Eventually Yours

✽ 76

~Brie

The silence that hung in the air became deafening. Till Katie-Ann swept across the room to squeeze Roman in a hug.

“Angela, Nicholas, we didn't think you'd be coming” my dad smiled after a beat.

“We wanted all the kids to get here before we came. Sorry, we should have called” Angela smiled apologetically.

Aubree set her pie down as Beck made his way toward her at our table. On instinct, Aiden slipped his hand around my waist and tugged me closer to him. I squeezed his hand gratefully under the table and looked on.

When Beck moved in for a kiss, I glanced at Riccardo who suddenly seemed fascinated by the pie cutter. Aubree turned her face, giving Beck her cheek to kiss. He made a face.

“What? Don't tell me you're shy around our family now” he chuckled.

My sister gave him a tight-lipped smile.

“I have the flu” she lied. “Mild” she quickly added before Angela could fuss about it.

Beck nodded and kissed her cheek.

“Don't worry. I'm here now and I'll nurse you back to health.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. How was someone who had the habit of disappearing when you needed him most to nurse you back to health?

Then again, it wasn't my problem.

“Breanna” Paisley called as she approached me. “It's good to see you.”

I smiled at her.

“You too Paise. How's college?”

“As Brown as it can be” she chuckled, intending the pun.

I smiled.

“Kiddo, get over here and give me a hug” Beckett chuckled, opening his arms to Roman.

He wiggled out of Katie-Ann's hold and slowly moved in to hug him. Dash nudged at my foot before passing under the table to settle at Aubree's feet.

“Good seeing you Dad” Roman muttered.

“Wow, look at you. You're so tall now” Beck grinned, letting my son go.

“Well, I am ten years old now, Dad.”

For a second, I thought Beck wasn't going to notice. But he did.

“Dad? Whatever happened to Daddy?”

Roman shrugged.

“Priorities.”

Nia slapped a hand across her mouth to hold back her laugh and I turned and pressed my face into Aiden's chest, laughing as quietly as I could.

“Hey, I'm really sorry about your birthday Manny. It wasn't my intention—”

“It's okay, Dad. Mommy explained it to me.”

Beck scoffed a little.

That's right, I still get to be 'Mommy'.

“Well, I hope you forgive me, kiddo. Plus I have a surprise for you.”

Aubree folded her arms and shook her head. Beck whipped out something from his back pocket and handed it to Roman.

“Tickets to the dinosaur state park?” Roman gasped. “Cool!”

“Happy birthday, kid” Beck ruffled his hair.

Roman giggled, and then he stopped.

“Oh.”

“What?” Beck asked.