Page 120 of When Hearts Awaken

“I heard that…unfortunately, I’m completely sober!” Belle bemoans as we laugh again.

“God, this is more fun than I originally thought. Who knew baby showers could be so fun?” I smirk.

“Maybe because we’re all halfway to being drunk!” Olivia shoves as we dissolve into giggles again.

Lana clears her throat and hands Belle a glass of water before raising her own glass of mystery flavored martini. “I want to propose a toast.”

She turns toward Belle, who looks absolutely radiant in her lavender floral maxi dress. “Belle, thank you for joining our family and making my brother the happiest man on earth.”

She swallows, no doubt thinking about the normally cold and aloof Maxwell, who’s been through too much tragedy in his life.

“You saved him,” Lana whispers, her voice trembling. “I was always so worried about him before…trapping himself in the estate, thinking he’s doomed to live a lonely and loveless life. And then you came in and turned his world upside down in the best way.” Lana’s eyes tear up.

Belle sniffles and grabs Lana’s hand.

Lana nods and wipes her eyes. “And now you’re going to make me an aunt! You’re fulfilling his dream of having a family of his own. Th-Thank you.”

“You’re making me cry!” Belle pulls Lana to her and the two hug.

Grace and I glance at each other, my vision blurry too, because how could anyone not feel anything in this moment?

“This makes me want to meet someone too,” Olivia whispers next to me and I sneak a look at her, finding her staring at the scene with a forlorn expression on her face.

She quickly glances at me and smiles before shaking her head. “Ignore me. I’m an emotional drunk.” She waves her empty glass in my face.

I smirk. “But I thought you said you weren’t drunk.”

My phone buzzes in the pocket of my navy sundress, part of my PR friendly attire Lana has assigned me.

Taking it out, I grin and read the message.

Charles

How’s the baby shower? Maxwell is annoying me. He keeps asking for updates, but he doesn’t want to text his wife and ruin her moment. The fucker doesn’t want to let her out of his sight. Remind me not to be like that in the future.

My heart sprints laps inside my rib cage.The future? Baby? Me and him?An image forms in my mind—a little girl with blond curls and gray eyes wearing a pink tutu, giggling as I twirl with her in the studio. Charles leaning against the window, watching us, a grin tugging his lips.

I rake in an inhale. I’d never imagined this future for me before. It never seemed possible, but now…

Butterflies beat their wings in my gut as I reread his message again, bubbles forming inside my chest.

Yes, I want this future with him. I want to tell him I love him and I want this image in my mind to become my reality.

Wetting my lips, my fingers shaking, I type an answer.

Taylor

It’s going well. I’m actually having fun.

Taylor

And reason number infinity: You’re the only person I can imagine a future with.

My pulse kicks up as I wait for his response. It comes a few seconds later.

Charles

I can’t tell you how hard it is to keep myself from coming over and stealing you away to start on that future right now.

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