I knew Per was nervous, this was a huge step but I was so happy that she had agreed to take the chance to see where these crazy feelings led.

We had helped her pack her bag, keeping the conversation light, telling her about the places we were going to on St Barts and little snippets of who would be there. Ivo had found the ranger who had already received a call from both the base and Per's mother about the changes in travel. He had wished us well and Mr Jones had told him not to worry about any damage we caused to the office, he would sort it out with the Chancellor and they would deal with Powell.

We had all been ready when the Chopper landed, Ivo and Thad sitting Per between them each holding a hand, which she seemed to happily allow. Then through customs and out to Thad's family jet, Per had fallen asleep an hour into the flight and we had carefully covered her and all of us had watched her as we talked quietly.

Ivo and I had updated the others about her mothers voicemails and both had laughed that was my mother in law to be. But I didn't care, not if I got the girl... officially.

Per's nerves had grown when we had finally landed in Gustav, the sun high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow around us. My parents had come out to meet us, each bringing a vehicle so we had could be independent. With her hand firmly in mine I had greeted them, not letting her hide in the background but introducing her "Mum, Dad this is our friend Per, Per this is my parents Veronique and Herod Breitmeyer"

I saw the look my parents shared and grinned. I wasn't going to come right out and say it but I wasn't going to hide either, and I knew my brothers would not want to either, they would want to hug and hold her during this break and if we started by saying she was mine it would cause discord if something other than her with me was witnessed.

"You boys sure about this?" my father had asked us all, a few minutes later, he had recognised what hadn't been said, not even picking one of us to answer and we had all nodded. Luckily my mother had been talking to Per about the island to the side and couldn't hear his question.

"We are taking it slowly, but yes sir, we are all sure" Ivo offered finally answering for us all.

"Let me know if you need anything... or if there is something I need to know"

"Yes sir" Ivo answered for us again and I smiled, knowing we had my parents blessing... so far.

Then with my parents in the small convertible leading the way, we all pile into the jeep they had brought for us, luggage filling the boot and Per sat this time between Topper and Ivo, her hair blowing in the wind and a smile on her face.

Reaching the estate, I shared a quick glance with Ivo, everyone was here, judging by the amount of vehicles parked up. He just grinned as she giggled as Topper lifted her out of the jeep and swung her round before placing her carefully on her feet as the front doors opened.

"Ivo" his mother rushed down the steps and pulled him into a hug and we are grinned as his ears turned red.

"Hey Mum" he murmurs out. "Mum, this is our friend Per, Per this is my mother Cecelia" he introduces directing her attention to Per.

We watch as Cecelia Devereaux turns and looks at Per who is frozen next to Topper, looking like she wants to hide, then Cecelia has her pulled in tight for a hug.

"Look at you, what a beauty, well done boys" she praises, leaning back before hugging her tight again and we all laugh at the wide eyed gaze Per directs our way.

"Mum, let her go now" Ivo says coming to Per's rescue but she just drags Ivo into the hug.

"CeCe, let the poor kids go, the boys need to introduce her to everyone else before we scare her away" Veronique laughed.

Per's eyes flared even wider at my mums words. I felt my fathers arm come round me, "Everyones here" he warns me before waving the porter to our bags. "Pool House" he directs and I look at him. "We thought it was the best place for you all" he confirms with a raised brow.

"And Cassian and Cosmo let you?" I ask knowing Ivo brothers would have fought for that spot.

"Yep, they couldn't believe it either" he laughs.

I look at him, watching Per and Cece and mum together and wonder how he will take my next words. "Why do you all seem so accepting of us all courting her?" I paused "It is all of you and how the hell did you work it out, we didn't tell you?" I added.

The ones I was most worried about being Thad's family, whilst all our parents were friends and we all holidayed together, they were the most set in their ways... old fashioned.

