"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof." — Richard Bach
————————————————————

Chapter 69
<—————————————>

Maggie

"What do you wanna bet this round?" Levi questioned, glancing up to me.

"Um..." At my plate, I turned back to him with a grin. "One of my s'mores?"

"Hell yeah." His grin stretched wide since he knew what I had added to mine: a fuck-ton of caramel. "Throw it, Norris."

"Her name for you is Maggie, and only Maggie," Luke corrected, glaring at Levi. "Get that shit through your head real quick."

Levi rolled his eyes at Luke, and I did the same. "Don't listen to him, Levi." Luke's lips pressed against the side of my head. "I suggest you listen to me, Wallace."

Levi smirked back at Luke, and looked to me with a shrug. "Nah, it's cool, Maggie." A silly grin lit his face. "If we're changing names, then it's a hell of a good thing that I've been calling you a bitch for so long, huh, Vaudest? Folks won't even know the difference between the new and the old."

I barely managed to pull Luke back down through my laughter. His curses neared my ear, but I focused my attention on the task at hand, first.

I turned to the bowl we were using as the catcher of our marshmallows. My aim wasn't perfect, and with Luke's tickle to my side, my throw was way off. It bounced right off of the platform, and landed out of sight.

Jerking a glare back at Luke, I scowled at both him and Levi, who was cackling at his victory. Asshole.

Today, we had all gone snowboarding, and to dinner. Kimberly and I had raced on one of the slopes, and accidentally crashed into Luke and Kade, but luckily, they weren't hurt. We had gone to dinner too, where Kade and Luke had gotten into another altercation, but luckily, Kimberly and I stopped it before it got physical.

My pain had subsided into a tolerable rhythm that I could get through a bit easier. Luke had been by my side for the past two days, helping me to make the pain easier, and trying to ease it out, too. Most of the time was spent with him holding me, or giving the sweetest of kisses to remind me that he was right there with me. Every single time the cramps started, he was here with his massages to help. They had become my favorite from how effective they were on my abdomen.

Luke had had a heating body pillow delivered here the next morning that he purchased online the previous night, when he left to go and get my things. I didn't even know about it until he woke me up to get me on top of it. I couldn't have survived the day so easily without him, nor had I done so beforehand.

Luckily, I only had a couple of more days left of it. Though, as I said, it didn't feel as torturous, since I had Luke, my person, who had made me see the good in something I only saw bad in before. I couldn't truly explain how light it felt just to be around him, but all I knew was that I couldn't get enough of it.

After dinner today, we all returned to the house, since we had stayed at dinner for so long. We all gathered at the fire pit for s'mores and hot chocolate, as well as bets and games amongst each other.

The space was more than comfortable enough for all six of us. The large fire pit was lit in the middle, being used for warmth, as well as a source for our s'mores.

I was situated in the center of Luke's legs, with his arms locked around my body and securing me to him. Kimberly was sitting on Kade's lap on the couch to our side, and Raven and Levi were sitting close, but still inches apart. We hadn't seen them speak a word to the other since dinner, where they had gotten into an argument when Raven tried to pour her flask into her glass.

"My hands slipped, Norris." Luke chuckled at my glare, pecking my lips. "Actually, you know what? Fuck that. I don't regret shit."

"You've cost me a perfectly delicious s'more, you sap," I grumbled, turning to grab our plate of s'mores that Luke had nearly destroyed on his own. "How do you sleep at night?"

"With you in my arms, so I must be doing something right." Chuckling, he laid his head back on the sofa, a half-smirk building on his face. "Come on, Norris. You know all of this, already."

Undermining the blood in my cheeks, I turned to offer my s'more to Levi, who declined it with a wave of the hand. "Nah, I know how Vaudest gambles. I'll let you have the win this time. Just this time, though."

Grinning, I placed it back down on the plate, which Luke grabbed, immediately. "You're awesome, you know that?"

"I am pretty fucking amazing, I can't even deny it," he emphasized, chuckling at himself. "And, with this sexy face of mine? I was born to be loved."

"Not that your ego needs the help, but I'll admit that you've always been my favorite for a reason." I giggled at him. "It's definitely not for your modesty, though."

Luke nearly choked on his bite of the s'more, craning his neck to get into my view. Up went his brows at my statement. "What was that, Norris?"

I giggled, patting his chest. "Nothing important."

As soon as I leaned back into him, he was resting a hand over my stomach, and nearly burning me in the act. No matter how many times he had touched me, my skin still brought on the same fire and the same buzz of anticipation as the very first time.

