Chapter 33

Evangeline

This is it. Wedding day. Mariam and Dad came home just last evening, but no one saw them because we had all gone to bed.

Asher appears at the door just as I am about to change.

"Holdup. I wanna show you something." He guides me to his room, where he opens his closet doors to reveal a mannequin decked out in a stunning periwinkle dress.

The bodice is studded with little pearls, with long sleeves that taper to the fingertips. The embellished skirt is pressed and ironed to perfection, flaring out at the waist and hitting mid-thigh.

"Did...you make this?" The answer is obvious, but I am so stunned that those are the only words I am able to form.

Asher nods shyly, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously. "Will you wear it today? Please? At least for Mom, if not for us." He blushes at the last part.

My heart fills with warmth and joy. I wrap my arms around his waist in a hug, trying to show him how grateful and happy I am to have such an amazing family.

-

I inhale deeply and smooth my hands over the skirt of my dress.

Max, Christopher and Asher are all waiting for Dad, Lucas and Mariam to be ready.

Chris grins. "Well, aren't you pretty today?" Max and Asher nod in agreement.

I avert my eyes and mumble a 'thank you'.

Asher lifts a brow and pouts. "No compliment for us?"

My brothers all look striking in their tailored suits and gelled hair, but I won't give him the satisfaction of saying it aloud.

"Where's Luke?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

Asher shrugs. "If he's still sleeping, let's go wake him up."

I follow him up the stairs, and we stop at his door.

For a moment, it looks like he's going to knock, but instead he grips the doorknob an barges in. "Lucas! Guess what-"

Asher pauses, unmoving at the doorframe.

Marked by the desire to investigate, I slip my body under Asher's arm and peer into the room..Lucas is still in bed. As soon as he sees me, his eyes widen in horror. "Don't!"

A hand claps over my eyes, obscuring my vision. Before I can grasp what's happening, Asher sweeps me off my feet (literally) and tosses me over his shoulder, slapping his hand over my ass to hold my skirt down.

Since when are 14 year old boys this strong?

"Hey! Lemme go," I whine, kicking my legs against his chest half-heartedly.

He tuts. "Nuh-uh. No can do, sweetie. We haven't even done your hair yet!" He starts walking down the stairs. My head lolls against his back, bouncing with the vibration of his movements.

The twins, lounging on the couch, catch sight of us and snicker. I roll my eyes. Boys sometimes.

"Hmph." I huff. "You can let me down now."

He smirks, almost flirtatiously as he slides me off of his shoulder and onto a chair.

"What was that about, anyway?"

Asher chuckles as he starts running a comb through my hair. "Oh, you don't wanna know."