Chapter 23

Six years later

“Hey cutie,” I cooed to the one year old in Jade’s arms. She looked up at me with adorable crystal blue eyes. I held out my hands. “Come to Auntie Danny.”

“Come on, honey,” Jade encouraged her daughter. “She won’t hurt you.”

Baby Jasmine looked away, burying her face in the crook of her mother’s neck. Jade sighed, bouncing up and down. I just chuckled, tickling Jasmine’s small back.

“She’s too attached to Jarred and I,” Jade rolled her eyes. “The only other person she’d go to is Weston.”

“She’s too cute,” I cooed.

“Just like her father,” Jarred said cockily, slinging his arm around Jade. He took Jasmine in his hands and smiled at her. “Did Aunt Danny scare you again? She is scary, huh?”

I smacked Jarred’s shoulder. He poked his tongue out at me before taking Jasmine into the kitchen to feed her. Jade rolled her eyes once more.

“Jarred is spoiling her way too much,” Jade said with a slight smile on her face.

“Well, that is his very first princess,” I laughed.

“Danny,” A female voice yelled. My eyes widened when Abigail came running into the dining room. She wrapped her arms around me. It was somewhat hard to hug her back with the round belly she was sporting. “Congrats, college grad! You could finally be a teacher.”

“Thanks,” I replied, smiling at the accomplishment.

“Abs,” Eli entered the room with a panicked expression. “You’re squishing my baby!”

“Shush,” Abigail pulled away, rubbing her belly. “He’s my baby too.”

“It’s going to be a girl,” Eli argued.

“It’ll be a boy. I want a boy first,” Abigail said angrily. “So Jasmine and him could be together.”

“Jasmine is going to be two years older than our baby,” Eli cried. “Women are so confu – “

“Eli,” Warren called from the living room. “You’re missing the football game, man. Where have you been?”

Before Abigail could say anything, Eli dashed off into the room with the other men. A few seconds later, Stacey joined us in the kitchen. We all stared at the living room door when the men screamed and shouted. We simply shook our heads.

“Hey pretty ladies,” Stacey greeted. “How are my best friends?”

“Lacking sleep,” Jade replied. “Be warned, Abs. Once your baby is born, she or he will keep you awake.”

We laughed, knowing how much Abigail cherished her sleep. “I’ll let Eli take care of the night shift,” Abigail joked. She turned to Stacey with waggling eyebrows. “How was your first anniversary with your husband?”

Stacey blushed. She winked. “I’m afraid that is confidential information.” We laughed.

Abigail and Eli were the first to get married. They got married two years ago. Months after, Jade and Jarred vowed their love to each other. Last year, Stacey and Warren got married. Even Beau married his spunky, red head mate about a year and a half ago.

Beau moved back to his home with his mate. I decided to stay here. Occasionally, I’d drive down to visit Beau. I was extremely ecstatic that he found himself a mate. She was everything Beau was looking for.

“What about you?” Abigail scolded, pointing her finger at me. “Woman, you’re already twenty-five. You found Weston about nine years ago. He needs to fertilize the soil or glue a ring to your finger. What the hell are you guys waiting for?”

I blushed, shuffling my feet. Everyone was married or had kids. Weston and I were in a serious relationship, but we never talked about getting married or having kids. We went with the flow. Usually, it didn’t bother me. However, now that I was twenty-five and all my friends were starting a lifelong relationship and family, I wanted it too.

I didn’t know how to respond to Abigail’s question. I didn’t have to. At that moment, I was lucky a familiar brown haired, brown-eyed boy ran in. My four-year-old nephew threw his arms around my waist.

“Auntie Danny,” Kyle exclaimed, smiling up at me.

“Hey monster,” I said, ruffling his hair.

“Where’s Uncle Weston?” He asked curiously after hugging Abigail, Stacey, and Jade.

“He’s in the living room watching football with the guys.”

“Cool,” he yelled, running into the living space.

My mom came into the kitchen carrying a two year old in her arms. I took my nephew in my arms, cuddling him close to me. His curly brown hair peeked out of his small baseball cap. “How’s my little Keegan?”

“Kyle took ball. All gone,” Keegan said with a pout. His speech was improving.

“Auntie Danny will buy you another one,” I promised, kissing his cheek.

“Hey mom,” I greeted.

“Hey Danny,” My mother responded, flinging her arms around my shoulders. “Congratulations on your graduation!”

I laughed. “Thanks mom. Where are Darren and Kelly?”

“Still at work,” My mom sighed. “I swear they work too hard. They’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“Good,” Abigail groaned. “I am starving.”

“You’re always starving,” Stacey teased, poking her belly. “Pregnancy is scary.”

“Everything is scary to you,” Jade replied.

My phone notification went off. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, reading the text message.

‘Hey Danny, sorry couldn’t make it today. Congrats on your graduation! I’m still in California with the girl friend. Her parents are so creepy. They own porcelain dolls. I’ll make it up to you. –Jet’

I smiled, chuckling at Jet’s text message. Just three months ago, Jet had found his mate. Ever since then, he has become a huge softie. He agreed to meet her parents this month. He stated that she was very different from her creepy family.

When everyone got here, we sat together at the long table in the pack dining room. It was loud as usual. This time, Jasmine was crying. Kyle and Keegan were making airplane noises at the end of the table. Everyone talked here and there. Eli and Abigail continued their usual banter.

“Congratulations to our graduate,” Jade called out, toasting. “Danny, you will make a great teacher.”

There were cheers and claps. I smiled at my friends and my family. It was nice being surrounded by the ones you loved. I wished it would stay like this forever.

Weston hand squeezed mine and he smiled at me. “Congrats, babe,” He whispered. “You’d be one hell of a sexy teacher.”

I rolled my eyes, but the small smile on my face lingered. “Since you’re a teacher now, could I ask you something?” He asked it loud enough for everyone to hear. The silence that followed was suspicious. Their excited faces were mischievous.

“Go for it,” I replied, shrugging.

Weston smiled, kissing my cheek. My mouth dropped open when Weston dropped down onto one knee, digging in his pocket for a velvet black box. I laughed when Weston scratched the back of his neck before opening the jewelry case.

I felt happiness and love burst inside of me. Before I knew it, tears of joy rolled down my cheeks rapidly. I giggled, wiping the tears with the sleeve of my shirt.

Weston opened the box. Inside was a simple, elegant, and beautiful diamond ring. His eyes were boring into my own. I swear I would never get tired of his beautiful, blue eyes. His other hand held my face.

“Daniella Saunders, I lobe you so very much,” He said loud and clear. “I want to spend my whole life with you. You’ve invaded my heart. I know. That sounded very cheesy. So, will you marry me?”

I didn’t even have to think twice.

“Yes!”