Page 151 of Destined Lovers

Young Declan is dressed in a metallic silver shirt and the tightest black pants I’ve ever seen as he dances around the stage.

Declan’s mam and da made him Irish step dance until he was twelve. And he wasn’t half bad.

The video is still playing. Declan jumps and high kicks, and the boys lose it again.

“Okay!” Declan grumbles. “Enough.”

For my arse’s sake, I shut down the video, although I already know it’s too late. He’s going to punish me later, and I look forward to it.

“Fiona, you’re my new best friend and I think this may be the best day of my whole life.” Jackson says through his laughter.

“Sweet pea, come here a moment, please.”

“Otay!” Charlie jumps out of Declan’s arms and runs over to her mam.

They walk down the hall, and Sadie motions for me to follow.

“Who’s this?” I ask as I lean down and pet this beautiful, well-behaved dog.

“Buddy! He’s my brother and best friend,” Charlie proudly states.

“Hi, Buddy.” I reach down again and rub behind his ears, but when Charlie sits on the couch, he leaves me in the dust and jumps next to her.

“Charlie, do you remember her from the restaurant earlier?” Sadie points to me, and Charlie nods.

“She’s Uncle Dec’s girlfriend. She’s your auntie now too.” Charlie’s eyes light up.

Oh, my heart swells. I wasn’t expecting this at all.

“Like Auntie Belle and Auntie Ev?” Her eyes go wide. “And Auntie Lola!” she yells excitedly.

“Just like them, sweet pea.”

I look over to Sadie, and I realize that I’m not the only one trying.

“I don’t want to confuse her with different names, especially when you return to Nora. What should she call you?”

Oh…

“How about Auntie Pip?” Declan says from behind us. Was he standing there the whole time?

He would know how excited I am about this, I don’t have sisters or brothers, and I’ve always loved kids.

“Auntie Pip?” Charlie asks and scrunches up her face.

“That’s my special name for her. I’m the only one allowed to use it, but I can make an exception for you, Charlie.”

“Aseption?” she asks, confused, and we all laugh. I can’t get over how cute this kid is.

“Exception means I’ll allow it just for you. How about that?”

Charlie pauses to think about it. “Otay! Hi, Auntie Pip,” she says animatedly, then turns back to Declan and puts her arms up for him to pick her up again.

“Come here, lass.” He holds her on his hip while she puts her head on his shoulder, tracing the tattoo that’s peeking out of his collar, memorized.

“Lass? Are you all of a sudden Scottish?” I ask, confused.

British slang, I get. Even American, since he lived there for boarding school. But Scottish?

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