Chapter 30

Brooklyn

Thanksgiving comes around a few days later and Eden and I have been inseparable. We broke the news to Blake when she got home the next day because we couldn't keep it in any longer.

We didn't think there was any point in sneaking around and hiding it from anyone while we rekindled things. Nothing stays secret in Stoney Creek for very long anyway and there's no way we were risking Blake finding out from anyone else.

Everything changed after that night Eden thought she caught me outside Moose's with Amber and I can now look at it and see that one incident could have been a make or break us moment. I'm glad it didn't break us. There's no way I wanted Amber, or anyone else.

The fact she overheard me explaining to Beau cemented that fact. Though I was surprised and touched that she came over to my place so quickly that night before she even heard me confessing what happened to my brother.

It makes me feel alive that we're now on the same page and she's let go of her reservations and her worries about the future. We're no longer worried about that.

Blake was beside herself and very happy that we were getting back together. She hasn't seen us together in such a long time, so long ago that I don't think she even remembers it very well. We want to keep things as normal as possible for her while we move into a relationship.

Eden and I discussed everything and we were both in agreement that we could only come clean with our daughter if we truly were going to give this the best shot of our lives.

A shot where we never break it again. And neither of us plan to. We will never let anything get in the way ever again.

We're ironing out the details as we go along, and working out what to do going forward. We just want to take our time with our living arrangements and keep doing the back and forth thing, like people do when they're dating.

Dating my wife. I chuckle at the thought, but that's exactly what we've been doing.

Since the night in the barn, we've already been to the movies and spent some time on my hobby farm where she's making friends with Sawyer and the horses. We plan to go to Mary Lou's on the Creek as soon as she wins me in the auction this weekend.

Yes. I'm still entered and Eden agreed it would be a great way to put an end to those rumors already circulating around town if we are or aren't back together.

Mom and Dad know as well as Eden's parents. I even called Gray this morning, before we all got together for Thanksgiving dinner, wanting to give him the news first because he was a little put out that I didn't get around to telling him about the non-divorce before word broke out. It was only fair.

We'll tell everyone else at dinner. Everyone is going to be at my parents' place. It all got decided just a few days ago.

It's going to be huge. All my siblings, Trinity, Skye and Hartley, Eden's parents, Aunt Patti and Uncle Jack, Celeste, Callan and Sunny, plus Hudson and his dad are coming. I'm sure even little Daisy is going to make an appearance.

"You both ready to go?" I holler to my girls. They're in the kitchen here at the farm, still making the final touches to the pumpkin pie they've been making for dessert. The pumpkins were hand-picked by all three of us just yesterday when we were out fossicking in the garden.

It's been very sweet of Eden to take such an interest in what we've been doing, and she's a hit with my animals.

It fucking feels right, and that's the best part.

"We're ready!" they both shout out at once.

I roll my eyes. Nothing like now having two females to wait around for. But really, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Blake skips up the hall with Noodle hot on her heels. Eden and I have both agreed she can get a bunny or two, and we can be foster parents to the bunny and Guinea pig wing of the animal shelter. We are going to work up to a permanent cat or a dog in the future, once we work out the living dynamics. I mean, I'm sure Eden will move back to the farm in time and Noodle will be with us all the time then.

"How's the pie looking, honey?" I ask.

"Great, Dad. Mom is really good at baking."

"That could be good for us!" I whisper behind the back of my hand.

She giggles.

"You gotta be in charge of getting it over to Gran and Gramp's place in one piece, okay?"

Eden comes down the hall, carefully carrying one of the two pies she made. "Your dad is right," she says. "I'll carry the other one, and don't let Noodle stick her face in it."

Blake and I laugh as we make our way out to the truck.

I drive as slow as I can over the bumps and through the twists and turns to my parents' house. When we park, I reach over and kiss my wife quickly because I can't keep my lips off her for too long. "You look perfect," I whisper, my lips brushing her as I speak.

"Ew!" Blake says, covering her eyes with her hands, the pumpkin pie still resting on her knee.

Eden and I both laugh. "Dad loves your mom, Blakey. Better get used to it."

