It was a perfect day to celebrate our twenty-eighth birthday together. There were no pressing matters for us to attend. Nothing for us to do but lie here in the sun and watch the world go by.
We were in Rosie’s garden. Her three dogs were chasing each other on the lawn next to the table the boys had dragged out earlier for our birthday lunch. One of the cats was curled up on the end of the blanket near Drake’s feet, enjoying the sun on his black fur. Ares had taken a liking to Drake. I was highly amused by the whole thing, especially the way Drake grumbled about the cat sitting on him when we visited Rosie and yet he’d quite happily pet Ares the whole time. I swear he liked the cat more than he was letting on.
Francis shifted next to me, drawing my attention to him. He rubbed his face on his t-shirt and set his phone down, letting out a sigh. His eyes darted over to Prescott, who had fallen asleep with his hand curled around my thigh.
“I see someone couldn’t stay awake.”
I grinned and continued stroking Francis’ hair.
“Rosie made him get up early to take the dogs out so she could start cooking. He was grumpy as fuck about it,” I replied, keeping my voice low so I didn’t wake him.
We’d arrived here two days ago to spend the weekend with Prescott’s mum. Drake and Francis slept in the twin room whilst West had shared with me and Prescott. It wasn’t unusual for us to be three to a bed. Drake’s, Prescott’s and Francis’ parents had got used to our relationship and the way we worked. Thankfully, Drake’s mother had come around to the whole thing. The thought of Drake walking out of her life had given May an incentive to accept the way things were. Besides, she’d seen how happy we all made each other. No one could deny we belonged together.
“I suppose that one took advantage of having you alone.”
Francis nodded his head towards West. I tried not to smile.
“Can you blame me?” West said, stroking his tattooed fingers down my bare arm. “You have a naked woman in your bed looking all sleep-rumpled and cute, you take advantage of the fact.”
I rolled my eyes. Yes, I had enjoyed a morning quickie with West and I wasn’t ashamed of it. He’d shoved his hand over my mouth to stop me from making too much noise. When Prescott came back, he’d found us in a post-coital haze and told us we should have waited for him. No doubt he would have enjoyed watching.
“Don’t worry, you get me later,” I said before Francis could reply.
We were going home after lunch. The five of us wanted to celebrate in our own way. The playroom would be involved, along with his ropes and chains.
He gave me a smile. I stroked my fingers down the side of his head and cupped his face, rubbing my thumb over his mouth. He poked his tongue out and licked me with a deviant look in his beautiful silver-grey eyes.
“Francis!”
He turned to look at the house, finding his mother standing by the table.
“Yes?” he called back.
“Your father wants to discuss the wedding anniversary arrangements with you.”
“Okay, I’m coming.”
Francis rolled his eyes and slumped back on the blanket. His parent’s thirtieth wedding anniversary was next week. They were having a big party for it. Francis had paid for everything because we weren’t exactly short on funds. He hadn’t wanted to get too involved otherwise but had been roped into it by Eliza.
“I thought our birthday was supposed to be about us, not their fucking party,” he muttered.
“It is about us and besides, you haven’t had to lift a finger today so far.”
He smiled at me, then sat up. The next thing I knew, he’d leant over and planted a kiss on my lips.
“Always keeping us in line.”
“Someone has to.”
“And you do it so well, little whore. Happy birthday, my stunning girl.”
“Happy birthday, my fallen god.”
He kissed me again and then hauled himself up. I watched him trudge off in the direction of the house, my fingers going to Prescott’s head and stroking his hair instead.
“Is it lunchtime?” Prescott asked a minute later, turning his head to look up at me.
“Almost, sleepyhead.”
“Mum will want me to help bring stuff out.”
I leant down and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“Then you should go offer your services.”
“And leave you? Never.”
I laughed and nuzzled his face with my nose.
“You’re just going in the house and I’m still right here, silly.”
He grabbed hold of my head and kissed me. I sat back when he released me, and he got to his feet.
“You three better make your way over before Mum hassles you.”
“I’ll make sure they take their seats.”
He stroked my cheek and gave me a smile.
“Where would we be without you, sweetness?”
“Worse off.”
He laughed.
“Happy birthday, little lamb, my goddess of the night.”
“Happy birthday, my king.”
I grinned as he walked off towards the house to help Rosie with lunch. He gave me a wink over his shoulder. I blew him a kiss. He caught it and tucked it in his pocket before he disappeared inside. I settled against West again, closing my eyes and savouring the warmth of the sun on my face.
“Drake, Scarlett, West, lunch is ready!” came May’s voice a moment later.
Drake let out a little huff, setting his tablet down and stretching. I looked over at him, watching the way the sunlight caught his dark hair. The furrow between his brow had me reaching out and smoothing it away. His indigo eyes caught mine, and he smiled.
“Drake!”
“We’re coming, Mum,” he called but kept his attention on me.
“She’ll be herding us like cattle if we don’t get a move on,” I said.
“Don’t I know it.”
I leant closer and pressed a kiss to his mouth. His fingers were in my hair, stroking my scalp and making me sigh. Letting me go, he picked up his tablet and rose to his feet.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look today, little wisp?”
I shook my head. He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.
“You grow more beautiful every single day in my eyes. Happy birthday, my love.”
“Happy birthday, sir.”
He gave me one last longing look, then he walked away towards the table where May was busy telling Prescott and Francis where the dishes should go. Absolutely no surprises there. May always liked to take control of a situation, no matter what was happening.
West curled both of his arms around me and leant his chin on my shoulder.
“Look at our family,” he murmured, watching Drake join the others as Rosie and Jasper came out of the house, followed by her three dogs, all wagging their tails.
“They’re quite something. The best family we could have chosen.”
“They kind of chose us.”
I laughed. Eliza, Jasper, Rosie and May were like parents to me and West since neither of us had our own any longer. Our found family was all we needed.
“I don’t think May would let us get away with not paying her regular visits. Drake would get lectured for hours.”
“He might be a pain in the arse, he doesn’t deserve that.”
“No one deserves a May Ackley lecture.”