The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

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

so does he want to kick me out? I can’t stand to leave you, my baby girl! Oh well, I guess I’m

as she calmed her down, “Sis, I’ll swing by Emerald County when I can. I’ll

with

take

as punch and dropped the recording of the call into the group

chat.

Stirling was livid.

of line! You are stirring up drama to get sympathy from

“Noella, lunch tomorrow? I wanna take photos with

“Sure.”

photo requests, Noella breathed

the Lambert days, she hardly ever took

photo of her as a kid. And when she was laid to rest, that photo went with her

one’s watching and planting a kiss on that photo on her phone. “My granddaughter is

warm current flowing through her heart

act.

“I take you to check

“Sure.” She answered.

humming a tune. Sounding like he’s in a

it, but our folks weren’t 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 if you met him

there was an elevator accident at the mall, and a kid was stuck. Dad

12-22

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

just broke down and got ill. Elara’s great, but we missed you too. Now you’re here with us, and you have no idea how happy

of silence, Noella cracked a smile too, “Yeah, I

she’d leave the Schnabels once

so she cracked open, “Elara’s awesome. We are still

off guard, then moved and reassured as he pinched Noella’s

the best, a true

added a few scolding lines of his

with a

you scold me, Beckett? You piece of crap! Lololol! My sister and

at his phone and felt a throb in

he couldn’t help but curse with a chuckle, “What a cheeky girl. She