Chapter 130 This Is It
Chapter 130 This Is It
Brielle's POV
The house was filled with laughter and the sounds of children running around in the backyard, their joyful screams echoing through the warm afternoon air. Today was Brielan’s tenth birthday, and I could hardly believe how much time had flown by. It felt like only yesterday Daylan and I were bringing her home from the hospital, and now here we were, surrounded by friends and family, celebrating a full decade of her life.
I stood by the kitchen window, watching as Brielan and her friends ran through the yard. Kellan and Rick and Natalie’s son, Jared, were chasing after them with water balloons, giggling uncontrollably. Daylan was out there too, throwing the balloons just as wildly, getting soaked in the process. Everly, our youngest, had her face painted like a butterfly and was doing her best to keep up with the bigger kids.
“Looks like the kids are having the time of their lives,” Natalie said, walking up beside me. She glanced out the window, smiling as she watched Jared and Kellan laughing together. “I swear, every time I blink, they have grown a little more.”
I smiled, turning to face her. “I know exactly how you feel. I can’t believe Brielan’s ten. She’s growing into this smart, independent little person, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.”
Natalie laughed softly, her hand resting on her baby bump. “Trust me, it doesn’t get any easier. But they’re turning into such incredible kids. You and Daylan have done an amazing job with them.”
“Thank you,” I said, giving her a quick hug. “And look at you, your designs are everywhere these days. I saw the latest commercial for the fall collection just the other night. It’s all so beautiful.”
Her face lit up with pride. “It’s been surreal, honestly. Phoenix Publishing’s marketing team has been incredible. I can’t believe how far we have come. And it’s all thanks to you giving me that push.”
I waved her compliment away playfully. “You are the one with the talent. I just helped get your name out there.”
She laughed again, but there was genuine gratitude in her eyes. It was moments like this that made me realize how lucky we all were. Everything had fallen into place for us in ways I never could have imagined.
Tabitha and Derek entered the kitchen then, carrying a tray of snacks they had brought from outside. Derek was wiping sweat from his brow while Tabitha handed me a plate of cupcakes decorated with colorful sprinkles.
“Phew! I forgot how wild birthday parties can be,” Derek said, laughing as he caught his breath. “Those kids have more energy than I remember.”
Tabitha smiled, watching the kids from the window. “They’re having the best time."
As we settled into conversation, I couldn’t help but reflect on how different our lives were now compared to a few years ago. Daylan and I had been through so much, and yet here we were, standing on the other side of it all, surrounded by the people we loved most.
Tabitha turned to me, her eyes sparkling. “By the way, I wanted to ask if you had given any more thought to bringing my small publishing division under Phoenix.”
I smiled at her, already knowing my answer. “I’ve thought about it, and I think it’s a fantastic idea. You’ve built something really special. We would be honored to have you as part of Phoenix.”
Her face lit up, and she squeezed my hand. “Thank you. I’ve always admired what you’ve built since starting that company with the help of Mark, and this partnership just feels right.”
“It does,” I agreed. “And besides, it’s about time we expanded even more. Who knows what we will accomplish together?”
Phoenix Publishing had grown beyond what I ever expected. The authors we worked with, the books we released, it all felt like a dream come true. And now with Tabitha’s division joining us, the future felt even brighter.
Just then, Daylan came in from the yard, his hair soaked from the water balloons, but his grin as wide as ever. “You should’ve seen it, Brie. Brielan got me right in the face with one of those balloons.”
I laughed, grabbing a towel and handing it to him. “Of course, she did. She’s got your aim.”
He wiped his face, still smiling. “It’s her birthday, so I will let it slide.”
Natalie chuckled, looking out at the yard again. “I still remember when Brielan was just a toddler.”
Daylan glanced out the window, his eyes softening as he watched our daughter. “Yeah… ten years old already. It’s hard to wrap my head around it.”
I stepped closer to him, leaning against his side as he wrapped his arm around me. “She’s growing up, but she’s always going to be our little girl.”
“She’s got the best of both of you,” Tabitha said warmly, watching the kids as they played. “Strong, smart, and full of life.”
“She’s going to be a force to be reckoned with,” Derek added with a chuckle.
Daylan nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I just hope we can keep up with her.”
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of cake, gifts, and more laughter. Brielan’s eyes sparkled as she opened her gifts, one after the other, with her friends and family cheering her on. It was moments like this, simple, joyful moments, that reminded me how blessed we truly were.
By the time the sun began to set, the kids had worn themselves out, and the house had quieted down. Brielan was curled up on the sofa with a new book she had just received, her legs tucked under her as she read. Kellan and Jared were sprawled on the floor, playing with toy cars, while Everly, now sleepy from all the excitement, was snuggled up in Daylan’s lap.
Tabitha and Derek were saying their goodbyes, and Natalie and Rick had already taken Jared home, promising to catch up again soon.
As the evening settled into a peaceful calm, I sat next to Brielan on the sofa, watching her read. Daylan sat beside me, his arm resting along the back of the sofa, his fingers gently brushing my shoulder.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
I smiled, leaning into him. “More than okay.”
He kissed the top of my head, his voice low and full of emotion. We sat in the quiet, watching our children as they played and read, our hearts full. It was the life we had always dreamed of, free of the drama of the past, filled with love and laughter. And as I rested my head on Daylan’s shoulder, I knew that whatever the future held, we would face it together, just as we always had.