A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

Silas had way too much to drink. He was tipsy, cheeks flushed, but his eyes never left Calliope. When she suddenly stumbled, he was at her side in a flash, steadying her before she could hit the floor.

He held her gently, his gaze soft and adoring.

"Careful there," he murmured, voice low and warm.

"I'm fine," Calliope assured him, brushing herself off. She had caught herself before anything happened, but Silas reeked of whiskey and beer-so much so that she wrinkled her nose in protest.

"Come here, you," Calliope said, grabbing Silas by the hand and steering him toward her brothers-Quentin, Norton, and Julius.

She'd hoped they'd have some self-control, maybe not push the drinking too far. But Silas smelled like he'd bathed in bourbon, and she realized her brothers had definitely overdone it.

It was obvious-he'd had way too much. And as her husband, if he drank himself into oblivion, she'd be the one nursing his hangover.

"Did you guys let him drink this much?" Calliope asked, frowning.

But as she approached, she realized her brothers were in even worse shape than Silas.

"Silas! C'mon, one more shot!" Quentin slurred, waving a glass in the air and nearly spilling it on himself.

"Silas, how'd you get so good looking?" he added, squinting at him. "Nope, that's not okay. You can't be better looking than Callie. That's just not fair to her!"

Calliope stared at the group, exasperated.

So it wasn't just Silas-they were all plastered. Totally hammered, actually.

"Quentin, that's enough," she said, grabbing his glass and setting it down. "Alright, party's over. No more drinks!"noveldrama

"No more?" Quentin mumbled, blinking in confusion.

"Why stop? I'm not even drunk yet!" Norton protested, though he was swaying on his feet.

"My head's pounding," Julius groaned, rubbing his temples. "No, she's right. I'm done. I'm definitely drunk."

"Julius, at least you're making sense," Calliope said, half-laughing, half-irritated.

She had marched over, ready to scold them for trying to drown Silas in booze, but now it was pretty clear: her brothers were all way more wasted than her husband.

It was almost endearing, really. She knew her brothers cared about her, especially after everything that happened with Gideon Baker, They were just overprotective, making sure Silas wasn't going to hurt her.

As soon as Calliope put her foot down, everyone stopped drinking They slumped onto the couch- together, all dazed and a little goofy, which made her smile despite herself.

Silas joined them, flopping down beside her brothers.

"Alright, shoot. Ask me anything you want," he declared, thumping his chest with exaggerated bravado.

Quentin, Norton, and Julius looked him over and nodded approvingly. "Not bad. At least you're honest."

"You seem alright," Norton agreed.

"You treat Callie right, and we'll like you," Julius said, his words a bit slurred. "But

if you don't, we'll kick you out so fast your head'll spin."

"No one messes with Callie!" Quentin added fiercely.

"Don't think just because you two are married we won't step in," Norton warned. "If

you ever hurt her, we'll break up this happy couple. No hesitation."

Silas sat up straight, like a kid in

Sunday school, nodding solemnly know, know. I'd never let her down.

If she's upset, trust me I'll feel even worse."

And even though the room stank of alcohol and the brothers were a mess, Calliope couldn't help but feel a little touched by the drunken, messy love surrounding her.