A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"I already brought all this out. Wouldn't it be weird to make me put it back?"

“Just take it, okay? You're just like Portia. If I'm giving it to her, then you guys should get it too!"

Crispin looked resolute, clearly not about to take back the envelopes.

At his words, Calliope and Mavis exchanged a glance, then finally accepted the envelopes.

Not long after, Quentin and the others came out of the kitchen.

Once the brothers had ditched their aprons, each of them pulled out an envelope as well.

They handed them out to Calliope, Portia, and Mavis, one by one.

"Oh gosh, you guys really didn't have to!" Portia said, though her hands were already busy tearing open her envelope to sneak a peek at what was inside.

Everyone burst out laughing.

a bit more reserved. She

she'd never gotten a Christmas stocking or anything like this before. But

hands, feeling the weight of it in her heart too. Her eyes stung. She might not have

you're not about to cry, are you?" Calliope teased, coming over to tickle her. "What, is it not enough?

yeah, we're way too stingy," Quentin chuckled. "Next year, we'll

enough. Honestly, it's almost too much for me to handle," Mavis said, her eyes shiny with tears. She looked up at Quentin and the others.

you don't have to be so formal with us!" Julius replied with a grin. "Don't be sad, we get it. We know about your

pact," Quentin said. "Every year, you get an envelope, just like Callie and Portia. And when you get married one day, we'll be your family, helping you out with all the wedding

minds. No way would

was it. Mavis burst into

married yet, and you guys are already planning my wedding... My real family would

that!" Calliope said, wrapping Mavis in a hug. "You're my family. And my

in. "We're all family here. But hey, don't cry too much, you'll mess up your

let's go light the fireworks!" Julius called. "It's dark out, and