“Hi!” Maysie says, sliding down to the ground and wrapping her tiny little arms around my legs. I blink down at the little girl and smile. She’s got bright-blue eyes and a tangle of blonde hair in what I presume was once a braid.
“Hello, you two.” I grin at both children. “I sure like your tutu, Maysie.”
She glances down at her pink bodysuit and fluffy skirt before giving a twirl. “Thanks!”
“Okay, you little ballerina, let’s head inside, shall we?” West redirects the children, and Hudson walks hand in hand with West while Maysie twirls and chasses to the steps.
“Hey, Jade?” Maysie questions, coming to a stop at the top of the porch.
“Yes, Maysie?”
“Do you think I could be the flower girl at your wedding to my uncle?”
I let out a strangled choke, my feet stuttering, catching on a step. West grabs my arm and pie, quickly steadying me so I don’t fall or drop it.
“You guys are getting married?” Hudson asks, eyes flitting back and forth between West and me.
Unable to form words, I stand there frozen. West gets down to eye level and pulls both kids forward. “Jade is just my girlfriend for right now, but I promise when there is a wedding, we would love to have you two be a part of it, okay?”
My heart beats at his words.
“Okay,” both kids say in unison before shrugging and heading inside.
“You good?” West asks with a smirk.
“Yeah. Mhm. Good.”
“Come on.” He chuckles. “Let’s get this over with.”
After saying hello to everyone, Wren drags me outside where we take a seat on the big swing that hangs from the roof of the porch.
“How you doing, Jade?”
I look out at the landscape, unsure how to answer. I’m scared, confused, and most of all, so damn happy.
“I’m okay.” I sigh after a few minutes of collecting my thoughts.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but you’re safe with West. He’ll protect you if you need protecting.”
I kick my feet, making the swing move. I haven’t told Wren, or anyone for that matter, how I feel about West, but I’m sure she can sense it. “I feel safe with him. There is no other place I’d want to be.”
She smiles and pulls me to her side. “I’m so happy for you guys.”
A few moments later, Cade hollers, “Dinner’s ready!”
Filing into the kitchen, we each go to take a seat when Maisey waves her little arms in the air. “Jade! Over here. Will you sit beside me?” she asks, patting the empty spot next to her.
I smile and make my way over there. “Why, I’d love to”
We’re halfway through our meal when a loud meow has West jolting beside me.
“What the fuck is that thing doing in the house?” West glares at his brother.
“Uh-oh,” Maysie says under her breath, leaning into me. “Medusa isn’t allowed in the house when Uncle West is here. He’s scared of her.”
I giggle behind my fork when a giant orange ball darts under the table. The cat is a beautiful orange Persian that has a bunch of hair clips in its fur.
“Cade!” West shouts, bringing his feet up onto his chair. “Get that fucking demon cat out of here!”
