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Their mom grabbed their hands and squeezed. “She loves you. All you have to do is get her to open up. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s what you must do.”
“Communication is the key to a relationship, brothers.” Phoebe leaned into Jason. “Don’t hold back like I did. I lost so much time with this one and his brothers. I would hate that to happen to you.”
Shane turned to Corey. “I’m all in.”
“So am I.”
Their mom wiped her eyes. “If you’d like Grandma’s engagement ring to give Belle, it’s yours.”
“Mom, I think that would be perfect.” His mother’s two dads had it made with two gold bands intertwined together. That ring symbolized so many things. Love. Family. Future.
Corey nodded, squeezing their mom. “We will be needing that ring soon. You’ll see.”
“What do you think of our boys, honey?” Dad Curtis asked.
“I’m so proud of them. They will make Belle very happy.”
Shane and Corey walked back into Juan’s room, determined to possess the woman of their dreams.
* * * *
Drinking hot chocolate, Belle sat on the back steps of the courthouse with Amber. The ground was covered in a thin blanket of snow that had fallen last night.
“God, that woman must have quite the addiction to nicotine.” Amber pointed at the ashtray that Cindy had filled to overflowing with lipstick-covered butts. “How often does she come out here to smoke?”
“Not that I’ve been keeping tabs, but I think about twice an hour at least.” Belle bet the woman was just bored. “It’s hard on anyone to be cooped up for as long as she has. Thanks for coming. This is a nice break.”
“You need more than a quick break, Sis. That’s the real reason I wanted to talk to you alone.”
“Amber, your ulterior motives always get me into trouble.” Belle grinned, recalling one night when her sister had convinced her to sneak out of the house. Their parents had caught them and grounded them for a week. She missed those times very much.
“You’re exhausted. You’ve only left this place to take a bath, and then you’re always in a rush to get back.”
“He’s my son. My place is here.”
“I know that, Belle, but Juan is fine. Any day now, Doc will be releasing him. You need a break. A real break. I want you to go with Shane and Corey and have some lunch. Just get out of here. I will stay with Juan. I don’t want to see you back until tonight.”
“Hey. Have you forgotten that I’m the older sister, not you?”
“How can I forget, Belle? You’re always reminding me.” Amber smiled. “I love you, and you know I’m right about this.”
She shrugged, though the idea of getting away and clearing her head appealed to her.
“Stop being stubborn.”
“Me? I’m never stubborn.” She laughed, knowing that was hardly the case. “Okay. You win. I will have lunch with Shane and Corey.” Her heart skipped a couple of beats. She knew she still had to talk with them.
* * * *
Corey poured Belle another glass of wine. “You look gorgeous in my robe, baby.”
She sat on the sofa next to Shane. “With wet hair? I doubt that.” She smiled. “You and Shane look nice in your shorts and T-shirts.”
“I sure needed my shower.” Shane smiled.
“Would you like some dessert, sweetheart?” Corey was glad to see her so at ease, though he could still sense something brewing under the surface of calm. “I think we have some ice cream in the freezer.”
She shook her head. “I’m so full from the delicious lunch you guys made for me.”
