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forty-two

XAVIER

“They’re here!”

Sunday dinners are important, especially now that we’re adding another family member. Pippi Freidenberg is a much better match for my son, and I’m happy he got it arranged with the president. Not only did he get the woman he wants, but he also earned her the way a man should.

With blood sacrifice and locking her up so she never leaves him. Maybe she’s already pregnant. That’s the best way to tie her down.

If only Marissa would let us try one more time…

“Whatever that look is, wipe it off your face,” she says, flicking a page of her magazine as I rub her feet on the sofa.

“Just hoping they eat fast and leave.”

Her jaw drops in a mock gasp. “You love your children, stop it.”

“So much, I’m thinking we should make another one.”

“Xavier… I’m too old. And so are you.”

“Women have babies in their forties all the time.”

She laughs. “No, they don’t. And this woman won’t.”

“I was enough. Right, Mom?” Alice crawls into her lap like she’s a little girl again, but I reach over and snag her to sit with me.

“You are enough. All of you are.” Placing a kiss on her forehead, I snap my fingers. “Now leave your mom and me alone and set the table. Where’re your brothers?”

“They went outside to show Pippi around,” she says, getting off the couch.

“Well, they need to help Olivia.”

“I’ve got it. I’m fine,” our oldest daughter says from the kitchen.

“Take your time,” I tell her, letting my eyes scan up my wife’s legs. Maybe just five minutes in the bathroom, we could sneak one in.

“No,” she says, as if reading my mind, staring at her pages without looking at me.

“You know that word only makes me rabid.”

“Dad, seriously. We have a guest,” Ryan interrupts me from ravishing my wife…like he’s done his whole fucking life.

“She’s not a guest now. She’s family,” I grumble, but Marissa stands and greets her with a giant hug.

“So glad you made it. Come sit and eat,” she says, and Pippi smiles shyly.

I give her a nod. “Yes, I am glad. You’re good for Ryan.”

Since she’s entered his life, I’ve noticed how he’s able to conform without losing his spark.

They’ve been attending family dinners, and he seems to enjoy them now.

She’s the stones around his firepit. Letting him rage and burn but not venture where it may be dangerous.

My son’s appointed hasn’t softened him, only turned him into a sharpened weapon.

I can see it. Every time we’ve discussed future battle plans.

He’s wiser now. Less ready to rush in headfirst. More calculated.

And I believe that’s all due to Miss Pippi Freidenberg.

My son tosses an arm over her protectively and leads her to the table.

When we’re all seated and everyone has been served, I shovel in my food while eyeing my wife carefully. The moment she’s finished, I’m pulling her aside. As soon as we get Alice out of this house…I’ll convince her to have another baby.

“Pippi, how do you like the fact that Ryan takes two hours in the bathroom, and then it’s disgusting when he’s done?” Alice says with a smirk.

Ryan throws a roll at her head.

“Alice!” Marissa says, acting as if she’s shocked our youngest is not known for this very behavior.

Pippi contains a giggle. “I guess I’ve gotten used to it.”

Henry snorts. “And you’re still choosing to marry him.”

Pippi’s face grows red beneath her beige skin. “If he asks me, I’ll say yes.”

I glance over at my oldest, and he meets me with some wide eyes. Why hasn’t he proposed? I know he has his grandmother’s ring, the one I gave to Marissa. But after ten years, then twenty, I upgraded it twice. Now, Ryan can pass it to his son when the time comes.

“I propose a toast to our newest member of the family. Pippi, you are a perfect match for my son. You have somehow managed to keep him alive for a few months already. His mother and I are done trying. It’s your job now. Congrats!”

Pippi beams, and Marissa looks a bit relieved.

The boy has done everything to try both of us throughout his life.

Climbing on top of the cabinets at three.

Jumping into the lake on his own at four.

Popping wheelies on his bike at five. Sneaking off to sky dive alone at twelve and somehow convincing them he was old enough.

It’s a fucking miracle he’s with us today.

Everyone in my family raises their glasses and cheers to the addition at the table. Ryan gives her a quick peck on the cheek, and Marissa and I lock eyes. Yep, there they are. The tears I was waiting for her to spring.

Another hour and I’ll have her alone.

