Page 159 of Ethan's Sky

Lilah is bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement. It makes my heart happy to see her so happy.

“Go on, open the door.”

Lilah pulls the clubhouse door open. The lights flick on and everyone jumps out shouting, “Surprise!”

Lilah’s eyes are wide, her hand covering her smile as she takes in all the people and the decorations.

“You guys did all of this…for me? But I thought…”

Ethan comes up, pulls her to his chest, and whispers something in her ear. She hugs him around the waist, nodding at whatever he’s said. She pulls back, looks up at him, then turns to face me with glassy eyes.

“Thank you.” Her words are choked, but the smile on her face speaks volumes.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Ethan releases Lilah, and she runs into my waiting arms.

Everyone takes turns coming up to hug our beautiful girl, wishing her a happy birthday. Hawk ruffles her hair, frustrating her, but Liz is quick to come to her rescue, nodding to Caleb, who claps Hawk on the back of the head.

Cash embraces Lilah, kissing the top of her head. “Hey, beautiful. You know if you decide you don’t like it here, or these assholes are too much, you call Uncle Cash and I’ll move you up to Mountain Heights with me.” She giggles when he winks at her.

“Fuck off, pretty boy! Our girl isn’t going anywhere with you clowns. She’s staying here with us. Aren’t you, Lilah?”

She smiles wide. “I mean I’ll stay as long as you want me, I guess.”

I look up at Ethan. He gives Ghost a chin lift. Lilah’s eyes are bouncing between the three of us.

“W-what’s going on?” she asks, concern evident in her voice.

Ghost hands Ethan a manilla envelope, which Ethan then hands to Lilah. I’m struggling to keep the tears at bay, while holding my breath in anticipation for her reaction.

Please let us keep you.

Lilah looks at the unmarked envelope, confused.

“Open it, sweetheart,” Ethan encourages her.

The whole room is quiet as she opens the envelope, pulls out the papers, and reads them silently to herself. Tears spill from her eyes and for a moment I fear she’s going to run. But to my surprise, she charges both of us, wrapping her arms around me and Ethan, whispering, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

We hold her tight between us, my heart near bursting.

“We love you, kid. You’re officially ours. You’re an Anderson.”

“And a permanent part of the Kings of Fury MC family!”

“Welcome home kid!”

“We love you sweetheart!”

Voices shout around the room.

Lilah’s smile widens. She leans back, swiping at her tears. “Can we give Skyler her surprise now?”

I’m not sure what she’s talking about and turn to Ethan for answers. He nods at Lilah, then takes my hand, walking me toward the sliding doors leading into the backyard of the clubhouse.

When he opens the door, I gasp at the sight before me.

“Ethan?”

His hands come around my waist, pulling my back to his chest as he kisses my neck.

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