We weren’t always so formal at dinner, but I found myself glad as hell I’d decided to go for it tonight. I pulled out her chair and helped her settle in.
“You’re not getting out of this,” I said lightly, trying to ease the tension she carried like a shield.
Grace smiled faintly, sliding in, her hands brushing mine on the table. “I know,” she murmured.
Bones slid in next to her on her left, Voodoo across from him, Alphabet at the far end, Goblin tucked near near his feet, as I settled in opposite Gracie. The table felt impossibly cozy, perfectly sized for us, the fire crackling just right, the snow drifting lazily outside as if the world itself had agreed to give us this space.
I poured her wine, careful not to spill a drop, then handed her the glass.
“I want to start,” I said softly, letting my fingers brush hers again. “Because I haven’t said it. Not properly.”
Her eyes flicked up to mine, curious, expectant.
“I love you, Gracie,” I said, simple and unadorned. “I’ve loved you for a long time. But I didn’t say it out loud, because… I wanted you to feel safe, not pressured, not like there was any expectation. I wanted you to choose us the same way we’ve chosen you.”
Her lips parted, and I caught the catch of breath I knew she’d been holding.
Voodoo grinned slowly. “And I’ve said it too, Firecracker. You’ve got all of us, every day, every way you want. And I mean that.”
Alphabet’s calm voice cut through next. “I love you. I’ve told you before, but it bears repeating. You’ve got my heart, my trust, and my chaos. You’re in it with me, and I’m in it with you.”
That was all of us, save for Bones, who canted his head and waited for her to look at him. “You don’t have to question whether you belong to us—or we to you. We do. Your place is with us. Ours is with you. I told you once, not a single damn one of us is worthy of you.”
“You just had to go and say I love you in the weirdest way?” As dry as I kept my tone, it made the others grin, even Bones. But it was Gracie’s fierce smile that brightened the whole room.
“Shh,” she ordered. “He’s talking.”
“As I was saying,” Bones continued, giving me a wry look before he focused on her again. “None of us are good enough, least of all me. But you love us anyway and you’re letting us love you. So yes, Dollface, if you need to hear those words then hear them loud and clear, I love every damn stubborn inch of you.”
Grace’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She swallowed hard, then glanced at me, then at Bones, then the others. “I… I love all of you too. I’ve said it. But… I didn’t know how much I wanted to hear it out loud. From all of you.”
“Sound off, gentlemen,” I said as I rose to serve the soup. “The lady needs to hear it.”
“I love you,” Voodoo said without preamble or hesitation.
“So do I,” Alphabet agreed. “I can’t get over how much I love you. Still can’t believe you think we’re lovable, but never letting you go.”
“Absolutely never,” I concurred and when those stunning blue eyes locked onto mine, I added, “I love you, Gracie.”
“Love you, Dollface. And if you ever doubt it,” Bones said quietly, brushing her hair back behind an ear. “We’ll remind you.”
“Every day,” Voodoo piled on as he raised his beer mug.
“We’re here,” Alphabet told her. “We’re not going anywhere without you and we’re never leaving you.”
I set her soup bowl in front of her. “You’re pretty much stuck with us, Gracie. Just—remember that whenever we piss you off, okay?”
She looked at each of us in turn, a single tear sliding down her face. “I will if you remember that you’re stuck with me too—even if I really piss you off.” The last she said to Bones and he cupped her face and kissed her.
“Deal.”
Just like that, the stretched bands of tension winding around all of us snapped free, leaving only warmth behind.
“We should eat before it gets cold,” I said, motioning to the food. “Because the ribs won’t survive without someone appreciating the sweat and tears that went into them.”
Voodoo patted me on the shoulder. “Suckup.”
“Hey,” I argued. “I’m pretty damn impressive.”
