Page 202 of Destined Lovers

“Yes, Charlie?”

“Are…are you the real Ariel?” She stammers, eyes wide and full of curiosity, shock, and hopefulness.

Sadie giggles into her hand, and I try to hold in mine. This kid is obsessed withThe Little Mermaid, and it’s the first time she is seeing me with red hair.

I bend down to her level and pull her into me so I can smother her with kisses. I need my fix of her sweet giggles I love so much.

“No, sweet baby, I’m still Auntie Pip, only now I have red hair just like Ariel.”

She looks dejected but runs her hands through my hair and whispers to herself. “So cool.”

“What’s all the excitement about,” Lola asks, bending to give me a hug as I answer.

“Charlie thought I was Ariel because of my hair,” I kiss Charlie again. I can’t stop myself. She’s so freaking cute.

“Well, Charlie, now I can be Ariel when we playLittle Mermaid.”

Her face drops, and she looks between Sadie and me.

“No thanks, Auntie Pip.” She states with finality and walks away, and we all laugh loudly at her honesty.

“Well, I guess she didn’t like that idea.” I deadpan.

A cat-call whistle sounds behind me, and I don’t even have to look to know it’s my good friend Jackson.

“You look sexy as hell with this red hair,Nora.” He says exaggeratedly. They all found my name during the court case, though I’m sure it will take some time to get used to.

I fluff up my hair, “Aye, it doesn’t look too bad, does it?” I wink, and he throws his arm around my shoulder, bringing me into a hug. “Congrats on the case,” he whispers, and I hug him back.

Not even two minutes later, Charlie’s back, eyeing my hair, still confused.

“Are you sure?” She whispers.

Sadie bends down to her level and looks up at me.

“Auntie Pip isn’t Ariel, but she is a princess,” Charlie's eyes widen.

“She is?”

“Yes. Princess Nora. She was held captive by a mean scary man for many years, and Uncle Declan saved her.”

“Uncle Dec,” her voice squeaks.

“Aye, lass,” Declan comes from behind us, pushing Jackson out of the way, and puts his arms around me, leaning his chin on my shoulder, “And now Auntie Pip and I can live Happily Ever After.”

I stand to the side, listening to all the chatter and laughter filling the room. A weight has been lifted, not just off me, but off of everyone here today, and I think, if possible, moods are about to rise even higher when they find out everything else we’re here to celebrate.

“You okay?” I look up to see Jameson’s concerned face.

I rub his arm, “Aye, just taking it all in.”

I’m going to miss these guys. This past month or so, I’ve gotten so used to them that I didn’t mind having them around anymore.

Luckily, Ethan is here to stay as Ruby starts school in London shortly, and she’s become close friends with Charlie.

“You know, you don’t work for us anymore, so technically, we’re friends now.” I wiggle my shoulders in excitement, only for him to ignore me as usual.

I see Evelyn in the distance already getting her coat to leave, so I walk away from Jameson's brooding self to see what’s up.

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