“Way too long, Auntie Summer,” Sarah whined out.
Summer just laughed lightly at the child, but otherwise didn’t make her move off her lap.
“Finally got rid of the dog?” Grand-dad stated, looking at Trent’s girl.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” Trent stated, not bothered by the man. “This is my girlfriend, Abigail, and her daughter Sarah.”
“Much better than that blonde hoe,” Lilian muttered out.
“That is the one thing I’ll ever agree with you on,” Kayla said with a smile. “Now, let’s say grace before eating.”
Ivan, although not happily, said a quick grace, knowing there was no point in doing so other than for appearance's sake.
One grace was said, everyone dug in. Everyone talked to one another, keeping things quiet and to safe topics. Summer helped make Sarah a plate, letting her stay sitting on her lap. She didn’t mind at all.
Zinna winked from across the table, already knowing what Summer had been up to the last few days, and not just the bedroom activities. She just knew that Summer was letting nature take its course, and it was about damn time.
Summer, of course, blushed at the wink, happy that Chase was busy talking to Ryder to notice her. For once in the eighteen years of life, Summer had never felt so content, so included, in something so normal. She was part of a family, and she couldn’t be happier.
Chapter 22
“So, when will there be an heir?” Grand-dad asked out as he finished the food on his plate. So far, the talk of any children was non-existent. Chase had thought, just maybe, they would have by-passed the entire talk of it.
“When it happens,” Chase said, carefully answering.
“You’ve been married for four months,” Granddad said, looking at Summer closely, seeing if she was maybe hiding a growing belly. He wasn’t being secretive about it either.
“Yes, but having a child isn’t top priority,” Chase stated, setting his fork down on his empty plate.
“Isn’t?” Grand-dad asked, squinting his eyes at Chase before turning his look towards Ivan. “This is how you let the next Don behave? He still acts like the world revolves around himself, for God sake.”
“He is a man that can make his own choices,” Ivan answered, glancing towards the upset man, his voice hard. “I’m not forcing him to have children right now. That’s up to both of them on how they want to take care of it.”
“Take care of it?” Grand-nan raged. “What do you mean by that?”
“It means,” Chase said, having had enough. He had never gotten along with his grandparents, as they still lived in the decade where women were made to carry children and keep the house clean. And they were to keep their mouths shut. Chase wanted his wife to talk, to explore the world and have everything she ever wanted.
“It means that Summer and myself are not yet ready for children at this time, but in a year, or maybe five, there will be a child or two,” Chase went on, making sure to keep his voice calm.
“There’s only one reason why you would get married, secretly, if she wasn’t with a child already!” Grand-dad nearly growled, pointing a finger at Summer.
"We no longer live in Victorian days where it was thought women were only good for breeding and housework,” Ivan said as he slammed his fist on the table. “Things are much different now, and you have no say over what my son does!”
Summer kept her posture stiff, not letting the words get to her. She knew the reason, mostly, for why Chase married her when he did. It was to save her from Jason’s clutches, and she would give her life to him for saving her.
“She was still pure when we married,” Chase seethed, filled with anger. He didn’t give a crap if he was lying to the man. “I will not allow you to talk about my wife in such a way.”
“Good,” Granddad said, turning back to the food, slapping another helping of mashed potatoes on his plate. “A Prince won’t ever let anyone talk down his Princess. You need an heir by this time next year, or I’ll take it into my own hands.”
“How do you plan to do that?” Kayla asked, used to the way her in-laws behaved. She was careful to keep her feelings out of her voice as she spoke, knowing that would cause more of an issue.
It became clear that Grand-dad was the one that had blackmailed Sebastian. There was no other way around it.
“Hire someone that can hold a baby. That girl there would be good enough,” Granddad said, waving a hand towards Clare, who baulked at such an idea.
“No,” Chase stated, glaring with a hard look at the man. “No one but my wife will carry my child, and she will have one with she is ready. Not before then.”
“We’ll see about that,” Grand-dad stated, not worried about his grandson’s look. “Trent, how’s your baby development.”
“Well, I have Sarah,” Trent said, his voice cold. “I don’t need another one until I marry if I do again at all.”
“What has my son done with this family?” Grand-dad muttered, shaking his head in disappointment.
“Who’s ready for pie?” Kayla said, breaking the tense silence.
“I’ll help bring it out,” Summer said, wanting an excuse to get away from the table for a few minutes.
“Wonderful,” Kayla said, giving Clare a look to following also.
Once in the kitchen, Kayla was quick to apologize for the in-laws. “They don’t like how things are now run, but they really have no say. Don’t worry about an heir, Summer. Grand-dad will forget about it in time, or at least until the next time he sees you.”
“Has is always been so . .?” Clare asked.
