Nick starts to open his mouth again, but I take a step toward him. None of this is how I wanted tonight to go, but more importantly, this is a chance to set the tone for my and Nova’s future together.
“Before this escalates again,” I say to Nick, “I think it’s important to understand we’re on the same side. This isn’t me and Nova against you, and I want to apologize for how this is unfolding.”
“Kellan?” Edith says my name with concern. “Are you okay?”
“I’m all right,” I tell her before looking down into Nova’s eyes. In them, I see the future I want, and now I just need to find the path to get there. “I’m in love.”
“In love?” Nova says, smiling up at me.
“Yes, I love you, Nova, and I’m still learning how to do that the right way.” I sigh as I turn to her brothers. This has to be love. “If that means asking your father for Nova’s hand in marriage, I’ll do it, but if he says no?—”
“He won’t say no,” Nova interrupts, bouncing on her toes.
“Well then, we will,” Nick says, scowling at her.
“No, you won’t.” Nova raises her chin defiantly. “Or I’ll make sure every resident of Cheerful knows exactly who is responsible for the ‘accidental’ fire that burned down Frosty’s snow village.”
Nick’s eyes widen with shock. “You can’t prove anything.”
“Are you willing to bet on it?” She goes to take a step forward, and I pull her back to my side.
“Are you happy?” Sam says quietly from behind Nick.
“Yes,” Nova says as her cheeks flush. “I love him.” She turns her head to look up at me, and my heart starts pounding in my chest. “I love you.”
Hearing her say the words makes me want to throw her over my shoulder and carry her up to our bedroom.
“Then isn’t that all that matters?” Sam asks, looking at his brothers. “If he hurts her, we can kick his ass.”
“Don’t be too sure about that,” I say quietly, and Nova bites her bottom lip.
There’s a small knock on the door before it swings open and Aurora comes bouncing in. “Why is everyone in here and not at the party?” She glances at Nova’s brothers, and to my surprise, Aurora rushes to Nova’s side and takes her other hand. “They aren’t here to take you away, are they?”
“No,” Nova and I say at the exact same time.
“These are my brothers,” Nova tells Aurora. “They’re dirty and stinky, but once you get past that, they aren’t so bad.”
“Hey, I’m not stinky,” John says in a sad voice. “And I’m only a little dirty.”
“This is my niece, Aurora,” I tell the guys, and they all say hello.
“She lives with you?” Nick asks, and I nod.
“I’m raising her on my own, and that's why Nova came here in the first place. Only the moment I met Nova, I knew I couldn’t live without her.”
“Me too,” Aurora says, squeezing her hand again.
“She’s not so bad.” Nick shrugs, and it gets a giggle out of Aurora.
“So you’re staying?” Aurora asks Nova, and I know she’s got the same ache for Nova to be a part of our lives as I do.
“She’s staying,” I say to Aurora. “And we’re getting married.”
Aurora gasps and then squeals with delight as we pull her between us in a hug.
“This is all happening pretty fast,” Nick says, but this time his voice holds concern instead of anger.
“I didn’t grow up with a family like yours,” I tell him. “Aurora’s father and I were estranged for most of our lives. It wasn’t until she came to live with me that I understood what love was and how quickly it can take shape. I loved Aurora instantly.” I look down at my niece, who is smiling up at me. “And I felt it just as fiercely for Nova the moment we met.” I reach out and cup Nova’s face before turning back to her brothers. “Growing up without this makes me appreciate it all the more. And losing my brother reminds me that life can change in the blink of an eye. It’s why I want to hold on to it for as long as possible.”