Olivia pipes in between sips of her wine. “You bring out the best in him. I think he needs that more than he knows.” She’s drinking more than she normally does, and I snatch a glance at my wife to see if she’s noticed. Fortunately, she hasn’t.

Olivia’s been quieter lately. And now this? I’ve seen that kind of crushing weight before—women buckling under it, smiling while they drown. My daughter’s not one to be open with her feelings. And something is brewing just under her surface.

“I do know,” Ryan says, throwing his arm over the back of Pippi’s chair.

Clearing my throat, I address my oldest daughter. “Next weekend. Up for another political rally, my beautiful girl?”

Her eyes widen for a moment. What’s that about?

“Um, I can’t. I’m sorry, Dad. I have plans already.”

“Plans… You can’t make it to the president’s house?”

Marissa darts her eyes between the two of us.

Olivia takes another gulp. “Sorry, Omega duties call!”

It’s time to make my move to get her appointed to the right person.

And as I’m thinking of a particular judge she may pair well with, I feel Aiden’s stare on the side of my face.

Ignoring him, I continue. “There’s someone I want you to meet.

Can you not hand off the duties to your vice president for an evening? ”

“I…” She hesitates.

“Xavier, drop it,” Marissa warns. There’s something my daughter’s hiding…

Aiden leans in and murmurs, “Are you going to tell Ryan?”

“Of course. After we eat.”

“Alone?”

“I think it involves you and Henry, too. Penelope can learn about it from her fiancé.”

Aiden sits back and glances at his brother. “Why hasn’t he proposed?”

“Likely waiting for some spontaneous time.”

My middle son rolls his blue eyes and shakes his head with disgust. “Fool.”

A smirk cuts across my face. He really is my son. “You would plan it all out well in advance?”

“Of course. Speaking of, I need Mom’s tenth anniversary diamond ring.”

“Hmm?”

“You promised me that one. You said that Ryan gets Grandma’s and I would get her tenth anniversary ring.”

Henry overhears us at the wrong moment. “What do I get?”

“Nothing,” we both say.

He makes a sad face.

“You’ll get something. Just not sure what it is yet,” I assure him.

Once dinner is finished, my boys follow me into the office. Ryan looks content. I know he’s been really struggling for years with everything the society has demanded. It’s not a life I wanted for him. He’s too free to be obedient to an arbitrary Board.

“Cardell Enterprises is ordered to be given to Ryan Xavier Cardell upon his second-year post-graduation, at which point, I would retire.”

The bright-eyed look he has dims slightly as I make the announcement.

“Or it was …” I continue.

“What do you mean?” He leans forward and places his elbows on his knees.

Aiden smirks, knowing what’s coming already, while Henry paces at the back of the room, half paying attention.

“It’s time to divvy it up. There will be one conglomerate, of which I will be in charge, but three separate divisions expanding over the course of the next ten years as you all graduate from Northview.”

Ryan’s head tilts as he settles into this novel information.

“The first subsidiary will be focused on a new business venture for Cardell Enterprises… Sports management.”

“Are you serious? But-but is this allowed ?” he asks, his jaw dropping.

“I think that’s the first time you’ve ever asked that question.

Already approved with the Board and the President himself.

He’s been pleased with your work this year.

With turning over the evidence on Senator Frances, I believe it’s earned you some favor.

” And by that, I mean, we can all breathe easier, knowing my son is likely out of danger for a while.

“Wow! I can’t believe this…” He searches the floor for an answer to an unspoken question, then asks, “What does it entail?”

“As CEO, you’d be in charge of making executive decisions, but I found an operating officer to run the day-to-day.”

“We could travel… Pippi and I could live at the beach house.”

“Listen, your mom is going to miss you if you stay away too long. So don’t make it more than a few months at a time. But yes.”

“Dad…” His voice quivers as his eyes fill with emotion. Slapping a hand over his face, he wipes it away and smiles. The sight of my son so happy makes my heart soar.

Clearing my throat, I stand and wave him off his seat. He does, and I extend my hand. “As chair and CEO of Cardell Enterprises, I extend to you, Ryan Cardell, the honor of becoming CEO of Nine Lives Sports Agency with Chief Operating Officer, Adal Freidenberg of the Freidenberg Foundation.”

“Dad!” Aiden yells, and Ryan keels over with laughter.

“Of course you would…” Ryan can hardly get the words out.

