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"I heard how badly he reacted at the lunch when your engagement to Knox was announced. Then, within weeks, you broke off that proposal. It’s not rocket science to piece things together from there."
I don’t know whether to be thankful or shocked that my brother is this insightful. I laugh a little. "You’re scary, you know that?"
"It’s a useful skill to have in my position. And you’re right. Father would have been over the moon. I’m not unhappy, either."
"This will help in rebuilding your relationship with Arthur, I assume?"
He hesitates. "It won’t hurt it. But that’s not the only reason I’m pleased for you. It’s a good family to be marrying into."
I wince. Damn. I spent my life rebelling against the rules my father imposed on me, yet I ended up marrying exactly the kind of person he’d have picked.
At my silence, Tor continues, "You don’t have to make life more difficult for yourself, Pri. It’s okay that you did something the old man would approve of. ThatIapprove of. Even prodigals come home someday."
I chuckle. "Thanks, I guess? Though you should know, I did it because I wanted to. I did it for myself.”
"Good for you. You are as headstrong as me and the rest of our brothers. I’ve always supported you living life your life on your terms. If this also meant finding someone who made you happyandwho our father would have looked kindly upon, then it can only help our family as a unit." His voice is sincere.
My brother has this loyalty toward the Whittington name that I’ve often struggled to understand. Maybe it’s easier when you’re a boy and the oldest son, groomed to take over the family fortune. As for me, I think I’ll always hold our father responsible for the accident that killed our mother. I was five then, but I remember Toren breaking the news to me, then holding me while I cried.
With time, I realized, logically, it was not my father’s fault… But combined with his distance from me during my growing years, a part of me will always feel my father had a role to play in it.
It’s another reason I empathize with Serene so much. No one should grow up without a mother. And if I can fill that gap in Serene’s life, it will make me very happy.
"I suppose it doesn’t hurt that it would have made our father happy," I finally admit.
I sense him smile. "That’s my girl. When am I going to meet you and your new husband?"
"We’re headed off on our honeymoon. Maybe after that?"
38
Tyler
"She’s exhausted from the excitement." I look over to where the little girl is asleep with her head in Cilla’s lap.
We’re in my private jet, heading to Bali, where I booked us into a private villa at a resort with kid-friendly activities. It also boasts childcare facilities, though that's, perhaps, me being overly optimistic that my daughter will be open to spending time away from us. Still, it's worth a try if I can get some alone time with my wife.
My wife.I still can’t believe I get to call her that.
This gorgeous woman ismywife. Mine. And I intend to hold onto her. I intend to make up for the fact that I might never be able to love her the way she deserves by using the physical attraction between us to give her so much pleasure that she won’t be able to think of any other man but me.
"Poor little mite." My wife runs her fingers through my daughter’s hair. Seeing the two of them together, realizing Serene will never be without the love of a mother, makes my throat feel like it’s lined with sandpaper. I reach for the bottle of water tucked into the arm of my seat and take a long pull. Capping it, I put it down, then rise and scoop Serene up in my arms.
"I’m going to put her to bed."
Cilla follows me into the bedroom at the back of the jet. This one boasts a smaller bedroom adjoining the main one. I installed a single cot with guardrails here, and I place Serene in it. She’s developing enough body awareness that, soon, she won’t need the rails. My kid’s growing up fast. I already miss when she was a baby. Not the sleepless nights, but that complete innocence which surrounded her like a halo and which, with every passing month, I find changing to one of childish consciousness. I’m enjoying this phase of her life too, of course, but I realize, now, I was so caught up in simply surviving those early months that I, perhaps, didn’t treasure them as much as I should have.
I pull the cover over her, then turn on the camera positioned on her. It’s linked to the baby cam app on my phone.
I take my wife’s hand, pull her into the next room, and shut the door between us. I make sure to lock it, then turn to her.
"But Serene—" she begins.
I cut her off by placing my mouth on hers. She instantly melts into me. I grip her under her thighs and boost her up. She wraps her legs around my waist, and feeling the heat of her pussy over my crotch sends the blood draining to my groin. I deepen the kiss and absorb the moan swelling her throat. Then, I walk over to the bed and drop her on it. She gasps, bounces once, then stares up at me.
"Will Serene be?—"
"She’ll be fine. Once she falls asleep, nothing can wake her up for a few hours. And if she does, we’ll hear her.” I pull out the phone from my pocket, and place it next to the bed, with the screen showing the feed from the camera trained on Serene.