Levi stood up from his spot beside us, and walked behind the pit. Once he made it, he jerked around to face everyone. "Pretty ladies and ugly gents! Attention up front, please."

We all raised our eyes up to him.

A big grin lit up his face as he lifted his glass of hot chocolate to us. "A toast."

Kade lifted a brow at him, his head resting on Kimberly's shoulder. "To?"

"To us," he shrugged, slowly sinking his hand to his side. His grin softened into a smile. "We all go around and say what we're thankful for about each other. We don't have to go in a certain order or anything, either." He shrugged at the boys, a smirk growing. "Now, Ryder and Vaudest: I know you two are the coolest, meanest assholes to ever walk this earth, but dig deep for this shit, okay? I promise you can do it. Ready?"

"No," Kade, Raven, and Luke all said in union.

"Great." Levi jerked his eyes over the three with a grin. "I'll go first."

Ignoring their arguments, he took a lasting sip from his steaming hot chocolate, then placed it down.

"I'll first say that I'm grateful for my pretty girl in the corner over there." He pointed to Raven, who was still glaring down at her feet. "And, how crazy she drives me. I couldn't go a day without it or her."

We all chuckled. Raven tried her hardest to hide her smile, but it broke free, anyway.

"Second." His smile softened over just enough as he glanced to Kade and Luke. "I'm thankful for these two stubborn assholes who I've never been more proud and lucky to call my brothers. You two accept the shit that comes with me, and I know that you love me for it, anyway." Either boy rolled their eyes, but they didn't disagree. "Who would have known? Me being smarter than you dumb fucks and you two being crybabies about who won your race led to all of this shit. I'll never regret coming over to the track to piss you both off even more that day. It gave me my first real family, and I'll never regret it or either of you. Ever."

"Fuck you," Kade called out, despite the growth of understanding in his expression.

Levi pointed back at him, a sly grin following. "Fuck you too, brother." His eyes slid over to Kimberly and I. "And, I'm grateful that they found the girls who can call them out on their stupid shit, and have finally broken those stone ass faces of theirs. God knows I've tried." Despite his joke, I could see the sincerity in his words just as well.

As soon as he finished, Levi went around the group, clinking glasses with all of us.

"I hate you," Luke grumbled to him as soon as Levi passed us. Levi returned it with a chuckle and, "I love you too, you ignorant fuck."

Together, we all took our sips of hot chocolate.

Levi sunk back into his seat, crossing his feet at the ankles. "Whose next?"

"I'll go," Kimberly decided with a shrug.

"That's my fucking girl," Levi whistled out, grinning back at her.

"Levi." Kade rolled his eyes, slinking an arm over the back of the seat he and Kimberly were sitting on. "If you ever put Kimberly, and 'my girl' in the same sentence again, I promise you, I'm gonna have that silly shit printed on your gravestone as your last words."

Levi chuckled back, shushing him with a wave of the hand. His gaze found Kimberly, next.

She had put her glasses back on, but the specks of fear were evident through the frame. We all hated public speaking, but I knew how her anxiety heightened certain things for her.

I could see her nerves from here, but she pushed by it once she saw Raven and I smiling and nodding back at her to remind her of her support. I mouthed 'you got this' to further it, and Raven grinned to match it.

A thankful smile followed up, and her shoulders slumped a bit in relaxation as she glanced between the two of us, first.

"I'm grateful for Maggie and Raven," she started, her voice softened over with affection. "You both were everything I had ever dreamed of all of my life. It still doesn't seem real that I've had the chance to love and be loved by you both. Even though you two are kind of scary and real violent, I've never loved anyone so much, before." We both grinned back at her, chuckling out our agreements. Her smile warmed as soon as she got to Kade, "My best friend, best headache, and soulmate all in one. You're every single thing that I love, and will continue to love until I can't. I know you hate to show it to others, but I'll say it, anyway. You're the sweetest, most caring and most grumpiest love in the world, and I love you and every bit of you all the same." Kade's expression melted to butter, and his smile did the same in a way that only Kimberly had claim to. Her eyes swept over all of us as a whole, a smile following. "Lastly, I'm grateful for all of you, honestly. You all still kind of scare me sometimes, but you're funny and sweet, too, so that makes up for it."

I hadn't even realized my eyes were wet until I blinked. I understood exactly where she was coming from.

Levi grinned back at her, nodding in understanding. "Five stars from me." She smiled, nodding at him in thanks before sinking back into Kade, who immediately kissed her.

