Page 116 of This Reckless Home

Something in my chest settles and hurts all at the same damn time. “I love you too, Flower.” Leaning down, I place a kiss on her parted lips, wondering how the fuck we ended up here, with this woman who makes us more complete than I knew was possible.

“Love you too, Bloom,” Ant states next, taking my place and kissing her, his hand cupping her cheek and my eyes sting at just how fucking relaxed he seems. He pulls away, and she looks up at Nox, who’s kneeling between her legs.

“Love doesn’t even begin to cover what I feel for you, Petal,” he tells her, smooth as fuck and my lips kick up when he dips down, grabbing the front of her throat and slamming his lips down on hers. I always knew when Nox fell, it’d be hard and without question.

When he pulls away tears leak from the corners of her eyes, her smile so big my own grows.

“I’m so glad Justin came here, that you came here,” she tells us, and I take one of her hands in mine, bringing it to my lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

“Me too, Flower,” I tell her, meaning it with all my heart. What happened with Liam and his dad was wrong, will always be wrong. That cannot be changed or forgiven. But going forward I choose her, choose to love her and be part of this family. This crazy, reckless home. “Let’s get you cleaned up and ready for bed.”

We all help her up, and I lift her into my arms because that’s where she belongs.

“Plus, we need to christen the shower,” Nox adds, his smile turning mischievous, and her head whips in his direction, her eyes wide and lips parted.

I just laugh, a real belly laugh that I’m not sure I’ve experienced in a long fucking time, and carry her to the bathroom, my brothers following.

EPILOGUE

“CHASING STARS (PIANO & STRINGS VERSION) - BONUS TRACK” BY FLEURIE

BLOSSOM

“You did well today, Blossom. Covered some tough things. How do you feel?” James asks me, sitting across from me in the old drawing room that was hardly used which he now uses for all his sessions, mine included.

“Good. Wrung out a little but lighter,” I tell him, watching the early autumn sunshine pass through the big windows and light up the soft rug.

He gives me a soft smile. “That’s great. It’s a process as you know, but it’s a good sign that you’re feeling the burden less.” He looks down at his notes, closing the cover of his notebook. “Same time next week?”

“Yes please,” I reply, taking a deep inhale. “I’ll see you on Monday for Sally’s session, right? She’s finding moving up year groups now school has started tricky.”

He places his folder and notebook in his bag, getting up from the comfy chair he usually sits in. I follow him. “Absolutely. And she’s doing well despite it, especially now that Justin is officially staying. They get on well.”

I feel my lips tug up into a smile. Those two are almost inseparable.

I walk him to the door, which he opens and I follow to see him to the front door, but he puts a hand on my arm. “You go join them, I can see myself out. Wouldn’t want to miss Friday night dinner.”

My grin grows. “Tacos tonight.”

I can hear the low level hum of kids chattering and laughing down the hall, with the added low timbre of the guys as they talk.

With a final goodbye I turn and walk towards the kitchen, the sound getting louder and accompanied by clattering plates. Opening the door I’m met by pure carnage, and my smile widens.

The table is overflowing with all kinds of Mexican food, including a huge number of tacos. Tina and Henry sit at the end furthest from where I’m standing in the doorway, and I love that Henry now comes to family dinners every night. He passes Tina a taco, and she gives him a soft smile. Not for the first time I wonder if there’s something between them. But she’s not said anything and I’m happy if she is so I haven’t pressed the issue.

My gaze roams over the kids, all grabbing various bits of food, and I’m stopped by warm brown eyes, Steele finding me first as he always does. He raises his brows slightly.

You good?

I give him a nod.

Absolutely perfect.

His shoulders relax a little, like he was waiting for me this whole time, worried. And something in my chests heats at that, the fact that there is someone to worry about me. I stay in the doorway, just absorbing the chaos in.

This is what I always dreamed of, what all the heartache and pain was for.

Cedar and clean soap fill my nose. “You joining us, Bloom?” Ant asks from beside me, and I turn to look up at him.