“Hard?” Kayla prompted. At Clare’s nod, she went on. “Yes. He’s not one about family, but about who marries who to make the family look good. Ivan has changed that to some degree, but now Chase really has.”
“If they don’t like anyone, why did they come?” Clare asked, her eyes hard.
“Appearances,” Kayla shrugged. “I really have no idea, other than to bug the shit out of me once more. They will be gone before we know it.”
They each then picked up a pie, taking them out to the dining room. Chase was glaring at the older man, and Ivan was sitting back in his seat, amused and happy that the heat was off of him for a moment.
Summer could tell that they didn’t get along well, so she didn’t take anything they said to heart. She was stronger, much stronger than she had been before. It was only a matter of time before they would be gone, and things would settle down once more.
Emma sat next to Jose, each giving the other sly looks.
“So, Zinna,” Clare spoke as the pie was handed out. “When can we start looking at some blueprints?”
“Blueprints? For what?” Chase asked, his attention between the two girls.
“Making a house on your property, if that’s still okay,” Asher was quick to answer.
“Oh, of course, yes,” Chase said, forgetting that something would need to be done soon for the new parents to be.
“Monday would work,” Zinna spoke up. “I have a few things drawn out, but it’s up to you, of course, on what you want. Between both of us and our skills, something will work perfectly!”
The day they all went shopping, Clare had asked Zinna to help design a floor plan for a house to build, knowing that after the baby was born, the apartment wouldn’t work for their needs. She was still keeping that secret from almost everyone but wanted things in place for when she did tell people.
“Perfect,” Clare smiled, taking a small bite of the apple pie that sat on her plate.
“Still living in the house that has no use?” Grand-dad asked, glancing around the table.
“Yes,” Chase said shortly. “I like my house.”
Grand-dad just huffed, not surprised at the answer.
“I’m tired,” Grand-nan stated.
“Go to hell,” Grand-dad muttered to the woman.
“Already am,” she muttered back, her voice cold and detached.
“They do thi
s at least once a day, if not more,” Ryder stated for the ones that weren’t used to such badmouthing between the old couple. He didn’t even try to hide his amusement. “I can see them using a cane, hitting each other.”
Chase couldn’t help but laugh at that visual. Seeing his grandparents was always a good reminder that arranged marriages never worked. The two hated each other but were stuck together until they died, as neither believed in divorce.
That was why Chase was determined that if Summer wanted to live a life of her own, he would allow her to do so, no questions asked. He would never force the Princess to live a life she hated. Nor would he want to live with someone that hated him. He never wanted to become his grandparents. He’d kill himself before that ever were to happen.
Chase missed what was spoken, as Lilian stormed off after dumping a glass of water over her husband’s head, and him trailing after her calling her names in Russian. The table waited until they were both out of sight before falling into hard laughter.
“At least it's good entertainment,” Trent said between his laughter, Sarah sitting on his lap now.
~oOo~
After cleaning up, everyone sat in the living room, a pile of gifts for everyone. The grandparents had yet to return, which was probably a good thing for everyone.
Summer was overwhelmed with the amount of things she had. A few things were for her and Chase together.
“Get used to it,” he whispered in her ear before encouraging her to start opening her gifts, as everyone else had already begun.
There were clothes, purses, scarves and even a couple of leather bound journals. Things she’d actually be able to use. Summer had also gotten a few pens and a new computer software program for picture editing for the computer from Emma. There was so much stuff, Summer had no idea what to do with any of it, but she knew she’d use everything at some point.
Chase had gotten clothes, and a few gift cards for places he liked to buy clothes from. He hated shopping, so getting such things for this time of year saved him a lot of stress.
Sarah was thrilled with everything that Summer had picked up for her, as she was surrounded by everything, her eyes filled with wonder. Of course, Kayla went all out for the child too.
Right then and there, Summer knew for a fact that she’d try to have another baby. She wanted a child of her own to spoil, to love and to adore. She craved the feel of a baby wrapped in her arms as she’d rock back and forth in a rocking chair.
She wanted to see Chase holding a newborn, changing its diapers, and staying up late at night helping to care for the upset baby. He would be on board, but for now, she wouldn’t say outright what her plan would be. She wanted to know what Chase’s face would be like once she was pregnant and she told him the news.
Zinna had been busy making rounds, talking to everyone almost all at once, while Ryder sat back and watched from the sidelines.
Shortly after everything was opened, Chase decided it was time to leave, not wanting to be in the crossfire of his grand-dad once more. Once was more than enough. He had enough of him bad mouthing his wife, and not able to do a thing about it.
With everything packed neatly in the trunk of the car, Asher, Clare, Chase and Summer bid everyone a goodbye they left, getting home just before dusk.
