12. Twelve

Twelve

Anna

Connor's face breaks into a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with delight as he steps into the entranceway. He's immediately swept into the large family room, all the adults gathering around him in a circle.

My eyes quickly scan over Carson's two brothers. All the Knight men have similar coloring. Dark, almost black hair and bright blue eyes. They are all similarly tall, dark, and handsome.

"Damn, if you're not a chip off the old block," says Chase with a glance at Carson.

Carter steps forward. "I'm your Uncle Carter," he announces, "and this is your Uncle Chase," right before wrapping Connor in a hug. As he lets go. Chase steps forward, his voice husky with emotion. "Welcome to the family, kid."

Then, each of the women steps forward and follows suit. Kat, with her dark hair and cat-like green eyes, engulfs him in a fierce hug. Val comes up with the baby. "I'm your Auntie Val," she says, her dark wavy hair framing her dark eyes with deep dimples on both cheeks. She pulls him in with one arm for a side hug. "And this is your cousin, Gabriella. Gabby, meet Connor."

Gabriella reaches out with her baby hands and pats Connor's face. We watch as his eyes soften as he looks at her. He leans toward her, "Hi Gabby, I'm your cousin." He leans down and brushes her cheek with his hand. Little Gabby looks up at him with total fascination. Then she holds out her hands toward Connor, wanting to go to him, surprising both her parents.

"Oh, my gosh," Val exclaims. "Gabby never wants anyone else to hold her."

Connor's chest puffs out a little as he gives Gabby a lopsided smile. She gurgles and returns a toothless grin.

After all the introductions are over, Chase waves all of us into his huge backyard. A large covered deck with a fire pit and grill beckons us forward.

The entire backyard is a colorful oasis filled with all different types of flowers. A hint of honeysuckle sweetens the breeze, and the slosh of a water feature tucked into a corner of their high privacy fence adds the perfect background noise along with a touch of serenity.

We all take a seat around their large outdoor table as Val situates Gabby comfortably in her highchair. Chase disappears into the kitchen, emerging a few minutes later with a huge platter of steaks and a tray of vegetables. The sizzle of meat hitting the hot grill fills the air, mingling with the smoky aroma of charring steaks.

Carter and Carson, his hand resting on Connor's shoulder, join Chase around the now smoking grill. The guys each hold a cold beer in their hand while Connor is handed a wet can of soda from an iced cooler. They're engrossed in a discussion about the perfect char on a steak.

Val and Kat steal glances my way, their curiosity plain to see. Val is the first to break the ice. "Connor seems like a fine young man," she says. "I'm sure you're very proud."

I offer them both a tentative smile. "I am. Thank you."

Kat leans in with a friendly smile. "He resembles Carson. Bonnie had a family photo of the guys when they were younger. I swear he looks just like Carson did at that age."

"We spent the day with Bonnie yesterday," I share with them. "She showed us the photo and said the same thing."

"Oh, don't you just love Bonnie? She's the best mother-in-law," Val states with a fond smile.

Kat agrees. "She's been nice to me as well."

We make light small talk as the men continue to man the grill.

Val throws a glance over her shoulder at the smoky scene by the grill, then leans forward conspiratorially. "Speaking of family," she says with a grin, "the guys are talking about another cookout at Bonnie's place. It's quite a sight, all three brothers working the smoker together, dishing out mountains of food. They invite everyone – family, friends, neighbors. It's a real event," Val continues, her voice tinged with excitement, "and let me tell you, everyone has a blast!"

Kat joins in, a playful glint in her cat-like green eyes. "Everyone brings a covered dish, potluck style. And now that Carter has a motorboat, many people arrive at the party by boat. It's quite festive!" She glances over at my son, a warm smile gracing her lips. "I bet Carson can't wait to introduce Connor to the extended family. There are so many Knights in this town," she says with a slight shake of her head.

I sigh, a mixture of relief and nervousness washing over me. "Connor isn't used to having any family except me." I confide, "Carson and Bonnie have been showing him photos and he's loving it. Connor's eyes light up at every picture. He's asked a million questions about his aunts, uncles, and cousins." I shake my head gently, "It just about broke my heart to see him with his grandma. "

"Aw… I can only imagine," Val says with a loving smile as she reaches over and hands her little one a fuzzy toy. "I cried when she held Gabby for the first time."

A burst of laughter from the men shatters the comfortable conversation. "Ladies, the steaks are ready!" Chase announces with a grand sweep of his hand. "We have medium, medium-well, and well-done—"

"There's only one well-done, and that was made especially for you, Kat," Carter says with a teasing smile as he spears the charred piece and places it on a plate for his fiancée. "Thank you," responds Kat with a regal nod, a playful glint in her eyes. "As you wish," replies Carter with a wink that has Kat blushing.

We all chuckle at the obvious Princess Bride reference, a shared joke between the two. Kat grins at the good-natured teasing. I look around at the ease with which everyone talks to one another. Even Connor seems effortlessly woven into the fabric of this family. He belongs, while I… I do not. Their shared laughter is something I'm only a witness to.

