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.

reserved. She

wasn't great; she'd never gotten a Christmas stocking or anything like this before. But every year,

heavy envelope in her hands, feeling the weight of it in her heart too. Her eyes stung. She might not have the best family, but she had the best friend, and her friend's brothers were

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

stingy," Quentin chuckled. "Next year,

almost too much for me to handle," Mavis said, her

Julius replied with a grin. "Don't be sad, we get it. We know about your family. You're Callie's sister, so you're our little sister, too. It's only right we look out for

pact," Quentin said. "Every year, you get an envelope, just like Callie and Portia. And when you get married one

before, so the brothers had already made up their minds. No way would

Mavis burst

talking about getting married yet, and you guys are already planning my wedding... My real family would never do that." She sniffled, voice shaky. "Why do you have to make me cry

Mavis in a hug.

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

fireworks!" Julius called. "It's dark out, and these fireworks are insane.