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“You did all this for me?” I’m sort of flummoxed by the collective effort. I don’t think anyone has ever done something so grand for me.
“All for you,” he says, taking me to a table at the far end of the room. “There was a nice cake, but it got smashed, so Leo made this one.”
“Leo made a cake?”
“If that’s what you want to call it. It’s basically a fluffy pancake tower with sweet cream because he has no idea how to bake and the cook had to work on the actual dinner. But we can cut it, so…”
We’re both chuckling when his mum walks in with Grace in her arms. She looks so pretty in her little pink dress. It might not be my colour, but it suits her.
“We need to have words about that thing she’s wearing,” he tells me as I practically skip to her.
“Stop it, it’s cute. She looks adorable.”
“It’s pink.”
“The skirt is white and the collar.” I take Grace from Mercia. “Thank you.”
“Pink bows and a frilly white lace collar. What is Mummy trying to do to you, baby girl?” Cooing at her, he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “We’re not even going to talk about that pink bow on your head.”
“Stop it!” Mercia smacks him lightly on the chest. “She looks beautiful. As do you,” she tells me.
“Was she all right for you?” I lift Grace up into the air, taking her in. Her little white tights have pink ballet slippers knitted at the feet. A present from Georgina. “You look so pretty, Gracey girl.”
“She’s fed, winded, and cleaned up. I didn’t want to put her pyjamas on until we got some nice photos of the three of you together.”
Benedict walks in with Francis and Penny. They’re talking animatedly, which is nice to see given the shitstorm we’re all dealing with.
“That was a really lovely ceremony,” Penny says the minute she’s beside us. “We’re so happy for you both, and I can’t wait to have you back home.”
Oddly, I can wait to get back to London. We got Grace’s passport sorted a few days ago. It wasn’t as hard as we thought it would be given who she is. The family she was born into. In two days we’ll be leaving this place. We’ll be letting Charles go.
“Yeah.” I smile, pushing closer to Casper. He’s the only home I need.
We’re making small talk about my dress and all the traditions that formed our ceremony. Lucian joins us, and I’m all too aware of the way he’s looking at Grace. I’m not sure how we’re going to fare in each other’s lives after this. He might want to keep his distance, and I might decide that in the end, we’re best as acquaintances rather than family. However, every person here has held Grace, except for him.
Turning Grace in my arms, I angle her towards him. Lucian seems bewildered for a beat, but then he takes her, and all I see is that photo from the box. It’s a wonderful sight, even if it hurts somewhat.
“Isn’t she lovely?” Penny rocks lightly into his arm while he holds Grace to his chest. His lips press to her head gently in between coos.
“Marvellous.” He nods down at Penny. The control over his emotions is admirable, but they are so obvious, and for a moment, I want to offer him some of the kindness that he’s given me.
Holding Casper’s hand, I step to Lucian’s side. I’m not sure how this sort of thing works, but I flatten my hand to the middle of his back and lean into him.
“Would you like to take a photo?”
It’s not for him. I’m asking for me. I’d like to have something from today to look back on and say that he was here when it mattered.
“I’d love to,” he tells me, crouching a little so that we can both hold Grace for the photo Casper takes.
Of course, it’s then that Leo walks in with Cassie. I might not want to hurt him, but I do want a chance to get to know Lucian for myself.
I’m shocked when he walks over and stands next to me. His arm rests across my shoulders as he looks down and says, “I’m glad it’s you, and I’m glad that it’s not just me anymore. I miss Kit. I won’t replace him with you, but it’s nice not to be on my own anymore.”
“It probably makes it a lot less weird if I invade your spare room again.”
“It wasn’t weird befo
re. You were sort of an unofficial annoying baby sister.”
