Page 96 of Love is a Harmony
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Noah
Returning to London never felt like coming home, but this time was different, more. Carson had been dead for months now, and it was time for Noah to be with his family, for Stella to be with them.
He’d wrongfully thought the family he’d created in L.A. could be enough, that they understood the depth of his loss.
But the moment he guided Stella from the airport terminal, he knew it wasn’t right. Standing at the curb, searching the crowd for him were the only two people in the world other than the little girl at his side he should have mourned his brother’s death with.
Nan saw him first, her eyes holding a hopeful glint that didn’t belong. She said something to the tall redhead beside her, and Ava turned, a sad smile parting her lips. Her gaze fell on Stella, and tears welled in her eyes.
“Come on, Stell Bell.” Noah ushered her forward. “We’re home.”
No matter what he felt for her, Melanie was never Noah’s home. She could have been. He’d have gladly let her, but she refused him, leaving him to seek the people who loved him.
“Noah.” Nan stepped away from the limousine behind her and stretched her arms wide.
Noah fell into her embrace like he was a child once again needing the comfort only his grandmother could give.
“My boy,” she whispered, pulling back. Putting a hand on each side of his face, she studied him. “Oh, my boy.”
He reached back and pulled Stella forward. “Nan, meet Stella.”
Nan’s eyes widened as she turned to Stella, one hand over her mouth. “She looks just like him, doesn’t she?” She bent down. “Come here, child. I’m your nan.”
Noah’s shy niece wasted no time in letting Nan smother her in a hug. Noah shouldn’t have been surprised.
He turned to Ava, his oldest friend, with a sad smile. “It’s good to see you.” Draping an arm over her shoulders, he pulled her against his side.
“Noah,” Nan called. “We should go.”
Noah followed her gaze to where a few people—including a photographer—had gathered. Tomorrow the London tabloids would read “British Rockstar, Noah Clarke, Returns Home With Model Girlfriend.”
And he didn’t care.
After everything he’d gone through in the last couple months—losing his brother, becoming a pseudo-father, falling in love, getting his heart broken—all that mattered to him was that he was with the people who didn’t see him as the famed singer.
Only Noah.
They’d known him as a scrawny boy causing havoc with his brother, a schoolboy who hadn’t known how hard it would be once he’d achieved his dreams.
A driver rounded the limo and opened the door.
Stella’s eyes widened as she peered into the leather haven. His family wouldn’t allow him to ride home from the airport in anything less.
He could be seen, after all.
“Go on.” Noah nudged Stella forward and climbed in after her.
Ava and Nan joined them, and silence descended as soon as the door shut behind them.
“I don’t suppose I’d be allowed to stay at Ava’s London townhome?” He already knew the answer.
“Noah.” Nan frowned. “Do not ask stupid questions that distract me from staring at Stella awkwardly.”
Her words broke the tension, and he relaxed back into his seat. “Go ahead. Stella has been through worse than her great-grandmother’s curiosities.”
Nan leaned in close to Stella. “Hear that, love? I’m your great-grandmother because of how great I am.”
