Soaring with Fallon (Big Sky 4)

“You haven’t even opened your present yet.”

“Wait. I have presents?”

“Fal, I don’t think you’re grasping the whole concept of birthday parties.”

She giggles and takes my hand, dragging me out of the restroom and up the stairs.

“Sorry, everyone,” she says with a smile. “I had something in my eye.”

“I hate it when that happens,” Willa says, wrapping her arms around Fallon for a big hug. “You okay now?”

“Oh, yeah. Noah found it.”

“I’m sure he did,” Gray says with a laugh. Everyone takes their turns saying hello to the birthday girl, giving her hugs and wishing her well. Fallon introduces Claire, who is polite and friendly, as well.

I’m not so sure about Claire. I know that Fallon loves her, so I’ll always be respectful and kind, but I’m on the fence about whether or not I like her. She can be brash in her demeanor, but then so can I, so I can’t judge her too harshly for that. There’s just something there, something I can’t put my finger on, that rubs me the wrong way.

Ciao set up a buffet line along one wall. The cake is on its own table, surrounded by flowers. It’s seriously beautiful. How Maisey pulled it together in one day is beyond my comprehension.

“I think she’s happy,” Dad says as he joins me at the edge of the crowd, watching everyone talk and laugh, wrangle babies, and go in for food.

“I’d say you’re right.” Fallon laughs with Cara and Claire. One of the girls put a tiara in her hair. “She was overwhelmed.”

“We are an overwhelming family,” Dad says with a laugh. “I mean, look at this. When it was just you four kids, your mom, Nancy and Jeff, and me, it was pretty tame. Now, we have little ones and friends, and it’s loud. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Me either,” I agree, my eyes pinned to my girl as she moves around the room. “I’m in love with her.”

“Oh, we knew that. It’s pretty obvious, son.” Dad laughs and slaps my shoulder. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Marry her,” I reply without hesitation. “Not immediately, but we’re headed there. If she’ll have me.”

Fallon looks my way, and with a smile, sends me a little wave of her fingers.

“If the way she looks at you is any indication, she’ll have you,” Dad replies. “I’m happy for you. For both you and Gray. You found two wonderful women.”

“I won’t argue with that.” I glance over to where Gray hugs Autumn, swaying to the loud music the restaurant plays. “Are you hungry?”

“Starved,” Dad says with a smile. “It smells damn good.”

“Let’s go eat before Gray hogs it all.”

* * * *

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Fallon says in excitement. She’s opening her gifts, and just opened Willa and Max’s present. “A shopping spree in your store? Willa, this is too much.”

“No way,” Willa says, shaking her head. “You’re gorgeous, and an awesome walking billboard for my shop. It’s really a selfish gift.”

Willa winks at Fallon, who rushes to her for a hug. She gives Max a side-hug, and then Alex gives her a hug, as well.

“I have a present for you,” Alex announces.

“You do?” Fallon squats next to him. “What is it?”

“You can come play with me and Rocky anytime you want,” he says with earnest, brown eyes. “Rocky couldn’t come to the party, but he’s fun.”

“I bet he’s the best,” Fallon says, giving Alex another hug. “Thank you so much. I’d love to come play with you guys.”

“Cool,” Alex says proudly. “And we can play video games.”

Fallon laughs but nods in agreement. “Absolutely. You’ll probably win because I’m not very good at it.”

“I’ll teach you.” He shrugs and takes a bite of his pasta. “It’s easy.”

“Well, that’s settled then,” Fallon says with a laugh.

“I have something for you,” I announce and pass her a little red gift bag with pink tissue paper sticking out of the top.

“This party is more than enough,” she says with a frown but snatches up the bag. “But I won’t pass it up.”

I laugh as she pulls the tissue out. She frowns when she sees the black box at the bottom of the bag.

“What is it?” Claire asks.

Without answering, Fallon pulls out the long, black velvet box and clicks it open. Nestled inside is a diamond and emerald tennis bracelet.

“What did you do?” Fallon’s eyes are glassy when they find mine. “Noah—”

“Do you like it?”

“What’s not to like?” She laughs and holds it up to me. “Will you please help me?”

I fasten it around her tiny wrist, then kiss her knuckles. “Happy birthday, babe.”

“Thank you.” She loops her arms around my neck and offers me a sweet kiss. “I love it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Can we have cake now?” Zack asks, earning a glare from Nancy that makes us all laugh. “What? It’s cake!”