AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay.”
I stayed in the truck for a few minutes to put together the fastest snack platter in history, and then we let ourselves into Ellen and Bruce’s house, heading straight for the dining room, where Matt’s family was already gathered.
The moment I placed the hastily-assembled tray of goodies on the table, Lucy shrieked, which made Bess bark yet again.
“What the Hell!” This from Bruce.
“Oh my God, you guys!”
Ellen was the next to realize and she burst into tears. She came straight over to me and pulled me in for a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thank you. Happy birthday. I’m sorry, we’ve sort of stolen your thunder.”
“No such thing. Another daughter is the best present I could ask for!”
“Ohhh…” Overcome with emotion, I hugged her hard, because I didn’t know what else to say. It was so generous and kind, and so like Ellen, to say something like that. She hugged me back, a beautiful mom hug that felt so good. “Thank you,” I said thickly when I could finally speak.
“Of course.” She kissed my cheek. “Now I’ll get out of the way, give everyone else a chance to say congratulations.”
It was at least ten minutes before we were finally sitting down around the table and the hubbub had died down. Under the din of conversation, Matt pulled me close, pressing a soft, sweet kiss to my lips. “I love you,” he said quietly, all the love he felt for me shining in his eyes.
I cupped his face, kissing him back. “I love you, too.”
“Oh, yuck, notmorekissing!”
I burst out laughing. “Maybe you should try and get used to it, Chlo, if you want to be our flower girl.”
Chloe’s eyes turned round with excitement and her mouth fell open. “Can I? Mila too?”
“For sure, if she wants.”
Chloe looked at her sister, who seemed a little overwhelmed by all the excitement. “Don’t worry, I’ll look after you.”
And that was the Cooper family to a tee. I linked my fingers through Matt’s and swallowed around the lump in my throat, because I’d just realized that now they were my family, too.
* * *
