A Broken Soul(89)

"Sorry," Eliza blubbered when we all looked at her. She waved her hands in front of her face like she was trying to stop crying. "Sorry. It's just so beautiful." She burst into another round of sobs as her face pinched up. "Oh god, these pregnancy hormones are the worst!"

Ethan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her in so her front was pressed to his side. He buried her face in his chest and he waved at us. "Carry on."

Quinn and I both laughed as we faced each other once again. "So," he asked, using his grip on my hands to pull me flush against him. "Does this mean you'll take me back?"

I nodded wildly, and gave him a watery smile. "Yes."

He dropped his head back and declared, "Thank Christ!" to the ceiling.

"Yay!" Sophia shouted. "Miss Lilly's gonna be Daddy's girlfriend! I want a little sister for Christmas!"

I burst into another peal of laughter, only for Quinn to cut it off with a toe-curling kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him back with the exact same enthusiasm. It was by far the best moment of my life. I never wanted it to end.

Unfortunately, Kyle had to clear his throat and ruin it. "Sorry to break up this happily ever after, folks. But we've got a show to put on."

"Oh God! I completely forgot!" I cried, jumping from Quinn's embrace to turn and shout across the backstage area. "Five minutes, guys! Everyone get in place for the opening number!" The kids who'd been scattered all around started rushing to get into place.

Sophia's arms around me pulled my gaze downward. "Love you, Miss Lilly." Oh God, I couldn't take much more goodness or I was going to be just as emotional as Eliza. But that didn't stop me from squatting down and wrapping her in a tight hug. "I love you too, Little Miss." She struggled from my hold and squealed excitedly before rushing off to take her position. There was very little she loved more than being the center of attention on that stage, and I couldn't wait to watch her dance. It was quickly becoming one of my very favorite things.

Mom came up to my side and placed a kiss on my cheek. "You happy, honey?"

I leaned in for a hug. "So happy, Mom."

We pulled apart and she gave my cheek a soft pat. "Then that's all that matters." Then she turned and made her way to her seat.

"I'll just take this hot mess to our seats," Ethan said, guiding a still crying Eliza from the back stage.

Quinn's parents stepped in front of us, and Mrs. Mallick offered a genuine, "Welcome to the family." I got an arm squeeze from Quinn's dad before they, too, headed for the audience.

That left me and Quinn with his late wife's parents. I didn't know how to act, what to say to them, but I soon discovered that it didn't matter. Quinn's father-in-law slapped him on the shoulder like a proud father, and offered him a, "Good work, son."

Janice's eyes were full of happy tears as she smiled up at me. "I'm really looking forward to getting to know you."

"I'm looking forward to that, too," I whispered.

"Well, I guess we'll see you two after the show," she added, then the two of them made their way from the back stage.



       
         
       
        

I felt Quinn's arms wrap around my waist, and I turned to look up at him. "Are you going to go find your seat?"

He bent and pressed another kiss against my mouth. "No fucking way," he muttered softly against my lips. "Now that I've got you in my arms, I'm never letting go. I'll watch from back here. With you."

I sighed happily and melted into his embrace. "I love you, Quinn."

"I love you too, Lilly. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much."

Oh yeah. Definitely the best moment of my life.

And somewhere deep inside, I knew my father was looking down on us, happily. Because he knew his baby girl had found exactly what she deserved.





Lilly



I'D BEEN ON cloud nine all evening. As promised, Quinn stayed with me backstage for the entire program, only letting me go when I needed to flit around to help students get ready for their numbers. As soon as I was finished, he rejoined me, and we watched the kids dance while wrapped around each other.

Once the show was over, he'd asked if I would stay at his place for the night. Sophia was going to dinner with Addison's parents, then staying with them at their hotel for the night.

Alone time with Quinn after he confessed in front of all our family and friends that he loved me? Yes, please!

We walked through his front door, and I made my way into his living room, kicking off my heels as I went before dropping my purse in the recliner. I turned back and looked over my shoulder as I plopped down on the couch. Quinn was resting against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, that gorgeous full smile on his face as he watched me.