Perfect for Me by Claudia Burgoa
Chapter Forty
Hazel
My dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it. ― The Princess & the Frog
Snow is falling.The flakes kiss my face as I step outside into the terrace of the Everhart penthouse. We’ve hunkered down in Scott’s room for the past few hours, but his brothers texted, letting us know they were on their way to visit us with lunch.
“I missed the cold,” I say to no one, looking at the thin layer of snow on the ground.
Central Park is covered in a thick blanket of white. The dormant branches of the trees peek out under their new white caps.
“It’s true what we heard. You’re back.” Willow’s voice drags me away from the view. When I turn around, I see her carrying my favorite little boy, Charlie.
“My Bee,” Charlie calls out, squealing. His little arms try to reach me.
I march toward them, taking him in my arms. “How’s my little boy?”
He gives me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. My favorites. His little chubby arms go around me. His head snuggles in the crook of my neck.
“He missed you. We all did,” Willow assures me, giving me a tight hug. “I hated that we had to let you go, but I trusted that you’d come back.”
“I missed you too.” I kiss Charlie. “So much. I am sorry for being so absent.”
“You did what you had to do, and now you’re back,” she replies, smoothing my unruly hair. “How did it go with Elliot?”
“We found closure,” I respond, sighing heavily. “It was a heart-wrenching journey, but we both needed it.”
“Hazel Beesley is back!” Luna walks toward me. She snatches Charlie from my hold and gives him a big kiss before handing him back to me. “Go back to your Bee. We can fight over you later.”
She studies me. “It’s all good now?”
“Yeah,” I respond, giving her a side hug. “How are you?”
“Glad to be back home. I’m happier because you’re here.” She looks around. “And I have so many new ideas for the foundation,” she says all jittery.
We both giggle because we love to give and to help as many people as we can.
“Squirt,” Harrison calls from the kitchen, showing me a bottle of tequila. “I brought you Juanes. Are we celebrating?”
“All day long,” I agree.
“I heard we have a house in San Francisco,” Harrison claims.
“Dude, it’s a mansion,” Fitz informs him, then turns toward me. “Are you keeping the houses?”
“I’d say yes.” I turn to look at Scott for confirmation.
“It’s up to you, Bee,” he says, holding a tray of tortilla chips and grinning at me. “You look adorable with a baby in your arms.
He winks at me. We should make one or two.”
“Put a ring on it.” I show him my left hand. “And maybe we can discuss babies.”
“Marry me tomorrow,” he suggests.
“That’s a weak proposal, Everhart.”
“I haven’t proposed”—He smirks and winks at me—“Just yet.”
Willow takes Charlie away from my arms. “Let’s eat. You two can get acquainted later.”
Scott gives the tray to Luna and takes me into his arms. He bends down and brushes his lips against mine. “I want to marry you and have a big family.”
“That’s a discussion for another day, Scotty.” I caress his jaw, kissing it. “But we can always practice.”
He slants his mouth to mine, devouring me as he threads his hand in my hair, pulling it down and exposing my neck. He trails his lips down, kissing my neck. “I like how you think, Beesley.”
We entwine our hands and walk to the formal dining room where everyone is waiting. I peer around our table.
I finally see them. I finally recognize my family.
It’s messy, like love. Sometimes they’re crazy, but they’re mine. I have Scott. The love of my life. He’s the one I found under the debris and ruins of my life. It was painful, but it was worth it.
Because I found him.
Scott.
My infinite love.
