Page 83 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

Tears spring to my eyes, taking me by surprise, and I fan my face. “Why does that hit so deep?”

Seth holds me tighter. “Because they understand what it feels like when someone who should protect and love you turns their back on you, and they don’t brush it under the carpet.”

I know he’s thinking like my family does, and he’s right.

“I brushed it under the carpet for a long time,” Belinda says. “It’s hard not to. The world doesn’t stop for matters of the heart. I always knew what a mother’s love should look like, which is why I longed for it. I saw friends with their families and felt the differences. Then I met Charles, and Lara showed me what a mother’s love should feel like. I think I mourned that, too, but then I realized how blessed I was to have it from her.”

My throat thickens as Lara takes Belinda’s hand, then reaches for mine and says, “Gals like us need to stick together.”

Tears slip from my eyes, and right there in the corner of the gallery, the three of us embrace. “We’ve got you, sweetheart,” Belinda says. “And we’ve got Becca if she wants us, too.”

As Seth’s arms circle us, a collective tearful laugh falls from our lips, and in the safety of their embraces, I realize I’ve spent years mourning what I never really had. Maybe this is what healing feels like. Not trying to fix a broken past but moving toward a future that’s waiting with open arms.

The night winds down, and after the last of the guests leave, we put on our coats and make our way outside. The snow has eased to flurries, but the city has been transformed into a winter-white wonderland. Seth and I are staying at the hotel around the corner from the gallery tonight with the rest of our families. It’s a short walk, and I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t taken a walk in the snow in forever. As we gather on the sidewalk, Seth slips his hand into mine, and I notice even my father is smiling.

Charles puts his arm around Belinda and says, “What a night! I’m so proud of you, honey.”

“I still can’t get over how many people showed up, and all that press,” Belinda says.

“It’s well deserved, that’s for sure,” my father says. “I’m glad we were all able to be a part of it.”

“This was an unforgettable night,” Belinda says.

“I’m glad we got to celebrate you tonight, Mom,” Seth says. “It was nice to see other people appreciating your keen eye and hard work.”

We all chime in with agreement as we head down the sidewalk. Seth’s parents lead the way with Sutton and Flynn. His mother glances over her shoulder and says, “Why do I have a feeling there were elves at play tonight?”

As she turns around, I notice Noah and Seth exchanging a mischievous glance, and all at once, they scoop up snow and holler, “Hey, Mom!”

Belinda turns just in time to take a snowball to the shoulder and another to the chest.

I gasp. “Seth! You beaned your mother!”

But Belinda laughs along with the rest of her family. Then she says, “Who do you think taught them to throw?” scoops up a handful of snow, and nails Seth in the chest.

Laughter erupts around me, and mayhem follows in an explosion of snowballs and shrieks. Wells hits Lara and ducks behind Victory as Bradshaw takes aim. Seth nails his father, who’s launching a snowball at me. Seth dives in front of me, taking the hit. He presses his lips to mine in a quick kiss as his mother takes aim, and I turn, catching it on my back. Flynn and Sutton peg us all with snowballs rapid fire, and Clay hauls Pepper into a mock-hostage situation, dragging her behind a car to kiss her. Noah sprints past and pummels them with snowballs, then dives for cover around the back of the car.

My father yells, “Cowabunga!” and nails Becca in the side. She’s in her glory, throwing snowballs and threats in equal measure.

Noah runs onto the sidewalk and throws his hands up. “Time out!”

The rest of us launch snowballs at him, and he gives a dramatic “Oomph,” stumbling backward. We all crack up, and I throw my arms around Seth, his carefree laughter making the night that much better.

“Who’s up for a karaoke club?” Noah hollers.

Someone groans, others say, “No thanks,” and Becca and my father yell, “I’ll go!”

“You two rock,” Noah says, then turns to the rest of us, blue eyes shimmering with excitement. “Come on, fam! When are we all together like this in the Big Apple? Don’t be party poopers!”

As the others exchange glances, Seth turns to me and arches a brow. “What do you say, sweets? Think you can handle round two of Braden family bonding? You, me, and a little singing off-key?”

I smile. “Only if there’s alcohol.”

He laughs and calls out, “We’re in!”

Noah and Becca cheer, and everyone else agrees to go, too.

I press into Seth’s side as we make our way down to the sidewalk and say, “Fair warning. I think I’m falling in love with your family.”