Page 51 of Connected By Stars
“Hey, sweet girl. Are you having fun tonight?” I run my hands through her soft dark curls as she lays her cheek against my shoulder. I look up and catch Bell’s eyes. She’s staring at me, and something passes between us. A little girl with blond curls and big blue eyes invade my mind. A deep longing in my chest takes me by surprise.
I see her blink back tears and know she’s envisioning the same.
“She must really like you,” Sadie says, watching the way Harper is content in my arms. “She usually doesn’t reach for people that she just met.”
I tear my gaze from Bell and smile at Sadie. “She knows who’s the most fun here. Kids love me.” I grin at the cuteness in my arms.
Sage announces dinner is ready, and Sadie takes Harper from me to strap her in the stroller they brought so she can eat next to them. We get our drinks and find our seats with our names on the place cards.
Noah and Emma are at the head of the table. I hand Noah and Emma their drinks and sit down to his right. Bell’s place card is right next to me. I smile at how much Emma strategicallyplaces us together. Skye, Cole, and Sophia take seats across from us while James and Sadie are on the other side of Bell. Our parents and Luna are further down the table. Both grandparents and cousins are at the other table next to us.
Sage and Jax stand up at the end and softly clink their glasses with a fork to get everyone’s attention.
“Jax and I just wanted to say a few words before everyone starts eating. I’ll try to do this without crying, but I can’t make any promises.” She smiles at Noah and Emma before continuing. “Noah, from the moment you were born and I held you in my arms, I knew you would always be my special boy. Even though you and Maverick gave Maya and me grey hairs prematurely over the years,” she looks at me, and we all laugh, “I love you more than you could ever possibly know. You’ve grown into the type of person that people strive to be one day. I knew you were waiting for that one girl that your soul would connect with, and the moment I met Emma, I knew I was witnessing a beautiful love story.
“Emma,” she turns and looks at her, “Jax and I would never want to replace your parents, nor could we. They were amazing people who raised a beautiful daughter, and I wish more than anything that they could be sitting with us at this table today.” I look over at Emma, and she’s silently crying as Noah holds her. I see Bell wipe her eyes. I place my hand on her thigh to let her know I’m here. She grabs my hand and doesn’t let go.
Sage wipes her eyes and continues. “We want you to know, Emma, that we think of you as our daughter and love you just like you were our own. You love our son unconditionally and bring a light to his eyes that he was missing, and we will forever be grateful to you. There will be times tomorrow that will be hard for you without your parents, but I hope you know they are here with you. You carry them here,” she holds a hand on her heart. “I want you to feel how much love is surrounding youtonight and know that we will always be here for you.” She wipes her eyes again and gives a small laugh. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to do this without crying.”
Jax puts his arm around her, and she lays her head on his chest. “Sage pretty much said it all. I just want you to know how proud we are of you, son. You’ve been one of my best friends most of my life, and you make me a better person just by being in the same room as you.” His eyes fill with tears. “Damn it,” he says, wiping them away and laughing softly. “And Emma, everything Sage said comes from my heart, too. We couldn’t have asked for a better girl for our Noah. You’re family now and stuck with us, and that includes the Lane’s,” he says, looking at my parents and then Sophia and I. “Good luck with that.” We all laugh as they sit down.
Noah and Emma get up and give Jax and Sage a hug. There isn’t a dry eye at the table.
“You ok?” I ask Bell.
“Yeah, I knew I was going to be a blubbering mess today and tomorrow,” she says, laughing softly and wiping her eyes. “Thank you,” she says, still holding my hand.
“For what?”
“For just being here with me.” She squeezes my hand again.
“There’s no place I’d rather be,” I say, knowing that’s been my truth for a while now. It just took me a long time to realize it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Bella
After we saygoodbye to everyone, the seven of us sit on the sofa outside by the fire table. The girls and I will be leaving soon to go to Emma’s house for the night. We won’t see the boys again until we walk down the aisle.
“I’m going to go make sure I have everything packed that I need,” Emma says, getting up.
“I’m going to go help her.” Noah stands up and sets his glass down.
“I bet that’s not all he’s going to help her with,” Cole laughs.
“We haven’t spent a night apart since returning from the hospital. I want to say goodnight to my fiancé the proper way that she deserves,” he says, grinning.
Emma blushes and squeals as Noah picks her up over his shoulder and carries her upstairs.
“Well, at least someone is getting some tonight,” Sophia says, sighing. “I haven’t had a good lay in months, and even then, it wasn’t something to brag about.”
“Jesus, Soph. I really don’t need to hear about my sister’s sex life.”
“Well, lucky for you, there is nothing to tell. It’s practically nonexistent. Guys don’t know how to please a girl anymore.”
“You haven’t been with the right guys then,” Cole laughs. “Right, baby?” He looks at Skye.
“That’s right. I have no complaints in that department.” Skye grins at Cole.
