Page 33 of Lahaina Noon (Modern Legends of Dragons & Shadows #1)

Chapter 33

T hat evening, when everyone was in bed, Vaughn lay on his back staring at the ceiling. So many emotions were warring within him.

Bridget snuggled up to his side. “Now who’s thinking too hard?”

He rumbled at her, and she took the hint, laying her head on his chest, his strong arms wrapped around her.

“What’s got you thinking so hard, my love?” she whispered.

“Just,” he paused, “Something Gabe said earlier.”

She lifted her head. “What was it?”

He made a non-committal shrug.

“Vaughn, tell me.” She commanded softly.

He looked at her, knowing he couldn’t keep anything from her, and said quietly. “Earlier, when Gabe said, ‘I love our family’ it really struck a chord with me. I haven’t had a family for so long. I have my employees and friends, but not a true family like you, Gabe, Jack and Jorrie have. You’re a family unit. I never knew that was something I wanted. But now, having a small taste of that, I’ve realized that I do. I want a family, and I want it with you. With you and Gabe and Jack and Jorrie. With Liam and even Siobhan. I want,” he paused.

She nudged him gently to continue.

“I want children of my own. With you.”

“Oh, Vaughn,” she whispered. “You dear, sweet man. You’re already part of our family. That’s what Gabe meant when he said he loved our family. He’s including you in that. You are part of our lives; we aren’t letting you go. And silly goose, Liam and Siobhan are definitely family as well.”

He closed his eyes and wrapped her tightly against him. “God, I love you, woman.”

“You better! I love you, too.”

He relaxed his grip and looked at her. “Bridget, about the other,” he began.

She laid a finger over his mouth and crawled on his lap, leaning down to him. She replaced her finger with her lips, kissing him softly. “Vaughn,” she sighed. “I don’t know if it’s still possible for me anymore, but I’m willing to try.” She kissed him again before they fell into a familiar rhythm, making love gently before they fell asleep, knowing they faced a long day ahead.

The next morning reminded Bridget of that scene in Home Alone when the family wakes up and realizes the power is out and they’ve missed their alarm. There were people everywhere, underfoot, running this way and that. She thought she was very in the way. Looking for somewhere to be, she wandered into the kitchen. She found Jack there, leaning against the counter, staring sadly into his coffee .

She leaned on him and put her head on his shoulder. “Hey, brother.”

Jack leaned his head on hers and sighed. “Hey, little sister.” They stood there like that for a few minutes, just breathing.

Finally, Bridget wrapped her arm around Jack’s waist. “It’s Darren, isn’t it.”

He nodded, standing there a little longer before he kissed the top of her head and turned to face her. She was silent, letting him decide how much to say.

“You always seem so perceptive about other people’s relationships,” he mused, “I can’t believe you couldn’t see Vaughn was mooning after you that whole time.” He sighed again. “It’s been falling apart for a while. He doesn’t understand my work, why I’m gone so much. Things I can’t tell him. You know I hate secrets, but I have to keep them. He doesn’t understand why I’ve been spending so much time with you lately; I can’t tell him that either. But you and Gabe are my family first, babe. He gave me an ultimatum last night. If I left on this trip, he wasn’t coming back. He moved out three weeks ago.” He stared at the ceiling. “That’s when I admitted what I already knew. He doesn’t love me. I don’t love him. I loved the idea of him for a while, wanting what my brother had, but after really seeing you and Vaughn, I knew it wasn’t true love. It’s better we end it now rather than move forward with a sticky legal entanglement.” He groaned, “Dragon bonding sounds like a much better way to go, no alimony!”

Bridget laughed and then hugged him. “I’m so sorry, Jack. I think there was a part of you that did really love him, but I know the right person is still out there, waiting to meet you. ”

He nodded and saluted her with his coffee cup.

Vaughn walked into the kitchen and paused, seeing Bridget and Jack embracing. “Am I interrupting something?” he asked, backing out of the room.

“No,” Bridget said, pulling him in. “Jack had a hard choice to make last night. I’m just reminding him that he’s got a lot of people here who love him.”

Vaughn nodded and put his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Absolutely, Jack. I know this whole thing has been rough, and I’m sorry our baggage is spilling over to you.”

Jack waved it off, “No, if anything, I should be thanking you. It’s really opened my eyes to possibilities, and I’m going to be better off this way. I’ll be alright. Just stings, you know?” he shook his head, rubbing his chest.

Vaughn pulled him in for a hug and whispered, “I got you, brother. You’re my family now, too.”

Jack gave Vaughn a watery smile as he hugged him back tightly and turned to Bridget. “You’re lucky you snapped him up when you did; otherwise, I’d have to fight you for him.”

They all laughed, the mood seeming much lighter, although Bridget knew Jack was still hurting. She hoped this trip would take his mind off it for a little while.

Liam popped his head in, “Sorry to interrupt, Drake, shuttle’s here.”

Just like the movie, Bridget mused as she watched nine people trying to corral luggage and themselves into the two airport shuttle vans. The guys were loading their gear, Gabe was bouncing around like a spring, Siobhan was trying to discreetly place wards on the vans, Jack and Jorrie were engaged in a friendly argument about who was going to ride up front with the hot driver of van two, and Vaughn was trying to direct it all. A last-minute addition to their party made it ten in total.

Davis’ identical twin brother Shepard was coming along too. It was decided the rare powers the two had were needed for the fight ahead. If it wasn’t for Shepard’s longer hair, it would have been impossible to tell them apart as they both had impish grins and mischief in their eyes. Davis and Shepard were both born dragons, which was highly unusual as only the firstborn inherited the gene. Their parents had worked hard to keep it a secret, knowing the Council would have taken great interest in the twins. Going to Italy, right under the Council’s nose, seemed like a bad idea but they had waved it off, confident they could stay under the radar. They were already getting into some shenanigans, and she knew she’d have to watch Gabe around them. They could lead him into trouble.

Feeling him before she heard him, she reached back for Vaughn’s hands as he walked behind her. Every day, she was more aware of him, where he was, even when he wasn’t next to her. It was safe, and she liked this connection they had.

What movie is that, my love, he asked her, linking hands and standing with his warm, hard body against hers.

She laughed, Home Alone. You remember that movie? When they’re trying to go to Paris, and they’re rushing to the vans to make their flight on time?

Vaughn laughed and whispered in her ear, “But this time, Kevin’s coming with us.”

She snorted, “He better! ”

“Gabe!” hollered Vaughn, “Get your butt in the first van so your mom can breathe easier, okay? No Kevins today!”

Gabe looked a little confused, not understanding the joke, but complied with the order.

Bridget laughed. “I’m going to join him, so he doesn’t talk the driver’s ear off.” She kissed his jaw and climbed into the van as well.

Vaughn stood there watching her, enjoying the way the sun lit her coppery tresses up like flames. His father came to stand next to him.

“She reminds me of your mother.”

Vaughn looked at him questioningly.

Ivan continued, “She’s fierce and fiery, but she’s gentle and kind, and she has a big heart. Look at the family she’s gathered around her. She would fight to the end for them.”

His heart skipped a beat. Ivan was correct and that worried him.