Page 43 of The Road to Forever (Beaumont: Next Generation #7)

THIRTY

T he neon lights of Vegas flash past the bus window as we roll into the city, and I can’t help but smile at the familiar sight.

There’s something about Vegas that always gets my blood pumping - maybe it’s the energy, maybe it’s the fact that anything can happen here.

It feels like the perfect place to end this incredible tour.

“Almost there,” Justine says as she looks out the window of the bus.

“I can’t freaking wait to sit by the pool,” Wynonna adds.

“I just want a cabana boy or whatever,” Priscilla says. “And lots of booze.”

“I’ll be your pool boy,” Hendrix says, and before any of us can chastised him for being inappropriate, he rolls his eyes and adds, “Because they want to drink and are underage. Someone has to look out for them.”

“Wow, I’ve never seen you act so mature,” Dana adds, earning a scowl from Hendrix.

“We’re flying high,” he says. “None of us need something bad to happen to any of us. And I’m sorry, this city is full of creeps, and we need to be on high alert.”

For once, in a long time, Hendrix is right. Keane and I give him a solid fist bump. Looking out for everyone, not just our leading ladies is the right thing to do.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and look at the screen.

“Elle just texted that my family’s already at the hotel,” I say, leaning into Justine.

This will be the first time I’ve seen everyone since Noah announced his retirement at the end of the football season.

Thankfully, when he had his press conference in Portland, we had a tour stop there.

While most of our hotels have been nice, staying at Noah and Peyton’s high rise, overlooking the city of Portland, was a nice change of pace, and comfort.

Justine smiles. There isn’t a hint of nerves showing on her beautiful face. She’s about to officially meet my parents, as my girlfriend. It’s one thing to know someone professionally, but when you cross the proverbial line between personal and professional, things are different.

My parents are kick ass and I know they’ll fall for Justine just as I have.

“I know you’ve met everyone before, but this is different.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

She leans into me. Having her in my arms amazes me at how comfortable I am. There’s no tension. No walking on eggshells, no wondering if I’m going to say or do the wrong thing.

“Nervous but excited.”

“Well, my parents are very chill. It’s a bonus that you already know one of my sisters.”

“Ah yes, the one who can make or break my career.”

I give her a bit of the side eye. “Elle’s not like that. You know this. Today, when you see her, she will be with Ben and their boys, Peyton and Noah, and their babies. She’s a lot different around family.”

“I love this place,” Hendrix says as the tour bus pulls up to the MGM Grand. This is where we’ll be playing tomorrow night for the final show of the tour. Looking out the windows, there’s the familiar chaos of Vegas mixed with something new and exciting.

“Holy shit,” Hendrix says from the front of the bus. “Look at this crowd.”

Fans start screaming as the bus pulls up to the designated drop off. Honestly, I’m surprised there are so many people waiting for us.

“Should we get off and give the fans what they want?” Keane asks.

I shrug and figure Elle’s going to come out and tell us what’s happening. It’s not like we have to get off the bus right now. I continue looking out the window toward the hotel, while some of the others are on the other side, pointing out fans and reading the signs they have.

Three very large men come out of the hotel, with my sister following behind them. She’s wearing one of those baby carriers over her chest. I angle my head, trying to see the rest of my family.

Elle boards, looking exhausted, happy, and glowing. She looks at each of us and then a wide smile forms over her lips. “After months and months of stops, this is it. If I don’t tell you tonight after the shows over, I’m so freaking proud to be your manager.”

Whichever boy she has fusses. She bounces up and down to soothe him.

“This lobby area is clear, and the security team will keep the fans at bay. There are a lot of fans in the hotel so if at any time you want to go somewhere, let me know and I’ll get you an escort.

4225 West is also here so the fans and their moms are very happy. ” Elle rolls her eyes.

“We have the lazy river reserved today for a private party,” she adds. “It’ll be all our families.”

“Are Jamie and the kids here?” Ajay asks.

Elle nods. “Yep, and all settled in their suite. Just waiting for you. And your parents are here,” she says looking at Wynonna and Priscilla, who look elated.

My heart dips a bit knowing no one is waiting for Justine.

I know bits and pieces about her life but haven’t asked for more. Someday, she’ll tell me.

I hold Justine’s hand as we get off the bus, loving the way it feels in mine. As soon as we get into this part of the hotel, a security guard directs us toward an elevator. He steps inside, swipes a card and the presses the button from the second to top.

