Chapter 23 #2
Beck and Skyla. Billie, who has tears in her eyes, with Connor. Blake and Harper, and even their parents.
Brooks holds Birdie high in his arms, and he winks at me.
“Surprise,” Becca says, holding her arms out to hug me. “We all had to come in for dinner.”
“Oh my God, the lasagna smells so good,” Bridger says, before he leans in to kiss my cheek. “Way to kick ass, sis-in-law.”
I’m passed around. That’s the only way to describe it. Handed from one Blackwell brother to the next for hugs and congratulations.
Then the girls close in, and we have a group hug, and if a human heart could heal in the matter of mere moments, that’s what just happened to mine.
“So freaking awesome,” Harper says before kissing my cheek. “It’s beautiful in here.”
“We’re all just so proud of you,” Skyla adds.
And then they all get in line to order, talking happily about what they want to eat, but Brooks’s dad, Brandon, pulls me to the side and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“You’ve done so well here, sweet girl.”
I made it all freaking day without giving in to the tears, and now this amazing man is going to make them spill over.
I don’t have parents here today. My mom’s been gone for several years, and Dad chose to leave—permanently—when I was twelve.
I like to think that they’d be proud of me today.
That my dad would have some words of wisdom and a supportive hug.
I haven’t had a father in my life in a really long time.
And now I have Brandon.
“I know it wasn’t easy,” he continues and hugs me into his side, both of us watching this family as they joke and laugh together.
Brooks glances our way, checking on me, but doesn’t walk over to us.
He helps Birdie order her dinner. “But you turned something pretty damn shitty into this amazing place. It’s even better because it’s safe for you and our Birdie. ”
“I’m so honored that you all came,” I tell him softly, and give in to the urge to rest my head on his shoulder.
He kisses the top of my head, and the first tear spirals down my cheek.
“So many of you came by throughout the day, I certainly didn’t expect everyone to come back for dinner.
And this is the third time Brooks has been in today. ”
“You’re our family, Jules. You’re ours, so this is what we do. What we’ll always do. And my son is so damn in love with you, it borders on inappropriate. Blink twice if you need me to help you escape.”
I laugh and shake my head. “No, I don’t ever plan to let your son go, especially now that I finally have him in my life again. I don’t know how I survived as long as I did without him.”
He sighs and gives me one last squeeze. “Timing can be a bitch. Now, what do you recommend I have for dinner? I’m starving.”
When the whole family has their food, and they’re all seated at tables they slid together in the middle of the room, Christy pushes a plate of lasagna in my own hands and smiles.
“Go join your family. You haven’t sat down once all day.”
“Neither have you,” I remind her.
“You paid me for weeks so I wouldn’t have to panic or find another job. We’re happy to do this for you. Go celebrate with your family, Jules.”
Well, shit. I have the best team ever.
Brooks is already sliding the chair out next to him, gesturing for me to sit, and I do. Birdie’s across from me, devouring her cheesy pasta with chicken on the side, and she grins at me.
“This is the best ever, Auntie Jules.”
Auntie Jules.
Christ, my heart.
“Good. I’ll always keep it on the menu for you, sweetheart.”
I’m happy to silently eat, soaking up the conversation around me. Skyla, Billie, and Harper are talking about pregnancy, while Beckett bounces little Bryce on his knee, giving Dani and Bridger a break to eat without entertaining an infant.
Brooks finishes his salmon with potatoes and salad, then rests his arm over the back of my chair, gently rubbing my shoulder.
“It seemed like it was a good day in here,” Billie says with a knowing smile. “Every time I looked out the shop windows, people were coming and going.”
“We were swamped.” I sigh and push my half-eaten lasagna away, but Brooks starts working on the leftovers, making me smile. “I’m going to be here late tonight making pastries for tomorrow, but that’s not a bad problem to have.”
“You need to hire more bakers,” Connor says with a frown. “And other staff, too.”
“I know. I didn’t need more help before.
I’d just hired Laurie and James not long before the flood happened, and I felt we were fully staffed.
I know that things will calm down a bit after a week or so, once the dust settles, but I definitely need more help with the baking and food prep. I can’t do it all by myself anymore.”
I grin up at Brooks.
“Besides, we have a house to renovate, and I don’t want to miss any of it.”
“What’s wrong with your house?” Dani asks, and then her mouth forms an O. “Right, that house.”
“I want to help with demolition,” Beckett says. “It’s a good way to get out some aggression.”
“What are you feeling aggressive about?” Skyla asks him, lifting an eyebrow.
“Never about you, Irish.” He kisses her forehead, making us grin.
With less than an hour until closing, the restaurant is finally starting to slow down, and my crew has begun cleaning up.
No matter what my people say, I can’t sit out here while they work. I’m just not built that way.
“Thank you all, so much, for coming in. Not just now, but all day today. You made me feel like, well—”
“Part of the family?” Becca asks with a smile. “Good. You are part of our family.”
I lick my lips, and Brooks kisses my temple.
“Thank you. I see that my people are cleaning up, and I can’t let them do that without me, so I’m going to excuse myself and get back to work, but the break was nice. Thanks, you guys.”
I stand and grin when Birdie blows me a kiss. Brooks is already standing next to me, and he pulls me in for a big hug.
“So fucking proud of you, Wildfire. I’ll be back later.”
“You don’t have—”
“I’ll be back later.” He winks, and I go back to work. It’s going to be a late night for me, but I won’t complain.
This is what I’ve always wanted.
The business.
The family.
The marriage.
I won’t ever complain, not for a minute.