The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

12:22

Chapter 80

Merrick and Freya were making such a big deal about taking photos with Noella, as if they were more excited than if they finished novels or won science awards. They even dug out their wedding outfits to snap pics with her.

Freya’s rocking this burgundy silk dress, and man, she’s still got it all grace and poise. The dress just added to her charm.

Merrick’s suit was an oldie but goodie, with a well–preserved fleur–de–lis brooch adding a touch. of scholarly kindness.

Noella, sandwiched between the two old–timers, snapped their first group selfie.

Freya was over the moon, and she waved at Tristan and Sienna, who look like they were about to drool with envy.

They were practically itching to jump in and take pics with their daughter.

away

Last time at the birthday bash, they were so busy clicking at their girl that they totally spaced on getting a group shot. Now they were kicking themselves over it.

“Come on, get in here. We’ll photoshop Stirling and Elara in later.”

The whole family ended up taking a bunch of photos together.

Merrick couldn’t wait to switch his profile pic to the selfie with Noella. He hightailed it to chat with Marcel, “Whoa, why did I change my profile pic? Can’t quite make out who’s in it, can you?” Marcel was in the middle of a chess game with Sexton, and when he saw that message, he was so close to flipping out. “That sly old fox’s showing off his pic with Noella, huh? Just wait until she visits me in the hospital. I’ll get my photo op too!”

Seeing Noella all cozy with Merrick in the photo, Marcel was getting all choked up.

Why didn’t he think to take a pic with his granddaughter?

Now he’s just got to sit there and watch Merrick strut his stuff!

In the Schnabel family group chat, Beckett ‘accidentally‘ dropped à ton of Noella’s pics. including the fresh ones they just took.

Ulrich: [Noella’s looking adorable. That outfit’s perfect on her. Grandma doing okay? I’ll swing by after my surgery.]

Stirling: [What’s the deal here? Why didn’t we take any when I was home?!]

Elara: [No biggie, I got Photoshop.]

She played it cool, but she quickly edited herself into the group shot and uploaded it to the chat.

12:22

fake, drop the act. You’re probably dying to cry,

he want to kick me out? I can’t stand to leave you, my baby girl! Oh well, I guess I’m not really a Schnabel; I deserve this and I’ll just leave.”

“Sis, I’ll swing by Emerald County when I can.

with

we’ll take loads.”

pleased as punch and dropped the recording of the call

chat.

Stirling was livid.

to get sympathy from our sis. Right, Ulrich?] He furiously typed.

group chat drama. “Noella, lunch tomorrow? I wanna

“Sure.”

Schnabels‘ photo requests, Noella breathed a sigh of relief.

Lambert days, she hardly ever took pics

laid to rest, that photo went with her into the grave.

tear wipe when no one’s watching and planting a kiss

heart as she sensed Freya’s love in that simple

act.

hand, “I take you to

“Sure.” She answered.

him humming a tune.

always like this. Dad used to be super tough, but after finding out Elara wasn’t ours, he just changed – no joke, you’d have thought he was this stony type

time, there was an elevator accident at the

12-22

someone wait with the kid, but no, he sat there himself, saying how great it’d be if someone did that for you if

Grandma said it was Mom’s fault for losing you, and Mom just broke down

cracked a smile too, “Yeah, I

ruffle her soft hair, “Elara once came to me, said she’d leave the Schnabels once you were back.

knew it was tough for the Schnabels at first, so she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are still a family even if

was caught off guard, then moved and reassured as he

true Schnabel

single letter, and added a few scolding lines of his own, telling Elara to stay put with the Schnabel family because she’ll always

quickly bombarded him with a stream of crying

piece of crap! Lololol! My sister and I love

and felt a throb in his

but curse with a chuckle, “What a

still curled up in a smile and brimmed with Joy.