Emmett rushed into my arms, and I settled my face into his soft hair, grabbing him close to me. Relief and love pulsed through me; knowing that Emmett got away from there before he was even born was a blessing I had never thought of before. It made it all worth it having Emmett safe from growing up in that environment.
Caspiens strong arms wrapped around us both in a warm embrace.
“We made the perfect airplane out of blue paper,” He pulled back excitedly and wiggled in my arms to get me to put him down before tugging on both of our hands and leading us into Rendell and Grace’s apartment.
“We heard we’re getting new neighbors,” Caspien’s dad said as we were dragged past him.
“We can’t wait. We’re going to stay the next few nights here to help them unpack and settle in.” Grace added.
Emmett stopped at the dining room table that was covered in paper.
“We’ve had a busy weekend,” Rendell said, stopping behind us as Emmett rummaged through the paper planes.
“This one!” He shouted, holding an airplane over his head triumphantly.
“That is a good one,” Caspien knelt next to him; Emmett handed him the airplane, and Caspien examined it, lifting part of the paper wing up.
“I have to say it might be one of the best, son,” Rendell knelt down and placed his hand on Caspien’s shoulder, “We made the weight a bit heavier.”
“But with the t.hrust? It seems too small,” Caspien replied.
“Try it for yourself,”
Caspien stood up and aimed the paper airplane back down the hallway. It glided with ease and fell to a soft landing.
“Wow,” Caspien whistled.
“I told you!” Emmett said, tugging him back down the hallway to retrieve it.
Grace looked at me and sighed, “It’s even worse with his grandson, I thought Caspien and him were bad, but I guess the whole apple and the tree thing or whatever people say,” She waved a hand, but her eyes were bright. She turned to study me, “Can I get you anything? Some tea, maybe? I knew it was a long weekend.”
“It was,” I agreed, “Maybe later, thank you, I just want to unpack and change sweatpants and stare at a wall for a while,” I responded honestly, and Grace laughed louder than I’d ever heard her.
“I completely understand that,”
“We’ll see you tonight?” I asked, “My parents will be here after dinner if you’re still awake.”
“Willa, we’re honestly not old,” She scolded, and I covered my smile.
Her eyes widened, and she grabbed my hand.
I had already forgotten, the ring was part of me now, and nothing changed between Cas and me. It was just another outward show of our commitment.
“That is gorgeous; he has outdone himself,” She breathed, turning my hand over, “It looks even better than I imagined.” She said in awe, her eyes welling up.
She dropped my hand and pulled me into a tight hug.
“What is happening here?” Caspien said, eyeing us.
“We’re engaged,” I said as Grace let me go; she wiped her eyes.
“Are you crying, Mom?” Caspien looked taken aback.
“Yes,” Grace eyed her son, “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Congratulations,” Rendell boomed, clapping Caspien on the shoulder, “Let me see what you did with the family band,” I held my hand out to his, and mine was swallowed in his, “Very good, son.” He smiled proudly, “Fit for a princess.” Rendell sounded serious, and I felt my cheeks flush a bit. “What is it?” Emmett peered behind Caspien.
“I proposed to your Mama,” Caspien ruffled his hair, “Remember when I asked you if it was okay if I asked your mom to marry me?” Emmett nodded and walked up to me, looking at the ring.
“That’s nice, but wait until I show you this other airplane.” Emmett walked past me.
Caspien shook his head, smiling, “Grab the airplane, and let’s go home. We can order pizza if you want.”
“Yes!” Emmett cheered.
“More reaction for pizza than that diamond,” Caspien sighed.
“He doesn’t have your taste for the finer things,” I raised an eyebrow.
“He will come around,” Caspien wrapped an arm around me and grabbed Emmett’s hand in his.
It took all of five minutes before Cali and Holden barrel through the door with Loreli in tow. Loreli barreled over to Emmett and almost knocked him down.
“She has my grace,” Holden smiled at us.
“I have news,” Cali brushed past him and held out her hand. A massive diamond with a halo of smaller ones that made it look like the sun sat on a diamond-studded gold band. “It’s beautiful,” I breathed.
“A sunbeam for my ray of sunshine,” Holden came up and pulled Cali against his chest. Cali rolled her eyes but her smile didn’t waver.
“Well, congratulations,” Caspien said, nodding at them.
“That’s it? I just bared my soul to this woman and poured out more money than I thought a rock could cost,” Holden said, and Cali rolled her eyes, “And I get a terse congratulations?” “Terse,” Caspein repeated.
“Congratulations,” I beamed at them, feeling a rush of happiness from my friend.
I knew this meant the world to Cali, she was just turned, and this meant more in her mind than a mark. I knew it went deeper than just the ring she wanted. This was a human version of a mark. “Let me see it again,” I took her hand in mine as Cali’s smile widened, “He got Loreli a necklace that looks exactly like it, smaller of course, and she’s too small now, but,” She shrugged. “We need to celebrate,” Holden said.
“With my wine, I’m assuming,” Caspien said cooly, and Holden looked away guiltily, “That’s fine,” Caspien said and sighed, “Because we also have something to celebrate.”
“Oh, the weekend,” Cali raised an eyebrow, and her genuine smile was replaced with a wicked one, “I want all the details.”
“And you’ll get them, but I also asked Willa to marry me,” Caspien cut in; Holden and Cali looked at him, their eyes wide as if this was some sort of shock, “And she said yes,” Their eyes widened. “What?” I asked them, “We’re already marked.”
“But marriage, Cas, it just seems so, I don’t know, sentimental.” Holden said, “Were werewolves,”
“I think it’s great,” Cali said, reaching for my hand now examining my ring, whistling lowly.
“Double wedding? We can both have babies after,” Holden suggested.
“No!” Cali and I shouted at the same time.
“Jeez, calm down,” Holden held his hands up, “I’ll keep my little swimmers to myself.”
“I swear,” Caspien shook his head.
“Let me get the kids some snacks, and I want to hear all about it,” I diverted the conversation.
“So, first we went on a helicopter ride over the city, and then he rented out this theater, I forget the name, not the big one,” Cali chewed her lip, looking away, “It doesn’t matter, but when we got there there wasn’t anyone, I thought we were going to see a show.” Holden placed his hand on hers.
“It was dark besides roses and hundreds of candles,”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.