Conrad
My parents had gone to bed, but the rest of us were still here. Everyone else is staying here, so my parents don’t mind us still being around. There is room for Maya and me to stay, but I will wait and see how she feels. If she wants to go home, I will get us a cab and pick my car up tomorrow. It had been a great night with my family. A lot of celebration and wedding talk. I am happy Maya has my mom and Chelsea to help with the planning. I will assist as well, naturally, I will, but I believe she will have more enjoyment from doing the activity with them.
We are out in the backyard with the fire pit lit. The girls with blankets around them.
“How are you both feeling about the court case next week?” Eric asks.
Maya sighs, “I am nervous, but at the same time, I am ready for it because it means the bastard will be gone.”
I slip my arm around her and kiss the top of her head. “Yes. He will be out of life for twenty-plus years with any luck.”
“We will all be right with you in the room,” Nate says.
I look at them, confused. I thought they were only here for a couple of days. “You will be?”
Eric nods. “Yes, Nate and I will be. Sophie and Harper need to head back, but we are staying until it is over.”
“I wish we could be there too, but we need to get home. But we will be thinking of you both and praying it all goes well.” Sophie sighs.
“Thank you. We appreciate that.”
Maya seemed to have bonded well with Sophie and Harper tonight. I am glad because it gives her some more female company.
“It means a lot that you are going to be there and keep us in your thoughts. The sooner it is over with, the better. We are hoping for a quick decision by the jury with all the evidence and statements.”
The last thing Maya needs is for it to drag out. I like to believe that the jury will realise quickly Callum is a dangerous man. A threat not just to us, but to the public. We have been told we shouldn’t need to worry, but we can’t help it. No one knows how these things are going to turn out.
“Yes, hopefully it won’t take too long.” Nate nods.
I had no idea my brothers planned on staying for the case. My parents, along with Chelsea and Adrian, were going to be there, I knew that. I spoke to my sister a couple of days ago, and she told me she was coming and would be staying for as long as needed.
“Anyway, enough about him. He isn’t worth it.” Maya says.
We all agreed. I would rather her not have to think about him because I know over the next few days she is going to be stressed and anxious.
“Have you decided where you guys want to get married?” Harper asks.
“Italy. We just need to find the perfect place to do it. The plan is to get everything organised so we can get married in a few months. It may take longer; it depends on how long it takes us to find our venue.” I reply.
Italy has many beautiful places to get married. I am going to book Maya and me a trip there soon so we can see the places in person. It will help with our decision. She doesn’t know yet. It is going to be a surprise. The second the court case is over, I will book it for us. I am thinking a week in a villa, just the two of us. She deserves a break after everything she is going to go through.
“I am sure it will be beautiful wherever you choose. Will it be a big wedding?” Sophie asks.
“No. I don’t have anyone on my side. I left my family when I was still a teenager and haven’t seen or spoken to them since. It will be a small gathering, which is fine.” Maya smiles.
It still breaks my heart that she has no blood relatives in her life, but she is better off without them. She has us. We are her family now. I am going to invite everyone she became close to while in Scotland to the wedding. I will pay for their flights and accommodation if I need to. Maya would love for them all to be there.
Sophie looks guilty, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realise.”
“No, it is okay. All is good. I am better off without them.” Maya says, smiling at her and she relaxes.
It shouldn’t be hard to find a venue for a small amount of people. I am happy with a smaller wedding. Magazines and the media covered my brother’s wedding. I wanted none of that.
“It will be the perfect day either way.” Chelsea gushes.
Maya glances up at me and smiles, “Yes, it will be perfect.”
I smile back at her and reach down to kiss her softly. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She coos.
When we part, she snuggles back into my side. My brother looks at me and winks. It is their way of telling me they approve and like Maya. I nod, smiling over at them. Finally, Maya has gotten to meet them and I am happy. I knew they would approve and like her, anyway. I was happy. Maya was amazing, and that is all that matters.
“I don’t know about everyone else, but I think it is time to call it a night for me,” Eric says. Sophie nods in agreement.
“I am okay for now, but we will need to head home soon,” I say.
Everyone else planned on staying up a little longer. Eric and Sophie said their goodnights, heading to bed.
“Why don’t the two of you stay? We can all have breakfast together.” Chelsea suggests.
“Maya, it is up to you, angel. Do you want to stay or head home?”
“We can stay.”
“Yay! It has been far too long since we have all sat down at a table for breakfast together.” Chelsea celebrates.
It has been some time. We don’t get to see one another much. We all have our own lives, jobs and stay in different places. I am sure my mother will be thrilled when she gets up tomorrow and realises all her children are still here. She will go overboard with breakfast, but we won’t say a word because she will get joy from it.
“Mom is going to freak when she sees we are all still here.” Nate chuckles.
“Yes, ladies, prepare to eat enough for breakfast that you will be full for the rest of the day. She always makes far too much if we are all together.” I laugh.
“For sure. It will be great, though.”
It will make Mom’s day. We all really should try to make more of an effort. I miss not having my siblings around. We were all close growing up. Adulting sometimes sucks, but we are always there for one another when it is the important thing.