I took another sip from my hot chocolate and placed it in Luke's hand. "I'll go."

All of their eyes moved over to me. Luke draped a kiss to the side of my head, saying in my ear, "I better be your number one, Norris."

Chuckling, I placed my hand on top of his, which were caressing my thighs, now. My gaze returned to the group.

"I'm grateful for my girls." My heart softened just at the sight of their smiles. "You both were my first friends, too. You were everything I wanted and dreamed of, and I never thought I'd find it, but I'm grateful every single day that I did in the most beautiful, strongest girls in the world. You've both done so much for Jax and I, and even though he isn't here right now, he would say the same thing if he were. I found sisters in you both, and I can't give enough thanks for it."

"And..." I paused, tipping my head to Luke, who was already staring at me, a soft flame from the fire biting at his beautiful face. My heart melted to a puddle just seconds in. "I'm grateful for you and every single thing you've done, and continue to do. I know that neither of us expected each other, or the things that have happened, but I'd do it all over again to be blessed with you. You're an arrogant, sarcastic prick with the biggest heart and the most beautiful, sweetest and loving soul in the world. All of those parts are just as much mine as all of the others, too." My hand raised to stroke his jaw, and I smiled when he leaned into it. "Thank you for accepting me, and for teaching me so many things that I had sworn off and thought could never be mine. Thank you for letting me know and appreciate someone as beautiful as you. My life turned for the better the moment your foul mouth, and your kind heart came into the picture. I've never found a real home, let alone a beautiful one until you, and I never plan on losing it."

Luke's smile was as beautiful as him. A hand raised to my cheek to hold me to him as he pecked my lips. It took way too much effort to tear myself away, but I managed to.

"Thank you for keeping those pretty smiles on my girls' faces. I love seeing them both so happy," I said, nodding between Kade and Levi. Then, I crossed that look over the group as a whole. "And, I'm grateful for all of you and how well we work together."

Kimberly and Raven's eyes glistened, causing me to chuckle, but not for long, since I knew my own were the same. We all took a drink from our glasses.

"You nearly had me in tears, Norris," Luke teased with the most sincere tone. Laughing, I sunk back into his arms.

Kimberly turned to Kade, who scowled in return, "I'm not doing it."

Chuckling, she craned her neck to say something into his ear. A hint of a blush followed up in his cheeks at whatever she said before he cleared his throat. His chest moved under a small sigh as he looked at us.

His gaze to his and Kimberly's hands next, dark brows furrowing in concentration. "First, I'm grateful for Kimberly, obviously. I love her, and she's easily the best thing and the best person I've ever known and I'll honestly never understand how she's mine, but it's something I won't ever take for granted. She's perfect, my everything, and my world. She's quite literally the reason I'm doing this stupid ass speech for all of you, but, I guess I might as well finish so..." he paused, jerking his glare over to Raven and I. It was strange how used I'd gotten to it, now. "I'm grateful she has you two. I like to see her happy, and you two do it for her. You're her sisters, and she loves the shit out of you both, so that's cool, too."

Drawing out a long sigh, he rolled his shoulders back. His brown eyes shifted to Luke and Levi, next.

"You two." He jerked his chin at them. "I beat both of your asses in those races all those years ago, and it was history from there. When we first started out, I used to be confused about it and why you kept messaging and calling me to hang out, why I kept answering your messages about hanging out, and even more on why I kept showing up to the hangouts, too, but I've accepted it and how annoying you two are, and..."

Suddenly, his everything shifted out of place. Kimberly noticed, immediately. Her gaze softened, and she kissed the top of his head, whispering something out that only he could hear. His eyes raised to her with gratitude, and he nodded once, a small smile passing to her before he returned to Luke and Levi.

A bumpy sigh left him. His face had fallen with grief, and once I realized what he was trying to say, I realized why.

"After my brother..." he paused, eyes squeezing shut. He shook his head, throat rocking under heavy words. His voice and eyes both met us at the same time, again. "After Kacen died, I never thought I'd have another chance at a family, let alone in finding another brother or anything like it. And, I didn't..." His throat cleared. "Instead, I found two. You two. And, I think that Kace would have wanted that for me. Sometimes, I wonder if he sent the both of you to me himself, as stupid as that sweet shit sounds. Kace, he knew that I needed you, and another chance. And, I think he would have loved you as much as I do. And, if not that, then he would be glad that I found you both."

