“That’s true… Oh God… Imagine if they have a kid together… I’d have a brother or sister basically the same age as Gracie…” Horror streaks both our faces as we ponder over her words.
Shit, that would really be messed up…
Chapter thirty-three
Emma
Best birthday gift ever.
~ Gracie’s Birthday / May ~
It’s Gracie’s birthday party today, and guests are just starting to arrive. Greyson, Cecilia, Morgan, and I have been here since this morning. We decorated what we could in the indoor playground while Silas and Clay stayed home with Dante and Gracie. But now that the party is about to begin, I start wandering around the bodies already crowding the place to find the birthday girl, who should be arriving any minute.
Greyson stays back to greet everyone while I head for the entrance. I spot Silas holding on to Dante’s hand, with Clay a few steps behind carrying an adorable-looking Gracie. I had gotten her ready before we dropped her off at Clay’s, and I’m really happy to see she still looks decent. Which is surprising; usually I have to fix her hair at least three times a day.
When they finally enter the building, Clay stops before me, passing over Gracie. “I fixed her hair before taking her out of the car,” he informs me with a knowing smirk.Well, that explains it.
Her light-blonde hair is in two high pigtails with a huge pink bow on the center of her head. She’s wearing a cute dress with‘One’written on the front over her chest and a big puffy pink tulle skirt finishing it off. She looks absolutely adorable.
Clay kisses the top of her head with longing in his eyes. “Happy birthday, princess,” he says before smiling sadly at me and walking away.
My heart aches for him and Morgan. Seeing the kids grow up can’t be easy on them. They’ve been trying for a baby for around two years now with no success. It’s unfair, but it will happen. I know it will.
I carry the birthday girl farther into the throng of people, getting stopped every few steps by people wishing the sweet little girl a happy birthday. I’m heading back toward the main table, where Greyson will most likely be, when I spot a familiar face.
“Nadia!”
She swivels on the spot, looking around. She seems a bit nervous, but then her gaze finally falls on mine and she smiles warmly, the nerves visibly leave her body. “Emma, hi!” She walks over quickly and hugs my side, kissing my cheek, then turning to Gracie. “Hi, sweetheart. Happy birthday! God, you keep getting bigger every time I see you.” She peppers her with kisses a few times, then pulls away and blinks rapidly, fanningher face. “Jesus, why do I always get so emotional around her?” She chuckles.
I place my hand on her arm. “It’s normal, it brings up memories,” I say softly with a tender smile. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.” I wrap my arm around hers and drag her along with me.
“Hey guys, I’d like you all to meet Nadia. She’s Gracie’s other aunt from her mom’s side. Like you guys,” I tell the girls. “Nadia. These lovely women before you are all Gracie’s family. Cecilia, Morgan, and Ronnie. Mira, Cecilia’s mother-in-law, and Nancy, Gracie’s paternal grandmother.” I point to each as they wave.
I then look around, noticing one particular blonde head is missing. “There’s only one person missing, aside from the boys… oh! There she is.” I point out in the crowd. “That blonde babe is Aubrey, Greyson’s little sister and Gracie’s biological aunt.”
“Is that?” Ronnie questions as we all watch Brey interact with a certain gentleman.
“Yup. Just look at her, she’s all red,” Cecilia says with a giggle.
“I can’t wait for them to move past this awkward stage. I still don’t understand why they keep denying their attraction,” Morg muses.
“That’s only because she thinks her inexperience and the fact that she doesn’t have her life fully figured out yet makes her not suitable for him,” I say without thinking. “Shoot, I don’t think I was supposed to tell anyone that.” I look at all the girls. “You guys heard nothing.” They all nod rapidly.
“I give it till the end of the year before something happens between the two,” Mira adds with an affectionate smile.
“Is that Shane Jefferson?” My eyes go round at the sound of Nancy’s voice.Shit. I forgot she was there.And by the looks on the girls’ faces, so did they.
“Umm…” I start, not sure what to say, but then Nancy waves her hand at me in dismissal.
“Oh, no need to pretend. I knew there was someone getting under my daughter’s skin. I snuck into her room after she received that gift at Christmas and saw the note with the initials‘S.J.’I just hadn’t put two and two together. Although now I know why she was so hell-bent on getting Greyson off her back after reading the note,” she tells us with a smirk.
Well, at least we know her mom would approve of their relationship. I think Grey will be the hardest to get on board.
“Why are they hiding their attraction?” Nadia leans in, whispering over to me.
“Because that man she’s infatuated with is Greyson’s coach. And he’s just as crazy about her,” I giggle.
Nadia’s eyes go wide. “Ohhh…”
