Page 123 of The Rebel

Sometimes I couldn’t believe that she was mine for good. When I told the family about our engagement, they all contacted her with delight. I think they all knew she’d be part of the family before I did!

We opened the three bottles at once on the back of the boat and then came back inside, pouring champagne in all the glasses. There was a flurry of activity as everyone took a glass, Bella included. She looked mighty happy when Chad told her she was allowed one sip.

“All right, everyone,” David said as we clinked glasses. “Thank you for coming here today to celebrate. And for indulging me in having this party out here on the bayou.” He smiled at Isabeau. “My wife here was the hardest to win over.”

She waved him off. “Oh, stop it. I didn’t mean to give you a hard time. I’m sorry about that. It’s your birthday—of course we can celebrate any way you want.”

That was the secret of their marriage. They compromised when they knew something was truly important to the other one. Isabeau didn’t like the bayou at all, and David didn’t mind spending time here without her. But she made an exception for his birthday.

“Few people are lucky to reach the age I have and even fewer to be able to spend their birthday with their family by their side.”

I walked over to Daisy, putting an arm around her waist from behind.

“I’ve always considered myself a lucky man,” David continued. “First, because I was born into the LeBlanc family.”

There was a round of laughter. We were all very aware of our privilege in our family.

“That was my luckiest day. The second-luckiest day was meeting my dearest wife.” He winked at Isabeau, and she beamed at him.

“This is such a good speech,” Daisy murmured.

“I’m very proud of the life the two of us built together.”

David then looked at Felix and Celine. “Joining our family with the Broussards’ was yet another lucky day even though we all tried to fight it in the beginning.”

Mom and Dad both laughed out loud.

“You truly did. You didn’t know luck when it stared you in the face,” Dad said.

David nodded. “They blessed us with six grandkids, who enriched our lives immensely. They still do, to this day. To many more celebrations in the family!” he finished, taking a sip of champagne.

We all followed suit, and then Daisy looked up at me.

“I truly can’t believe that a LeBlanc is happy to just have this low-key birthday celebration.”

“It’s how my grandparents have always done things. They instilled the same in all of us, and I’d like to do the same with our kids.”

Daisy smiled, then blushed.

“I hope so too,” she murmured.

“In fact,” I said, kissing her temple, “I like the bayou as much as the grandfathers. I can imagine us in fifty years, standing just like they are here, surrounded by our kids and grandkids.”

“You’re on a very romantic streak today.”

“What can I say? I get all sorts of ideas when I’m around you,” I confessed. “We’ll build a great life together.”

“Yes, we will,” she replied.

“All right, everyone. It’s time to eat,” Isabeau said.

She and Celine had insisted on preparing all the food for today. Scarlett helped too. They’d brought chafing dishes and whatnot aboard.

As we all hurried to get a plate, my thoughts went to Beckett again. I didn’t want to press him for more information even though I was curious.

My brother hadn’t been dating anyone or he would’ve told me. That meant he’d be a single dad. But I knew without a shadow of doubt that the entire family would rally around him. That’s what we LeBlanc and Broussards did. Always.