia's head. "And how's my little bug doing?"
Amelia responded by grabbing for his nose, nearly poking him in the eye in the process.
"Feisty today," I said, shifting her to my other hip. "Must be all the excitement."
"Booker and Reece should be here any minute," Xander said, glancing at his watch. "And Dex is apparently nearly here. How do I know? He called me twice on the ride over to update me because apparently we always do the good stuff before he gets there."
The happy look in his eyes made my heart skip a beat. After all this time, he still had that effect on me, like the world narrowed down to just the two of us whenever he looked at me that way.
"Gross, they're being mushy again," Cade announced, appearing in the doorway with an exaggerated grimace.
"Better get used to it, bud," Xander said, not taking his eyes off me. "This is just the beginning."
Cade rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. He'd been the first to congratulate us after we announced our engagement, throwing his arms around both of us in a hug that nearly knocked us over.
"Mom says dinner's almost ready, and can you please bring Amelia to the kitchen because she needs to eat before she gets cranky."
"On it," I said, reluctantly breaking eye contact with Xander. "Come on, strawberry, time for dinner."
The kitchen was controlled chaos. Trace was pulling a lasagna from the oven while Delaney tossed a salad. Jasper was carefully setting the table, counting out plates and silverware with a concentration that seemed excessive for the task.
I settled Amelia into her high chair, securing the buckle before turning to help. Just as I was about to ask what needed doing, the front door burst open, and Dex's voice boomed through the house.
"Where's the happy couple? I demand to see the ring before Booker bursts from anticipation!"
Xander appeared in the doorway, shaking his head at his brother's antics. "In here, you drama queen."
Reece rushed past Booker, making a beeline for me and grabbing my hand. "Let me see, let me see!"
I laughed, extending my hand so she could examine the ring. "Careful, I'm starting to suspect you're more excited about this wedding than I am."
"Impossible," she declared, her eyes wide as she admired the diamond. "But oh my God, it's gorgeous. Xander has taste after all."
"Hey," Xander protested, but he was grinning.
"It's perfect," I said, meeting his eyes over Reece's head. "Everything's perfect."
"Alright, everyone," Trace called, clapping his hands to get our attention.
"Food's ready. Let's eat before it gets cold."
We all settled around the dining table, which had been extended to accommodate our growing family.
Amelia babbled happily from her high chair, occasionally throwing bits of food that Cade dutifully retrieved.
"A toast," Booker said, raising his glass once everyone was seated.
"To Blake and Xander, who somehow managed to fake an engagement so convincingly that they fooled themselves into the real thing."
Everyone laughed, and I felt my cheeks flush.
It sounded ridiculous when put like that, but it was also painfully accurate.
"To finding love in unexpected places," Reece added, her eyes soft as she looked at Booker, rescuing us from our embarrassment.
"To family," Dex said, raising his glass higher.
"Found and made."
"To fresh starts," Jasper added quietly, and Xander, sitting next to me, reached over and squeezed my hand.
"To all of it," Xander said, looking at me with that same intensity that never failed to make my heart race.
"Every unexpected, ridiculous, amazing part of it."
"Hear, hear," everyone chorused, clinking glasses.
As dinner progressed, conversation flowed easily around the table.
Booker updated everyone on the ranch's rehabilitation center, while Dex talked about his automotive maintenance classes that had become surprisingly popular among the town's residents.
"It's amazing how Willowbrook has changed this past year," Delaney observed. "So, have you two set a date yet?"
Xander and I exchanged glances. "Not exactly," I admitted. "We've talked about next fall, maybe October..."
"October would be beautiful," Reece sighed dreamily.
"The leaves changing, crisp autumn air..."
As dinner wound down and Delaney brought out dessert—a spectacular chocolate cake with "Congratulations" piped in elegant script—I looked around the table and felt a wave of gratitude so intense it nearly took my breath away.
These people, this family we'd built... it was everything I'd never dared to dream of having.
Amelia was starting to get fussy, so I lifted her from her high chair and settled her on my lap.
She immediately calmed, her little head resting against my chest as her eyelids drooped.
The weight of her in my arms, the soft sound of her breathing, filled me with a peace I'd once thought impossible.
"Sleepy girl," Reece observed, smiling softly.
"She had a big day," I said, stroking Amelia's fine hair.
"Didn't you, strawberry? Playing with Cade, helping Aunt Delaney decorate..."
"Pretty sure her 'helping' consisted of eating paper scraps," Delaney laughed.
"She's a born artist," I defended, winking at Delaney.
"She's just exploring mixed media."
Everyone laughed, and Amelia stirred slightly before settling back against me.
"How's the painting going?" Jasper asked, surprising me.
"Xander mentioned you've been working on new pieces for your show next month."
"It's... going," I said, not sure how to explain the tornado of creativity that had overtaken me these past few months.
After so long struggling to create anything, it was like a dam had broken.
"I've finished most of the pieces I need. Just a few more to go."
"She's being modest," Xander said, pride evident in his voice.
"Her work is incredible. The gallery owner was blown away when she saw the first few pieces Blake submitted."
I felt my cheeks flush at the praise.
"It's different from what I used to do," I admitted. "It's more... personal, I guess. But it feels right."
"I can't wait to see it," Reece said sincerely.
"You're all invited to the opening, obviously," I said.
"I'm going to need the moral support."
"We wouldn't miss it," Booker assured me.
As conversations continued around the table, I felt Xander's arm slip around my shoulders, his fingers tracing light patterns on my arm. I leaned into him, Amelia still sleeping peacefully against my chest.
"Happy?" he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.
"Deliriously," I whispered back, tipping my face up to look at him. "Are you?"
"More than I ever thought possible." His eyes searched my face, and the love I saw there made my heart ache in the best way. "You know, when I first came back to Willowbrook, I thought it was just a temporary stop. Somewhere to lick my wounds before figuring out what came next."
"And now?"
His smile was soft, intimate. "Now I know exactly what's next, and it's right here. With you. With Amelia. With all of this."
"You're going to make me cry," I warned, blinking rapidly. "And then everyone will stare, and it'll be embarrassing."
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Can't have that. Save the tears for the wedding."
"Speaking of which," Reece interjected, clearly having been eavesdropping, "we need to talk about dresses. I saw the most gorgeous mermaid silhouette online that would look amazing on you, Blake."
"Here we go," Xander murmured, and I stifled a laugh.
Reece launched into an enthusiastic description of various wedding dress styles, with Delaney and surprisingly Dex chiming in with their own opinions. Trace and Booker began debating the merits of different cake flavors, while Cade tried to convince everyone that a chocolate fountain was an absolute necessity.
Jasper, sitting quietly at the end of the table, caught my eye and smiled—a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes. I smiled back, feeling a sense of completion. We all had our wounds, our complicated histories, but we were healing. Together.
The ringing of a phone cut through the chatter, and Xander dug into his pocket with a frown. "That's weird," he muttered, looking at the screen. "It's an out-of-state number."
He stood, excusing himself as he answered. "Hello?"
I watched as he moved a few steps away, his back to us as he listened to whoever was on the other end. Something in the stiffness of his shoulders made my stomach tighten.
Gradually, conversations around the table died down as everyone noticed Xander's silence, the tension in his posture. Even Amelia seemed to sense the shift in mood, stirring restlessly in my arms.
"Yes, I understand," Xander said, his voice tight. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Thank you for calling."
He hung up the phone and slowly turned to face us. The look on his face made my blood run cold.
"Xander?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What is it?"
He looked around the table, his eyes finally settling on me, then shifted to Booker, Trace, and Jasper. "Gage has been in an accident."