Page 94 of The Rest is History
I’m definitely the novelty at this party.
‘Elodie.’ Jack sweeps in, his hands going to my shoulders as he kisses me on both cheeks. ‘Not sure I’ve ever been happier to meet someone. I’m thrilled my brother’s brought you along.’
‘It’s so lovely to meet you,’ I say, smiling at him. This guy is utterly charming. I can tell he’s far more outgoing than my gorgeous, quiet man. ‘You have the most beautiful home.’
‘Thank you.’ He inclines his head graciously. ‘Home-slash-circus.’
‘Are theseallyour kids?’ I ask.
He looks around vaguely. ‘Six of them are, yeah. Two of them are Stace’s step kids—just don’t ask me which two. Emmy’s sister’s coming later with her two—and your sister, of course.’
I laugh. I can see there’s athe more the merrierphilosophy around here. Emmy’s looking at her husband as he speaks like the sun shines out of his arse, and his baby girl gurns at him in the most delicious way and reaches for him. He gathers her up in his arms and smothers her in kisses. These guys are adorable.
Stacey leans in. ‘My husband is the extremely hot Israeli guy playing lifeguard.’
I follow her pointing finger and squint. There’s a guy in shorts and a billowing shirt who looks like he should be on a yacht, standing by the pool. Very short, dark hair. I can’t see him in detail, but he has a commanding presence, even from this distance. I smirk and give Stacey a nod to show I appreciate the view.
‘Stacey has excellent taste in men,’ Jack quips, and we all laugh, even Emmy. Stacey rolls her eyes.
‘So.’ Jack redirects his attention to me. ‘I’d given up hope on my brother ever bringing a woman along to a family thing, but let me say that you are definitely worth the wait.’
‘Hands off, fucker,’ Charlie growls, and Jack laughs and wraps his free arm tightly around his beautiful wife. He gazes down at her with so much love that it almost chokes me up and drops a gentle kiss to the top of her head before turning his attention back to me.
‘I’m very happy to have you here with us, Elodie. I hope life’s not too boring with old Eeyore here.’
‘Ouch,’ I murmur as everyone sniggers.
‘Fuck’s sake,’ Charlie moans. His grumpiness seems to be a running joke, but I feel for him. He’s not grumpy with me. Not anymore.
He’s utterly perfect.
I get a flashback to this morning, after we’d both come. I sat straddling him, savouring the fact that he was still pulsing inside me, and I held his face in my hands.
That face. The face that brings me to my knees (sometimes literally). Makes my body want to do unspeakable things and my heart want to explode right out of its cage.
‘My Charlie,’ I whispered, and I swear the look in his eyes when I said it nearly finished me off.
Now I move closer to him, sliding an arm around his waist and looking up at him. It’s all very well for them to tease him—I’m sure it’s just some family ribbing—but this man is the best man I have ever known, and I want to make it extremely clear how lucky I feel to have found him.
‘You don’t have to worry about that,’ I tell Jack, Emmy, and Stacey now. ‘I assure you, there is nothing boring about this guy. He makes me very happy.’
He inhales sharply and brings the arm bearing the wineglasses carefully around me, pressing the sweetest kiss to my temple. I’m pretty sure Emmy and Stacey are swooning again, but I’m not really interested, because all I can think is,I love this man so much it’s astonishing.
CHAPTER 35
Charlie
Baby Aurelia won’t stop staring at Elodie. Jack’s carrying her facing out, his palm a seat for her nappy-clad bum. Her huge blue eyes dance over Elodie’s face. She’s totally transfixed. Not that I blame her. She reaches out two gorgeous, chubby little hands in Elodie’s direction.
‘Da. Da.’ She arches forward, wriggling in my brother’s arms.
I glance at Elodie to see that the feeling is mutual. She’s staring at Aurelia with utter adoration.
‘May I?’ she asks my brother. I take her wine glass off her, and she holds out her arms to take my niece.
‘Be my guest.’ He transfers his bundle of joy, and Elodie gazes down at her, an enormous smile on her face.
‘Hi there!’ She brushes the back of a finger across Aurelia’s face and bounces her. ‘Hi! Aren’t you so gorgeous?’
