“By the way, my family surprised me today. They’ve set up a nursery at the mansion for Charlotte.”
“That’s so thoughtful of them.”
“It really is. They’re actually wondering if I’d be willing to let her have a sleepover there tomorrow night.”
“How do you feel about that?” I asked him.
“At first I was taken aback, but why not? I want my girl to be comfortable around them and their house anyway. I’m going over there with Charlotte tomorrow. Would you like to join us?”
“To meet your family?”
“Yes. I mean, you practically know all of them already.”
“But this is… different.”
He nodded. “Totally. We’re going to have lunch there.”
I licked my lips. “And you want me to come?” Why was I asking this? The man had just invited me.
“Only if you’re up to it.”
“Of course! I just wasn’t expecting it. Where’s the mansion?”
“In the Garden District.”
“Right. I should buy them something.”
“Why?” Beckett asked.
“I can’t show up empty-handed.”
“You won’t. You’ll have me on your arm.”
I rolled my eyes. “Ha ha. You know what I mean.”
“They’d feel offended if you showed up with anything. They’ll just be happy to see you.”
I felt like I could fly. Really, I wassohappy. We… us…thiswas moving faster than I thought it would, with no complaints from me. Not a single one.
“All right, then, I guess I’m coming to lunch with you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 24
PIPER
When Beckett saidhis family lived in a mansion, I’d imagined something grand, but this surpassed my expectations. I was stunned as we walked inside. It had separate wings, almost like a duplex. Not just floors butwings.
He explained that it’s why the family could live together, because they had plenty of space. Then again, if you had the means, why not live in luxury and comfort?
I was a bit nervous, which was why I kept kissing Charlotte’s head. She’d protested when Beckett put her in the carrier, so of course, I immediately volunteered to hold her.
She was perfectly content in my arms. Charlotte had gotten comfortable around me and was cooing. This little muffin made my heart pitter-patter and my ovaries work overtime. Just then, she’d wiggled about and brought her knees to her chest, then wedged her tiny arms under her belly, releasing a soft little sigh. She was adorable.
Beckett led me through the house, keeping an arm around my back.
“Let’s see who’s in the kitchen. There’s a lot of noise coming from there.”
We walked to the nearest door and stepped inside. Thekitchen was huge, with a massive island in the middle. Unlike Beckett’s house and the open floor plan, the mansion had definitive rooms, and judging by what I’d seen so far, they were all very large. Sure enough, Isabeau and Celine were here, too, as well as Xander .
