Forever Hers Walters, Ednah (best novels for teenagers .TXT) 📖

he commanded everyone’s attention by just standing there.

He studied her, but then again, she had a feeling he’d stayed back to do exactly that before joining them. He walked toward her and everyone stepped aside for him to pass then closed in.

“Welcome to the family, Amy,” he said.

Amy blinked.

The others laughed.

Before Amy could say anything, a bundle in pink frills ran to Lex. He picked up Jade’s daughter then turned his attention to Eddie and Raelynn. Amy was swept from the foyer toward the rear of the house. When she looked back Eddie and Lex were having a deep conversation, the children in their arms staring at each other.

“Don’t mind Lex,” Kara said. “Once a Fitzgerald brings you to this house, you’re considered a member of the family and there’s nothing you can say that is going to convince them otherwise.”

The problem with that was Eddie hadn’t invited her. His aunt had. Not wanting to give Kara a lengthy explanation, Amy kept her mouth shut. But not for long. Her jaw dropped and tears rushed to her eyes at the sight that greeted her when they reached the patio by the poolside deck.

A personalized princess ‘Happy Birthday Raelynn’ banner hung on the wall. Balloons and streamers tied to patio poles and chairs drifted in the gentle breeze. A round children’s picnic table, covered with a princess table cloth and with a setting for four with birthday hats and horns, was by a long table for grownups. Presents were piled against the wall a few feet away.

“What do you think?” Lori asked, coming to stand beside her.

“It’s amazing, Lori. Where did you get Raelynn’s picture?”

“From our collection,” Kara said.

“When Eddie called and said you’d be arriving this evening and today was really Raelynn’s birthday, we,” Jade indicated the women with a sweeping glance, “decided to do something special for her.”

“We hoped you wouldn’t mind,” Faith added.

“Why would I? Raelynn is going to love this. Thank you.” She hugged them again.

“Actually, you should be thanking my brother,” Lori said. “We took the cue from him.”

She turned to search for him, but he and Lex were still inside the house with Siobhan and Raelynn. Vince and Ron took Sean and Ella to the picnic table and put their hats on.

“I’ll get Eddie and the birthday girl,” Lori said.

“Tell Lex to bring Siobhan outside too.” Jade glanced at Amy and added, “She adores him and he spoils her rotten.”

“Don’t you mean she’s learned from Ella that Lex is a total pushover, especially if she wants something Mommy and Daddy won’t get her?” Ashley teased.

Jade sighed. “I knew play dates with your daughter were such a bad idea.”

“Now I know which brats to avoid when my daughter arrives,” Faith chimed in.

Amy studied Faith. She didn’t look pregnant. “Are you expecting?”

“Oh yeah.” Faith patted her flat stomach. “Nine weeks. Can’t you tell?”

“Show off.” Kara nudged Faith on the arm then added for Amy’s benefit. “She and I are due about the same time and I’m already showing.”

“Maybe you’re having twins,” Amy suggested.

Kara shuddered. “Heavens no. Dealing with one set is enough.” She glanced at her husband, who was standing by Chase, his twin.

“Nah, twins are great,” Jade added. “One more set and we’ll be done.”

“Have you told Vince?” Ashley asked.

Jade laughed. “Yeah. He’ll come around.” Then she glanced at Amy. “I have a heart condition and Vince thought I wouldn’t make it through my pregnancy, yet here I am, bursting with life.”

“Ken wants us to have a basketball team,” Faith said. “Can you see me with seven kids?”

“Absolutely,” Ashley said. “I think he and Ron made a pact or something.”

Amy grinned as she listened to the women. It was obvious they were close and they adored their husbands. When Eddie and Lex appeared on the deck with the remaining two kids, she excused herself.

“This is all for me, Mommy,” Raelynn said in an excited voice, her eyes sparkling. “Uncle Eddie said so. It’s my special birthday party.”

“Yes, sweetheart.” Amy’s gaze connected with Eddie. All this would not have been possible if it weren’t for him.

“Thank you,” she said when all she wanted to do was throw her arms around him and shout her love to the world.

“Come on, Uncle Eddie. I want to open my presents now.”

“No, sweetie,” Amy warned. “Dinner first.”

The rest of the evening was a blur. Amy couldn’t remember what she ate though she recalled meeting the cook. The confetti cake was just like the one she’d made the evening before, except it was bigger and moister. She later learned it came from Chase’s restaurant.

Raelynn was opening her presents when a tall man with dark hair graying at the temples and alert hazel eyes walked on the patio.

Eddie saw him and got up. “Just a second.”

***

“You made it,” Eddie said, walking to his father. They clasped hands and hugged. The two of them were about the same height, except his father had grown wider. He was in great physical shape for a man his age.

“Had to finish some paperwork. So where’s this lovely lady everyone is talking about?” his father asked.

Eddie moved out of the way and grinned, his gaze locking on Amy, who was laughing at something Chase had said. “That’s Amy and her little birthday girl, Raelynn, with Sean, Ella and Siobhan.” Raelynn was the center of attention, ripping wrappers to see her presents. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

“Where’s she?” Lori asked, blocking their father’s path.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He dropped a kiss on forehead and draped an arm around her shoulder. “Now is not the time.”

“But—”

“Later, Loraine.”

Eddie frowned, his gaze swinging from his father to Lori. Where’s she? Who were they talking about? Was his father dating? His sister and father always had a special relationship, and she would be the first to know if he were dating. “What’s going on? Who are you two talking about?”

“We’ll discuss it later, son. Introduce me to your lady friend.”

They rejoined the group. One of his cousins brought his father a slice of