Next to me, Ajay rocks back and forth, with anticipation. I can’t imagine being on tour and not having my family with me. I don’t know how he’s made it.

The door opens and Evelyn screams my name. “Quinnnnnnn!” She launches herself into my arms, ignoring her dad.

“Hey, sweet girl. I hear we are going to the pool later.”

She nods. “Grandpa said I can sit on his lap.”

“No, me,” James says as Ajay scopes him up.

“You can sit on my lap,” Ajay says. “I’ve missed you.”

“K,” James says as he hugs his father. Ajay’s moving down the hall fast toward his wife, who runs toward him. I watch the for a second and then tell Evelyn to go to her parents.

“Mom and dad are in here,” Elle says as she comes up behind me. I lift the blanket covering one of my nephews and peak at the sleeping baby. “Jett?”

“Why do you think it’s Jett?”

“Because Jett is a very Elle name,” I tell her.

My sister cackles and nods. “Yes, this is Jett.” She pulls the blanket all the way off so others can see him. Dana melts, Chandler says she wants to babysit, while Hendrix says Hendrix would’ve made a badass name.

“He’s very cute,” Justine says as she touches his dark hair.

“Thanks. Sonny’s with someone,” Elle says, waving her hand very nonchalantly.

“Shouldn’t you know where your other son is?” I tease.

“I left him with his father, who was left with our mother and a room of aunties.” Elle shrugs and opens the door to a suite, and there, in this massive room is my entire family.

The one thing I’m going to say about my family is, they do subtle well.

Knowing full well that this is the moment I’m bringing someone knew into lives could be awkward for Justine, they choose to ignore.

Except they’re not truly ignoring, they’re going about their day as they normally would, which right now is being immersed by the babies.

Thankfully, Ollie knows what’s what.

He comes running as fast as this toddler legs can manage. I pick him up mid stride and earn two chubby hands on my cheeks. “I badopted.”

The word, created by the twins, many, many years ago settles over me warmly. “Wh-what’d you say, bud?”

Oliver leans back slightly in my arms and looks at me. “I badopted.”

At the repeated word I scan the room for my parents, spotting my dad first. His smile beams as he walks toward us.

“Ollie said badopted.”

The smile—if at all possible—grows wider. “This morning,” Dad says. “Your mom requested an emergency hearing after the state finally signed off. He’s officially ours.”

My parents could’ve easily kept this from Oliver, but he’s known for as long as he could comprehend. He has books in his room about adoption. Mom and Dad want him to know that we chose him. I hug Ollie tightly, and then dad pulls us into a hug.

After our moment, Dad clears his throat and steps back. “Hi,” he says to Justine. “I’m Quinn’s dad, Harrison.”

Justine laughs. I appreciate my dad’s sense of humor. Ollie squirms out of my hands when JD, Jenna and Eden come into the room. He runs toward JD, which is probably cause for concern, but whatever.

My mom comes toward us, with a baby in her arms. “I’m happy to see you,” she says as she gives me the best hug she can with a baby in her arms. “I’m Quinn’s mom,” she says to Justine. “You can call me Katelyn and this bundle is Jace.” My mom holds my nephew up slightly to show him off.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Justine says. “Jace is Peyton’s?”

“Yeah, along with Maverick and of course, princess Juniper,” I add.

Mom rolls her eyes. “That girl is never going to have to do a thing in her life being surrounded by four boys. Also, I know you get daily pics of the babies, but the boys look alike.”

“I expect Jace and Maverick to look alike.”

“No,” mom says, shaking her head. “All four boys look alike. I’ve convinced your sisters to put nametags on them because I’m old and I’m afraid I’m going to mix them up.”

I try not to laugh, but my mom is not old.

After a few more minutes, Justine and I make our way around the room, talking to everyone.

Each member of my family and extended family treats Justine like she’s been part of our fold for years, not minutes.

I expected nothing less, but one has to wonder how people are going to react when someone knew comes around.

Dad, Liam, and JD come over to us. Justine squeezes my hand and tells me she’s going to go play with the babies. I watch, as she walks away, to see how my sisters are going to react. Peyton moves over on the couch and motions for Justine to sit in between her and Elle.

God, I love this family of mine.

Liam pats me on the back and then pulls me into a hug. JD does the same. “I hear the outside performance was your idea,” Liam says.

I nod. “Everyone was on board instantly. I just couldn’t see wasting the night or disappointing the fans.”

“Elle says the show has opened doors for everyone,” Dad adds.