"And Mom loves your dad," Eden chimes.

Blake is all smiles in the rear-view mirror, so I don't think she's too grossed out seeing us kissing. "I knew it, Dad, when I saw your tattoo of Mom's name that you must still have the hots for her."

"Blake!" Eden gasps.

Blake shrugs like it's no biggie. She probably knew before we did.

I laugh as I kiss my wife again. Blake exits the car carefully with the pie, helping Noodle down. "Let's save some whipped cream for later," I whisper low in Eden's ear.

She shoves me with her hand but I know she's not opposed to the idea. We both know we have to find clever and inventive ways to get intimate for the moment, mainly when Blake is at school.

We haven't had a proper sleep-over yet. "Save it for the barn," she whispers back.

Fuck. I pull away from her before my dick hardens going into my parents' house.

"You're trouble!" I say as I slide out of the truck. She blows me a kiss before she climbs out of her side.

We walk into my parents' hand in hand, while she carries the pumpkin pie carefully on her other side. Blake has already gone inside with Noodle and the other pumpkin pie. I can hear her telling my parents how she made it with her mom from the garden using our own pumpkins. Then she launches into how much she raised for Stoney Creek Paws and how she plans to keep it going with a regular bake sale and a raffle.

"You've made our daughter into some kind of animal superhero." Eden giggles toward me as we walk down the hall.

"She's like her mom then." I nuzzle into her neck.

"OHMYGOD!" We hear a voice behind us. Georgia-Blue just walked in and caught us. "You two!"

Eden and I look at each other and don't even try to spring apart. We ain't hiding it anymore. "Have you met my wife?" I chortle, giving Eden a peck. I could kiss her all day, every day, and never get sick of it.

"I knew it! I absolutely called this one!" She smiles at us both, her blue eyes wide and glistening, clearly ecstatic.

"You did." Eden smiles. "And it's official. We wanted to tell everyone here."

Eden places the pumpkin pie down on the counter as Georgia throws her arms around me and then Eden. Beau is right behind her, followed by Hudson and his dad, Huck, then Gabe, Skye and Trinity. Awesome timing. Daisy whooshes past us trying to find her doggie friends, as we all move into the main kitchen where Mom, Dad, Uncle Jack and Aunty Patti are busy bustling around in the kitchen. Celeste, Callan and Sunny are already here too, along with Gray and Hartley.

"I'm so happy for you!" Georgia says with tears in her eyes.

Everyone has stopped and is looking at us. Eden laughs quietly under her breath.

I guess that's one way to break it to the family.

"It's official everyone." I hold up our entwined hands. May as well let the cat out of the bag early on, rather than over dinner like how we thought. "Eden and I are back together!"

Trinity starts jumping up and down excitedly and runs up to us. I pick her up in my arms and give her a cuddle. "You hear that, little Trin? Uncle Brook is in love with Aunty Eden."

Trinity giggles. "And I wuv you, Uncle Bwook and Aunty Eden."

Everyone coos and laughs at her cuteness as she hugs me and Eden and I place her back down on her feet where Blake pulls her by the hand to show her the pumpkin pie she made.

"Congrats!" Gabe says, patting me on the back roughly and giving me a pound hug. "Glad you both finally see what we saw all along."

"Here here!" Beau adds. "About time."

"So happy for you both!" Skye gives us both a hug and Eden an extra squeeze. No one can contain their excitement and happiness for us.

"Knew you had it in you." Hudson winks, making his way over to the snacks being laid out on the long kitchen bench where Mom smacks his hand away.

"Congratulations," Hudson's dad, Huck says, shaking my hand and giving Eden a hug.

"You two are so perfect for each other." Hartley has broken through the crowd to give us her official congrats. Though I know Gray has told her already. "Should we get the shredder out for the divorce papers?"

Eden and I both laugh. "Maybe a bonfire?" I suggest, giving Callan a nod over by the kitchen counter. He knows all about it, not the divorce, but he did something similar with Celeste's ex-wedding dress to the asshole she didn't marry, Anders.

Eden and I plan to light up those papers as soon as possible.

