The Billionaire's Bride (Complete Collection)
Page 19
“This is a lot of money,” he said, staring blankly at it, like he couldn’t believe it.
I smirked. “Is that a problem?”
“No...er, no, not at all. Money is always welcome here.” He tucked the check into his pocket.
Lucas never cared if I paid him back. I wanted more of a reaction. But perhaps this was for the best.
“How’s business?” he asked as we walked up the steps to our bedroom. Right to the bedroom was where we usually went now that I had the baby. That, or the kitchen. Lucas had hired a private chef, and I whenever I was forced to eat some paltry snacks during a long work day, I craved that good cooking.
“Business is fine. I saw on the internet that your speech went well.”
Lucas had recently given a speech on why we needed to fix America’s infrastructure, which he believed fell to the wayside. His number one goal was self-driving cars. His number two was fixing the already deteriorated roads and bridges.
Everyone could get behind number two, so he focused on that first. “It went excellent, as you know,” he said. “But that’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about how you’re doing.”
“We’re getting a new buffalo tomorrow, I think.” One of our buffalo's, Georgina, was pregnant and due soon.
Visitors were allowed to drive past their roaming areas, but it wasn’t much like a zoo. The animals had far more space to roam, and there were even nature trails where adventurous hikers could visit different fenced in areas. We kept careful watch over the animals.
“You’re doing great.” He sat down next to me. Lucas rubbed my stomach, then he kissed my forehead, and we both leaned back in bed, able to relax….drama free.
* * *
Six months later
Lucas
I reclined back in my seat and proudly watched Tia move about the party. Ava was strapped to her chest in a baby sling, and my heart swelled at the sight of my new family. Our guests couldn’t get enough of them. They were all amazed like I was. Tia was a wonderful mother and wife, like I’d always knew she would be.
A few tents were set up near the pool. It was a laid back party for my birthday—not really the reason it had been planned, but to get everyone together since many had last seen us in the hospital for Ava’s birth. The next year had been a tired and busy one. That tends to happen when newborns are involved.
“Don’t be alarmed,” I heard behind me.
I sprung back to look. I knew that voice well. Even though I hadn’t heard it in a while, it was firmly planted in my memory.
My father.
With Brent standing right beside him.
He wasn’t dressed in a suit for once. It was a polo shirt, but it was welcome to see, and he was smiling.
“I thought it was time,” he said, and I jumped to my feet.
Brent took a step forward. “This was my doing. I’ve been telling your father how happy you are, since he’s been asking, and I think it’s about time you began to talk again.”
“I would like to see my grandchild, Lucas. I’d like to see you again. And I’d like to apologize to Tia.” He bowed grimly, his lips twitching as he remembered what he’d said about her. “Forgive me?” he asked.
Anger started to boil in me as I remembered what he’d done, but his apology seemed sincere. I’d wanted to mend the wound, but didn’t know of a way, except for my father to apologize.
I was glad he did.
“You’re welcome to join the party, Dad. But behave. If you don’t, you’re out,” I warned him.
He went for a hug, thought twice after he saw how defensive I was, then thanked me and mingled with the rest of the guests. I turned around to watch him approach Tia. Her face was priceless, then she warmed up, I imagined because my father was apologizing.
“With that, everything’s fallen into place,” Brent said, standing beside me.
“Thank you, Brent.”
He clapped me on the shoulder. “I’ve always wanted to see you happy, Lucas. I’m glad I got to see it happen.”
“I am happy. Incredibly happy. I didn’t think it was possible before.”
Tia smiled and waved at me. She took Ava’s hand and made her wave too.
Brent and I waved back.
Before I left to join Tia, I wanted to ask Brent a question that had been bugging me. “Tell me, did you know Tia’s mother was involved in the accident? The one that our company was involved in?”
“I met her during one of the trials. She didn’t remember me the next time I saw her. I thought she would make a good match for you, and you with her, and look at you now.”
“I suppose I owe you a lot,” I said.
He put up a hand to stop me. “No, please. You all did this. Now go enjoy it.”
“Thanks, Brent.” I hurried off to join my family.
Ava grabbed for me as I approached. Others noticed and made some noise over it.
“Look, she wants her Daddy.”
Tia spun to talk to everyone. “She loves her, Daddy.”
I gave Ava a little pat on the head. Then my hand streaked across Tia’s cheek, and I brushed up against her for a kiss. Her lips were sweet like candy, and like always, I found I wanted more.
“It looks like everyone’s having a good time.”
She beamed at me, her eyes sunny, her smile warm. “Just think, a few years ago, there would be drama a plenty.”
“I enjoy it drama free.” Ava reached out for me again, and I let her curl her tiny hand around my finger.
“And a few years ago, we would’ve been running off to have some private time.” She winked at me.
I stiffened. I glanced around.
Then Ava’s big eyes, like her mother’s, focused in on me. There was no chance of alone time with a one-year-old.
“Easy there,” Tia said, smirking about something. What was so funny?
Tia couldn’t keep a secret like me. She blurted it out much too soon. I don’t think she could handle seeing me look so distressed. “Mom said she’d look after Ava for a few hours tonight. We’ll have the night to ourselves.”
“Have I mentioned how much I love you?” I gave Tia a long kiss.
She broke away. “Now I’ve got to go mingle with our guests. I suppose you should as well. Or at least try to while we wait.”
“You know me too well.”
As I watched her walk away with Ava, I said to myself that’s your beautiful wife with your beautiful child. Look how happy they are.
Look how perfect it all is…
I would be thinking of her the entire time.
When it came to Tia, I could never get enough.
Afterword
Thank you very much for following along and reading the series. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review. Even a short one helps.
I had a lot of fun writing about Tia and Lucas, and I hope you had fun with me. If you did, let me know!
- Aaliyah Andrews
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