“Oh, Christ, take it inside, you two.” Dolores shakes her head as she brushes past us, lugging a pet carrier containing Milo. “Come on, Milo, I’ll show you to our new home above a stinky garage.”
Leo and I exchange a look and then laugh quietly. Dolores and change aren’t exactly friends, but underneath the grumbling, I know she’ll be happy to have her own space again, even if it is above a not-at-all stinky garage.
The sound of a car pulling up catches my attention, and I turn to see my parents in the front seat of their Subaru, Dane and Amber in the back seat, waving.
They climb out, and I rush over, genuinely happy to see them. Hugs are given, and hearty handshakes are exchanged.
“Well? What do you think?” I ask my mum, pointing to the house.
“It’s just perfect. Plenty big enough to add some brothers and sisters for Isabelle.”
“Mum, we just got married. We don’t want to rush into—”
“We’ll get right on it,” Leo says, dipping me back and giving me a big, wet kiss. I laugh, slightly shocked as he lifts me back up to standing. Winking at me, he says, “I would absolutely love to be a stay-at-home dad while my very important wife goes off to work every day. And then, when our kids are old enough to go to school, I’ll be there every day, in case they need me.”
“Stay-at-home dad?” my dad says, wrinkling up his nose.
“That’s very forward-thinking of you, Leo,” my mum says. She’s been trying to be the epitome of supportive ever since she found out that Leo’s gone back to school to become a teacher. Well, it also probably helps that his brother is Pierce Davenport, and that Leo likely will inherit some of his parents’ fortune someday.
Another car pulls up, and Pierce and Emma get out. Pierce claps his hands together and says, “I hear there is unlimited pizza and beer for anyone willing to move a few boxes.”
“I said there will be pizza and beer. I never once used the word unlimited.” Leo says.
“Are you sure?” Amber asks, joining in on the fun. “Because I was sure Brianna’s text said unlimited.”
“I’m a lowly uni student.”
“But she’s a fancy lawyer,” Pierce says, pointing to me with one thumb. He turns his gaze to the house, then gives a firm nod and looks at Leo. “Well done, you two. Well done. Not to get sappy, but I’m proud of you.”
“Oh, that was sappy. Don’t ever do that again,” Leo says, shaking his head and wrinkling up his nose a little, even though he’s beaming at the compliment.
“Just once more, I promise,” Pierce says, looking at me. “Brianna, a long time ago, Leo told me that when he met the right woman, he’d do whatever it took to keep her. I’m so glad that woman was you.”
My chest swells with emotion, and I fight back tears.
“Come on, then,” Pierce says. “These boxes won’t unload themselves.”
I take a moment to watch as the scene unfolds—Izzy chasing Knickers through the grass that needs mowing, and my family, and Emma, and Pierce helping us to start our life together.
Even though we have a long day ahead, I’ve never felt this happy, this settled, this hopeful. Not ever. But now, as I watch my wonderful husband carry my favourite armchair up the sidewalk, I laugh out of pure joy. He’s the type of man who will let me be who I need to be, he’ll support me in whatever I want to do, and he’ll keep me laughing when things don’t go my way.
Together, we’re creating a truly rich life—the kind of fairy tales, even though there is no castle. Instead, we’ve got a just-right house, two busy working parents, one crazy bacoholic aunt, three surly cats, and one little girl who will never have to wonder if she’s loved.
The Beginning…