The two men worked to unload everything, as the girls sat in the living room with hot cocoa.
“I hate not having coffee,” Clare whined out but took a sip of her hot drink.
“Well, at least I don’t have that problem,” Summer laughed out, taking a bigger drink followed by a smile at her sister.
“Lucky you,” Clare said, but wasn’t upset. It was worth it. She knew her sister didn’t like coffee anyways.
Clare knew she could have some coffee, but she really was trying to make everything right for the baby. Eating healthy and not having too much caffeine.
"I can't wait to start shopping, though," Clare said, her eyes lighting up at the thought of shopping. She sat her hot cocoa on the side table as it began to cool too much to enjoy drinking.
“There is a lot of cute stuff out there,” Summer agreed, already knowing she’d be going too. She wouldn’t even talk her way out of it since it was her sister. “So, do you want a boy or girl?” Summer asked out, moving so she was sitting on her feet.
“I don’t know. Girls have so many cute clothes, but boys should be born first, you know,” Clare mused. “I’m not picky either way.”
“Whatever it is, he or she will be spoiled,” Summer said with a smile.
“Have you and Chase talked about having one?” Clare asked out, keeping her voice quiet. It wasn’t like it was a secret in this house, but she still didn’t want to be overheard by the two men if she could help it.
“Some,” Summer said with a half shrug. “I think I’m ready to take that step. So we will just see what happens.”
Instead of saying anything, Clare flung her arms around her sister in a tight hug, surprising Summer. Clare would love nothing more than to be pregnant at the same time as her sister, even though she was the typical teenage mom.
“Am I interrupting?” Chase asked, amused, as he leaned over the back of the chair, his hands bracing him.
“Not at all,” Clare said with a smile, leaning back from her sister. “I’m just happy!”
Chase laughed, not sure what the two were talking about, but it was probably a good thing he didn’t.
“I’m going to go find Asher. Not sure if we will come back down or not,” Clare said before getting up and taking her now cold drink to the kitchen.
“Did you have a good day?” Chase asked, still standing, watching his wife.
“Yes,” Summer said, standing up. Her drink was still on the table where she sat it some time ago, empty. She walked to him around the chair and wrapped her arms around him sideways.
“I’m glad,” Chase said, returning her hug. He loved it that she sought him out whenever she felt the need. “Sorry about my grandparents. They aren’t really the family type of people.”
“They were different,” Summer said, knowing that there were worse people out there. She was happy to be right where she was, and no one was going to take that way anytime soon.
Chase was thrilled that his wife enjoyed her first holiday. None of his gifts could ever compare to her. Sure, he was thankful for the gift cards and clothes and a few books, but Summer was the best gift ever. Her love meant more than anything else ever could.
Stepping back, Chase pulled out an envelope from his back pocket. “Dad asked me to give this to you. It’s from Sebastian. He said to let you read it, and that I wasn’t allowed to see what it was about until you felt like you wanted to share.”
“Oh,” Summer said, taking the letter, surprise covering her features. Why would he write to her? She was no one to him. “Um, thank you?”
“You can read it whenever you are ready,” Chase said with a laugh. “I’m sure that was a Sebastian statement about me not reading it. I have no desire to read it, and I know for a fact that dad did already, so I’m sure it’s perfectly safe for you.”
“Okay,” Summer said, looking at the wide envelope. She wasn’t sure she wanted to read it or not. What would it contain? Would it bring down her high she found herself in? Or would it give her more courage to live on, making something of herself?
“How about we go to bed since I can see you aren’t ready to read that yet,” Chase hinted.
“Sure,” she replied, relieved.
Hand in hand, they walked up the stairs, sharing secret glances at one another. It may be early to go to bed, but they would be doing everything but sleeping once they laid on that bed.
Chapter 23
Summer was alone in the bedroom while Chase went to make arrangements for the trip to Denver, Colorado for the impromptu meeting. He didn’t seem very happy about having to go, even for one night.
There wasn’t all that much to do in Denver that appealed to him, and there was more trouble to be found i
n the big state then there was in Michigan. Gangs were his bane of existence. There was a Concert Hall, but someone that Summer wasn’t a fan of would be playing that night, so Chase didn’t even consider booking seats to go.
Summer decided to take the short amount of time alone to look at the letter that Sebastian had left her. She gathered that he had passed away, but wasn’t sure why he would leave her anything at all.
She didn’t remember anyone named Sebastian, although Jackson had mentioned the man in passing just days before. Apparently, the man was the first to buy her. She had called that man Bash, as he demanded to be called, and it was someone she couldn’t forget. He had been nice to her, a lot nicer than her own father ever had been.
Becoming His Princess (The Dark Prince #2) Page 20