46. Carter / Lara

Chapter 46

Carter / Lara

Carter

I ’m falling more in love with Lara with each passing moment.

I wasn’t sure it was possible, but as I watch her interacting with the people I hold dearest, I realise it is.?

Teddy lived up to his Big Ted nickname, introducing himself to Lara and wrapping her in a huge bear hug, almost lifting her feet off the floor. She let out a sweet laugh, the sound hitting me square in the chest like an arrow.?

My brother then proceeded to call me out in front of everyone, telling Lara he hoped this meeting would mean I’d stop gushing about her every time I opened my mouth. Lara’s face flushed pink, her hand coming up to cover her mouth, but it was clear she was smiling beneath it. If anything, at least it proved I wasn’t lying when I said I told them almost everything about her.

It doesn’t take long before Lara and my niece become best friends. As soon as she saw the book in Winnie’s hand, Lara sat with her and asked if they could read it together. My heart threatens to burst right out of my chest at the sight. We haven’t spoken about children yet, and probably won’t for a while, but the way she’s talking animatedly with Winnie tells me she’d make an excellent mother if or when the time came.?

Winnie was easily the most excited to meet Lara. She’s been obsessed with her Aunty Emmy for weeks now, constantly wanting to talk to her, see her or dress like her, so it’s no surprise she’s completely enamoured with Lara now.

“Dinner is served!” My father announces with a clap from the doorway, happiness radiating from him. His family is his pride and joy, and Friday Dinner has been the highlight of his week since we started the tradition.

Lara stands, holding out her hand for Winnie, helping her up. Lara takes a step toward me, but a small tug on her skirt from Winnie stops her. “Can you sit next to me, Lala? Uncle Cart can sit next to you too.”

Bless her tiny soul. We tried telling her several times it's Lara , but Winnie’s stubborn and doesn’t like to be wrong.?

“I’d be honoured,” Lara replies, grinning down at her, then glancing at me. “Looks like our places have been chosen for us, Uncle Cart.”

Winnie starts toward the dining room, hand still firmly clasping Lara’s. When she doesn’t move, my niece lets out an adorable huff, dropping her hand and continuing on alone, leaving just Lara and me in the drawing room.

“Would it be odd to admit that hearing you call me Uncle Cart has almost the same effect as when you call me Mr Lawrence or sir?”

Lara grins at me, eyes bright. “Odd? Yes.” She takes a step closer, coming almost chest-to-chest with me. “Hot? Also yes. It makes me wonder what other names would have the same effect. Daddy , perhaps?”

This woman.

But two can play at this game.

“How about we leave that one until there’s a tiny two-legged reason to call me that?”

Her eyes widen. I can’t help but mirror the grin she donned only moments ago.

“Come on, our dinner will get cold.”

Lara is still gobsmacked as we make our way to the dining room. Winnie enthusiastically smacks the chair next to her when she sees us approach. Her dad sits across from her, trying and failing to hide his amusement at her excitement. Next to him is my father, followed by my mother, and Emmy sits at the head of the table. I pull out the chair, and Lara takes her prearranged spot next to Winnie. All eyes are on us, and it takes effort to fight against the blush rising on my chest.

Spirited chatter begins around us, making me realise I forgot to warn Lara about how lively the conversation can get at the dinner table. But when I glance over at her and notice the gleam in her eyes, it seems the warning would’ve been a waste of time. She’s completely enraptured by my family. I reach over and place my hand on her knee; the need to touch her is constant. If it annoys her, she doesn’t let on, instead giving me a shy smile.?

My sister’s stare burns a hole in the side of my head, observing the whole thing. I look over at her, expecting to see judgement, but I’m instead greeted with a knowing grin. I can’t help but return it, knowing full well my sister can see right through the casual palm on Lara’s knee. I’m completely smitten, and Emmy knows it.?

Naturally, my brother would pick right now, when I’m enjoying a wholesome moment with our sister, to stir shit.

“Hands where we can see them thanks, Carter. There are children in the room.”

There are many varied reactions to this: Mum and Lara chuckle and Dad whisper-shouts, “Theodore!” before giving him a light smack on the crown of his head. Emmy and I roll our eyes. Winnie’s reaction is my favourite, though; her eyes dart down to where my hand still rests on Lara’s knee and up to meet my gaze. Her little blue eyes narrow in my direction before returning to their normal size when she redirects her attention to Teddy.

“I’ll watch him, Daddy,” she says, ever so seriously before continuing to chomp on the stick of carrot in her hand.?

I lean into Lara, my lips mere inches from her ear. “On second thought, maybe we should try out the Daddy thing?—”

“Lalalala,” blurts my sister, who’s sticking her fingers in her ears like a child, eyes squeezed shut.?

A blush ascends the column of Lara’s throat, and she lets out a small, startled cough.

This gets the attention of the rest of the table once more. “Emilia, whatever are you doing?” My mother half shouts in an attempt to be heard through Emmy’s dramatics.

“She’s clearly trying to block out whatever filth was pouring from young Carter’s mouth,” Teddy answers. Oh, how I wish he were close enough to smack.

My mother’s mouth is agape, and my father is giving me a stern look. “Son, please. Rein it in at the dinner table for your sister’s sake.”

Lara begins laughing to the point her eyes water. Everyone else is silent, and when Lara notices, she stops abruptly. “Sorry, I’m finding this very entertaining.” She wipes a stray tear from beneath her bottom lashes.

Winnie looks at her with bewilderment before breaking out into her own laughter, causing Lara’s fit to start again, and soon, the entire table joins in.?

Lara

The rest of dinner went off without a hitch, full of laughter and stories of the Lawrence siblings' childhoods. It was all kinds of wonderful. The smile hasn’t left my face, even as I lie in Carter’s arms several hours later.

“Your family is incredible.”

With my head resting on his chiselled chest, his heartbeat kicking up a notch is palpable.?

“I think they’d say the same about you.”

I smile against him, rubbing my nails lightly against his bare skin. “I mean it though, thank you for inviting me tonight. I’ve never experienced a family dinner like that, or a family dinner full stop really.”

“I know they don’t know you overly well yet, but they think the world of you, love. As do I. You are the most divine woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’m looking forward to not only every moment I get to spend with you—which’ll be many moments, by the way—but also everything you’re going to achieve in life. You are destined for greatness, and don’t you ever forget it.”

With a kiss on my forehead, Carter leans over and turns out the light. As I snuggle into his embrace and blink away the emotion rising to the surface, the pieces slide into place.

I love this man.

For weeks now I’ve felt myself falling for him more and more, so this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The complete calm I feel at the revelation is what surprises me.

“Carter?”

Well aware he’s the type to fall asleep almost instantly, I don’t move for fear of waking him.

“Yes, love?” he murmurs against the crown of my head.

“I love you.”

I’d expected my heart rate to double upon saying those three words out loud. Instead, it beats steadily. Carter’s heart beats in tune beneath my palm. He covers my hand with his own, giving it a small squeeze.

“I was beginning to think you’d never admit it.”

Looking up at him, everything I feel is mirrored in his eyes. Where I expected to see a smirk or smug look, there’s nothing but genuine adoration.

“I love you too, Lara.”

The lack of light only highlights his misty-eyed gaze.

A feeling of divine serenity washes over me.?

Perhaps I don’t need to have everything figured out yet. In the most unexpected of ways, I’ve found a man who’s in love with me and, more importantly, one who believes in and supports me wholeheartedly. With him by my side, I’ll find my way.