Page 90 of The Explorer
I laughed and waved Mason over. He came with Belle, holding her hand, and since he’d been talking to Indiana, my handsome husband-to-be tagged along.
“Mason, can you please explain to Mom and Dad that we would be fine with a shared twin wedding?”
His eyes widened. “You would do that?”
“If it means that I can marry Indiana next week, absolutely. I’m not stupid. I know Dad won’t allow us to sleep in the same bed until we’re married despite the fact that we share a bed in Old Europe.”
“Youwhat?” Magni exclaimed and looked to my mom. “You told me that they had separate bedrooms.”
My mom crossed her arms. “I had to, or you would have invaded the country to get Aubri back home.”
“Youknewthey were sharing a bed?”
My mom’s gaze went to me and Indiana. “No, but I suspected that was the case.”
“And you, did you know as well?” my dad asked Christina, who put her hand on his shoulder.
“Oh, sweet Nature, will you calm down, Magni? There’s no harm done. Indiana told us they alternated sleeping on the sofa, but we’re not stupid. I don’t know about Laura, but I left France hoping they would fall in love… and they did.”
Magni frowned and stabbed his finger into Indiana’s chest. “You better tell me you didn’t have sex with my daughter.”
I reached out and pulled my father’s hand down. “If he did it’s because I wanted to, so mind your own business. Indiana and I are adults and the world is different from when you were young.”
Indiana looked a bit pressured but stood his ground. “My relationship with your daughter is completely consensual, sir.”
“I think a double wedding is a great idea,” Mason said to move the conversation away from sex. “The only thing that would be better is if Aubri and Indiana take over the whole thing next week, so Belle and I are off the hook.”
“That’s not happening,” my father said. “I want the whole country to see that my children are marrying and expanding the family.” His gaze fell to Belle’s stomach. “It will be glorious.”
“Okay, but at least let Indiana and Aubri do the interviews with the Press. Belle and I have already done so many and we’re tired of answering questions.”
“Don’t worry.” Laura took Belle’s other hand. “The moment the Press hears that Aubri is back and getting married they’ll want to know everything.”
“I was praying for something like this,” Belle said with a grateful sigh.
Mason leaned down and raised her chin before he kissed her softly. “We’ll make it as easy on you as possible.”
“Thank you.” She rubbed her stomach. “It would be different if I wasn’t carrying a giant baby around. This child will be like a one-year-old when he or she is born.”
“That’s the Aurelius genes for you,” my father said with pride. “We breed physically superior children.”
“So do we,” Alexander declared and squeezed Indiana’s shoulder.
“Slow down on the beers, you two,” Christina said. “I know you’re celebrating, but if you keep it up, you’ll be sobbing with joy soon.”
We all laughed because of the expressions on Magni and Alexander’s faces. They were old-school and insulted by the idea of them sobbing in public.
“Where’s my little brother?” The sharp voice that broke through made us turn to the French doors.
Raven, Indiana’s older sister, came walking with her husband Leo, who was in his police uniform. Jayden, their twelve-year old son, was the first to reach us and give Indiana a big hug.
“Satan’s balls, you grew, boy.” Indiana held out Jayden to study him for a second. “What kind of muscle madness is this? What are they feeding you at that school?”
“You should ask Archer and Kya that question,” Raven told Indiana and spread out her arms to hug me. “Come here, you crazy woman.”
She was shorter than me and I couldn’t resist lifting her from the ground. “It’s good to see you again.”
“I truly missed you, my rebel friend,” she whispered back.
