35. Lake

LAKE

When the door opened,I knew we were in the right place.

Kace and Teal's house was party central for New Year's Eve and was already hopping with controlled-chaos as usual. Kids were everywhere and Stormi had been chomping at the bit to get to her friends. She wasted no time jumping into the fray the second she crossed the threshold.

"Be careful and watch your breathing," I called out to her even though I wasn't sure she could hear a word I said.

Bronson rubbed his palm up and down my back. "She'll be okay, I'll go check on her in just a minute."

I turned my head and smiled up at him. "Thank you."

He knew me better than anyone and just how to soothe me. When my emotions were on overload, he calmed me. But the sexy devil also knew how to play my body and make it sing with pleasure.

My core tingled just thinking about it and my man gave me a panty-melting smile as he chuckled.

Damn him.

"Come on you two, before you combust and go up in flames right here at my front door," Teal said, laughing.

"Who's going up in flames?" Kace asked, walking up and wrapping his arms around his wife's waist.

She pointed between Bronson and me. "These two are making ‘take me to bed eyes' at each other."

Kace leaned his mouth next to Teal's ear and whispered something we couldn't hear, but her face flamed red.

"Looks like there might be two fires to put out if we don't get moving," Bronson said, grabbing my hand to move me further into the house.

The four of us made our way to the big kitchen where a lot of the adults had congregated. Glancing around the room, I smiled at the large, crazy group of friends that I called family.

"Could we get any more people in here?" I joked out loud.

It was a big kitchen but there were a lot of us and when the kids all came running in to grab snacks, we were packed in like a can of sardines.

"I sure hope so," London said tentatively. She glanced around at the group, her hand resting on her belly.

And it clicked, but Alley was the first to call her out.

"Oh my god, that's why you aren't drinking! That man of yours already has you knocked up!"

Lance moved in and pulled London in close to his side. A huge smile stretched across his face. "Damn straight I do. Right, Goldilocks?" He turned his head and kissed her cheek, lovingly.

All the women in the room swooned.

The noise in the room elevated and the adults gave the kids a run for their money on the chaos front as we all swarmed the happy couple to congratulate them.

I watched Lance and London beam with pure joy. I couldn't help the wistful gaze as I hoped my daughter, along with Bronson and I, would get to feel the same way soon.

My husband, once again completely in tune with my emotions, pulled me against him. With my back to his front, I leaned my head back against him and he brought his mouth to my ear.

"Our turn is coming, sweetheart. I will do everything I can to make it happen soon."

I shivered as his sweet words and warm breath drove deep into my ear. There was a time I wasn't sure I'd ever believe him again when he first walked back into my life, but now he was the person I trusted and believed in the most.

"I know you will, babe."

There wasn't time to say anything else because a herd of kids came barreling into the room. Stormi moved more slowly, looking winded and tired. She pulled out her inhaler and made her way to us as worry washed through me.

I squatted down in front of her, Bronson doing the same, as she took a couple of puffs. It may not be a bad episode, but that didn't stop me from that flutter of panic that came when she was struggling at all. I rubbed her back softly and waited.

"I'm okay, Mommy," she reassured a bit breathlessly.

Even while she was having a hard time, my sweet girl was concerned about how I was feeling.

"I know, baby. You did really well by taking a break and using your inhaler when you needed to."

She smiled at both her dad and me. "And none of the kids make fun of me either."

Embry, Peyton, Piper, and Autumn ran up to us. "Come on Stormi, we're going to watch a movie so you aren't running around," Embry announced. "Besides, we're all tired and need a break," she added.

It was obvious to me, but not Stormi thankfully, that she added the second part to comfort my daughter so she didn't think everyone was slowing down because of her. Embry may be sassy but she was just as sweet.

"Okay," Stormi said, smiling at her idol.

The girls all linked hands and headed out of the room, a load of kids following them as always. It was like a train with Embry as the conductor.

As they all filed out of the kitchen, the doorbell rang.

"I"ll grab it," Ruby said with a sly look on her face.

I wondered what that was about, but it didn't take long to find out.

When the new guest walked into the kitchen, the noise in the room hit epic proportions for a second time that evening.

It was a surprising kind of night.

First Lance and London's news.

And then…

"Jett," Patience said, a shy smile pulling at her lips. But then in the next second, her feet were flying across the kitchen floor.

He wrapped her up in a hug and collective sighs echoed through the room.

I didn't think there was a single one of us that was not hoping those two would one day admit how they felt for each other.

To all of us it was obvious. But to them, they were trying to honor their best friend status.

It was something Bronson and I had done for so long too and then things blew up in our faces.

Alley had told me there was always a second chance and she'd been right. And hey, best friends to lovers worked too.

Bronson and I were proof it could all happen.

"You're a sneaky thing,"Teal said to Ruby.

The red-headed beauty smiled smugly. "Hey, Jett wanted it to be a surprise and I'd do most anything for my baby brother."

Ruby's gaze traveled to where Jett sat with Patience and her son. The toddler was enamored with Jett and had been following him around everywhere throughout the night. It was getting late and sweet baby Griffin was in Jett's arms, his head resting against his shoulder.

My friends sighed. "I think now that he's been away for a while, he's realizing what he has right here at home. Jett was always there for her but he needed to set his own path and grow. Now that he has done that, I have to believe he'll make things right between them soon."

