Eventually Yours

91 ✽

~Brie

The rest of my dad's party went on smoothly. His cake arrived and he made a wish and blew out the candles with glee. Then everyone was cut a slice which we all sat around to eat.

Right before I dug in, Aiden interrupted me by squeezing my hand.

“I’d like to make a toast” He collected his wine glass and got to his feet.

At the other side of the room, Roman was loudly sipping on his sparkling apple juice with a cheeky smile and I gave him a stern, silencing look.

“This past year has been the best year of my life, no offense, Bruce.”

Everyone chuckled. My dad gave him a rueful grin.

“I can’t compete with the likes of my little girl and our Roman here. I get it, son. Keep going.”

Aiden looked around the table.

“It still feels surreal to me that I get to call you all family. Thank you for taking my sister and me in this past year and showing us the ropes of how you do things. Thank you for not keeping us at arm’s length. You’ve made this transition so incredibly easy. And a special thank you to Roman,” he added, grinning at my son, “for being the best kid anyone could ask for.”

Someone... pretty sure it was Nia and Dove... awed and my heart melted.

“And to Breanna” He turned to me, glass still held high. “My sweet, wonderful, fierce, scary Breanna.”

Everyone at the table laughed.

Scary?

“I scare you?”

“You scare everyone” Nia laughed.

“A little” Dove pinched her thumb and index fingers together.

I rolled my eyes with a smile and turned back to Aiden.

“You have shown me a love I never could have imagined. Sometimes, after you fall asleep, I lay there beside you, wondering what would have happened if we never got this chance. I’d be half the man I am today. You’d be a better woman, probably, but that’s beside the point.”

More laughter. I blushed and shook my head.

“Speaking of the point. Get to it, will you, Aiden? I’m starving” Aubree spoke up and I caught her sniffing and wiping her tears again.

What is wrong with her today?

Aiden chuckled and smiled at me.

“I’m rambling, I know. It’s because I’m nervous. Manny, give me a hand, will you?”

From the other side of the room, Roman slid off his chair and rushed around behind mine to stand beside Aiden. I frowned at both of them.

“What are you two playing at?”

Aiden put his wine glass down.

“Ever since we told everyone we’re together, we’ve been doing things right and taking our time. But I don’t want to wait anymore.”

Huh?

Roman crammed a hand in his pocket and my stomach fluttered with nerves.

What is going on?

I became suddenly aware of the fact that all eyes were on me. Iris sat beside Leslie with her hands over her mouth. Leslie wore a knowing smile— so did my parents and everyone else.