Page 167 of Wildest Forever

Dixie sits in Gerry's chair and my heart aches.

I can hear mom talking to Morgan and my heart swells in my chest. She deserves to have a family like this. Her pops did everything for her, brought her up from a baby and turned her into the woman she is today. Fierce, strong, bold, beautiful, kind, empathetic... the list is endless.

Riggs walks past me and heads for Tripp and Aspen is carrying the plates through to the dining room.

“The house smells amazing Morgs,” Aspen says before she tucks herself around the doorframe of the dining room and I hear her thank Aspen.

I turn and walk to Dixie, she watches her daughter with intent but her mind is elsewhere.

“You okay?” I ask, one hand fisting into my pocket. I know yesterday must have been a lot, finding out your dad has killed someone who was close to her husband and his family, but also, that he has been here, right under her nose and he hasn't even tried to reach out to her.

Madness.

She slowly tears her eyes away from Lainey and looks up towards me. She is hesitant for a moment before she nods.

“I know we're not overly close...” I trail off and a bubble of a laugh escapes from deep inside of her. “But I am always here for you.”

Her head rolls forward, her brown wavy hair framing her face and my eyes move to her daughter who is babbling, a toy in her hand as she waves it up and down.

A sad smile crosses my lips as I look at her.

“We will fix this Dixie, you know that right,” I crouch down in front of her and she looks at me and I don't miss the tear that glistens down her cheek.

“I know,” she sniffles, “it was just a shock you know...” she nods then looks over her shoulder at her daughter.

“I know,” I nod back at her.

Footsteps sound behind me and I push to my feet when I see Tripp in the doorway.

“Dix,” I can hear the concern in his voice as he rushes over to her and falls to his knees as he scoops her face into his hands.

“I'm fine,” she reassures my brother. Pushing to my feet, I take that as my cue to leave.

Rounding the kitchen doorway, I tuck myself into the kitchen and watch as everyone helps Morgan place the food on the table, well apart from Riggs. He just stands, his back against the countertop, eyes faced forward and his mind is a million miles away from here.

I walk past him and grab some glasses and place them on the coasters.

Morgan looks at me and gives me a soft smile and I know she is in her element.

For someone who never had a family, she sure is a family girl.

She calls for everyone to take their seats and Dixie, Tripp and Lainey join us. Tripp holds onto Lainey's booster seat and hooks it around the chair seat. Dixie places her in her booster and she kicks her legs with excitement.

“Someone’s hungry, huh,” my lips tug at the corner and Dixie gives me a warm smile.

“Loves her food,” she lowers her lips to Lainey's head and dusts a kiss over her dark hair before her hand strokes across and twirls in her little curly lock at the nape of her neck.

I feel Morgan's eyes on me and I snap out of my gooey state and roll my shoulders back. Letting my eyes dust across the table, I furrow my brows at the missing wine.

“No wine?” I ask, eyes bouncing towards my wife.

“Oh, I forgot to grab it. Bottom cupboard...” she trails off and I am already walking towards the kitchen and lowering myself to grab one bottle of white and one bottle of red.

Walking back into the room, I pause for a moment and look across the table.

Everyone I care most about in this world is here, sitting with us.

Aspen is talking softly to Riggs, his lips locked into a smile, eyes glued to her as he admires every inch of her face. Dixie and Tripp are sitting either side of Lainey, their arms hooked behind her chair and their fingers intwined, loose smiles on their faces as Dixie talks softly, her hand rubbing over her bump. Mom is talking to Morgan but her gaze catches mine. I give her a soft nod before walking forward and placing the bottles of wine in the center.

---