SERENDIPITY | BOOK 1

T W E N T Y - O N E

Its been a few days since Xander told me he was banging Iris, and although I am incredibly happy for them, I need to figure something out to reduce her workload. I really don't want her to work for me anymore, it feels wrong to have family on my payroll as my assistant, but she is adamant she's not going anywhere, and I'm certainly not going to fire her.

It's Saturday, and like usual- the Romanov's are here and we're having a family day. Everyone has taken off work, and shut off the devices and we're all outside enjoying the last few days of sunshine and heat before fall really starts and the air turns frigid.

Dad, Nonno, Nikolai and all of my uncles are over by the barbeque grilling, Nonna, Alina and my aunties are all over by the flower beds trying to dig up the flowers to save them for the spring, and all of the guys are mucking around with the football with Stasia as Bryn and I sit by the firepit. As the two of us chat, I can't help but notice how Bryn keeps stealing glances in the boys' direction. She's very focused in their direction, and its only when Alexei's brother Damien separates from the rest of the group that I notice it's actually him that's earned her attention.

Leaning forward in my seat with a smirk on my face, I smack her knee. "Care to tell me what that's about" I tease as she whips her head around to look at me. Bryn's eyes widen before she starts to shift uncomfortably in her chair. "What do you mean? That's nothing" she argues, trying her best to remain neutral. I raise my eyebrow, clearly not convinced and she sighs before shifting closer.

"Okay fine. Damien and I have been seeing each other for a few weeks. I don't really know what's happening, or if it will go anywhere but for right now we're having fun, and I'm getting orgasms so, you win some you lose some" she says with a shrug. I chuckle a little bit at that and shake my head. "Does anyone else know?" I ask. Bryn shakes her head. "No, and I'd like to keep it that way for at least a little while. Just until I know what's going on between us." I nod my head and give her a small smile. "Okay" I whisper. "I can do that for you."

Welp, that happened a lot faster than I wanted or expected it too. It was completely my fault for staring at him, but when you look THAT good- people are going to stare. It's just human nature.

I should have known that Mara would catch on quickly. There isn't much about me that she's unaware of, or mannerisms of mine she's not in-tune to. She knows me like the back of her hand, and there's not a damn thing we wouldn't do for one another. I think that's probably why I've felt so many emotions the last few weeks. Knowing that we could have been ripped apart was a terrifying thought. I thought we'd have been forced to go our separate ways- but her family has proved that blood doesn't mean shit when you have them in your corner cheering you on.

I finally have people to love, and who love me and want me to follow my dreams. I've got seven crazy, over-protective big brothers, and the best dad in the world. I've got my Mara. My platonic soulmate, and I couldn't be any more excited to see what the future holds.

I owe her family, our family- a great debt.

After eating what was barbequed for dinner and hanging around outside a bit longer, we all headed inside just as the sun began to set on the last bit of late summer heat. After putting away the left-over food, and cleaning up the trash that had been drug inside, Ella and I rounded everyone up to head into the entertainment room for some movies. It was still pretty early in the evening- only around 7pm, so after voting on a movie, which the girls won somehow- The Princess Diaries was turned on and we were all searching for a place to relax on the sofa.

Once I found a spot in one of the corners, Ella grabbed a blanket before crawling into my lap and getting comfy. All of the adults joined us soon after with a few drinks, and once we were all seated the opening credits started to play. About halfway through the movie, all of the girls were asleep- and the adults were taking their sleeping wives to bed. As Ella, Bryn, Iris and Ana slept- us guys chatted about the game that was on TSN the night before, and some Mafia Stuff.

Eventually, a yawn managed to escape my mouth, and when I looked at the time it was well after 2am. Deciding not to risk moving Ella, I tucked her further into my chest before getting as comfortable as possible so I could also get a few hours of sleep.

As sleep started to consume me with Ella safely tucked into my arms, a sleepy smile took over my face and one thought plagued my mind as darkness consumed me.

This, right here, is heaven- and I don't ever want to leave.