Page 41 of Sassy Embrace

Leigh wasn't trying to listen in, but where she was sitting in the kitchen was directly next to the patio where the men were chatting. Jordan, Ellie, Karla, and Barbara were talking aboutadding another wing to the grand home while Leigh held a napping CJ in her arms.

Aric and Caleb asked Claude about Embraced in a light, conversational manner.

She couldn’t see Claude, but she knew in her mind’s eye that he was shrugging.

"They seem to be going as well as you’d imagine. The social media response wasn't great."

Tristan jumped in with a scoff.

"You can’t please people on the internet. Plus, hate always gets more traction. But I have heard a lot of positive reactions. I think it is going beautifully.”

Claude sounded surprised but encouraged by Tristan's assertion about the vampire-werewolf club.

"Oh, well that’s nice to hear. You're right, it's easy to get bogged down by the bullshit."

“Very easy,” Nate said, likely clapping the vampire on the shoulder. "Don't sweat it, man. I know things are going to work out with that place. You and Leigh have been working really hard. It shows."

Claude's voice was incredibly thankful and that brought on another wave of blushes for Leigh. She was starting to realize how easily Claude fit into their big family. Had she completely overreacted to his nature as a vampire?

It was starting to seem so.

An hour after getting food and decorations in order, Mason, Emma, and Babs arrived at the Wolfe family compound. Much to everyone's surprise and delight, they brought Aria, Trevan, and little baby Mai with them.

Everyone was enchanted by the presence of the two sweet babies. There was another rush of greetings when the new parents entered, becoming completely accosted of their newborns by everyone who wanted to hold the little balls of joy.Emma and Aria were summoned to the couch in the lounge and treated like queens for the entire brunch.

Mai and Babs were passed around multiple times as everyone ate and chatted. Claude and Leigh sat next to each other on a loveseat, watching all the charm spread around the room like the most wonderful fragrance. Leigh could feel Claude's hand on her thigh, rubbing it up and down. Watching Claude watching everyone else have fun gave her that strong sense of home again.

“Okay, it's time for pictures everyone!” Tristan hollered, having taken out a vintage camera from his study.

“Oh, really, Tristan?” Aria remarked playfully. “I am not at my best right now.”

“I think you not being at your best is likely many other people's best,” Trevan jeered charmingly, kissing his wife on the cheek. "You arestunning. You always are."

Eventually, everyone managed to gather around the new parents and their fresh newborn babies in front of the fireplace for a few family photos. Everyone kept calling Aria and Trevan cousins, rendering Mai an honorary cousin.

Leigh's heart swam with enduring appreciation.

“Okay, Leigh, Claude, get in here," Mason said.

“Yeah, Claude,” Leigh said, dipping her hand into the vampire’s. “Let’s get in there."

She winked at him, the gorgeous, dark, and mysterious man who had captured her heart. When he smiled, her chest lit up, a thousand sparklers all going off at once.

“Anything you want, sweetheart," he murmured back.

Leigh guided him into the group pictures, standing next to Mason and Emma. Emma was cradling Babs, who maintained her feisty personality with a squirmy, disgruntled expression. Tristan set up the old-school camera on a tripod, then set the timer. He jogged over to his wife and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

“Okay everyone, smile for the camera,” he said.

“Cheese!”the triplets said with a giggle.

They took a few photos with a good handful of comical blunders. The triplets began to lose interest while CJ was getting fussy. The new mothers were once again summoned over to rest while their little babies were tended to by the assortment of family members.

The party continued with endless socializing and delicious food. People gathered in different rooms, holding conversations about sports, politics, or nursery school rhymes.

Claude and Leigh lingered in the kitchen and helped Tristan and Barbara clean up from the celebration.

It was very tiring to Leigh, but in a way that felt good. Her heart was overflowing with the most magnificent sentiment – that she and Claude were indeed meant to be and that they were going to do just fine in a blended family situation.

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