My body still aches, though my toes are the worst of it, but I’m not missing Thanksgiving dinner with everyone. It’s no secret what I went through and I know the guys were at the hospital when I was there even though Ax didn’t let them in the room.
The lodge doesn’t host many people on Thanksgiving. Other than our group, there’s one other, a family of five that sit across the room from us at their own celebration. I feel a little silly showing up in fuzzy slippers but they’re the only thing I can wear right now, and no one even points it out.
Patrick walks in and makes a beeline for me. Without any hesitation, he gives me a careful hug. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
He smiles down at me. “You know, Axton busted in my room looking for you when you went missing.”
“Oh god, really?”
“Yeah, he was scared shitless, girl.”
I glance back over my shoulder and see Axton watching us while he talks to Jude. He grins and raises his voice. “What? Are you talking about me, Ichabod?”
“I have better things to talk about than your self-centered ass, Axhole!” Patrick calls back, and Ax flips him off.
“Axhole,” I snort. “I’m going to use that.”
“I’m glad you’re all right.”
“The cops caught her. I think everything is going to be okay now.” It’s certainly no secret who I’m talking about. One internet search showed me her arrest for her involvement with Caden’s kidnapping and my attack are plastered everywhere.
Over the next few minutes, I’m approached by everyone the same way, and I can’t describe how it makes me feel, knowing I have this many people who were concerned. Who care about me.
Once everyone has milled around and chatted a little, they start taking a seat at the table. Axton takes my hand and we sit together at one end. Throughout the delicious turkey dinner, I can see half hidden smiles and glances being thrown our direction at the way we act together, without the usual boundaries we tried so hard to keep.
After dessert, Axton smashes any remaining doubt when he leans over and gives me a soft kiss. The hush that’s fallen around the table makes my cheeks heat. “What?” Axton demands. “If you don’t like seeing me kiss my girlfriend, don’t look.”
Well, that cat came flying out of the bag.
“About damn time,” Brysen says, and reaches out his palm toward Elliot.
“I missed it by two weeks!” Elliot exclaims, slapping money into his hand.
Jude shakes his head. “I had until after the new year. Just couldn’t hold out another couple of months, could you?”
Axton stares at his friends. “You assholes actually had a pool going?”
“Dani started it,” Brysen volunteers, and Dani throws a napkin at him.
“All right,” Elliot says. “Who wants to start taking bets on the wedding and first baby?”
Everyone laughs, and Axton’s gaze meets mine. I smile and let him know I’m fine. There won’t be a first baby. I can’t have my own children but if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that you never know what the future is going to bring, and I’m more than happy with what I have now. I hope Ax is too.
As if we haven’t had enough surprises, Jude drains his drink, leans over and kisses Dani full on the lips. He regards Axton. “Fuck it, I’m tired of hiding it from you. I’m in love with your sister. We’ve been seeing each other for the last few months.”
The only one at the table who doesn’t seem shocked is Clara. It makes sense. All those nights Dani said she was spending with her, she was just covering for Dani and Jude. A collective breath is held while Axton and Jude glare at each other.
Finally, Axton points a finger at him. “If you fuck her over, you’ll have me to deal with.”
Jude nods at him. “I know that.”
“Ugh,” Elliot groans, his head falling back. “You Yokos are going to Ono the fuck out of this band.”
Laughter breaks the tension, and I lean over to hug Dani. “I’m happy for you. And I want details later,” I whisper.
“As long as you promise never to give me details.” Axton watches us laugh together and shakes his head, a smile cracking his face.
Later, when everyone has split up and we’re walking back to the cabin with Caden, Axton chuckles. “I didn’t see that coming. Those two hooked up once and then despised each other. Now they’re in love.”
“It’s a thin line. We ought to know.”
He shifts Caden in his arms and grabs my hand. “I never despised you.”
His eyes match the forest and there’s amusement stamped on his face when I reply. “I despised you at first, but you always had your moments.”
Our laughter echoes around the snow packed forest as the moon shines down on a world that no longer seems so lonely.
Epilogue
Four months later
Naomi
Caden races through the house, back and forth, squealing like a madman with Woof on his heels. We were cautious introducing Woof to him. You never know how any dog will react around kids, but Woof is patient and protective. Caden adores him.
It’s hard to believe how fast the house Axton had built was completed. It’s beautiful, and I’m in love with the serene setting. We had a few months of peace from the paparazzi and media but as the trial for Beverly draws closer, we’ve been on their radar again. Axton has spared no expense on security for this place, cameras and alarms around the perimeters, full time security guards to monitor and respond if there is a problem, but it won’t be nearly as confining or intrusive.
Since he’s put the house in an alternate name, we’re hoping we won’t be found too quickly anyway. Either way, he owns all this land and it’s a good buffer to keep people from getting too close to gawk or take pictures.
I had to be here today to discuss a few things with the guys who are coming to install an in-ground pool and to take delivery of some new furniture. We had to wait for the ground to thaw a bit, but these first few weeks of March have been warm and it’s time for them to dig.
Dani is supposed to be meeting me here to get Caden. Ever since she moved into her own place a couple of months ago, she says she can’t stand more than a week without an overnight with her nephew, and we sure aren’t complaining about a night to ourselves occasionally.
“Knock knock,” Dani calls out, walking into the empty living room. “God, this place is gorgeous. I hate you a little bit.”
Caden comes darting around the corner and crashes into her. Woof takes advantage of him lying on the floor and licks his cheeks, sending him into a fit of giggles.
Dani scoops him up. “Are you ready to spend the night, monster? We’re going to get pizza.”
“Pee-za!” Caden shouts and squirms until she puts him down. He runs over to the door and throws her a look that clearly says, well, what the hell are you waiting on? “Pee-za!” he repeats.
Laughing, I hand her his overnight bag. “Good luck. He’s been a terror today.”
“Jude wants to take him to Chuck E. Cheese. He’ll wear him out. I swear, he’s more excited to go than Caden.”