“Yeah, he said the s-word the other day,” Eloise informs us, eyes wide. “He hit his toe on a chair and said, ‘Stupid chair.’”
We all gasp on cue. The dreadeds-word.
“Oh, thatisa bad one.” Micah grins as the first few notes of “Kiss the Girl” fromThe Little Mermaiddrifts from the speaker.
“If you remember, El, you weren’t supposed to say it either.” Finn flashes a sly look in her direction, and she just mimics it back to him.
“Can we please try them now?” Lena whines impatiently. “My mouth is watering. I might accidently curse again if we don’t dig in soon.”
Emil passes the basket around, and we all take one. I inspect the flaky, golden pastry on all sides. “They’re beautiful, but they’re a lot of work. Definitely a special-occasion thing.”
Finn takes his first bite and shuts his eyes. “Oh my god,” he mumbles with a full mouth.
The table erupts with a chorus ofoohs andahhs and pleased sighs.
Micah swallows and smiles. “If you hadn’t gotten that promotion, I would’ve told you to ask Maggie if she’s hiring.”
Finn leans toward me and whispers along with the song, then plants a buttery, sweet kiss against my lips. I laugh as he nuzzles into my neck, and Eloise takes advantage of the distraction by snatching a second croissant and escaping back to her seat.
When “Kiss the Girl” comes to an end, the introduction to “Let It Go” starts ringing through the backyard. Eloise, always the first to start a dance party, meets my eyes across the table with a knowing smile. I nod, which is all the signal she needs to abandon her croissant and bounce to the open area beside the table. She plants her feet, hands on her hips, and awaits my presence, drawing everyone’s attention. I drop a kiss on Ave’s head as I pass and flank Eloise on our dance floor.
She starts singing along with Idina Menzel, swaying her shoulders to the beat. I join the chorus, my cheeks burning a little with all these eyes watching us, but soon, Lena sets down hercroissant to dance along with us. I wave to Avery, who pushes her chair back and links her hand with mine. Eloise sings to the audience, like she usually does, putting on a show with big dance moves. But Avery keeps her eyes on me, like she’s singing and dancing just because I encouraged her to. That simple act always makes my heart feel like its bursting at the seams.
Emil drags Micah onto the makeshift dance floor, and when I meet Finn’s eyes, love shines from their blue depths. He sits all alone at the table, but he looks so incredibly happy to be watching us. The connection between our gazes creates a swelling tug between us, and before I know it, he’s rising. With his focus locked on me, he walks closer, his mouth moving quietly with the lyrics of the song.
When he reaches me, he holds my face between his hands and kisses me hard, right through the words. Everyone around us lets out a whoop of celebration, and Finn starts moving his body along to the beat, singing with us.
The seven of us finish out the song, jubilant smiles and loud voices and linked hands, and I know it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.
I simply had to be brave enough to spread my wings and get here.
***
Finn
Two Months Later
“Is this really necessary?” I wonder aloud, tugging at the collar of my blue synthetic shirt. It’s itchy and stiff, but I’ll endure this costume for a few hours for Millie.
“Absolutely. You aren’t Spock without the hair.” Millie’s brows knit in concentration as she runs a small black comb through the front of my hair, plastering it down against my forehead.
Grasping her hips, I pull her a little closer until she’s standing between my thighs. The bright colors of her childhood bedroom fade away as I watch her teeth dig into her bottom lip. My hair must not be cooperating, because she lets out a frustrated huff before tossing the comb to the mattress beside me and smoothing it with her hands.
I let my gaze trail down the white fabric that flows smoothly and tantalizingly over her curves. She has two Halloween costumes this evening. One is a long white Princess Leia robe, complete with buns over her ears and a hood on her head. But the second costume is the real reason I’ll put up with this silly Spock outfit. Because the second Princess Leia costume is just for me when we get back to our house later tonight.
Our house.Those words still feel surreal.
Millie moved in with us a few weeks ago, and I still can’t get over the fact that I have the privilege of waking up with her every morning. She has fit so seamlessly into our world that it’s like she was meant to be there all along. We were just holding the spot open for her.
“Okay, I think you’re ready.” She tries to pull back, but I keep a tight hold on her hips, so she drops to my thigh. “I know we’ve crossed two space worlds here,” she says, pointing between us, “but I have to say, I think Spock and Leia would’ve gotten along great.”
“There’s probably a fanfic about it somewhere. We should read it later.” Tucking my fingers into the fabric at her neck, I try to peek down the front of her dress, but it’s too tight to grant me the view I’m hoping for. “Do I have to wait until we get all the way back home to see the second costume?”
She swats my hand away. “It’ll be more satisfying if I draw out your suspense for a while.” With a devilish smirk, she wiggles on my lap, grinding perfectly against where I’m already hard for her.
I tighten my grip to hold her still as I grit out, “Do that again and I’ll tear this dress right off you and—”
“You kids hurry up,” Dave calls up the stairs, a smile bleeding through his voice. “These girls are getting antsy.” A short pause. “And I am too.”
