“Should I start getting the food out?” Finn asks and I nod my head.
“Have a seat at the table, Olly.”
Jasper is already sitting at the table, along with Jules and Mira. He has that same look of concern I did when he watches Olly take a seat next to him. I look up at Finn and frown.
“Yeah, I see it too, sweetheart.” He kisses the top of my head. “Come on, let’s get the food going.”
Everyone takes their seat at the table and we all start dishing up plates full of food. I listen to the chatter and laughter as everyone takes in the food. No one has violently keeled over, so that is a good sign. I can’t help but smile when I take in all the love that fills this room.
I sit at one head of the table with Finn seated next to me.
I didn’t mean to take this seat, but I figured it would be easier if I needed to get up and get something. But I’m glad I did because I look up and see family. I look over at Finn, and he reaches out and squeezes my hand, holding it. The look he gives me tells me he sees it, too.
Jaxon sits at the other end of the table, with Dom on one side and Alex on the other. I giggle to myself at how fitting that is. Jaxon is the oldest, Dom is a close second. It’s like they are the parents. Which makes me actually laugh.
“Something funny?” Finn asks.
“I was just thinking about how Jaxon and Dom are like the parents sitting at the head of the table.” Just as I say that, I see Jaxon shaking his finger at Alex, who looks like he is about to stomp his feet and slam his bedroom door.
Finn chuckles. “Just last week Dom complained that his back hurt and Jaxon whined that he slept wrong.” He sighs. “I think I pulled a muscle the other day.”
I smirk then lean in to whisper, “Oh, does this mean I can call you daddy?” I place my hand on his thigh under the table, feeling the outline of his cock through his jeans and giving it a nice hard squeeze.
“You can call me whatever you want!”
Mira’s voice cuts above the chatter. “And you were giving me shit earlier? Hands above the table!”
We place our hands on the table like scolded school children.
“Yes, ma'am.” Finn says.
Jaxon clears his throat at the other end of the table and stands.
“Spencer, Finn, I know you wanted to have this dinner as a thank you, but we have done nothing that family wouldn’t do for each other. At least in this family, that is how we roll, so get used to it. Both of you!” pointing a finger back and forth between us. “And I want to start having these dinners more often, with everyone here.” A chorus of agreement echoes around the table.
As Jaxon continues, Dom gets up, and moments later, comes back in, carrying the picture frame Jaxon had brought in earlier. “Spencer, I know how hard these last couple of years have been for you. When your mom passed, I was worried. There was a lot of pressure put on your shoulders. You could have crumbled, but you didn’t. Instead, you ran Dragonfly Books and went to college to earn your degree. You are one of the strongest people I know and we couldn’t be prouder of how hard you worked and the man that you have become.” He lifts the picture and turns it around. “As a congratulations, we all got together and made this.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I struggle to hold back the sob fighting to escape my lungs. Finn places his hand over mine, linking our fingers together. My vision blurs and I have to wipe my eyes to see clearly.
In front of me is a large picture frame. Each corner of the picture is a different version of the Dragonfly Books and Cafe logo. A lump forms in my throat when I see the one in the very center. It’s a replica of Mom’s original hand written drawing.
My heart splinters at the sight, and my hand comes and rests over my heart. I miss her so fucking much. It’s not fair! I don’t want anyone to think ‘poor me’, but sometimes it’s just not fair!
Finn takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. “Do you want to see?” I nod my head, still unable to form words. I move closer and that’s when I see them. Under each logo is a signature. I blow out a breath and a tear runs free.
They each sketched one of the logos.
Jasper’s is a take on my favorite drawing he has hanging in his workstation. I think it’s everyone’s favorite. It has broken glass that is reflecting back the Dragonfly logo.
I give Jasper a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. I swear that drawing of yours should be in a gallery.”
“If only he would listen to us!” Dom says.
The next is the front door of Dragonfly Books, with the logo layered over it.
I turned to look at Dom. “She loved that fucking purple door.”
“One time she got so mad at me she threatened to paint it yellow!”