A weak smile drifted over his face, and despite the grief, I did see the peaceful nature that followed the more he spoke. "You both have nearly gotten me killed and shit close to it a million fucking times over, and I know I've doubled that for you, but you've still stuck with me, and I plan on always doing that for you. I know I fuck up, and I know that I may not act like it or even deserve it, but none of this shit changes for either of you. You saved my life in every way there is just by being in it, because I know, without a doubt, that I wouldn't be here right now if you weren't. I'll never be ashamed to admit that, because it's true, and so is something else. You're my brothers. I hate you and your stupid ass, smart-ass, ugly ass faces, but you still are and always will be that for me, whether you want it or not. That's all."

Luke's body stiffened from under me. I tipped my head to get a view of him.

His face was closed off, but a bit of emotion was flowing through the cracks. Despite the bits of crudeness in Kade's confession, I knew he caught the rest just as the rest of us did. It was more personal for him, though, I knew.

Levi did, too. His head bobbed in understanding, and with a tip of the head, he tilted his drink at Kade, who was attempting to hide his view of apprehension. Kimberly's softened gaze raised to him, and she turned to kiss the frown away from his lips, instead passing her own smile to him.

"You're up next, Vaudest," Levi called out, flicking his head at him. His grin raised at him. "Make us cry a little bit, but from your words this time, please. Not from that ugly shit-show you call a face."

Luke flipped him off, then sighed. His throaty voice started out with, "First, I'm grateful for Maggie." My lips lifted at that. His hand had started its strokes on my stomach, again, and it was only strengthening the butterflies inside. "If I would have known that ruining my building would give me someone as perfect as her, I would have burnt the motherfucker to the ground ages ago." The entire group laughed at his statement, and I did the same with an eye roll. His free hand stroked at my hair, calling my attention. As soon as our eyes clashed, we both mirrored the others fondness. "Thank you for being mine, and thank you for being every single thing that I never want to, and never plan on losing, Norris. You changed my life in all of the best ways, and I never want my old one back, again, not after knowing what I was missing out on. I just want you, all of you, and I appreciate you for wanting all of me, too, baby."

My heart awed in my chest, and everything that was able did the exact same. I had to stop myself from attacking him with hugs this very moment so that he could finish his speech.

"Second. I'm grateful for you two," he added, looking to Kimberly and Raven. "She loves and cares about you both, and I know you do her, too. I'm glad she has that escape for when I piss her off too much, and I know she probably shit-talks me to the both of you, too, but that's cool." We all laughed, again before he flicked his head at them. "Thanks for that."

Luke's chest dragged into itself in a sigh. "And, third..." he cleared his throat, his gaze ending on Kade and Levi. "I'm grateful for the both of you. I know that I don't say it much, but I am. You both were the first family I've ever known. The first one that actually wanted me and didn't hate me for wanting to be in it, too. I know I've been a lot of trouble and shit, but I appreciate the both of you for never acting like it." My hand tightened around his once I felt the tremor in it. "You helped me when you didn't have to. You were always there with your guest rooms, and the first aid kits open after my dad's tantrums. You chased me down only hours after my dad kicked me out, and literally picked me up, forced me in your car, and gave me a home. You helped me with my mom's hospital bills when my own father wouldn't. You took me in when I had nowhere to go, and never asked for or accepted shit I offered in exchange for it. You never made me feel like a burden for any of it, either. I've never had that before the two of you. Brothers. Family. You made me feel like I actually belonged, like I deserved better, and I'll never forget that feeling and how you two were the first ones in my life to ever truly show it to me."

Sighing, he scrubbed a hand along his jaw as he glanced between them. "I genuinely get headaches around the both of you. You both have gotten me arrested and vice versa so many fucking times that I still remember the officer's names by heart. You both have gotten me into a fuck-ton of trouble and I know that our tempers don't mix for shit on most days, but..." he shrugged, moving his eyes elsewhere. "Don't ever mistake two things: the first being that I always care about and want the best for you, and the second being that on any day, in any situation, and against anyone, I'll always take a bullet for the both of you without any hesitation."

"I mean...of course I'll put one in you for getting me in the situation in the first place, but still," he shrugged, glancing between the two. I saw him gulp down his nerves. "I'm grateful for the both of you and of all of the ways you genuinely saved my life just by coming into it. Thank you for that, and thank you for letting me find a family in you."

Fuck. I was crying, again.

The girls weren't doing any better, but they were holding it back better than I was. Or, maybe they weren't, I couldn't see shit.

Just as I managed to clear the tear tracks, I heard Kade's voice.

"Luke."

His hesitant eyes raised to his friend.

