Page 184 of Make Us Yours
“Clay told me what was going on, he didn’t feel safe letting me wander around without me knowing what was happening.” Morgan smiles tenderly.
“And Silas can’t keep a secret; you all know that.” Cecilia giggles.
“Why am I not surprised these men could not keep anything to themselves,” Julian mutters under his breath as I chuckle.
“That’s not true! I simply tell you everything because you’re my wife and best friend.” Silas narrows his eyes at her.
“Yeah, well, Greyson didn’t tell me shit. But the big gorilla of a man made himself known when Tommy cornered me at the store last week.” Emma crosses her arms over her chest and pops her hip.
“He what?” Grey glares down at her. I guess this is the first time he’s hearing about it. “Why didn’t you tell me this?!”
She waves him off. “It’s fine. For some reason he thought that we still had some unfinished business and that I was playing games with him. I told him to fuck right off. I was even about to punch him when he grabbed my arm. But then this muscle man came out of nowhere and picked him up by the back of his shirt. Told him if he ever touched me or came near me again, he’d rip him in half.” She smirks wickedly.
“I don’t even know how to process all of that,” Greyson mumbles with a frown.
“What exactly did he tell you?” Julian asks with a displeased expression. I’m guessing that was against direct instructions.
“Not much, he was about to walk away and act like he was just at the right place at the right time. But it wasn’t the first time I saw him, so I asked him to cut the crap, and that’s when he said that I had nothing to worry about, that he was hired to protect me at all costs from any harm that came my way.” She shrugs, to which Julian nods.
“I do wish you had told us what was going on, sweetie. You shouldn’t have had to go through all this alone.” Morgan reaches out and places her hand on Veronica’s arm.
“I know, but it wasn’t your problem to deal with. And I was afraid that you would distance yourselves if you knew everything…” She looks down, vulnerability taking place in her gaze.
“Never! How many times do we have to remind you all? We’re family, and family sticks together.” Cecilia steps up, wrapping her arms around Ronnie.
“So, back to my question. Can someone fill me in, please?” Emma waits patiently, looking at all of us.
Finally, Veronica gives them a quick résumé of what’s been going on with Victor, and the more she talks about it, the more weight I can see lifting off her shoulders. This is how she’ll heal from her past, by talking about it openly.
Once all is said and done, it’s time to head in and join the rest of the celebration. Everyone is already here, parents and the rest of our team with their spouses mingling about. Their large entertainment room is covered in blue and pink baby-themed decorations, with little games and activities to guess what the babies’ genders are.
Veronica, Gabe, and I stand by a table set out with three different types of brooches lying all over it. The first is a full blue pin written with,Double Boy’. The second is all pink and says,‘Double Girl’. And the third is cut diagonally, pink on one side, blue on the other, with‘Boy + Girl’written in the center.
“What do you guys think she’s having?” Gabe asks, smiling down at the table. “I’m going with all girls.” He picks up a pink brooch and fastens it to his shirt.
I reach for an all-blue one. “I’m thinking two boys. I can totally see her being a mama to a couple of boys.” I secure it in place while Veronica continues to look over each one, her fingertip tapping against her bottom lip.
“I think you’re both right.” She picks up the boy/girl one and hands it to me. “I bet she’ll have both. It only makes sense she’d have it all.”
She smiles at me as I pass the pin through her white shirt, making sure not to poke her. When I’m done, she leans in and kisses me. I love these little tender moments between us.
We go around the room, greeting everyone along the way until we reach a beverage table filled with anything you could ask for. Despite it being a gender-reveal party, Morgan still offers alcohol to everyone, and I could kiss her for that right now.
I haven’t touched anything but the occasional beer since we started therapy, but today I’m craving it more than usual. I can’t explain why today, out of all days, I’mfeeling off, but it’s weighing down on me.
Maybe it came with the realization that when I start creating my own family, mine won’t be there to see it grow. That they’ll never get to meet this beautiful, incredible woman I get to call mine and spend the rest of my life cherishing. I’m not sure, but those thoughts must not help my mood.
I walk over to the beer cooler and take three out, handing one to Gabe and another to Veronica. When I hold the last in my hands, I instantly feel guilty taking it, but I need something to take the edge off. I look up to find Veronica watching me. “Is it okay?” I’m not sure why I feel the need to ask her permission, but I do it anyway.
“Of course, babe.” She comes up, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I know it might feel like I’m punishing you sometimes by not letting you drink more, but I only want to help you.” She pecks my lips. “I know today isn’t a great day, so tell me what I can do to make you feel better.”
I place my free hand on her hip, brushing my lips against hers. “Just being here with me, like this, is enough.”
“Okay. But if ever you want to sneak off into a room later, I promise to make you feel so much better.” She giggles against my smiling lips.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
She pulls away smiling. “The offer stands all day.” She winks and heads off to join the girls in their conversation.
