The front door is soon ripped open, and Alex beams at me. His eyes dance with curiosity as he looks at Vienna. “Uncle Zane, we’re waiting for you.”
I can’t believe he’s the same kid who wouldn’t speak even a few words when he first came into our lives.
Vienna straightens up slowly, but I keep my hand on her back. “Hi.” She waves her hand at Alex. “I’m Vienna.”
“I’m Alex.” He grins. “Are you Uncle Zane’s girlfriend?”
Vienna looks at me over her shoulder, and a slow smile appears on her face. I marvel at her strength and grit. “Wow, Alex. You’re really smart.”
My nephew stands a bit taller at the compliment and giggles. “Everyone says Uncle Zane really needs to find a girlfriend.”
Wow! Thank you, Alex, for establishing that I’m not popular among the ladies.
“They do?” Vienna raises an eyebrow at me.
Before he can spill more beans, I take a step forward. “Let’s-s go in.”
Vienna looks around my brother’s whimsical house with wide eyes, and I’m happy that she likes it. It means she at least likes nature, though my house might have too much of it.
We reach the living room where all pairs of eyes fixate on us. There’s a pin-drop silence for a second that makes my insides twist, and I’m thankful when Alex breaks the ice.
“Mom, Uncle Zane brought his girlfriend.” He ambles toward Rose, who is sitting on the couch, squeezed between Zander and her sister, Kristy.
“Hi, all. Th-this is Vienna.” My throat dries as I introduce her to my family.
Rose and Kristy have giant smiles on their faces, but Zander’s face is stoic as ever. He looks between Vienna and me, doing nothing. Thankfully, Beast takes a step forward.
“Welcome, dear. I’m Ashcroft. You can call me Ash or Beast, like these boys.” He then beckons Sophia, and wearing a sky-blue shift dress, she walks to him. I get happy jitters watching these two together. No one would believe that Beast and Sophia lost two decades of their lives away from each other. They almost picked up from where they’d left off and are now establishing huge couple goals for everyone. “This is my lifeline, Sophia.”
Sophia pats my cheek affectionately. Her presence is slowly filling the cracks in our hearts that our own mother created long ago.
“We’re so happy to meet you, Vienna.” Sophia glances between me and my bride-to-be. “But just to confirm that Alex didn’t put you guys on the spot—you’re really together?” Vienna looks up at me.
Fuck, I thought I’d share about my soon-to-happen marriage when everyone was more relaxed and not ready to pounce on me and Vienna. But guess that ship has sailed.
I clear my throat, and my hand goes inside my pocket to fetch my mint box, but before I can do that, Vienna takes out a purple-wrapped honey candy from her purse. She opens her palm for me and smiles.
The curl of her lips somehow abates my anxiety and reminds me why I’m doing this.
I take the candy from her hand and put it into my mouth before turning toward my family, who are intently looking at our interaction.
“We’re t-together,” I reply to Sophia. Everyone jumps around us and are still clapping when I add, “We also got our marriage licens-se today.”
But before anyone can speak up, the front door opens. Alex and Charlie rush out of the room to meet Ray, and a few seconds later, Hope and Zach make an appearance. By this time, Vienna is hiding behind me.
“What did you say?” Zander snaps, taking a step closer and jabbing a finger at me.
“Will someone tell us what’s going on?” Zach slides next to me lending me his silent support.
Zander takes a step back and starts pacing restlessly. I take that small window of silence and introduce Vienna to Zane and Hope. “This is-s Vienna. Um, sh-she’s going to be my…wife.”
As if triggered by my words, Zander immediately turns back to me and then throws his hands up in the air. “What do you two think? Our Friday night dinners are not some wedding-announcement stage.”
I’m still focused on my brother’s angry face when Kristy snorts beside me. My lips twist as some of the anxiety leaves the room.
“I’ve never given any objection to you two getting married, so why the hell is everyone marrying in secret? We didn’t get to attend Hope and Zach’s wedding. Now you—”
My brother seems disappointed, and for a second, I feel bad for my decision. Then Vienna shifts next to me, clutching the gift bag. Fuck, I need to fix this.