Bittersweet Revenge (The Patricians Book 2)
Page 29
He was the most attentive dad in the world. He used to take turns at night to help with the feedings and diaper-changes. And now, even when he was extremely busy with work, he always put us first, never missing a birthday, soccer game, or ballet recital.
This man was still the love of my life. I didn't think I could love him anymore than I had when we’d gotten together, but I did. Every time he made it home early enough to read a story to the children. Every time he made love to me like it was the first time, even though we knew each other's bodies by heart now. I loved him more.
This man and our children were my life.
“Mummy?” I turned toward my six-year-old son who was dressed as Iron Man. Oh, the irony.
“Yes Theo?” I smiled at him. He looked a lot like Archie, something he enjoyed teasing Caleb about.
“Is grandpa Luke coming today?”
“Yes, of course he is, baby.”
Grandpa Luke, my uncle Luke, was now Jacklyn’s husband – something that had almost caused Caleb to have an aneurysm. But they were both really happy against all odds.
“Why is that?”
“Because he is the best at making voices in stories!” He beamed. “And I have the new book daddy bought me for him to read tonight.”
“Ah,” I chuckled. “We won’t tell Uncle Archie or Daddy though, alright? It would make them sad.”
It would also make them super-competitive and as usual, they would go to extreme lengths to get the number one spot, no matter how trivial it was.
“Tell me what?” Caleb asked, his gravelly voice still making my heart squeeze in my chest all these years later.
I turned to find him carrying Vickie in one arm, her hat and coat discarded. She was the spitting image of her father – down to the sternness of her look. I felt bad for any boy who would ever show her some interest. Between her attitude and Caleb’s overprotectiveness, I feared for the poor guy's life.
Theo hugged his father’s leg. “Grandpa Luke’s coming tonight.”
“Yes, he is.” Caleb looked up to me with his half-grin. Standing like that, holding our daughter, it made me melt into a puddle.
I bit my bottom lip and his eyes darkened a little.
“Theo, are you done with the Thanksgiving decoration for the table tomorrow?”
Theo nodded. “I only have the pinecones to do, daddy.”
“Victoria, do you want to go help your brother?” he asked, setting our little girl on the floor.
She nodded. “Tell mommy about the castle,” she said before extending her hand toward her brother. “Theo, hand,” she commanded.
I chuckled. She really was her father’s daughter.
We both watched them go down the corridor to their playroom. It was now a family tradition, something I started all those years ago – Thanksgiving with the Astors.
Caleb pulled me to him, kissing the top of my head. “We did good.”
I nodded, leaning into him. “We did…” I sighed with happiness.
“Maybe we can make another one?” He tried.
My heart accelerated in my chest. “Yeah?” He knew I wanted a big family. And I would love another child. Another piece of us in the world.
“My mom and Luke will be here tonight. They love taking care of the kids...” He shrugged, leaning down to give me a chaste kiss. “I booked us the bridal suite at the Seahorse Hotel...”
“Someone is confident,” I teased. Turning in his arms, I wrapped my own around his neck. “So what is this story about the castle?”
“Ah, yes. I’m happy you asked. Our daughter and I built the castle where we will move. I will reign as the almighty kind King along with you, the most beautiful Queen the land has ever seen, and our adorable little prince and princess.”
“That’s a lovely thought.”
“Have you ever regretted it? Taking me as your king?”
“Not one day in my life. You’re my happily ever after.”
“You are too, my queen. I love you forever.”
“I love you, always.” I pulled him into a kiss, getting lost for just a few minutes in our little piece of heaven.
The Patricians continues
So, whilst I was writing this opus, I realized I couldn’t close Archie and Taylor’s story in this book. There was too much to say and they deserved their own book.
Their story, and Enemy-to-Lover second chance romance, will be told in a standalone set five years in the future (with flashbacks on what really happened when they were teens). It is tentatively set to be released mid-2021 and is titled “Bittersweet Love”.
Now our favorite King of Mischief Antoine St-Vincent – He also has a story to be told. He will get his novella I’m hoping end of this year/ early next year. It will be a book 2.5 happening during university. It is tentatively titled “Bittersweet Truth”.
About the Author
R.G Angel is a trained lawyer, world traveler, coffee addict, cheese aficionado, avid book reviewer and blogger.
She considers herself as an ‘eclectic romantic’ and wants to write romance in any sub-genre she can think of.
When she is not busy doing all her lawyerly mayhem, and because she is living in rainy Britain, she mostly enjoys indoor activities such as reading, watching TV, playing with her crazy puppies and writing stories she hopes will make you dream.
If you want to know when R.G.’s next book will come out, or what signing she will be attending please follow her Facebook page, join her Readers’ group or email her as rgangelbooks@gmail.com.