Looking back at Benji, who had his arms wrapped around Angie as they watched, she curved her lips into a satisfied grin.
She knew she had everything she never knew she needed.
Benji had never seen a set of siblings bicker and pick at each other the way Lucy did with her brothers.
“Benji, I shit you not, she still picks her nose,” Jude decided.
“I saw her do it before we walked out, and she cussed in front of God and everybody,” Jace added. “She’s gross.”
“She stinks too. Believe me, she farts like a dude,” Jayden teased, holding back his laughter as Lucy glared.
“I’ve never seen or smelled either of those things, but thanks, guys,” he said and Lucy shook her head, her eyes dark with annoyance. Though she was still gorgeous. Her hair was down in curls along her shoulders. The dress she wore was simply lethal, and he was convinced she was the most gorgeous woman in the world. She was hotter than the bride, and he knew that was taboo to say, but she was. The wedding, though, had been amazing. Benji even shed a tear or two for the beautiful couple. It was clear how much River loved Autumn and her in return. It was gorgeous. Their vows were sweet, and looking over at them, he couldn’t help but smile.
Relationship goals.
That’s what they gave him.
“I got you three, I really do,” she said, and they all laughed her off. “Fine, Jude would crap his pants, and instead of going to my mom to get cleaned up, he and Jayden would paint with it.”
“Ew! Lucy, I’m eating,” Claire complained while Angie giggled loudly.
“You played with his poop? Not even your own, but his?” Baylor asked as Lucy grinned.
“I was, like, one.”
“Three.”
“You were crapping your pants at almost five?” Claire asked, horror all over her face.
“I had digestive issues, thank you,” he said simply while Jace laughed like a hyena.
“And that one used to eat dog food,” Lucy said, pointing to Jace, who stopped laughing immediately. “And I mean, dog food, the treats, the soft food, hard. Jace was basically a dog.”
Avery made a face. “I’m never kissing you again.”
“Ha! Please. Come here,” he said, pulling her to him. She tried to resist him, but then she pressed her lips to his as everyone laughed.
“But that’s not all—”
“Shut up, Lucy!” Jayden yelled and she smiled.
“Don’t want me to tell everyone how you and Jude used to play with dog poop, too?”
Benji shook his head, laughing as Angie balked. “Ew, guys!”
“What was your thing with poop?” Baylor asked and Jayden shook his head.
“I hate you,” he said and Lucy grinned.
“Don’t try to embarrass me in front of my boyfriend, then,” she said plainly, and all three boys looked away, shaking their heads.
“Are you sure you want to be with her? She’s mean,” Jace called over to him. Benji smiled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Yeah, I love her, the mean side too.”
“She bites, did you know that? Like, I still have the scar,” Jude said, pulling his shirt up, and sure enough, right by his ribs was a bite mark scar.
Benji looked over at Lucy and she shrugged. “He tried to tickle me.”
“She broke my nose. Twice!” Jayden yelled and Benji laughed.
“I won’t even try to tickle her, she’s like a ninja.” Jace shook his head, looking to Avery. “Like, really, she’s evil.”
“I feel like I should try. Get you down one good time and tickle the heck out of you,” Benji said and she grinned up at him.
“Please. Try.”
The challenge was in her eyes, and he almost wanted to do it until Autumn said, “Benji, honey, I like you a lot. Please don’t.”
He looked back at Lucy wide-eyed and she smiled. “I knocked her tooth out.”
He gasped as Autumn nodded, pointing to the front one. “Fake tooth.”
Looking back at Lucy, he said, “You are mean!”
That had everyone laughing as the server came by to refill their drinks. They were at Catbird Seat, some ritzy place Autumn and River really enjoyed. But Benji was still hungry and he had already eaten all his plate and most of Lucy’s. It had been a great Christmas, though. For the first time in forever, he felt at home. He felt wanted being with Lucy’s whole family and watching her with them. As much as they picked on each other, the love they showed for one another was almost suffocating. Benji had never been intimidated by anything, but he was by her love for her brothers. It was like they almost did no real wrong. They were idiots, she’d say, but they were her idiots. It was sweet, and he loved watching her interact with them and their wives.
Especially baby Ashlyn.
She loved that baby like she loved Angie, and it was easy too. The little nugget had dark black hair, big green eyes, and the brightest red lips he had ever seen. She was adorable, and when he finally got to hold her, he wasn’t about to give her back. Even if he was hungry.
“Isn’t she pretty?” Angie asked as she stroked her little head. “She’s my favorite.”
“She is pretty,” he agreed and Angie smiled.
Leaning toward him, she whispered, “I’m still hungry.”