"You were never a burden to me," Kade said so lowly, it was basically a mumble, but with the intention of being heard.

And, it was. Luke's eyes flickered over to him, his icy mold slowly melting into pieces.

"And, you were never a trouble or any of that shit to either of us. Trust that," Levi added, offering a head nod to Luke. He had sat up, all traces of humor gone as he looked to his friend. "I mean you were definitely a lot of headaches and busted knuckles, but never a burden and never a trouble or a waste. Never."

"And..." Kade nodded his head, glaring into his knuckles as he stroked them with the pad of his thumb. "I would do it all over again if it ended up with you two as my brothers. And, I hope that I never lose you in my life, because you won't ever lose me in yours."

Tears trailed down my cheeks; I was honestly a crying little bitch, now. The girls had the same reaction.

I couldn't help it; it was beautiful. They were all stubborn, impulsive, assholes with the biggest hearts in the world. I was glad that they all managed to find each other in the midst of the darkness they were all born into.

Luke kept his lips in a thin line, but I saw the build of emotion behind his cool blues as he gave a curt nod. "Thanks."

Kade shrugged, side-glancing him, again. This time had humor in his gaze. "No problem...bitch."

Luke chuckled, leaning back into the cushion, and bringing me with him. "Fuck you, too." Kade laughed in return, letting it last a second longer than he had all day. It was a different in a good way, I hoped.

The energy in the space had shifted significantly, that was for sure. It was more light now that they had gotten their shit out without their fists or insults being involved. It was relieving, and sweet to witness, honestly.

Levi looked at Raven since she was the last one to go. She tried to avoid it, but his gaze tugged her right back in.

With a sigh, she grumbled a curse before turning to us.

An eye roll that left me chuckling came from her, then, "Kimberly, you're hot as fuck with a fantastic ass, and as sweet as candy. You're the most considerate, selfless girl in the world, and like the both of you, you were my first actual friends." She turned to me, attempting to hide her humor with annoyance. "Maggie, you're sexy as shit with perfect tits, a mouth of a sailor that gets me all flushed, and a heart of gold. You're hilarious as shit, too. I honestly don't know if I want to marry, fuck, or hug the both of you, sometimes. I love you both for being all of those things and more though, and above all else, my sisters, too. Thank you for dealing with me and all of my fucked shit, and for still loving me, regardless."

We both laughed, despite the flush in our cheeks. All three men glared at her for the earlier comments, but she continued on.

"Kade and Luke: fuck you for taking them off the market, but thank you for treating them like the princesses they are. I love how happy they are with the both of you, and it's beautiful to witness," she smiled, glancing between the three men. "At school, you three honestly kind of scared me at first for...obvious reasons." They all snorted at that. Chuckling, Raven raked a hand through her hair before shrugging. "But, you can't be that scary when you're begging your girls for cuddles every night, so I'm over it."

Both boys jerked glares at Kimberly and I. I gave an innocent smile to Luke in return.

She looked to Levi. Despite the earlier events of the day, affection glowed over her expression the moment they clashed gazes.

"Thank you for being my love. You deal with all of my shit, you put me in my place, you make me want to be better, you make life better, and you're patient and as caring as could be. You do it all without asking for anything in return," she said, her smile rising over every word. "You've been there with and for me through a lot just as I have you. I know I fuck up, and I know I'm not perfect, but thank you for trying to debunk that. Despite what we go through, you'll always be mine and I'll always be yours. Forever."

Levi cast a handsome smile her way, and tugged her to him by the sleeve of her sweater. Giggling, she landed into his lap, and a second later, he was attacking her face with kisses.

The conversation returned to normal after our toasts, amongst each other other and our better halves. Smiling, I glanced over them all with a relieved sigh.

They were all so beautiful in their own ways. Despite our differences, and our lives, we had somehow, someway gotten here. We had found a home, and a family in each other despite the very odds having us believe that we never could.

I knew I surely had. If there was a time where I thought the universe had finally done good by me, it would be in this. Finding this. Finding a home. My person. My better half. My better, my peace. Luke.

I settled into him, and he did the same. Even with the fire, I knew that he could be enough warmth for me on his own. It wasn't a doubt.

Luke tipped my chin up until we were looking at one another. Once he had it, he craned his neck to print a kiss to my lips, which I returned with the same ambition. It was beautiful, slow, and sweet. Perfect.

As soon as we pulled back, a dazed smile was in place, on either face. It wasn't going anywhere.

"What was that for?" I managed to breathe out.

His softened gaze edged into mine. "For being mine."