AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then, my beautiful seductress, what are you waiting for?”
Nothing. I was waiting for nothing. I jumped up, raced for the bathroom, and showered. Murmurs reached me as I washed and rinsed. Riven walked in naked and stepped into the shower behind me. I kissed him, but left him to shower. By the time I stepped out, the others were ready, dressed in neat casual, even Hunter wore an open-collared shirt and black trousers that pulled taut against his massive thighs.
“You look incredible.” I smiled at them. “So incredible.”
I pulled on a dress, something I hadn’t worn since the day I’d stepped in front of Riven’s car. They all stared, swallowing hard, as I climbed into Explorer and we headed for the city.
The heavy steel gates of the Salvatore mansion opened, allowing us to drive inside. I stiffened at the sight of the house and the armed guards patrolling the perimeter, not having expected to be back here. But while Vivienne and London were getting their new house on the upper east side of the city set up, we were all meeting here.
It wasn’t quite a baby shower.
Nor was it a coming home.
It was a celebration of life, of living and surviving, of forging new paths, I guess. But as I turned to grab the big basket that Thomas handed me, I realized that for me, it was about family and friends, and putting the past behind us.
“You ready for this?” Riven asked as Hunter pulled up and switched off the ignition, leaving us to climb out together.
I took a breath and lifted my gaze to the front door as the Salvatore guard opened it, waiting for us to step through. “More than ready.”
Laughter spilled out before we even reached the first step and my God, that sound was alien and perfect all at once. The insistent wail of a baby followed, making me quicken my steps and rush through the door. They were all there, all of them. Tobias, Nick, and Caleb, and little Alias Banks in my sister’s arms, then Vivienne. My beautiful, defiant Vivienne.
I handed Riven the basket, shoving it against his chest before I lunged and rushed forward as she slowly pushed up from the sofa and stepped toward me.
“Hel,” she called.
I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight. “Fuck, it’s good to see you.”
She gripped me fiercely, holding on. “It’s good to see you too.”
I couldn’t help it, tears welled in my eyes and slipped down my cheeks. I pulled away and looked into her eyes. “Are you okay?”
She looked tired and weak. Underneath that was a flicker of fear. One I saw in my own reflection.
“I will be,” she answered.
That was the best answer we could give. We will be. I smiled and turned to London and Colt, each of them holding a baby. “Right.” I smiled, swiping away the tears. “Let’s see these kids.”
If I said I didn’t feel a pang of regret from not having my own as I held them, I’d be lying. But this life, this kind of love and devotion wasn’t meant for me. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t be the most kickass aunt there was.
I held each of them, pulled them close, and inhaled their perfect scent before kissing their foreheads and handed them back. Alias was next, as I pulled Ryth against me, kissing her cheek. “Love you, little sister.”
“We love you,” she answered.
“Very…very much.” Vivienne added, coming closer.
I fucking sobbed, cried and laughed, hugging them hard like I couldn’t get enough of their embraces. How the three of us had come to stand there like this, I’d never know. But we did, and for that I was so very grateful.
We stayed for hours, laughed and drank, eating from platters until the babies went down for naps. Then there was just silence. It wasn’t awkward at all. Just comforting as everyone settled down. Finley and Anna held hands at the end of the table. London had his arm around Vivienne’s shoulders, rubbing the knots from the base of her neck. Ryth sat on Nick’s lap, with Tobias and Caleb on each side of them.
I turned to Riven, his fingers entwined with mine as Kane rested his hand on my thigh. Hunter stood at the back of the room, his eyes twinkling, fixed on me. Thomas was somewhere, walking, praying, finding his own way to salvation.
This was home.
More home than any house in the mountains or in the city.
People. My people.
They were home.
