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’sbeautifulin 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 areallylong 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 thethird timeBrooks 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 forweeksso 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,devouringher cheesy pasta with chicken on the side, and she grins at me.
“This is the bestever, 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.”
