Page 59 of Lahaina Noon

Gabe opened his mouth, and she whirled on him, “Not on your life, bud. I willalwaysbe Mom to you!” She poked him in the chest with a smile. She turned to the dragon, “Liam, I’m sorry to ask, but I need a minute with my son if you don’t mind.”

He nodded in agreement and scurried out of the room, murmuring about checking if Jorrie had returned yet. She was going along as their foreign relations expert. It helped that she was fluent in Italian as well. Of course, so were Vaughn and Ivan, but that wasn’t surprising considering the amount of time they’d both spent there. Once they were alone, she sat in one of the chairs and motioned her son to sit as well.

“Hi, baby.” She smiled at him.

He smiled back. “Hi, Momma.”

“I just wanted to see how you were doing with all of this. A lot has changed in the last few days, and it can be overwhelming. I guess I just need to know you’re okay with it. With this,” she gestured around them, “with Vaughn, the dragon aspect, this trip we are about to undertake, being away from your friends. You know this is going to be dangerous. I would understand if you wanted to stay here.”

Gabriel sat for a moment, giving her words some serious thought. He looked so much like his father just now. “Mom, I love you, and you deserve to be happy. You’ve worked so hard for my happiness since Dad died that you didn’t take time for yourself. I really like Vaughn; he’s a cool guy, and I can tell he loves you a lot. I mean, being a dragon is super badass, but he makes you happy. Yeah, I know there’s danger, but staying here would be dangerous too, with these shadow jerks looking for us. I’d rather be with you, helping keep you and Aunt Jorrie safe. Besides, what kid wouldn’t want to get out of school early and go to freaking Italy instead!”

She studied the little man sitting in front of her. She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve this wonderful human, but he was hers, and she was grateful. “Thank you, baby. He means the world to me, and so do you. I just want you to know he will never replace you in my heart. You have your own special place there.” She sighed happily as she sensed Vaughn behind her.

“Nor would I ever want to replace you there,” he said to Gabe.

Gabe got up and wrapped his mother and Vaughn both in a hug. They all stood there, soaking in the moment, and Gabe whispered, “I love our family.”

Bridget kissed him on the cheek. “You better, he bribed the principal for you.”

Chapter 33

That evening, when everyonewas in bed, Vaughn lay on his back staring at the ceiling. So many emotions were warring within him.

Bridget snuggled up to his side. “Now who’s thinking too hard?”

He rumbled at her, and she took the hint, laying her head on his chest, his strong arms wrapped around her.

“What’s got you thinking so hard, my love?” she whispered.

“Just,” he paused, “Something Gabe said earlier.”

She lifted her head. “What was it?”

He made a non-committal shrug.

“Vaughn, tell me.” She commanded softly.

He looked at her, knowing he couldn’t keep anything from her, and said quietly. “Earlier, when Gabe said, ‘I love our family’ it really struck a chord with me. I haven’t had a family for so long. I have my employees and friends, but not a true family like you, Gabe, Jack and Jorrie have. You’re a family unit. I never knew that was something I wanted. But now, having a small taste of that, I’ve realized that I do. I want a family,and I want it with you. With you and Gabe and Jack and Jorrie. With Liam and even Siobhan. I want,” he paused.

She nudged him gently to continue.

“I want children of my own. With you.”

“Oh, Vaughn,” she whispered. “You dear, sweet man. You’re already part of our family. That’s what Gabe meant when he said he loved our family. He’s including you in that. You are part of our lives; we aren’t letting you go. And silly goose, Liam and Siobhan are definitely family as well.”

He closed his eyes and wrapped her tightly against him. “God, I love you, woman.”

“You better! I love you, too.”

He relaxed his grip and looked at her. “Bridget, about the other,” he began.

She laid a finger over his mouth and crawled on his lap, leaning down to him. She replaced her finger with her lips, kissing him softly. “Vaughn,” she sighed. “I don’t know if it’s still possible for me anymore, but I’m willing to try.” She kissed him again before they fell into a familiar rhythm, making love gently before they fell asleep, knowing they faced a long day ahead.

The next morning reminded Bridget of that scene inHome Alonewhen the family wakes up and realizes the power is out and they’ve missed their alarm. There were people everywhere, underfoot, running this way and that. She thought she was very in the way. Looking for somewhere to be, she wandered into the kitchen. She found Jack there, leaning against the counter, staring sadly into his coffee.

She leaned on him and put her head on his shoulder. “Hey, brother.”

Jack leaned his head on hers and sighed. “Hey, little sister.” They stood there like that for a few minutes, just breathing.

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