Page 47 of The Grinch who Loved Me
They were throwing snowballs at each other while the adults watched.
Two of the men had their arms around the younger women and the older woman had a mug in her hands and she had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
John got out of the front seat and Ryland heard him say, “Woman. It’s freezing cold outside. You need a coat. Not a blanket.”
Ryland bit his lip to keep his laugh in and he helped Aria out of the car and heard the children all yell, “Aunt Ari!!”
He turned to see Aria bombarded with the kids.
He laughed as much as she did when she hugged all the kids.
She didn’t have her crutches, but Ryland handed them to her and she smiled and kissed him and then walked up the walk to the men and women on the porch.
She hugged her mom first and then the two women and then the men.
Raegan rushed up on the porch and did the same and he and his dad got their luggage and brought it up.
One of the women yelled to the kids that there was hot chocolate and popcorn waiting for them in the movie room and the kids rushed inside, taking off their coats and boots and leaving them in a heap on the floor.
The adults followed them in the house and Ryland and his dad followed them as well.
When the door was shut behind them, and they had taken off their coats and outerwear, Aria’s father led them into the living room.
The first man stepped toward him, “So, you must be the man that swept Aria off her feet. I’m Jet. Aria’s oldest brother. This is my wife Farren.”
Jet held out his hand and Ryland shook it and then shook Farren’s hand, although she also hugged him and Jet growled, “Don’t go hugging other men.”
Farren rolled her eyes at him and Aria laughed.
The next brother came up, his eyes similar to Aria’s, “I’m Bowing. But, you can call me Bo. Everyone else does. This is my wife, Avery.”
Ryland shook their hands as well and he said, “This is my dad, Rick.”
Everyone shook his dad’s hand as well and Ryland had never felt more welcome. He was worried that Aria’s brothers would pull him aside and tell him not to date their sister, but so far they hadn’t said a word.
He sat next to Aria on the couch and as everyone got settled, the doorbell rang and Jet jumped up and got the door.
More men, women and kids came in and Ryland raised his eyebrows at the chaos.
And yet, it was the best chaos yet. Aria was in second heaven and all the men and women rushed to her, giving her hugs and cheek kisses and shaking his hand.
He met Scout, Crew and Steele and their wives, Rowen, Joslyn and Rickie.
As soon as the kids were settled, Gwen walked around with drinks on a tray and when she sat back down, he pulled Aria next to him and kissed the side of her head.
She leaned into him and he wrapped his arm around her and one of the men lifted his eyebrow and spoke in low tones to Jet.
Jet looked over at him and the men that Ryland had met earlier were crossing their arms, and Ryland looked down at Aria, who had her lips pursed.
“What are your intentions with Aria?”
Ryland felt his lips lift at the corners, “I’m going to marry her and give her all the kids she wants and be at her side for the rest of our lives.”
Aria grinned, “He already asked me.”
Jet lifted his eyebrow, “Where is your ring then?”
Aria smirked, “I haven’t made it. Ryland knows I wanted to design my own ring. And since he barely asked me I haven’t had the time to make it. You know, since I’m busy running my business and all.”
