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Chapter 29

Penelope

I shake my head as I hang up, put my phone away, and then look out the window as Hudson babbles behind me while my little sister drives.

“I can’t believe his whole team wants to have a drink with me,” I say as I fight my urge to chuckle.

I want nothing more than to go home, put Hudson to bed, and have a bubble bath with Taylor before having take-out, preferably pizza. But when several men beg you to go celebrate a win, well, how could I say no?

Technically, I should have been at the game. I spoke to Kelly, ensuring I wasn’t put on shift, but early this morning, Doctor James called, claiming a nurse called in sick and the census was high. He guilt-tripped me into saying yes, and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker because I believed he preferred working with me because I didn’t fawn over him.

It turns out he liked that I didn’t fall for his charm and saw me as a challenge. He didn’t care if I had a child or was in love. He decided to meddle, and now he’s going to regret it.

I may have told Taylor that I threatened to go to HR, so he doesn’t get mad and lose it, but I did go because he also tried to corner me, claiming I wanted him.

Doctor James has been put on probation and will no longer be on shift with me and four other medical personnel because he was too touchy with them.

Shame, really, because he’s one hell of a doctor, just a shitty person.

“You're loved, big sister,” Avery replies, “They see how happy you make their captain and want to celebrate with you and him together.”

I smile and confess, “He makes me even happier,” and Avery sighs.

“I really messed up,” she admits, and I don’t deny her because she did. “I saw myself as entitled after what I went through with Harry.”

I remind her, “You didn’t deserve what happened to you, so don’t take what I’m about to say the wrong way, but you knew what you were signing up for, Avery.” She squeezes her hands on the wheel, hating the truth, but I continue, “You knew Harry’s reputation, yet you still went through with it because you didn’t know how to fend for yourself, allowing our parents to pay for everything.”

I shake my head, look out the window, and utter, “You have had everything handed to you, giving you an easy life. You seemed to think you could deal with Harry’s abusive side, but you bit off more than you could chew.”

Avery sniffles and with a creaky voice says, “You sound like you resent me.”

I sigh and look her way, and admit, “In a way, I do because I worked my ass off to even get into college. I didn’t have any help from our parents while you lived a life of luxury. While, yes, you didn’t want to be a lawyer, you still went through it. You’ve never had to fend for yourself. I begged you not to marry him, Avery, I begged you to move in with me, but you thought you knew best. Even when you realized the guy you slept with was going to be your brother-in-law, you still married Harry and then had an affair. So yes, I resented you, but I still loved you. You are my sister, I’ve always defended and stood by you and your choices, even when our family left me behind I still supported you. Even when you sided with Dad because he was paying for your school, leaving me alone during my pregnancy with Hudson. But how you spoke to Taylor, accusing him of being a woman beater all because he put me and my son before you, well, you were out of line, big time. Now you’ve ruined the brother/sister kind of relationship you could have had with the best guy I know, and honestly, I have never been more disappointed in you for your unwarranted nasty words to him.”

Hudson begins to fuss, and I sigh, knowing he needs a feeding.

“I’ll, uh, pull over,” she say weakly and I nod.

As soon as she pulls over, I get out and climb into the back, then unclip my fussy boy and place him sideways in my arms. I pull my flowy top up and unclip my bra. Hudson latches on instantly, and I wince a little before settling back on the seat and then, I eye my sister.

She wipes her cheeks, and I sigh before I state, “Did you know he didn’t even question the paternity?” She looks in the mirror, locking eyes with me. I admit, “He knew Hudson was his instantly. Not many men would do that, and not many men would stay celibate for months while trying to find the girl that snuck out of his apartment.”

Her eyes widen, and I nod. I was shocked when he admitted he hadn’t been with anyone since me, but it also made me fall even deeper in love with him.

He knew I was his, I just wish I’d stuck around instead of sneaking out.

“I’m sorry, Pen,” Avery whispers, and I nod.

“I know you are, and so does Taylor; he just sees you in a different light now,” I admit, and she sniffles.

Hudson grips my top, making me look down at him and smile. He has started eating puree foods and drinking more from bottles, but he still likes the boob on occasion.

“Will he ever treat me like a sister again?” Avery asks, and I shrug.

“Maybe,” I admit, “we’ll just have to see. He hasn’t stopped you from watching Hudson when you want him. He says hello to you and is polite, so there is hope, which is good considering I’m pregnant again, and it would be nice to have my sister around this time.”

I look at my sister as she spins in her seat in shock, and I chuckle.

“Y-you you're pregnant?” she stutters, and I nod.

“Only four weeks, so it is still extremely early. Kelly did an internal scan this morning and confirmed pregnancy when I nearly passed out and I realized I was late. Turns out my pill failed again, so I think I need to consider a different option for contraception,” I say with humor.

“You’re not falling apart.” She murmurs, shock still etching off her.

I shrug as Hudson detaches, and I put my boob away, then place him over my shoulder and rub his back despite him being able to burp on his own now.

If we were home, I’d say whatever, but we’re not, and I don’t need a colicky baby.

