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“Wow, and to think all of this because the power went out.”
“All because you chose to make music instead of making excuses,” Dad corrects.
While the four of us continue to talk, I keep my eye on Justine and my sisters. When Peyton manages to get Maverick into Justine’s arms, something shifts in my chest.
Justine holds him naturally, talking and smiling to him. The way she interacts with him feels effortless, genuine. She’s not performing or trying to impress anyone. She’s just being herself with a baby, and it’s beautiful.
I excuse myself and step closer, needing to be in the mix.
“He likes you,” I hear Peyton say.
“He’s beautiful,” Justine says, and something in her voice makes my chest tight. “They all are.”
“You’re a natural,” my mom observes, watching as Maverick grabs onto Justine’s finger. “Some people just have that gentle touch with children.”
I watch as Elle holds out one of her boys in what seems like an offering. Somehow Justine ends up holding both babies, onein each arm, looking completely at ease. She laughs at something Peyton says about the challenges of managing triplets, and the sound is so natural, so right in this moment with my family surrounding us. She looks like she’s been in this mix from the beginning.
“You’re staring,” Noah says, jolting me from, in fact, my intense staring, watching, ogling. Whatever it needs to be called.
“I can’t help it. I see her, sitting there with my sisters, my nephews, and niece and I . . .” I pause and shake my head. If I had my choice, I would’ve been married by now.
“Tell me, Quinn, what do you see when you look at Justine?”
“My future,” I say without hesitation. The thought doesn’t scare me. It excites me. It sends this jolt of power through me, making me feel like I can do anything. Be anyone.
“I’ve never felt more comfortable with someone. It’s like she was meant for me, but I had to go through this shit with Nola to see the sun again. She’s, my sun.” I motion toward Justine, who happens to look at up. She smiles and points to the boys in her lap.
That’s when it hits me like a lightning bolt. This moment, watching Justine with my nephews while my family surrounds us, this is what I want. Not someday, not eventually. Now.
I want Justine to be part of my family officially. I want her to be the one helping with babies at every family gathering. I want our own children to call my parents Grandma and Grandpa. I want forever with her, starting now.
After more familytime and a very well relaxed nap in the lazy river, I find myself on the balcony of our suite with Justine.The Vegas strip spreads out below us, a river of lights and endless possibility.
“Your family is incredible,” she says, leaning against the railing. The city lights reflect in her eyes, making them sparkle. “I can see where you get your warmth from, your loyalty.”
“They love you,” I tell her, moving to stand behind her, my arms wrapping around her waist. She leans back against my chest, and I can feel her heartbeat against my arms.
“I love them too,” she says softly. “I’ve never . . . I’ve never had anything like this. A big family, everyone talking over each other, babies crying, your mom making sure everyone is taken care of. It’s so nice to see how your family and Noah’s mesh so well.”
“Josie and my mom are best friends and have been since they were little. There’s a lot of history there. I’ve known Liam my entire life but met Noah when I was eight. At first, we didn’t get along. He was jealous of me because I was close to his dad, and I was jealous of him because he had this amazing family. You haven’t even met Nick—that’s Noah’s stepdad—and his two kids. We were all together at Christmas. We’re this one big family and it’s so odd to think that if Peyton and Elle’s father hadn’t died, I probably wouldn’t be standing here, with you.”
“We would’ve found each other eventually. I believe this wholeheartedly. Your family is beautiful, Quinn.”
“You’re part of it now,” I tell her, and I mean it completely.
She turns in my arms to face me, and in the neon glow of the city, I can see vulnerability written across her features. “Am I? I mean, we just started dating, Quinn. Everything’s been so intense, so fast.”
“Does that scare you?”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Sometimes. Not the feelings. I know how I feel about you. But the speed of everything . . .”
“What if I told you I don’t want to slow down?” I ask, my heart starting to pound as I prepare to put everything on the line.
“What do you mean?”
I cup her face in my hands, studying her features in the colored lights of Vegas. “I mean, what if I told you watching you with my family, with the babies, with Ajay’s kids at the pool, seeing you laugh with my sisters, what if I told you that’s what I want for the rest of my life?”
Her breath catches, and I can see her processing what I’m saying.