Page 57 of Belle Amour

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Robert opened his mouth to say something else, but Mirabelle and the others came in, and whatever he was going to say was forgotten when he saw Eleanor. Bastian noticed the way he looked her over anxiously before smiling in relief as she approached, and it was clear she was okay.

“It looks like the girls made it through in one piece.” Benji stood up and went to grab a couple of chairs for them, and Robert got up to pull over another table.

“Did you have fun?” Bastian grinned as Mirabelle came over and dropped in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“We had a blast.” She smiled at him and kissed him hello. She then looked at Benji and held out her hand. “We haven't been properly introduced.” She grinned. “Mirabelle, but you can call me Mira.”

“Benji.” He shook her hand with a huge smile. “It’s great to meet you.”

“So you found a karaoke bar, huh?” Bastian asked, tightening his grip on her waist as she started to slip off his lap and holding her firmly in place.

“We found five bars.” The woman with the blonde curls chuckled as she sat down next to Peter. “And drank one or two Manhattans in each one. Caroline.” She held out her hand, and Bastian shook it and said hello.”

“And I’m Lila.” The tiny brunette spoke up, waving at him as she sat beside Benji. “How was the football game?” Lila leaned on her husband's arm and snagged his beer.

“Unfortunately, Bastian and I got a touch of food poisoning just before halftime and had to come back to the hotel.” Benji frowned and took the beer back from her before she could drink. “You're gonna be sick if you mix your alcohol.” He warned gently when she pouted at him. “Tell us about the scavenger hunt.”

Bastian played with Mirabelle’s hair as she, Lila, Caroline and Eleanor filled them all in on everything. He wasn’t all that surprised to hear Eddie’s friend’s wives weren’t fans of Casey; from the brief look he had at the screenshots and based on what Greg had said, he was pretty sure Eddie wasn’t the only one she slept with after he was married. When Mirabelle finished explaining how she had handled Danica’s questions, Eleanor nudged her father with her elbow. “You should take Mother up to bed.” She nodded at Francesca. “She's barely keeping her eyes open.” Bastian saw Francesca was indeed nodding off in the chair.

“How much did she drink?” Victor asked as he got the waitress's attention and asked for his bill.

“More than any of us.” Eleanor reached out and tucked her mother's hair back behind her ear. “She had two or three at each bar. She was quiet but seemed to enjoy herself.” Francesca opened her eyes and batted at Eleanor's hand.

“Stop fussing, Eleanor.” She mumbled. “I'm perfectly fine.”

“I'm rather tired, Love; come to bed with me?” Victor took her hand and kissed the back gently.

“Okay, if you insist.” Francesca nodded and let Victor help her to her feet, saying good night to everyone. Francesca hugged them all tightly, and when she got to Bastian, she leaned in and whispered something in his ear that simultaneously broke his heart and made him feel incredible. He smiled at her and took her hand, kissing the back gently.

“Me too.” He said simply, bringing tears to her eyes. She squeezed his hand and then let him go, letting her husband lead her out of the bar. When they were gone, they all looked at Bastian. “What did she say?” Eleanor asked curiously.

“She's happy Mirabelle has me.” Bastian shrugged.

“All right. Tell us what happened.” Lila demanded, and Bastian breathed a silent sigh of relief that she interrupted because it looked like Eleanor and Mirabelle didn’t believe him and were going to push for him to spill. “We're all dying to know.”

Benji chuckled, and between him and Bastian, they told them what they did. When they finished, Lila looked at Benji like she wanted to eat him. “Come on.” She stood up abruptly, “We're going to bed.” Benji jumped up and winked at the others.

“You'll never hear me say no to that one.” He looked around frantically for the waitress.

“I got it.” Bastian reminded him. “I’d go catch up to her. For such a tiny thing, she moves fast.”

“Thanks, Bast. I got the next ones.” He practically ran after his wife, who was already outside the bar. Peter and Caroline followed not long after, and Eleanor soon tugged atRobert's hand. Bastian said he would take care of the bill and waved the waitress over, charging everything to their room. “Come on, Bunny; I think it's time for bed.” He let her stand up and took her hand, leading her out of the bar.

They were almost to the hall to their room when Mirabelle’s hand was pulled from Bastian’s, and she let out a sharp cry of pain. He immediately whipped around and saw Casey standing with her hands on Mirabelle’s arm and Mirabelle trying to pull away. He could see Casey’s long nails digging into her to the point that they were drawing blood, and he felt a rush of white-hot anger come over him. “HEY!” He barked at her, “Let her go!” Bastian took two steps toward her, his hand clenched into a fist, fully ready to punch her in the nose, but Eddie came running up in a panic and reached them before Bastian did.

“Let her go, Casey! Do you want to be arrested?” He pried her hands off Mirabelle and pulled her back by her waist. Bastian's yell had gotten the desk clerk's attention, and he could see she was watching carefully and had the phone already in her hand.

“I DON'T CARE!” Casey screamed, desperately trying to get to Mirabelle despite Eddie’s wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her against him. “You just couldn't keep your damn mouth shut, could you?”

A slow smile crossed Mirabelle's face as her shock wore off, and Bastian paused, knowing Mirabelle was about to add fuel to the fire. “Did you really think I wasn't going to tell the truth? You two made me out to be some kind of vindictive bitch to save face, then turned around and sent me that incredibly insulting letter, all so Victor and Francesca would pay for your wedding.” She stepped closer to them, and Eddie pulled Casey further back, panic crossing his face. “I came with the attitudethat if no one asked, I wouldn't tell, but I wasn't going to cover for you.”

“Mira, stop,” Eddie said desperately. “I get it, just don't fuck this up for me, please.”

“Fuck this up for you?” Mirabelle laughed harshly at him. “Seriously, Eddie? I don't have to do anything to fuck this up; you did it all on your own. It would have been best if you were honest from the start, like way before you stuck your dick into the psychopath you’re about to marry. You wouldn't have any of these issues.” She smirked as Casey let out an enraged screech when Mirabelle called her a psychopath and tried to get out of Eddie’s arms again. “Now I'm willing to; what did they say in that letter, Bast?” She looked at him and raised her eyebrow.

“Be happy for them and come to the wedding to show your support of the relationship. Mend things and move past them.” Bastian grinned and folded his arms over his chest. Fuck, he loved her. She had absolutely no fear.

“Right,” She nodded and turned back to Eddie. “I'm here. I'm happy for you. I wholeheartedly support this shitshow, and I am willing to mend things. So willing, in fact, that I won't even press charges for assault on your fiancée. From what I understand, it doesn't look like anyone would be able to afford to pay her bail, and it would suck to spend the last few days before your nuptials in jail, wouldn't it, Casey?”

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