Page 87 of The Explorer
“You don’t need to thank me,” I assured her and quickly changed the subject. “When is the due date again?”
“August thirtieth.”
I felt both excited that I was going to be an aunt and disappointed that I would be back in Old Europe before my niece or nephew was born. It saddened me that I wouldn’t get to hold the child until the end of December. Focusing on the positive, I smiled. “At least I get to be here for your big wedding party. Are you excited?”
Mason drew in a sigh deep enough to make his chest rise. “Mom has gone overboard, but that’s to be expected. It’s just a bit much for Belle.” I picked up on the worried glance that Mason shot to his wife.
“What’s wrong? You don’t want a large party?” I asked Belle.
Her gaze fell to the ground. “I don’t want to be ungrateful, but it seems out of proportion to me. I feel so heavy and tired because of the pregnancy that the idea of this massive event feels exhausting to me.”
Mason rubbed her back. “Belle doesn’t like the attention and there will be a lot of press. Dad and Khan insist that the event be transmitted to the entire country so it’s a lot of pressure.”
“I see.” Giving Belle a quick peck on the cheek, I whispered in her ear. “I might be able to help you with that.”
“How?” she asked.
With a mischievous smile, I winked and blended back into the crowd to hug the ones I hadn’t greeted yet.
“There are drinks in the park,” Khan called out to everyone as I walked over to hug my dad and mom once again. With them on each side of me, we walked through the house, my dad’s arm around my shoulders, and my mom’s arm linked under my elbow.
“You don’t know how many times these fuckers talked me out of coming to bring you home.”
I laughed and looked up at my dad. “I’m glad you didn’t. I’ve had an incredible adventure so far.”
Exiting through the large French doors, I took in the colorful flowers and the lushness of the lawn, hedges, and trees in the park that I’d loved so much. After living in Old Europe, I would never again take nature in the Northlands for granted.
“Here.” Indiana came to my side and gave me a drink.
Khan clinked his glass and we all turned to him. “Don’t worry, this won’t be a long speech. Let me just officially welcome you back and tell you that we’ve missed you both. Unfortunately, this is just a summer break, but when you return this December for good, we’ll have a massive party to celebrate that your oath to help Old Europe in return for Belle’s freedom is paid in full.” Raising his glass, Khan bellowed. “To Aubri and Indiana.”
Everyone cheered and raised their glasses to Indiana and me.
“Thank you.” Indiana addressed our families. “Thank you for your warm welcome. It means a lot to us. Living in Old Europe has been hard because we’ve missed you all so much. However, it’s also been an incredible experience and we’ve made good friends. Banni here is one of the biggest badasses outside of the Northlands and we brought him here to meet you all.”
Banni stood next to Jones and smiled as Indiana continued.
“On the day Aubri chose to stay in Old Europe, she made a promise. She promised that she’d come back safe.”
“She also promised to come back and marry a strong Northlander,” my dad interjected and lowered his brow while looking straight at me. People laughed because of his silent way of sayingI’m keeping you to that promise.
Indiana straightened and moved a little closer to me. “I’m dedicated to helping Aubri keep her first promise of returning home safely.”
“That’s my son,” Alexander exclaimed with pride.
“I’m glad you are proud of me, Dad,” Indiana said as my heart raced in my chest from the bomb that I knew he was about to drop. “I think I’ll make you even more proud when I tell you that Aubri intends to keep her promise of marrying and that the strong Nman that she has chosen is me!”
Eyes widened, and outbursts of joy and surprise sounded from the group of family gathered.
“Is that true?” my mom asked with eagerness.
I felt like I was glowing with love when I took Indiana’s hand and declared loud and clear, “It’s true. We’ve chosen each other.”
A new wave of people wishing to hug and congratulate us had my lips hurting from all the smiling I did.
Our moms were delighted, and I saw my dad pat Indiana’s dad, Alexander, on his shoulders and joke, “Don’t think that just because we’re friends, I’ll give your son an easy time.”
Alexander laughed. “If he can handle Aubri, he can handle you.”
