Page 150 of Forever

Chapter 33

Thursday

Brooklyn

Rob already had several opportunities to ruin this evening. And he hadn’t taken one yet. So I was going to enjoy everything on the platter in front of me. At least everything that I recognized. My stomach was not in an adventurous mood.

“You sure everything is alright?” Matt asked me.

I glanced at Rob out of the corner of my eye. He was busy eating. Just like everyone else. When he’d paraded me around Tanner’s living room, I’d jokingly told him the knives on the table looked sharp. Maybe he was actually scared that I’d cut him if he went through with the prank. I mean…it wasn’t that far of a stretch. I was from a mobster family.

I would never actually hurt Rob though. And I hoped he’d never hurt me. He knew how I felt about the prank. And for all his teasing…I knew he loved me.

“Everything is great,” I said and grabbed a biscuit off one of the trays. “Oh my God, this is so good. I’m going to need Nigel’s recipe for these.”

“He’s pretty shady about his recipes,” Matt said. “But these are really good.” He took another bite of his biscuit too.

“So you really skipped Thanksgiving for 16 years?” I asked.

Matt took a slow sip of his champagne. “My mom always made the same things for Christmas too. I hardly missed anything.”

I knew that wasn’t true. He’d missed out on time with his family. Because he was busy missing me. Tonight righted a lot of wrongs.

I glanced down the table to see Jacob giggling with his new friends. I’d been a little worried about today. It was the first big holiday since Miller… I felt the tears immediately welling in the corners of my eyes. I blinked them away.

Today I promised myself I’d focus on the present. Because that was the only way forward. I looked around at all our friends and Matt’s family.Myfamily. No, my father wasn’t here, but I loved everyone in this room. Matt had helped me see that I didn’t always lose those I loved. Because I had a whole room full of people here who felt like family.

Someone clinked their knife against their glass. I turned to see Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell stand up.

They were both smiling at me.

“Our son already knows how proud we are of him,” Mr. Caldwell said. “And his ego is big enough, so we have a few words for you, Brooklyn.”

Matt laughed.

“We know your father couldn’t be here,” he said.

Couldn’t? Didn’t want to be? I wasn’t sure anymore. I pressed my lips together.

“But we’re your family, Brooklyn. We have been since you were a teenager.”

The tears were back in my eyes again. I did my best to blink them away.

“And we’re so thrilled that you made your way home to us.” He could probably tell I was about to burst into tears because he quickly added, “And I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for grandchildren.”

I glanced at Bee. Her cheeks had turned red. I wondered how much pressure she’d been getting from the Caldwells to pop out kids. If there’s one thing I knew for sure, pressure did not help the situation. I’d thought about babies nonstop for the past few years. And it wasn’t until I stopped thinking about it that I got pregnant again. I put my hand on my stomach.

Matt reached over and put his hand on top of mine.

My whole body felt warm and tingly.

“And now we finally have a grandson,” Mr. Caldwell said and smiled at me.

I loved how quickly they’d accepted my son as their own grandson. How open their arms were. I remembered how vehemently Mr. Caldwell didn’t want my father’s bodyguards in his house. For some reason that made me smile. Miller would always be around now.

“And another on the way.” Mr. Caldwell cleared his throat.

“We’re both a mess,” Mrs. Caldwell said with a laugh. “We love all you boys.” She put her hand on James’ shoulder. “And we love everyone you all chose to spend your lives with. We’re just so…proud of each and every one of you.” She put her hand on her heart. “And, Matt. My baby.” Her lower lip wobbled as she tried to keep it together. “I feel like I finally have my son back. And I can’t ever thank you enough for that, Brooklyn.” Her voice cracked.

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