Page 193 of Sincerely, Butterfly

In the box was this beautiful gold and green mask with half a butterfly on one side. It was perfect, like an acknowledgment of the work I put into making these men mine.

Like, they’ve seen my dedication to our relationship.

There was also a stunning gold chain with an emerald green butterfly charm.

“Thank you.” I take it from her and let her help me put it on.

We make our way downstairs to find my parents waiting for us.

“Oh my goodness, you two look so beautiful,” my mother gushes, her hand over her heart. “Let me get a photo.”

“Hazel, sweetheart.” Dad shakes his head.

“Oh.” Mom blinks. “Ohhh.”

My mom acts like she doesn’t know anything about the kind of life my father lived before meeting her, as well as a portion of the life he lives now. But she does. She lets him do his own thing as long as she stays far away from it.

At first, my mother didn’t want me involved. She hated it when he took me to the parties, where I would hang out with the guys when we were kids.

But she trusted my father to keep me safe, and he has.

She doesn’t know what I’ve been up to, and Dad thinks it’s best to keep it that way.

She does, however, know about Sylas, Jasper, and Wesley. When she found me crying the other day, I opened up about how we’ve been getting closer this year and how my head was a mess with all these mixed signals.

She told me that if they couldn’t see how amazing I am, they didn’t deserve me. I love her for that.

My mom knows who the guys are, their positions in the Brotherhood, and while she would rather I stay away from that world, she knows I’m more protected with these three than without.

“Well, you two look amazing. Have a great time tonight.” She smiles.

No photos are allowed for anything Brotherhood-related.

They don’t need to know I snuck a selfie with Callie on my Polaroid camera. It’s pinned to my wall next to the photo my mom took of me and the guys at my graduation.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Thanks, Hazel.” Callie gives my mom a hug. I smile at the two of them, glad that I’m able to share her with my best friend; that Ican share both of them with her. She needs people like my parents in her life.

Callie looks at her phone, then to me. “Time to go.”

We walk out of my house to find a sleek black car waiting for us. The door opens, and out steps Garrett.

He’s dressed in an all-black suit with a blood red tie.

He’s got one of his cocky smirks on his face, and he’s about to greet us, but as soon as he sees my bestie, his eyes widen and his lips part.

“Holy sweet mother of god,” I hear him murmur under his breath.

I can’t help but smile, looking from Callie to Garrett.

“Careful there, big guy,” I giggle as I descend the few steps from my porch to the driveway and towards him. “Might wanna close your mouth before something flies in there.”

Callie giggles behind me as Garrett snaps his jaw shut.

“Have my babies,” he blurts, stepping towards Callie.

“W-what?” she splutters, a look of shock on her face.