Callan shakes his head, his shoulders moving up and down with laughter. "Congrats," he mouths over to us. He's being pushed out the way by the eager women in the family trying to hug us.

"GB and I knew you still had a thing for each other." Celeste gives us both a hug. "And Hartley's right, you are both really perfect for each other."

"Well, we're pulling out all stops this time to make things work." Eden squeezes my hand.

"I always knew you two would get back together!" Mom hollers above the crowd. "Let me see you, beautiful pair…" She makes her way through everyone else to hug me tight, and then Eden. By now all the women have tears in their eyes.

"I'm sure it won't be too long for more grand babies then?" Aunt Patti is right behind my mom.

Eden and I both stare at each other wide-eyed. We haven't discussed that yet, but more kids were never off the table the first time around.

"Let them at least get past the honeymoon phase," Uncle Jack tuts towards his wife but gives me a handshake. My dad is smiling over the crowd, as is Gray.

"I think we need to make a toast!" Gray shouts. "Let the celebrations begin!"

"Let me at em!" Georgia says again, dancing around with Blake and Trinity, the dogs all chasing each other around the massive dining area where Mom and Aunt Patti have set up an extended table for our dinner.

"What did we miss?" Eden's parents walk into the huge commotion taking place and everyone laughs. Her folks decided to put off their vacation until after the holidays as they wanted to spend some family time with us getting back together.

"Just me confessing my love for your daughter," I tell them, looking down at Eden.

"They're going to kiss again!" Blake hollers loudly, covering her eyes again. Trinity follows suit, her toy Bunnykins dangling from her little hand, and everyone laughs.

"Kiss!" the entire family calls out at once. Eden's cheeks pinken slightly. She's so damned cute, neither of us are used to any of this kind of thing. But it's an amazing feeling that everyone is so accepting and happy for us.

I'm on cloud nine. I couldn't be happier. The excited buzz through my body is palpable.

I dip my head as Eden reaches up onto her toes and our lips meet, but it's only brief, nothing too showy in front of the family, or the kids.

Everyone hoots and cheers.

"Three cheers for Brooklyn and Eden!" my dad calls above everyone's chatter.

"Hip-hip-hooray!" everyone chimes in unison thrice over.

"This is like being famous." Eden laughs.

"I'm gonna need a drink. You, baby?"

"Yes, please," she says as Betty and Brice come forward to greet us and my father-in-law gives me a pat on the back. They've always been so supportive of both of us and we've always gotten along. Blake runs up to her grandparents and gives them a hug, Trinity following her every move, waving her bunny around.

"Proud of you, Brother," Gray says, as I walk to the fridge to grab some drinks for us.

"Thanks, man. It's been a long time coming."

"You know the old saying about saving the best for last?"

I chuckle. "Too true."

"You got there, I knew you would."

"It's going to be different this time," I tell him. "So different."

He pats me on the back and pulls me into a pound hug.

"You two getting all sentimental?" Huds eyes us both.

"Watch out, you could be next!" I laugh. "The love bug seems to be traveling."

"No way, no offense, but women are trouble." He folds his arms firmly across his chest, crossing one ankle over the other, as he leans against the island bench. "But I am glad for you both."

"Not when you find the right one," I say. "Things are different then."

I glance over at my woman talking to the family, everyone smiling and chattering while I grab drinks and Mom and Aunt Patti start handing out the canapés on Mom's silver serving platters.

They love to make the nibbles from scratch before the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

I couldn't think of anything better right now than being here with everyone, especially my wife and my daughter. Everyone is happy. The dogs are having a great time, and Sunny already has her eye on the turkey.

It's total chaos, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Eden sides up to me as I pass her a glass of wine. "Thank you, husband," she whispers while taking a sip. I watch her succulent mouth as it touches the glass. I'd love to lick the residue off her lips, but I'll save that for later.

"Thank you, wife." I grin like a lovesick puppy. And that's what I am for her, and I don't care one single bit.

"What for?"

"For being you. For saying yes the third time around."

"Three times a charm."

And those words right there tell me everything I need to know.

I bend to kiss her again.

It's everything I could ever have wished for, and more. So much more.