“Okay.”
She twisted my hair. “Wear your hair up to show off the neckline. A pair of long earrings, nothing too over the top. No other jewelry unless you want to wear a bracelet. Let the dress shine.”
I could only nod, unable to take my eyes off my reflection. “I have never worn anything so beautiful.”
Ava came over, carrying a pair of strappy shoes. “These, Mom?”
Cami nodded. “Yes. Slip those on, Paige dear.”
I did as she asked, shocked at how the heels changed my posture. Ava held out her hand. “What about these?”
“Yes, excellent choice.” Cami handed me a pair of simple drop earrings with tiny blue and white stones that caught the light in a burst of brilliance. “Try these.”
I paused. “They, ah, aren’t real, are they?”
Cami laughed. “No. Crystals. I keep a bunch of accessories we use for special occasions. No need in wasting money buying something you might only use once.”
She met my surprised gaze in the mirror and shrugged. “Growing up, my sister and I lived together and only had each other. We had to scrimp and save every penny, and we shared all sorts of things. Emmy was part of that. Some habits you never break. Why spend money on something you’ll wear on only one occasion and then tuck it in a drawer and forget it? If Dee needs something, she borrows it. So does Emmy. All the girls. If they buy something new, they add it to the collection.” She grinned. “Our own little shop.”
“And the shoes?” I asked.
Cami laughed. “My obsession, I admit. Ava and I wear the same size, and I thought you looked about a seven as well. Same thing. Why go buy a pair you might never wear again? Borrow these for the night.”
“You are too generous.”
“Nonsense. You mean a great deal to my son, so that means you’re family. And that is what we do. We’re there for family.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, my throat thick.
“I’m bringing Lucy here for a girls’ night on Saturday. We’re going to have a sleepover at my place,” Ava said, sounding excited.
Cami clapped her hands in delight. “Then we can have brunch on Sunday. You can enjoy a lie-in with Liam and come to the house around eleven.”
My cheeks colored at her words. She assumed I would be coming home with Liam and sleeping over. Which meant she also assumed we had—
She laughed at my blush. “I’m not a regular mother. I’m quite aware my children are adults and act as such. I remember Aiden and I when we were younger. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other.”
Ava laughed as she sat down. “You still can’t. It’s disgusting, Mom. I keep telling you that.” But she met my eyes and winked.
Cami stepped back with a smile. “You change, and we’ll have tea and visit for a bit. I’ll work on the dress tomorrow, and you’ll look beautiful on Saturday.”
I slipped off the dress and followed Cami and Ava back downstairs. While Cami was making tea, I looked around the house Liam had grown up in. It was spacious and open. Lots of wood, with a huge double-sided, stone fireplace in the middle that separated the kitchen/dining room from the living room. Family pictures were everywhere, soft scatter rugs on top of gleaming oak floors. Heavy furniture, including a massive dining table. I could picture Ava, Liam, and the triplets around the table with Cami and Aiden, all talking and laughing, the noise level no doubt high. The front windows overlooked the water and beach below.
Ava stood beside me at the windows. “I always loved this view,” she said.
“What a wonderful place to grow up,” I murmured.
“It was. I love it here. We all do. Even those of us who don’t choose to live here full time come back every chance they get. It’s special.”
“Was it fun being the only girl in the house, or did the boys torment you?”
She laughed. “Both. They loved to tease and play tricks. But if anyone else got in my face, they became my fiercest protectors. My dad made sure he taught me the same moves as the boys, so I could defend myself as well. In fact, he enrolled us all in karate. I was the only one who kept at it. I have a black belt.”
“Wow. Impressive.”
She waggled her eyebrows, looking mischievous. “Keeps the boys in line. They know if they step off it, I’ll flip them.”
“You can flip Liam?”
“Easy. It’s not the size of your opponent. It’s how you use your own strength. I’ll show you if you like.”
I had to laugh. “I’d love to see that.”
“Done.”
Chapter Nine
Paige
Cami called to us, and we sat down, sipping the fragrant tea. She turned to me.
“From what I understand, you have no family?”
“No. My parents are gone, and I have no siblings. No uncles, aunts, anything. It’s only Lucy and me. Plus, Beth and Evan, of course.”
Cami beamed at me. Her smile lit up her face, and I could understand why Aiden called her his Sunshine. She glowed when she smiled. “I adore Beth and Evan. And your Lucy is a little doll. We are so happy for Ronan and Liam.” She laughed. “All my boys have fallen in love so quickly and close together.” She glanced at Ava. “I wonder what is next?”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Not me, Mom. I’m far too busy with work.”
“Never say never.”
Ava laughed. “Don’t hold your breath.”
Cami smiled affectionately. “I want you to have what your father and I have. I want that for all my children.”
“Four out of five is pretty good. Soon, you’ll be bouncing grandkids on your knee, and you’ll be too busy to worry about me.” Ava nudged me. “Get on that, would you? Help a girl out.”
I felt the color drain from my face, and Ava looked horrified.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I mean, maybe you can’t or—” she dropped her head into her hands “—oh God, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I assured her. “It’s just…”
“Just?” Cami prompted.
I had no idea why I spoke up. “I know Liam wants children. I’m worried about having another baby,” I admitted.
“Because of Lucy?” Cami asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“Then you can be a family of three.”
“Is that fair to your son?”
She paused. “I don’t think my son fell in love with you for your uterus, Paige. He fell in love with your heart. Your spirit. Your mind. He would love Lucy as his own.” She pursed her lips. “Do you recall meeting Van and his wife Liv on the weekend?”
“Yes. They had a lovely family.”
She smiled. “Not one of those children is Van’s biological offspring. He met Liv when Sammy was five and adopted her when they got married. They adopted Reed and Mila together. You would never know that. He loves them fiercely.” She patted my hand. “Family isn’t only about blood. It’s about love.”
She sipped her tea, letting me digest her words. “Five children or one child. You’re still a family. Don’t let your fears of a what-if that might never happen stop you from being happy. If my son tells you he is content with only Lucy, you should believe him.”