Later, out back, Braden toddled through the grass chasing bubbles, while Phoenix ran after him, Elyna filming everything with one hand and laughing so hard she had to stop. Harmony moved between tables, adjusting centerpieces meant for tomorrow, her presence steady, quiet, and grounding. I told myself not to watch her. I failed.
Asher caught me and smirked. “You’ve got that look again.”
“What look?” I asked as if I didn’t know.
“The one that says you’re thinking about her.” Leave it to Asher to say it like it was.
“Shut up.”
“Didn’t say it was wrong,” he defended.
Bean pulled Luc toward the stairs. “We need to make ourselves presentable.”
“I wanted to have a one-on-one with Phoenix, you know, pre-wedding talk,” Luc said.
Bean rolled her eyes. “Fine, take five.” She walked off.
With Bean gone, we were left with Phoenix, Luc, Becket, and Asher.
“I’m terrified,” Phoenix swallowed. “Not of her. Of losing this. Of finally having something good.”
Becket leaned against the banister. “Some people stay.”
Phoenix nodded. “That’s what I’m betting on.” Phoenix looked down at his wedding band resting in the box on the counter, the faintest smile pulling at his mouth. “She walked into my life when I was halfway to giving up on the idea of love. Watching Mom leave, seeing what it did to Dad, to us, it kind of rewired how I saw things. Made me believe nothing good stays. But Elyna changed that. She makes me want to stay. To build something that lasts.”
I swallowed hard.
He glanced up, meeting each of our eyes in turn. “Not all relationships break, you know? Some people don’t leave. I know it’s hard to believe, especially with everything that’s happened to this family, but…” He paused, voice quieting. “Sometimes you get lucky enough to find the person who chooses you every damn day.”
Asher’s grin softened. “You’re really going soft on us.”
Phoenix smirked. “Maybe. But you’ll get it someday. All of you will.”
Becket gave a low chuckle. “You sound like Dad when he gets sentimental.”
Phoenix shrugged, eyes glinting. “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”
The room fell into an easy silence, one filled with the kind of brotherly weight that didn’t need more words.
Then Elyna called from the dining room, “Phoenix Thorne, if you don’t come help with this cake. . .”
He laughed and headed inside. “Already on it.”
CHAPTER 14
Eric
The house didn’t really sleep that night. By morning, Braden’s balloons had sagged, frosting plates were stacked in the sink, and the air had shifted from birthday noise to something sharper, more focused. Wedding day arrived the way big things always do, whether you were ready or not.
By noon, the yard behind the house had transformed into something out of a dream. The music started before I could answer. Elyna stepped out of the house, veil fluttering in the breeze. Dad’s arm trembled as he led her down the aisle toward Phoenix, who was waiting with Braden in his arms, tears already gathering in his eyes. When their vows began, the world seemed to still. Elyna’s voice shook when she said “Always,” and Phoenix brushed his thumb along her jaw, whispering something that made her laugh through her tears. Bean sniffled audibly beside Luc, who just shook his head and kissed her temple. Becket stood stiffly beside me, hands in his pockets, staring past the altar like he was seeing something none of us could. When Phoenix finally kissed his bride, cheers went up from every corner of the yard. Even Dad wiped at his eyes, pretending it was dust.
The reception blurred into a warm hum of voices, music, and the smell of cider and roasted apples. Braden tore through the grass chasing bubbles, and Elyna’s laughter carried over the music as Phoenix spun her around in his arms. Harmony stayed near the edge of the crowd, smiling but quiet. Her gaze lingered on the newlyweds, a softness in her eyes that hit me square in the chest. I could see it then the ache she tried to hide. The longing for a family that wasn’t fractured by the past. When she caught me watching, she looked away, busying herself with the flowers at one of the tables. I waited until the next song started before walking over.
“Beautiful day,” I said.
She nodded. “It’s been perfect.”
“Everything you made looks incredible.”
