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Vin returns with a tray of champagne. “Thought we should begin the night with a proper toast.”

Everyone retrieves a glass and holds it before themselves.

“Scarlett,” Vin begins. “You’ve been a part of this family for as long as I can remember. Always one of us, which is why I’m honored to welcome you with open arms…again.” He grins. “But on a side note, if my brother ever does anything to piss you off, just let me know, and I’ll handle it.”

He winks, and Scarlett laughs, glancing up at Leo.

“I don’t think that’s possible,” she says, her eyes glossed over with so much love for my brother.

Vin’s eyes travel to Charlotte, softening. “This family has felt a little brighter since you’ve joined us.” He looks at me. “I don’t recall ever seeing my brother this happy, and it…” He clears his throat, eyes misting over. “Well, it’s a sight I enjoy seeing.” His attention returns to Charlotte. “You tried to take a bullet for my niece without a second thought, so I speak for all of us when I say thank you for caring for Clara as if she were your own, and welcome to the family.”

Charlotte rolls in her bottom lip, inching closer to my side, my hand secured around her hip. “Thank you, Vin. That means a lot coming from you.”

He gazes at all of us, taking in the moment, before saying, “And to that…” He raises his glass. “Let’s toast to the newlyweds and to family!”

“To the newlyweds and family,” everyone responds, taking a hefty sip of their drinks.

“Umm…” Madeleine stares at Scarlett with wide eyes and parted lips. “You didn’t take a sip.”

Scarlett looks at Leo, silently asking a question. He offers a reassuring nod, and she faces us, her smile growing impossibly wide. “Well, that’s because…I can’t.”

“Wait.” Madeleine looks back and forth between them. “Does that mean…”

“I’m pregnant!”

A chorus of cheers and congratulations erupts around them. One by one, everyone pulls Scarlett into a hug before clasping Leo’s shoulder or wrapping him in a quick embrace.

“Oh my God, you’re going to have a cousin,” Madeleine tells Clara, who claps excitedly as if she knows what her aunt is talking about.

It’s amazing news.

Something that should put a smile on my face.

But I can’t help the slight pain and worry filling my heart as I peek down at Charlotte beside me, wondering how she feels about this.

Her eyes are glossy, and she swallows hard. My grip tightens reassuringly around her waist, but she steps out of my hold and approaches Scarlett, immediately enveloping her arms around her. “I’m so happy for you both,” she tells her. Every word is genuine and sincere. Because that’s the kind of person Charlotte is. She’s a beautiful soul who reflects that light on everything and everyone she touches, even in situations like this. She pulls back, and Scarlett reaches a hand out, brushing a tear from Charlotte’s cheek.

Scarlett’s lips curve up. “I hope my little one will look at me the same way Clara looks at you.”

Charlotte smiles, a few more tears escaping. “It will require a lot of ice cream.”

The two of them laugh before Charlotte returns to my side.

As everyone continues bombarding Scarlett with questions and congratulations, I look down at Charlotte, wrapping her in my arms. I brush my lips beside her ear and speak low enough so only she can hear.

“Are you okay?”

She nods, a soft smile curving her lips. “Actually, I’m more than okay.” Her palms settle against my chest as her gaze drifts to Clara in Madeleine’s arms and then back to me. “I’ve got everything I could ever want right here.”

The next few hours fly by in a blur. Every hors d’oeuvre cooked to perfection. Every song danced to. Every slice of cake eaten. And every glass of champagne drunk well past the evening hours when darkness descended upon the city.

Mother took Clara home hours ago. The poor girl tried as hard as she could to stay awake to see the fireworks, but she barely made it past dinner before her eyelids became too heavy for her to keep open.

Scarlett and Leo are currently in the center of the dance floor, holding on to one another as they dance to a slow song. Charlotte, Alina, and Madeleine are drunkenly discussing strategies for catching the bouquet when the time comes. Mauro and Eli listen along, placating them with a nod or a slight grin.

And Vin…well, he’s looking quite comfortable by the bar with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

I lean toward Charlotte. “I’ll be right back.”