I turned back to look at Ruby. "I hope so," I said softly. "They look perfect together."

"Yes they do and it's easy to see the longing in Patience's face when she looks at him," Brinley added, nodding.

"Is Gramps going to be bummed he didn't come now that Jett is here?" Gemma asked Ruby.

She gave a small laugh. "Gramps said there was no way he was staying up until midnight and us youngins could party without him tonight. Luckily, Jett is here for a few days so they will spend time together."

"I'm sure Patience will be glad to have him around longer too," Capri said. She looked across the room and then added, "It looks like they both will."

Jurnee, Summer, Alley, and London made their way over to us. All the women were together, except for Patience. I had an inkling there was no way she was leaving Jett's side any more than she had to.

As everyone chatted, I found my gaze seeking out my husband and when it did, my ovaries felt like they might burst. He stood with the guys, holding a beautiful, sleeping Italia.

"He looks good with a baby," Capri said of her daughter in Bronson's arms.

Yes he did.

I couldn't stop from staring and my man must have sensed my eyes on him. He looked over and gave me a tender smile. When he mouthed that he loved me, my heart tumbled over my chest.

"You two are so sweet," Capri said softly.

Still not able to divert my gaze, Bronson then gave me a sexy smirk and winked.

"Holy cheeseballs, he is hot," I said.

All the ladies laughed and I finally pulled my stare from my husband.

"Holy cheeseballs?" Alley questioned, cracking up hysterically. "That is my new favorite saying."

I couldn't help but join in with the laughter that rang out from everyone. "Hey, a mom has to come up with stuff she can actually say around her kid. And if you're around Embry then it keeps me in the clear from losing all my money."

"Did you say money?" Embry asked, sneaking up behind us, all the kids still awake now rushing up as well.

"What did I tell you about sneaking up on people?" Jurnee asked her daughter.

"I wasn't sneaking, I was just looking for opportunities to make money. The guys seem to be on their best behavior tonight so I thought maybe you might slip over here." She gave her mom a smug smile. "Besides we're all thirsty," said, motioning to all the children.

Jurnee was shaking her head. "Fine, everyone come grab something and then we will settle in the living room all together. It's almost midnight."

As the kids trailed Jurnee, I looked at the clock. Time had flown by and there was only fifteen minutes until the New Year. The kids all came back with juice boxes in hand and clappers they could make noise with at countdown.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven…"

All the kids were screaming, banging their clappers, and laughing wildly. I couldn't get close enough to Bronson, excitement racing through me at sharing the moment with him after all we'd been through.

Everyone had gotten even louder, if possible, as the final few seconds dwindled on. "Six, five, four, three, two, one, happy New Year!"

My husband's mouth crashed down on mine in an earth-shattering kiss. "Happy New Year, Cupcake," he said, when his lips finally released mine.

"Happy New Year," I replied, a huge smile on my face.

I looked around the room and my grin only got bigger as I took in the happy faces of all my friends who I knew had been kissed senseless like me. And then everyone was staring in the same direction and my gaze followed.

Jett was just pulling his mouth from Patience. She looked at him with a dazed expression. When they realized they were the center of attention, her cheeks pinkened and she ducked her head.

"Eww!" I heard one of the boys shout.

Dexter was wiping his cheek.

"It's not nice to wipe someone's kisses off," Embry said, her hands planted on her hips as she glared at him.

Braxton groaned. "I think that's my cue to get my daughter home."

And with that monumental ending to the night, It wasn't too much later before things were cleaned up and everyone was packing up to head home.

"Daddy can you carry me?" Stormi asked as we said our goodbyes and headed toward the door.

Her eyes were drooping and I knew she would be out like a light as soon as she got into the car.

"You bet, Muffin." Bronson picked her up and she settled against him.

Many of the kids had been carried out the same way. Some of the guys like Bodie, made multiple trips between his twins and baby Dalton.

"I'll see you at the sleepover!" London shouted, waving as she and Lance got in their car.

I couldn't wait. I'd heard about the sleepovers but London and I had yet to attend one. Some of them had been rather scary, but the ladies never let them forget the amazing moments or let the guys talk them out of it.

"Can't wait, see you soon!" I yelled back.

We got in the car and as I predicted, Stormi was already out within a minute.

Bronson reached over the console and took my hand in his. "Did you have a good time?"

"It was a blast," I replied. "I can't believe how fun and wonderful everyone is sometimes."

"Well believe it, sweetheart."

I didn't know what the new year would bring. I wasn't fooled that the man who had it out for me had suddenly disappeared. His voice and words the night of the accident haunted my dreams. No, he was just biding his time.

While I was being careful and everyone was still looking for the asshole, I wasn't going to let it ruin my new life.

"Think you can reenact that kiss after we get into bed?" I asked.

The car sped up just a little and I laughed. "In a hurry?"

"Well you said kiss and bed so, yeah," my husband replied. "But I can't go too fast, I have precious cargo onboard." He gave my hand a squeeze. "I would never do anything to put you or Stormi in harm"s way."

With my free hand, I lightly pinched the skin on the top of his hand.

"Me loving you and our daughter is as real as it gets, baby."

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, a peaceful feeling washing over me.

"We love you too," I whispered.