Page 88 of When Sinners Rise
“I’ll get it,” Kai calls, and it gives me a second to check everything for a final time.
Knox comes through to the main room carrying baby Cade.
“Hey, and look who’s with you. Come to Auntie Mariana,” I greet, pulling the baby straight from Knox. An immediate rush lifts my soul by the cuteness that is a baby Knox. But he starts to fuss, and I tense with him in my arms.
“What did I do?” I look to Knox and Peyton, waiting for a reason why he’s scrunched up his little face and is now thrashing in my arms.
“Here, he’s not great with people he’s not familiar with.” Peyton steps forward and takes him back, and he instantly settles in her arms. She looks at Knox, stepping closer towards him. She’s not been around the family very much, so her nerves are justified. The curse of falling for one of us is that there’s no escaping our family.
Kai grabs drinks as I go and get the door, welcoming Abel and Lexi.
“Come in, come in.” I beckon them in and take the bottle Lexi hands over to me. We’re all hugs and smiles together, and we go through to join Knox, Peyton and Cade.
Abel takes a look around as if he’s assessing the house for something, but his steps and mood seem dour.
“Everything okay?” I ask him. He gives me a cold stare, clearly not impressed. “Come on, Abel, this is meant to be a celebration,” I joke at him, but my own feelings falter with his mood. Maybe he’s mourning Shaw?
The door rings for the final time, and everyone looks around as if we all know how important this next step is.
“I’ll go,” Kai offers. We lock eyes, and I smile and mouth a thank you to him.
The room is quiet, apart from the coos from Cade. There isn’t the usual easy banter between us, but I hope that will come.
We all turn towards the door as Dante walks in.
“I thought this was meant to be a fucking celebration,” Dante announces, as he looks around at us all.
Wren is by his side and smiles, nudging Dante.
“No point in starting without you,” Knox jests.
Introductions start, Kai offers drinks, and soon, there’s talk and chatter. My heart swells as I stand back and take it in,feeling comforted by my family all under one roof again – nearly all my family.
“Okay, okay. Time to eat, or the food will be cold.” I usher everyone through to the dining room and watch them take their seats.
Dante puts his hand on my shoulder, and I turn to look up at him. “Nice place, Bella.”
“Thank you. And thank you for coming. I’ve missed you.”
“Yeah, guess I’ve missed you, too.” He walks past me and joins Wren at the table. The relief of his words and that he’s here hits me and emotion has me blinking my eyes to stem the tears. There will be work to get us back to where we were, but this is the start I was desperately in need of.
I take a moment before sitting next to Abel, who’s at the head of the table. There’s still a space missing, but I can’t do anything about him right now. It doesn’t mean I don’t wish he was here, though. He might have been an ass and a pain, but he was part of this family, my brother, and we need him with us.
“Eat!” I announce.
Everyone starts to load their plates and hand dishes around. The chatter and banter begin slowly, but it builds, and it’s great to hear. I glance over at Abel, but the scowl etched onto his forehead doesn’t lessen. I look to Lexi, and she just shakes her head. At least she’s noticed it, too.
As more food is consumed, I signal to Kai to help with the drinks, and he starts with the champagne.
“Okay, okay. I’d like to make a toast.” I stand, grab the tequila from the sideboard and pour everyone a shot. “Here’s to who we are. Tequilla for our past. Champagne for our future.”
“Cheers!” Everyone echoes.
Peyton doesn’t drink the shot. I give her a pass, but only because of baby Cade.
“What the hell was that?” Knox asks after looking at his shot glass.
“It’s supposed to be cheap tequila, Bella. That shit ain’t cheap,” Dante snipes. He picks up the bottle and looks at it, refilling anyway.
