Page 113 of I Want You
I liked to imagine what our baby was going to look like. Would they have her eyes? Her red hair? Her curls? I hoped they looked just like her. An absolute vision from head to toe.
“Hey. Where’s the hosts for this thing?” I asked.
“Haven’t seen them. I got here a few minutes ago, and it seems like people are just starting to show up.”
“Well, I hope they won’t be upset, but I don’t think I’m going to make it to midnight,” Sheila said.
“Where’s Maeve?” Dad asked.
“She got here earlier to help out. I haven’t seen her either.” Wyatt had barely finished his sentence when Scarlett and Maeve appeared at the top of the stairs. They really got decked out for this thing. Matching shimmery dresses reflected the light, making it look like twinkling stars.
“Thank you all for coming,” Maeve started. “Hi, baby.” She waved at Jane.
Scarlett picked it up while Maeve fawned at her little girl. “If you would all go to the family room, there should be enough seats for everyone. The hosts will meet you there shortly.”
“The fuck is this?” Wyatt whispered. “Maeve wasn’t wearing that when she left the house. Trust me, I would have remembered.”
“Neither was Scarlett.” I shrugged my response, looking to Seb. He shook his head, looking to Wes. Wes chuckled, amusement glinting in his eyes.
“You know what’s going on?” Wyatt asked.
“No. I have no idea what those two are up to,” he huffed. “But we’ve got company.”
I turned to see what he was looking at, only to find my baby sister standing in the foyer.
Silvery-purple hair trailed down her back. Her eyes were rimmed in black eyeliner. She wore black, ripped jeans and an equally ripped cropped shirt.
“Lydia fucking Wilder. Get your ass over here,” Wyatt yelled,his smile lighting up his face.
She threw her head back, laughing. “Look at this place. Reid’s got some talent. I’ll give him that.”
I wrapped my arm around her, Jane still on my hip.
“Oh, hugging. Good. My favorite,” she deadpanned.
“Well, show up more often and you won’t get the fanfare,” Wyatt said, coming in for a hug after me.
Wes nodded at her, not going in for the unwanted hug. “Welcome home, Lydia.”
“Thanks, Wes. These idiots didn’t give me much choice. I think I got six calls telling me I needed to be here. And for what? A housewarming party?” She rolled her dark-rimmed eyes. “Sebastian,” she added coolly, her gaze barely even landing on him.
People were migrating to the family room on the other side of the stairs in this massive four-bedroom Victorian house that Reid had designed and built for Claire.
I walked in and immediately stopped short. About thirty fold-out chairs were lined up in rows. At the front was a sign that read “Family.” Mrs. DeLuca, Claire’s mom, was here. Sitting beside her was a man in his early fifties, dark hair turning gray at the temples. It wasn’t Senator DeLuca, so I figured this was probably Leon, the house manager at her parents’ estate.
A man stood by the mantelpiece, a small book in his hands, nodding pleasantly to the guests as they came in. I turned to face my father, his wide eyes a mirror of my own. Sheila had her hand to her chest, unshed tears brimming in her eyes.
“Oh, Charlie,” she sighed. “This is beautiful.”
Curtains lit with strings of light were hung by the fireplace. An arched arbor of flowers stood in the center. Additionalbouquets were strategically placed around the room. Bouquets that I had seen Scarlett working on over the past week when I’d visited her at Daisy’s.
We found our seats at the front of the room just as the first notes of music played from hidden speakers.
Reid walked into the room. Clad in a full suit, he stood at the front facing the back of the room. Maeve walked down the makeshift aisle first, followed by Scarlett. Visions of her walking down an aisle, me waiting at the other end, played in my head. Jane tried to wiggle out of my arms to go to her mommy, and I had to adjust my hold on her to keep her on my lap.
The music changed, and everyone stood.
Claire radiated joy and happiness as she slowly made her way to my brother. Reid’s emotions were splayed across his face: adoration, amazement, and a deep love for her. Having eyes only for her, he waited as she got closer and closer to him, until he couldn’t wait any more. He took the last two steps to close the distance, not waiting for the requisite permission before he sealed his lips over hers.