“I’m happy, Avery. I’m in love, so I know everything is going to be okay,” I admit, and her mouth parts.

“B-But you-you’re not married,” she stutters, and I snort.

“News flash, I wasn’t married when I had Hudson,” I remind her, and she winces. “Anyway, I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me that Taylor is mine. We’ve moved into that big house near his brothers that he built just for us, and we’re happy. I don’t need to be married,” I finish as Hudson burps and I quickly place him in his car seat and click him in.

He grins wide at me, making me chuckle and instead of climbing out and getting in the front, I click myself in before I hold his hand. Avery starts the car again, indicates left to pull out, and asks, “And what if he did ever propose?”

I snort, “Somehow, I doubt he will; we’re content, happy…”

She tries again, “Yeah, I know, but what if he did?”

I smile and admit, “Then I’d beg him for a courthouse wedding within a few days after he proposed because I don’t need anything fancy, I just need him.”

Avery sniffles, and I chuckle before looking back at Hudson.

I meant what I said. I am content, getting married hasn’t even been on my radar because I honestly don’t need a piece of paper. I just need him…

“Okay, my little man,” I say to Hudson twenty minutes later as I unclip him and lift him out of his seat, “Let’s go spend a little time with Daddy’s team, where they are going to love on you. Then we’ll go home, and Mommy will get her pizza,” I state and Avery chuckles, but I just shrug.

“When I was pregnant with Hudson, I only wanted pizza, and I have been craving it all day. That is one of the signals that I tried to quiet until I got lightheaded,” I admit, and she grins wide as she shakes her head.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt again,” she mumbles as she gently runs her fingers through Hudson’s hair.

“You can’t tell anyone, not even Tony,” I state firmly, and she nods.

She agrees, “I won’t, and besides, if I tell Tony before you’ve told Taylor, he will be even more pissed, he’s only just started to sleep in the same bed with me again.” I wince, but she just shrugs, smiles a little, and admits, “I deserved it. Now, come on before Taylor sends out a search party. I messaged him when we stopped, but you know what he’s like.”

I grin because, yeah, I know exactly what he’s like, and Avery laughs before dragging me toward the building I got banned from.

“Uh, Avery, can I even go in there now after we got kicked out?” I ask, and she laughs louder.

“Of course you can,” she replies, “Taylor would have fixed it the moment he’d found out.”

I nod, knowing she’s right, but it doesn’t stop my gut from tightening as we walk up to security. When they notice us, they nod and remove the rope, and I frown and ask, “Where is everyone? Normally, this place is pumping with people.”

It’s why I was worried about bringing Hudson despite knowing Taylor has a private table.

“The team requested it for the night, or that is what Tony told me this morning. Taylor knew you couldn’t come to the game and wouldn’t want to be away from Hudson after working all day,” Avery informs me, and I nod because, well, that makes sense, I guess.

I look up as we walk inside, but I pause. Everyone is looking my way, but it’s not all the people, including Kelly, that have gotten my attention. It’s the room full of my favorite flowers, a list I gave Taylor our first night during twenty questions that we continued after having another round of sex.

My eyes lock with the man I’m in love with and I whisper, “Taylor,” as my heart pounds and I take in his attire.

Black slacks, a black button-down shirt with a few buttons undone, showcasing his family tattoo across his collarbone, and dress shoes.

He looks so goddamn handsome.

“Firecracker,” he says gently, and I lock eyes with him again as I slowly walk his way, ready to be in his arms. But as I get close, instead of pulling me and Hudson into him, he kneels on one knee, and my eyes tear up.

“From the moment I saw you in this room, I felt this pull to be near you,” he starts and my tears fall, “but you didn’t even look twice at me, which definitely brought my ego down a couple of notches,” I grin as everyone chuckles. He continues, “But when I had my chance, I made the best decision of my life walking up to you because as soon as we locked eyes, I knew you were my one. For months after you disappeared, I had been trying to find you to no avail, but I didn’t give up because I knew we belonged together, and I was right.”

I sniffle as he pulls his hand out of his slacks and holds up a dark red ruby and diamond ring. He rasps, “Being with you feels like home; you center me and make me a better person. Even though we are extremely happy and content, I need you tied to me in every way possible. I want you to wear my ring and use my last name. I want you to spend the rest of your life with me. I want you to marry me.”

Hudson squeals in delight in my arms before I feel him being lifted from me, but I don’t look, knowing full well that it’ll be Nico or Crissy.

“So, what do you say, my firecracker? Will you marry me?”

I bring my right hand up and cover my mouth as I sob, but I nod vigorously. Taylor grins as everyone cheers, and he puts the ring on my finger before standing.

I don’t wait for him to take me in his arms; instead, I jump, and he catches me, lifting me a little as I press my lips against his then I cry, “I love you,” and he places his forehead against mine, his eyes teary, and replies, “I love you too, Firecracker,” before kissing me again as everyone surrounds us.

I never thought I’d get this, heck, I never thought he’d want me after so long of trying to find him, but he does, and god, I am so happy.