When Brielle looks over at me, there are tears in her eyes. She studies my face for a moment and then her shoulders relax. The breath she blows out is full of relief.
“In my heart, you’re my daughter,” Brielle whispers like the words are fragile. “I love you and your dad. You’re the family I was always meant to find. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
Rian giggles and seems to burrow deeper into Brielle’s hold. If I have to blink back tears, no one says a damn word about it.
My arms wrap around both of my girls and I murmur, “Worth the wait.”
When I look up, my brothers are watching the scene with soft features which look almost creepy on some of them. But I get it since I’m barely hanging on myself.
I make sure my voice carries to everyone, “In case it wasn’t clear. I’m claiming Brielle as my Old Lady. She’s been mine since we were kids and I never stopped being hers. Not only is she my Old Lady, but I’ll be making her my wife as soon as she agrees to it. She’s also Rian’s mom in every way that matters.”
Cheering fills the room. It pushes away the rest of the heaviness from Shania showing up and making a mockery of herself, and the role she could have filled if she wasn’t a selfish cunt. But she is, and here we are.
Rian will be better off, and I know I am already.
“I think you have more presents to open,” Brielle gently prods.
Our daughter doesn’t run off right away, she lingers and bites her lip before asking, “Can we go see the studio tomorrow?”
My woman lights up and nods eagerly. They share another tight hug before Rian bounds away. With every step it’s as if the weight of the interruption is stripped away.
Because she knows she’s safe and secure now. In all ways.
“She’s amazing,” Brielle breathes out.
I nuzzle my face in her neck and take a deep breath. It grounds me, a mix of old and new memories flitting through my mind.
As we watch Rian, I start making mental notes of everything I need to do. It’s time for Shania to give up her parental rights. I never pursued it before because I didn’t want to hurt my daughter. That was a mistake.
One I will rectify as soon as possible.
“I love you, Tiny Dancer,” I whisper against her neck.
She breathes out, “I love you, Cowboy.”
I jerk back from her before glaring down at her. Even though she tries to hide it, I can see the smirk. She’s playing with fire, and she knows it.
CHAPTER 14
BRIELLE
As I stand in the doorway of Rian’s room, I can’t look away from her. She’s sleeping so peacefully surrounded by the presents she hasn’t gotten to enjoy yet. But I know she will.
Her presents tell the story of how the people who love her see her. And how much they want to see her thrive.
The ticket I printed for her is pinned to the cork board on her wall and I can’t help but smile when I look at it. Her other present is hanging on the wall already. She insisted on it along with hanging the canvas I had printed for Everton in the living room.
My heart clenches as I watch her. The peacefulness. The trust.
When Everton’s arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me away from the doorway after standing there for a moment and taking in the scene in the same way I am, I don’t resist. He shuts the door softly and I sigh as he leads me to the bedroom.
Standing next to the bed, I turn toward him, unsure of what I’m going to see written on his face. My lips part when I see the love there, the worship in his gaze, and the gratitude.
“We’re lucky to have you in our lives, Tiny Dancer,” he rasps.
I shake my head, but the look he shoots me has my rebuttal,my denial, dying in my throat. I swallow hard as he gently undresses me. Where there was fire and need every other time we’ve touched each other, this is different.
He gently lays me down on the bed, my naked body on display for him. And he devours me with his eyes. I shiver under the weight of it, the caress of his gaze, and I sigh.
