Page 69 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

“No reason…”Suspect.

“Huh,” is all I say back.

Elodie proceeds to chat up Emma, “My sister isn’t here because she hates this place, so you won’t get to meet her. But don’t worry, you’re not missing out on anything.”

“Since when-” I’m stopped from asking, “since when does Caroline hate Spearhead?” Because the front door is opening and the crowd inside the house all shout, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMMA!”

Emma’s face lights up in surprise. Glad my family could get it together and not treat her like shit today. Constantine is the first to her, giving a big hug.

The brothers all made it. Then there’s Brit and Liam, the baby, and Luna. Liam’s mom and dad are here, and so is their chef, Carly.

And then there’s Delta sitting right beside Emma, waiting for his human to notice him.

“I see you, boy,” she kneels down, letting him lick her face. I love that they love each other. “I missed you, sweetie; I did!” She croons out.

After the crowd disperses around her, Sandy drags her to the kitchen to show her her cake. I let her go, planning to catch up in a couple minutes.

I hug Connie, say hi to the brothers, and then my sister taps my shoulder and points to Liam’s office.

I follow her, and she closes the door.

“Thanksgiving,” she says somberly. I figured I’m not getting an invite this year. Hundred bucks says Jess got one, though. “Jess and Damian are coming.”Winner winner chicken dinner.

My stomach sinks. Still not prepared for it.

“If you and Emma want to come…we can make it work. I’m not going tonotinvite you. Because you’re my brother, and she’s my sister now, too.” Wonder how long it took Liam telling her that to get her to that conclusion?

“Nah, that’s okay, Brit.” I give her a side hug so she doesn’t feel too bad. Emma has a break that week, so maybe I’ll take her somewhere. Traveling isn’t something we’ve really done together, aside from coming here from Vegas.

And Emma was right; it’s been almost a whole year. We’re just a month shy of our wedding anniversary.

“I feel bad about it. I really do.” I shake my head, though.

“Don’t.” She eyes me skeptically, like I’m taking this too well.

I am. But then I think of Emma. It sort of soothes the sting.

“Things are going good between you two then?”

I nod. “Yeah.” I don’t have any complaints.

“Wow. okay. I just didn’t think it would happen. I had money on you guys divorcing before your first anniversary,” she laughs.

“That’s fucked up, Brit.” Regardless of the accuracy of the assumption, I don’t like that I’m doomed to fail at every relationship in their eyes.

She laughs again, “No! I’m sorry, I just meant. I thought you were doing it to get back at Jess. I didn’t realize that you two were, like, actually…happy…together. Okay, fine, I’m an asshole. I guess I’m just happy you’re happy.”Happy.

Yeah. I am happy.

Am I the happiest? Hard to say.

I think I’m the normal amount of happy. A good amount. Healthy. There isn’t any back and forth. There’s never any shouting or fighting. The sex is fucking amazing. Emma is amazing. And we both exist peacefully together. We give each other a level of companionship we haven’t had before. That’s what you’re supposed to want in a life partner.

Isn’t it?

Emma

The kitchen is overwhelming. Carly maneuvers between a crawling baby and a bunch of hot Greek men tasting every dish she touches.