Page 18 of Just My Luck

“Elaina is bound for the wooden spoon like I got as a child,” Maxwell smirked then leaned back in his seat on the couch.

“Heaven’s no. Elaina would never get the wooden spoon from me,” Clodagh shook her head. “Never in a million years. She’s perfect.”

“Keep that up and Genevieve might get jealous,” Maxwell joked.

“What might make me jealous?” Genevieve asked, walking into the living room from the guest room hallway with her husband, Calleb, behind her.

“That mom loves Elaina more than us,” he smirked. Genevieve rolled her eyes and walked over to Clodagh and me. She stood on the opposite side of her mom and wrapped her arms around me.

“Elaina’s our favorite person. Her and Molly,” Genevieve smiled.

Maxwell’s family had welcomed me with open arms from the very beginning. Their love only grew when we got married and then when we had Molly. Clodagh and Declan traveled from Ireland often to celebrate holidays with us. And, Genevieve and Calleb were the best aunt and uncle, who played huge roles in Molly’s life.

All of them made our family perfect. They wiped away all the painful memories I had and made life so beautiful and full. I never imagined a life so bright and filled with so much happiness. Every day I thanked my lucky stars for each of them.

“You guys are too good to me,” I sniffled.

“Oh, heavens. Don’t cry,” Clodagh kissed the side of my head then rubbed my belly. “You don’t want to upset the baby. Need you both happy.”

“I am happy,” I sobbed. Maxwell stood up and made his way over to us. He held open his arms.

“May I please have my very emotion–”

“Finish that sentence, lad, and you’ll be a dead man,” Declan warned. Clodagh and Genevieve already had darts shooting from their eyes.

“I’m just teasing her. Sheesh. Tough crowd,” Maxwell complained.

“Poor thing,” I giggled, closing the distance between us and wrapping my arms around him. He quickly hugged me and kissed the top of my head. Clodagh and Genevieve walked around us as we continued hugging.

“No crying, Beautiful. We only want to see that pretty smile of yours,” he whispered.

“I know. I am happy. So very happy. I promise,” I assured him. “You guys are the best family a girl could ask for.”

I peeked around Maxwell and looked at each of my loved ones responsible for my happiness. They each smiled at me, warming my heart more. Finally, I looked up into the eyes of my loving, supportive husband.

“I love you,” I smiled up at him.

“I love you too, Beautiful.”

“Thank you for keeping your word to me.” His eyebrow rose at my words. “For always holding my hand, making holidays happy, and filling my life with so much love.”

“Those are just things you deserve, Baby,” he kissed the top of my head. “I’ll always give my all to you and Molly. Always.”

“I love you, Mr. O’Hara,” I smiled.

“Love ye too, Lass,” Declan replied, making the room erupt with laughter. I buried my face into Maxwell’s shirt and giggled.

“Best. Family. Ever.”

THE END