Page 88 of Six of Hearts
Outside, snow continued to fall, blanketing the world in white. Inside, wrapped up in Aria and my brothers, I was finally, completely home.
Merry Christmas to me.
Twenty-Six
New Year's Eve
Aria
The house was unusually quiet without the kids, and I couldn't help but smile as I walked through Noah's front door. All seven of them—Oliver, Theo, Hazel, Mila, Finn, Wyatt, and little Mason—were having a sleepover at Julian's mum’s house, which meant for the first time since Christmas, we had the entire night to ourselves.
"There she is," Ethan called from the kitchen, a champagne flute already in his hand. "The woman of the hour."
"It's not even nine yet," I laughed, making my way over to where they were all gathered around the island. Someone had gone all out—there were appetizers spread across the counter, bottles of champagne chilling in ice buckets, and the whole house was decorated with silver and gold streamers.
"Doesn't matter," Noah said, pulling me against his side and pressing a kiss to my temple. "We're celebrating early and often tonight."
Gabriel appeared with a glass for me, his dark eyes warm as they met mine. "To new beginnings," he said, raising his glass.
The others joined in, lifting their drinks. "To family," Julian added.
"To the woman who changed everything," Ronan said softly, his gaze locked on mine.
"To Aria," Liam finished, and they all echoed it.
I felt my cheeks flush as I clinked my glass against theirs.
"To all of you," I said. "For giving me everything I never knew I needed."
We drank, and the champagne was crisp and perfect on my tongue. But it was nothing compared to the way Noah's lips tasted when he leaned down and kissed me, deep and slow, right there in front of everyone.
"Get a room," Gabriel teased, but his voice was rough with want.
"That's the plan," Noah murmured against my mouth, and I felt heat pool low in my belly.
Ethan set his glass down with a decisive clink. "I say we start the new year off right. We've got—" he checked his watch, "—three hours until midnight. That's plenty of time."
"Plenty of time for what?" I asked innocently, even though I knew exactly what he meant.
"For us to worship you properly," Julian said, moving closer. His hand found the small of my back, warm through the thin fabric of my dress. "We've been thinking about you all day."
"All week," Liam corrected, his blue eyes darkening. "Ever since Christmas morning.”
My breath hitched as Ronan stepped up behind me, his chest pressing against my back. "We want to make this a New Year's Eve you'll never forget," he murmured in my ear, and I shivered.
"Then what are we waiting for?" I whispered.
The energy in the room shifted instantly. Gabriel took my hand and led me toward the stairs, the others following close behind. My heart was racing, anticipation making every nerve ending come alive.
Noah's bedroom was already prepared—the bed made with fresh sheets, candles flickering on the nightstand, casting everything in a warm, golden glow. Someone had planned this.
"You're all very presumptuous," I said, trying to sound stern but failing miserably as Ethan's hands found my hips from behind.
"Can you blame us?" he asked, his lips brushing the curve of my neck. "Look at you in this dress.”
It was a simple black number, fitted and falling just above my knees, but the way they were all looking at me made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
Julian reached for the zipper at my back, slowly dragging it down. "May I?"
