Trade It All(12)

Sophie took her husband’s hand in hers. “Our family has had quite a year.” She smiled at Emily then Dax. “But we’re better for the changes as well as the additions.”

Emily used her napkin to wipe a tear away from her eyes. Dax merely nodded, but Lance could tell her words had pleased him.

Dale added, “Asher and Emily have an announcement.”

Lance joked, “She’s pregnant.”

Emily laid a hand on her very round stomach. “It shows?” Emily asked with a laugh.

Lance watched Asher smile simply because Emily had and envied his brother for a moment. He’d never wanted to follow in his brother’s footsteps. In fact, there had been a time when he’d wondered if he had enough in common with Asher to bother to see him more often than at the holidays and during the one week each year when his family gathered to mourn the loss of Kenzi’s twin. That feeling had changed since Asher had gotten engaged. Emily had brought out a softer side of his brother, as well as dragged his family together twice a month for what she called game nights. At first everyone had attended them simply because doing so had made their mother happy. Over time, though, it seemed to bring them closer. Emily had done that, as well as brought life to Asher’s eyes that hadn’t been there before.

Lance didn’t put much faith in the idea of love, but he could tell his brother did. It was the ability to believe that any of this would last that Lance envied. In concept love was a beautiful thing, but in reality it was fragile and short-lived. Nothing an intelligent man invested too much of his time or energy into. Most relationships fell to pieces in less than a year.

He hoped Asher and Emily were the exception.

Asher put his arm around Emily. “Emily and I have been dragging our feet regarding the location for our wedding.”

“As long as it happens before the baby arrives,” Dale said.

Sophie clasped her hands together. “I’ve offered to help you.”

Glancing up at Asher, Emily added, “And we appreciate that, but weddings are really stressful. We had my museum opening and the groundbreaking on the school in New Hampshire.” She rubbed her baby bump. “Plus this little one. I’m exhausted.”

Asher kissed Emily on the temple then said, “We hope you’ll understand when we say we eloped. Emily and I are married. We had a small, private ceremony the last time we were in New Hampshire, and we’d like to consider tonight our wedding reception.”

Collectively there was a hesitation as everyone waited for how Sophie would handle the news. Even though her children were all adults, her mood and reaction still set the tone for everyone around her. Kenzi had recently shaken the family up by breaking her silence about something she’d held in out of deference to their mother. Lance was proud of her for finding her voice. It was ironic that the youngest of them had become the boldest.

Braver than the rest of us.

Sophie covered her cheeks with both hands and rose to her feet. “I would have loved to see the ceremony, Emily, but I’m so happy I can finally, officially, call you my daughter.”

Emily stood and the two exchanged an emotional embrace.

Lance met Grant’s relieved gaze from across the table. They were both thinking the same thing: That could have gone either way.

Ian was the first to walk over and congratulate Asher. Their father was sporting a huge smile when he walked over to hug Emily and then Asher.

Even Dax, someone Lance had initially struggled imagining as part of the family, shook Asher’s hand and seemed genuinely happy for him. Kenzi was out of her seat, bubbling over in excitement.

Grant rose to his feet to congratulate the happy couple and Lance followed. He pushed aside the way his brother’s happiness made him feel about his own life and clapped Asher on the back then hugged Emily. “One sister was rough. What will I do with two?”

In response to being called his sister, Emily burst into tears. “I’m sorry I’m bawling, but I am so grateful to be part of this family. You have no idea how much all of you mean to me.”

Asher hugged his new wife to his side and kissed the top of her head. “You mean every bit as much to all of us.”

Dale looked around at his children and nodded in approval. “You do, Emily. You’ve been a real gift to this family.”

Sophie slid beneath her husband’s arm and hugged him. She smiled up at him. “One of our babies is married.”

Asher shook his head and Emily wagged a finger at him. Asher arched an eyebrow in challenge, and she blushed. Lance looked away when the couple’s expressions revealed they were having a very intimate, albeit wordless, conversation.