"Laurent and Veronique looked into what was going on, I believe the chopper team fed back to them, as well as the team at the airport, when I spoke to you, you called her our each time you spoke about her. We put tow and two together, and surprisingly no one was... surprised. You boys have such a close bond, for you to bring a female into the mix she would have to be something special to you."

"And?" I prompt him, knowing there would be more.

"We were surprised, knowing what her parents are like, in fact most of us were unaware there was a daughter, Laurent did a background check and after we were very pleased with what was found, she is studious, obviously clever and above all no one outside of some fabricated school report could say anything bad about her. Unlike her parents" he gazes again at the group of women in front of us and smiles. "I think she will fit in with all of us, her parents not so much so, but that will be for you boys to deal with on her behalf, I think she will need you, they I don't think will be as open minded" he tells me before moving forward and putting his arm round mums shoulder and waving everyone ahead of him and into the house. Per held by Cecelia's arm through hers as she guides her inside.

We moved through the entrance hall though the lounge and out onto the terrace where everyone was waiting, sitting relaxed, drinks in hand.

I stepped forward to Per's side, taking her hand in mine, knowing my boys had come up behind us, "Everyone, this is Per" all eyes turned her way and she gripped my hand a little tighter as she said.

"Hello"

My gaze scanned everyone and I started the introductions "This is Cassian and Cosmo, Ivo's brothers, next to them is Topper's sister Alexandria and her friend Cassandra, then my brothers Hector and Angus" they each raised their hand saying hello as I said their names. I turned her slightly to the older group, which my parents and Cecelia had rejoined "Thad's parents Jacqueline and Laurent, Topper parents Katerina and Charles, Ivo's father Casteil and Cecelia, Veronique and Herod who you have just met" They all say hello together and smile our way, even Thad parents... so far.

"Hello" Per says again and I know we can all hear the little quaver in her voice.

"Come and sit down all of you, tell us about what happened" Cece pats the seat next to her and I guide Per into it, smiling at her.

"Ivo..." I prompt looking at him to be our spokesperson and he starts at the beginning with the broken down taxi.

He's careful to leave out anything too personal, including what Per had told us about Vaughn and about her parents messages.

"Don't you want to be with your family for Christmas, such a shame to not be with them" Cassandra asks snootily and I tense, hearing the bitchiness in her voice. She was not normally outwardly catty.

Ivo turns his gaze her way and I see her cheeks colour a little at his attention on her.

"My parents are aware I am her and are quite happy about it" she replied evenly, looking straight at Cassandra, "As I am sure are yours" she adds.

I grin, our girl had so much strength. I see all of our families hiding their grins, we all knew Cassandra could be a bit prickly but she was Alexandria's friend, but this time she had picked the wrong target.

"How long have you been a couple?" she asked looking at me and my grin widened, I caught Ivo's nod from the corner of my eye and lifting Per's hand to my lips, kissing the back before replying.

"Two days" I say and watch the confusion on her face

"Two days... two days and you have brought her home for Christmas?" she laughs and whispers "Gold digger" under her breath to Alexandria but most of us still hear her.

Laurent leans forward, his gaze assessing Cassandra before he looks at Per, "Per is the heir to the BB Pharmaceuticals, the only heir. She is more than a match for any other heir here" his gaze swings back to Cassandra "You would do well to remember that Ms Simpson" he tells the girl now flushed with embarrassment and close to tears, before she runs off the terrace.

Alexandria stands and looks hesitantly after her friend before turning to Per "I'm sorry she was rude... excuse me" she says before following Cassandra.

"Welcome to the families Per" Laurent says leaning back, his arm going around Jacqueline who is smiling proudly at him.

Per squeezes my hand as she directs a "Thank you" to Laurent and I feel the fine shivers running through her.

"Okay then, I think that's enough excitement for now. We are going to go and settle in and show Per around, see you all at Dinner"

"Hold in there, just a few more minutes" I whisper in her ear and I pull her up and into my arms before stepping back and letting Thad take her hand to lead her towards the Pool house. the rest of us following, blocking the stares from our family with our backs.