To Have and To Hold: A Bryce Hall Fanfiction ?completed?

Bryce and I stopped in our tracks. "That's awkward," I whispered, moving to stand behind Bryce.
"There you go, Addison! Now, they both know! Are you happy?" Griffin shouted at her.
"That's not what I meant, Griff, and you and I both know that," Addison said softly, sinking into the couch. "I don't want to be with Bryce anymore. I just want to be with you."
I tugged on Bryce's hand. "We should probably leave them to talk. This isn't our business."
He nodded, and we headed upstairs, passing by JJ's room, where Nessa and Dixie were sitting with the kids. I pulled away from Bryce, stepping into the room.

"Hey, we heard Addi and Griff fighting. Is everything okay?" Nessa asked, holding JJ's hands as he stood on wobbly feet.
"I don't know. We got out of there pretty quick. Mads and Jaden are making dinner right now though," I replied, sitting on the floor next to Dixie, who was rocking Didi slowly. "How are you and Noah handling the adjustment to parenting?" I asked.
"We're trying, we really are, but I feel like I can't bond with her, and Noah gets so mad about it," Dixie replied, looking down at Didi in her lap.
"That's fine," Nessa interjected. "Not every mother bonds right away. Take your time. Explain it to Noah. Eventually, he'll understand."
Dixie shrugged. "He's such a good dad, and I feel like I'm letting both of them down."
Nessa set a sleeping JJ in his crib and took Didi from Dixie, handing her to me before pulling Dixie into a hug. "You could never let them down. I guarantee that Noah is just as confused as you are."
I chimed in. "She's right. Let me watch Didi for you one night. You guys can go out and just focus on understanding each other."
Dixie wiped tears from her eyes. "Thank you, girls. I appreciate it more than you could ever know."

I excused myself from the room and walked back down the hallway to my own room. "Bryce, can you come hold your niece for a second? I want to change before dinner." Bryce stood up from his place on the bed and took Daisy from me.
By the time I was done changing, Bryce had rocked her to sleep. I turned to see him standing, likely to put her in her crib. "How in the hell are you so good at that?" I asked, laughing quietly. I followed him down the hallway to her room and stood in the doorway as he gently laid her in the crib. He turned and saw me watching him, kissing me softly before we went back downstairs.

Addison and Griffin had left the living room, and Jaden and Mads were setting the table. "Hey, guys. I would yell that dinner's ready, but Nessa just told me that if I woke JJ up, she'd beat the shit out of me," Jaden said, chuckling. "You mind rounding everybody up?" Bryce and I headed back upstairs, stopping in the open doorways of our friends.
"Kio, Sarah, dinner's ready," I leaned in to tell them. "Nessa, Josh, you guys, too."
When we went back downstairs, every seat was filled. Jaden stood up as we walked in. "My best friend and my 'little sister,'" he sighed. "Getting married? I love it."
We sat down to enjoy the lasagna that they had made, and conversations fluttered around the table.

I rested my hand on Bryce's leg. "I want to wait," I said quietly.
Bryce looked at me, concerned. "What do you mean, baby?"
"Not like that. I absolutely want to marry you, but I want the wedding to be perfect. I want a long engagement, so we can plan the wedding of our dreams. Something that reflects who we are separately, but also together."
Bryce let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God. We can do whatever you want. I'm happy if you're happy."

I looked around the table at our family. Addison and Griffin had clearly resolved their issues as they stared at each other lovingly. I could hear Nessa and Josh discussing the birthday party that would be happening the next day. Dixie was excitedly telling Noah of my offer to babysit. Blake and Amelie were discussing something political. They were too far too make it out clearly. Anthony and Avani planned a lunch date for that weekend. Kio and Sarah still looked at each other with eyes full of love and naivety. Quinton and Cynthia playfully argued over their anniversary plans. Suddenly, Jaden and Mads stood.

"We would like to propose a toast to the happy couple. I have never seen the two of you happier. You being so much joy to not only each other's lives, but to all of ours," Jaden began.
Mads continued. "We are so grateful to be able to watch the two of you grow together. We are so excited to see you guys get your happily ever after. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are one hundred percent behind you every step of the way. We love you both more than words can describe. To Bryce and Kate!"

"Wait, now I have something I need to say," I began, standing up. "I have had the absolute pleasure of knowing you all for the past year and a half, and I wouldn't trade that for the world. Your endless support of Bryce and me has kept us together and will keep us together for a very long time. We love each and every one of you, and we are beyond grateful that we are entering this next stage of our lives together with all of you by our sides. Thank you for being there for us."
Bryce smiled up at me from his chair. "Couldn't have said it better myself, Katey Kinz," he whispered as I sat back down.
"I'm genuinely so happy, Bryce," I said, nestling my face in his neck as I hugged him.