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Kaden shook his head, and let out a sigh. It was as if he wanted to say something but instead held back.
“Kaden?” Ali questioned her husband.
“Don’t worry, doll. I’m not going to start anything. It’s hard for me to admit it, but you are all grown up, little sister. Seeing you sitting there holding Sam and Trina’s new baby, not to mention the way you two are looking at one another…” It was as if he might gag just saying the words. But then again, Kaden could always be dramatic.
Ali interrupted, “I’m sure Tyler or Paige would like to hold their new nephew. I’m going to take Willow down to the cafeteria to get a snack. Maybe you two could take this conversation out in the hall?”
Ali’s hints were obvious. This wasn’t something that needed to be discussed in front of everyone. This was Sam and Trina’s big day. The spotlight was to be on them.
“Ali, I’ll join you and Willow. I could use some hospital pudding,” Luc added with a grin. “I like pudding.” He kissed Kassie on her head before he left with Ali and Willow.
Kaden shuffled his feet by the doorway, looking from the door to the floor. Tyler sat down next to her. Paige smiled warmly at Kassie as she scooped up the baby from her arms, cooing to the sweet little newborn.
“Kass, your brother is a good guy, just a bit overprotective,” Tyler whispered. “Just don’t give up on him.”
Kassie looked up at Kaden and nodded towards the door with a heavy sigh. Before she could stand up, Paige lightly grabbed her arm. As soon as Kaden left the room, she spoke. “Kassie, you’re one of us now. We’ve got your back. Remember that. If you need us, we’re always here.”
“She’s right, Kass,” Trina added.
“Thanks, I appreciate that. But I’m hardly one of you ladies. I’m sure it takes more than what I’ve done to be held in the same regard.” No one knows who I am, much less considers me Luc’s girlfriend. Kassie followed her brother into the hallway.
Once they were in the hallway, she looked up at him. She couldn’t stand this weirdness between them. Kaden had already spoken to Luc and they seemed to be on good terms now. She just wanted that for her and her brother, too. She just wanted this to be over, for him to know she was happy and accept it.
“Kaden—”
“Kass, let me say this. Please. I was watching you in there. I don’t know why, but I always think of you as a little girl still. A little girl that I need to protect, especially with Dad no longer around. After Dad died, I thought of you as my responsibility. I was the man of the house suddenly and the only one left to take care of you, to protect you. I felt like Dad was counting on me, and I didn’t want to let him down. I wanted to believe that Dad would not approve of what you were doing, because he knew the code and understood it. That maybe he’d fight for it the way I did. But I was the one that was wrong.”
“You? Admitting you were wrong? We should write this date down somewhere. Anybody have a pen?” She looked around the empty hall humorously trying to make her point.
“Ha, ha. Yeah, I get it. I know I don’t like to admit when I’m wrong. Sorry sis, it’s my one fault.” He shrugged. “But, all joking aside, I was watching you in there, holding the baby, and the way you and Luc looked at one another.”
“We’re not here to argue about this, are we? I think your wife has had enough of that.” They’d had a nice time at the party, then topped off the extraordinary night with the birth of a brand-new baby. Her brother wasn’t going to ruin all that with fighting, was he?
“No. I’m not here to argue, Kass. I just think that Dad would be so proud of the strong woman you’ve grown into. This whole time you’ve stood your ground and fought for what you wanted. Luc didn’t back down like I thought he would, but he fought for you, too. He still has a lot of proving to do, but I do respect him for that. I also saw the look you two gave each other in there, over the baby. I recognized that look. It’s the same one Ali and I give each other, as well as Sam and Trina, and Tyler and Paige, and the list goes on and on.”
“So, are you trying to say that you’re okay with me and Luc now?” Kassie stared at Kaden, and for the first time since this all started, he resembled her loving brother again.
“I finally see that you’re all grown up, and it’s hard for me. That’s something I’m going to have to learn to get used to, but that’s my problem, not yours. I told him he had to prove himself to me, and I will be watching him. But that look you two exchanged… that was really all I needed to see.”
Kassie was stunned at her brother’s words. “I appreciate that, Kaden. But how do we proceed? We were always a team. Then Ali came into our world, and she became one of us. I’m sure you know that Luc wouldn’t be a bad addition. He’s loyal, he’s kind—”
“Woah… Kass, I get it. I swear I’m trying. I’m your brother and I love you. I only want you to be happy, and if that means your being with Luc, then I’m okay with that. You’ve got my blessing. But please, don’t tell him that just yet; it’s comical to watch him squirm.” Kaden chuckled at Luc’s expense. “But I’m confident now that he won’t let me down. Anyway… I saw that the other wives got you the hat and shirt they wear. They’ve taken you in as one of them.”
“Yeah, well, I’d hardly call myself a WAG. I’m just like the new girl that they’re being nice to and befriending. Or maybe Ali told them they had to be nice to me. Who knows?”
Kaden shook his head. “I don’t think that’s it. They like you, Kassie. And whether or not you’re considered a WAG is apparently not up to you.”
Kassie could feel the warm tears filling her eyes. She grabbed Kaden around the middle and bear hugged him. “I’ve missed you, bro.”
Kaden kissed her on top of her head and rubbed her back. “I’ve missed you too, sis. I’ll always be your biggest fan.”
“Thanks. And I don’t think Ali would let it be any other way,” she teased.
“I do believe you’re right.” Kaden pulled back and looked down at Kassie. With a laugh he added, “Have you ever seen that girl mad? Fire shoots out of her ears. It’s wicked.”
“Really, Kaden? Fire?” Ali’s voice came out of nowhere. She was standing in the hallway, trying to look annoyed, but she was obviously trying to hold back a laugh.
“What?” Kaden asked, trying to look innocent. “I didn’t say fire. And did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight? Love you.”
