in.”
“All you can do is be there for her, honey,” Finn assured his mate. “We have no idea what she’s been through.”
“Finn’s right.” Ariel’s voice was soft, and she swallowed nervously when everyone glanced at her. Daniel immediately stepped closer, his arm firm at her waist. “I…I know you tried to be there for me, too. All of you. And I appreciate it, even though I might not have shown it.”
“Ariel.” Laura gained her feet and moved toward her, tugging her out of Daniel’s embrace and hugging her close. She squeezed tight while Ariel gently patted her back. “I’m so glad you found your way to Daniel. I hope that means you’re ready to accept all of us, too. As your family.”
“She might be if you don’t smother her,” Finn joked, tugging Ariel from his mate and hugging her against his side. “Besides, she’s always loved me. We’ve been cooking and singing together since Colorado.”
“All that’s missing is Murphy,” Daniel stated.
Ariel knew he worried about Murphy. The last text Finn had received had been almost a month ago. Murphy had said he was going to be out of touch for a bit and not to worry. But as far as Ariel could tell, all the pride had done was worry. She hoped Murphy showed up or at least called or texted again soon.
“He’ll contact Finn,” Laura said, reaching for her mate and squeezing his hand. “They’re too close for him to be out of touch much longer.”
“Let me know when he does, please. I’d like to apologize to him,” Daniel offered.
“There’s no need for that,” Finn said. “You know that as well as I do. Murphy will tell you the same.”
“Wait a minute,” Gabriel interrupted. “Where’s my apology?”
“For what?” Daniel demanded.
“For putting up with your sorry ass your whole life,” Gabriel joked, and Ariel could have kissed him for replacing Daniel’s worry with a grin.
“Same place mine is for putting up with you, and trust me, you were way more trouble than I ever was. Ask Laura.”
Daniel and Gabriel both glanced toward Laura, but she shook her head.
“You’re not dragging me into this. Besides, you two were assholes long before I came into the picture.”
Kenzie and Ariel both started laughing.
“I believe that,” Kenzie agreed. “He was definitely an asshole when I met him.”
“One who swept you off your feet and had you falling madly in love with me,” Gabriel told her.
“She was definitely mad,” Finn added.
“You’re all very funny,” Gabriel groused then turned to Ariel. “What about Daniel? You have to admit he was an asshole.”
Ariel shook her head. “No, I think I was the asshole. Thankfully, he never gave up on me.”
“Never,” Daniel swore, dropping a kiss on her brow.
“All moved in now?” Kenzie asked.
“Yes. I brought the last load of my stuff over today,” Ariel admitted.
“Let us know if you need any help rearranging or anything,” Laura offered.
Before Ariel could figure out how to tactfully pass on that offer, the timer on the oven went off, and she scrambled away to get dinner before it burned. She wasn’t having Laura over to help move anything while she was pregnant. Kenzie either. If Ariel needed help, she’d wait for Daniel. Not that she needed help.
“Here, let me get that for you.” Finn nudged her out of the way and carried the roasted chickens to the table for her.
“God, that smells delicious.” Kenzie inhaled then turned toward the counter. “Did you make a pie, cake, and cookies?”
“I wasn’t sure what everyone wanted, and I like to bake,” Ariel offered with a shrug as she pulled the rest of the dishes from the warming oven.
“Oh, wow! This feels like Thanksgiving.” Laura grinned, rubbing her tummy. “Look at all this food.”
“I like to cook.” Ariel felt her face flush as they all looked at her again.
“And we’re very grateful you do.” Finn snagged a fresh roll and bit into it with a moan of pleasure. “Good. Very good.”
Ariel laughed, and it felt wonderful. It felt natural. She automatically sought Daniel’s gaze and wasn’t surprised when he bent to kiss her soft and slow. Hell, she’d laughed more since she’d accepted him than she ever had before in her life. He filled her with happiness and brought constant joy into her life.
“Watch out, Ariel,” Laura warned. “Much more of that, and you’ll end up like your sisters-in-law.”
Daniel’s gaze heated, and she knew he was imagining her pregnant with their child.
“I wouldn’t mind that,” she whispered, though everyone could hear her.
“Yeah?” Daniel asked, dropping