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Her eyes search mine, her breathing still fast but slowing by the second. Clearing her throat, she says, “I’m so proud of you, Jace, really. I wish you would have waited, but goodness me, you’re such a man now.”
“Well, you made me, raised me to be this awesome. So really, you get all the credit.”
“I know that’s right,” she says, squeezing me again before kissing me hard on my cheek. “I love you so much, baby.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
When she lets me go, she gobbles Avery up. And like I expect, she smothers her with kisses. Avery is beaming, laughing, as my mom holds her tightly and welcomes her to the family.
“I knew you were the one,” Mom says with a wink. “I always knew.”
“You’re not mad?” Avery asks, nervousness still in her eyes.
“Jesus, no,” Mom says, reassuring her. “Shocked, yes, but you were a part of this family the moment we met you. Now, you ain’t going anywhere. Hope you know that.” Avery’s lip quivers and then she’s crying. Shaking my head, I laugh as my mom wraps her up in a tight hug.
Holding my mom, Avery grins as she cries. “I don’t want to go anywhere.”
“Oh, you won’t. Don’t you cry. I’m gonna cry.”
I go to break up the crying fest between the two women I love most, but before I can move, Lucy is pulling me into the kitchen. When we are out of sight, she wraps her arms around my middle, holding me tightly. Wrapping my arms around her neck, I kiss the top of her head and she shakes against me.
Pulling back, my eyes wide, I tilt her back to see that she is crying.
Lucy does not cry.
“What the hell? Why are you crying?”
She shakes her head and then smiles. “I’m just so fucking proud of you, Jace, so proud.” I smile as she brings me in tight, kissing my cheek. “You did the right thing—crazy, but the right thing.”
“I did the only thing,” I say into her hair. “I love her, and she will never feel alone again in her life.”
Holding me tightly, Lucy laughs. “And to think, we all thought you were such a spoiled brat. When really, you’ve grown into a good man.”
Grinning, I squeeze her. “When you have three older siblings beating you into a good man, it tends to happen.”
She laughs and then pulls back. “You know they are gonna rip you apart.”
I nod. “I know.”
“But you don’t care?”
“Not even a little bit. All I care about is that girl in there, the one who’s having my baby.”
I’m not kidding.
But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared what my brothers will think. I respect them too much not to be worried, but I know they’ll support me.
Well, I hope so at least.
As I head into my old room, I shut the door to block out the sounds of the three women I love cracking up. It’s been a great afternoon, eating, laughing, and them getting to know Avery even more. She fits in perfectly, not that I didn’t expect her to, but it’s great how my mom and sister have welcomed her with open arms. I didn’t think they wouldn’t, or even that they would be upset with me. I knew my mom would freak out, but I knew, no matter what, she would support me. That’s my mom. She does that.
But Jude and Jayden, I’m nervous.
Sitting on my bed, I look around the room that I shared with Jayden my whole life. Somehow Lucy and Jude got their own rooms. I loved sharing with Jayden, so I didn’t mind. He might not have felt the same, but we did it with ease. Two brothers, two best friends. I just hope he doesn’t freak out too much.
Going into our group chat, I type out a quick message.
Me: You two busy?
