Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Life has been amazing since Cleo moved in with us. The last time I’d been this happy was years ago when she used to live with us, and now she’s back for good. She easily fit into our everyday lives as if she’d never left, and with the way she’s prospering, I know she’s just as happy as Tristan and I are.
He and I have both cut ties with our dad. While we remain professional due to the family business, all familial ties were cut with him the moment Cleo chose us. I thought it would be hard to let go of our last living parent, but the love and happiness that Cleo fills me with makes it the perfect trade off. Neither Tristan nor I have looked back once since we made the decision, and it’s been the best one we’ve made—second to being with Cleo.
“Do you guys remember that one time Tristan knocked over Grandpa’s urn with a light saber?” Cleo says with a giggle. I laugh as Tristan scowls.
“I do,” I say, only for Tristan to kick me from under the table. “Grandma nearly fainted because she thought he broke it.”
“Thank fuck for carpet,” Tristan muses with a chuckle.
“I swear, you guys were grounded more often than not,” Cleo mentions with a grin. “If your future kids are anything like you were, that’ll be insane karma.”
Tristan and I share a look from across the table. Hearing her talk about children opens up a million and one possibilities in my mind. I can already see a white picket fence with her, marriage and kids, a beautiful addition to our blended family.
“As long as they’re not knuckleheaded ticking bombs like Tristan, I think we’ll be fine,” I say, snickering when Tristan gives me the middle finger.
“I’m not that bad, asshole.” He looks at Cleo, who hides her mouth behind her hand. “I’m not that bad, right?”
“You’re fine,” she says with a giggle. “Talon’s just being a bully.”
“Can’t be a bully speaking the truth,” I counter. I focus my attention on Cleo. “So, how do you feel now? It’s been three months since you’ve been with us.”
The smile that lights up her face makes my heart skip a beat. It feels good to see her smile so much. When we’d reunited with her, the only emotions she seemed to display were terror, pain, shame, sadness, and anger. But lately, we’ve witnessed her joy, her excitement, her hope, and her love. It warms my soul to hear her laughter throughout the house instead of feeling her despair from her energy.
It’s amazing how much of a difference it makes when you have the right people loving you.
“I finally feel as if I’m where I belong,” she says. “After I left you guys the first time, I spent so many years trying to make a home out of the many places I ended up, but nothing ever felt right.”
“Because your home has always been with us,” Tristan states matter-of-factly.
“You’re right.” She smiles at the both of us. “So now everything finally feels right. I’m finally home, and I’m happy.”
Tristan reaches over and takes her hand into his, kissing the back of it. “We’re glad you’re here, Cleo.”
“And I’m glad you guys didn’t give up on me when I gave you every reason to.” Her eyes gloss over a little. “The way you guys showed up for me time and time again should’ve shown me that you cared about me. I guess I was just so jaded because of the secrets I carried that I couldn’t see what you were showing me all along.”
“That’s all behind us now,” I tell her, giving her a soft smile. “All that matters is that you’re here with us now, and you can’t get rid of us.”
“Yeah, what he said,” Tristan adds with a chuckle. “You’re stuck with us.”
“You two say that like it’s a bad thing,” she muses.
The rest of dinner is more conversations about our past, our hopes for the future, and a little work stuff sprinkled in here and there. Cleo has been helping us at the office since she doesn’t like to stay in the house by herself all day, and remaining professional with her is always a challenge. I’ve lost count the number of times Tristan and I have her bent over a desk or on her knees sucking our cocks after she purposely teases us. It definitely keeps our sex life interesting and fun, that’s for sure.
“Oh! Guess what?” she says in a sing-song voice. “I have a surprise for you guys.”
“That’s funny. We have a surprise for you, too,” Tristan says. “But you go first.”
“Okay, be right back!”
She jumps up from the table and scurries out of the dining room. Tristan watches her disappear before turning to me. “You still sure about this?”