A cold knot of isolation twists in my gut. I steal a glance around the table, the laughter and easy camaraderie a sharp contrast to the hollowness inside me. Like a child forgotten on Christmas morning, I feel a prickle of tears threatening to spill over. I'm the outsider.

My gaze darts to Carson. His eyes are fixed on me, an unreadable expression etched on his face. I quickly look away. My nerves are raw and vulnerable.

As the others continue to banter back and forth, I find myself daydreaming about what it would be like if Carson and I were a couple—a real family. I notice the way the Knight men adore their significant others. A stab of feeling, dangerously close to being jealousy, flashes through me. There was a time when Carson looked at me like that. He made me feel so cherished.

My mind drifts back to one drowsy afternoon when we were walking through a quaint town. I don't remember which town; its name lost in the passage of time. It had been a long, tiring day, but spending it with Carson made it enjoyable.

We found ourselves beneath the shade of a sprawling tree. Its wide branches shielding us from the bright sun. A soft breeze rustled the leaves overhead, carrying with it the salty tang of the nearby ocean.

Over cans of cold root beer, Carson shared his plans for the family business. His intense blue eyes blazing with a passion that made me smile. Even then, just by the way he spoke about his work, I knew he was destined for success.

His passionate speech eventually faded into a comfortable silence. Yawning, I must have drifted off to sleep snuggled against his broad shoulder.

Opening my eyes, I looked up to find his bright blue gaze fixed on me, an intensity that started a longing deep inside my heart. In the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and the sound of the ocean waves on the shore, I knew right then that I had fallen in love with him. In that stolen moment in time, I allowed myself to dream of forever—a future with Carson, bound together by love and commitment.

I hear a bark of laughter that immediately pulls me back to reality. I steal another wistful glance at Carson's family as they continue eating, laughing, and acting like the close-knit family I've always yearned for.

I shake my head ruefully. I learned a long time ago that daydreams are just that, unfulfilled dreams.

Plates clatter as I help clear the table. We all gather around the crackling fire pit, the flames casting a warm glow on everyone's faces.

Chase glances over at Carson. "You guys going to Wild Riders tomorrow night? I told Sam we'd all be there," he says, his gaze lingering pointedly on Connor.

Connor frowns, a furrow creasing his brow. "What's Wild Riders?" He looks up at his dad, a question mark etched on his face.

"It's a biker's bar that Sam, my uncle, and your great-uncle owns," Carson explains with a smirk on his lips.

"A biker's bar? Like motorcycles or bicycles?" Connor's innocent question elicits a round of chuckles from the men.

"Motorcycles, Connor," Carson clarifies, his smirk widening. "Definitely motorcycles."

"Really? Do you have a motorcycle?" Connor asks, his eyes wide with saucer-like wonder.

Carson nods. "Yeah, I have a bike, and so do both of your uncles." He lifts his chin in a gesture towards Chase and Carter. "And… so does Val. She rides a Spyder, the kind with two wheels in the front."

Connor's jaw drops in awe. "Cool!" he exclaims, glancing over at Val in disbelief.

Chase shakes his head with a chuckle, leans forward, and looks directly at Connor. "Would you like to see our bikes?"

Connor's eyes widen even further. He nods his head vigorously, bouncing with excitement.

Val glances at me, a knowing look in her eyes. "Go ahead, you should check out my Spyder," she says. "I need to put Gabby down for the night." We glance down at Gabby, now nestled in her mother's arms, her eyelids drooping sleepily. I offer a soft laugh. "Okay, I'll be right back."

Kat and I stand up and follow the men into the garage. Inside, two sleek motorcycles gleam in the dim light. One is a black Harley Davidson with "Chaser" emblazoned on the side in a stylish script. Val's machine stands beside it – a beautiful blue Spyder with "Bella" written across the side.

"These are amazing," I breathe, captivated by the chrome and leather machines.

As the men continue showing off their bikes to a wide-eyed Connor, Kat leans in and gives me a conspiratorial wink. "We can head back in," she whispers.

I offer her a grateful nod. "Don't worry," she continues, her voice barely above a murmur. "I doubt they even noticed we left. But honestly, even though I get a little bored with the motorcycle talk sometimes, it really is fun. I love riding behind Carter. I don't want my own bike, though. But if I did, it would definitely be a Spyder like Val's."

I nod in agreement. "I've never ridden on a motorcycle before," I confess.

"Shh…" Kat hushes me playfully. "Anna, don't let them hear you say that. They'll have you on the back of a bike in a heartbeat!"

I return her smile, a nervous flutter in my stomach. Turning to head back outside, Kat catches my gaze and gives me an earnest look. "Seriously, though," she says. "The Knight family is all about motorcycles."

Back outside, we find Val resting comfortably on a chair, her feet propped up. "Gabby, my precious little one, is fast asleep," she says with a loving smile. Then, seeing none of the men around, she leans in and lowers her voice. "So, Anna, what's going on with you and Carson?"

A blush creeps up my neck as their expectant eyes land on me.