“It’s something the president, Max, and I thought would work. You will make it work as his boss now, won’t you, Son?”

His lips purse as he contains a smile. “Oh, yes. I will love being his boss.” Ryan grabs my hand and firmly shakes it.

Finally, Aiden realizes what I’ve done. The setup I played was a good one, if I do say so. Convincing Max was no issue. He’s still in the dark about what his son did to mine. So, what better way to make him pay? Put Ryan in charge of his every waking moment…

For the rest of his life.

“I want to be CEO of the sports management part!” Henry whines.

“No!” his brothers yell simultaneously.

“You’ll get your turn at something great, my boy.” Walking across the room, I grab his shoulders and squeeze. Then I lead the troupe back to the living room and make an announcement.

“Okay, everyone! Get the fuck out of here so I can have some time with your mother.”

Loud groans erupt throughout, but Marissa sidles up to my side and gives me a small kiss that I turn into a deeper one.

“Does that mean I can spend the night over at Kim’s house?” Alice asks.

“Yes, bye.”

Marissa slaps my chest. “It’s a Sunday night.”

“Oh. No, then. But you can disappear. Bye.” I grab my wife’s hand and lead her toward the bedroom.

“Can’t you wait for one moment?” she asks, trying to pull away and run back toward the kids.

“I haven’t seen you all day.”

“I’ve been right here .”

I pout and point to my bottom lip. “But you haven’t been right here .”

“Fine. Let’s go quick.”

“You got it.”

But she doesn’t know…

I’m about to take all the time in the world on her.

Giddy, I grab my girl and spin her around in the kitchen. “Let’s go!”

“What did he want to talk about?” she asks as we head outside to my car. It’s too cold for the bike now.

“Get in, and I’ll tell you.”

Wary eyes greet me before she buckles up. “Are you going to drive like a maniac again?”

“I never drive like a maniac,” I lie, smirking as she grips the door handle before I start the engine. I’m definitely driving like a maniac.

“Dad got me a position within the company that gives me a lot of freedom. Sports Management division, actually. And, uh, I’ll be in charge of your brother.”

She bursts out with a loud laugh. “What? Oh my god. This is amazing! Though I bet Adal’s going to love that. Promise me you won’t treat him too bad.”

I merge onto the main road. “Of course not.” I’m definitely going to treat him badly.

Having power over Adal ensures he won’t share the video of me and Pippi with Max. That could ruin the friendship her father and I have, and the trust he has for me with his daughter. Unless I get that ring on her finger soon, then they can’t say shit about it.

Silence settles between us for another mile, so I grab her hand. “You know I’m going to marry you, right?”

Her eyes crawl up my arm to find my face in the evening light. “Yes. You said you wanted to.”

“I do. It must seem like I’m hesitating because I haven’t asked yet, but I’m just…waiting for the perfect moment. And to make sure that’s what you want.”

“You mean, do I want to be married to you when I’ve wanted to rely on myself?”

“That’s exactly what I’m asking, Pen.”

A slow smile crosses her lips. “Yes. And I’ll tell you why, Ryan Xavier Cardell. Because I trust you won’t make me into someone I’m not.”

My heart squeezes. “Why the fuck would I ever want that? I love you . Do whatever you want. I told you I’d follow you wherever you want to go.”

She’s quiet for so long that I steal a glance at her unreadable expression. “Okay?” I ask.

“What if I wanted to stay here more?”

I blink. That’s not what I expected her to say. “You want that?”

Her chest rises as she takes a considerable breath. “I think I finally know what I want to do.”

Smiling, I say, “And what is that?”

“I want to be a lawyer. Not just any, though. I want to figure out how to stop the society from forcing men like you to do things they don’t want.” The electric green lights from the dash catch her eyes, turning them feral. “I want to take them down.”

Instantly, I’m rock hard.

Pressing the back of her hand to my lips, I focus on the curves ahead. “This is why you’re my perfect P.I.C.”

She leans back and cranks up the stereo. A song floods the cab, one leading us toward an uncertain future. But one question lingers in my mind. “Can we still go to the beach on weekends?”

“We can go as much as I can get away from classes, yeah. Maybe even distance learning in the RV. Whatever it takes.”

“We’ll have to get a bigger one. For the six kids…”

With a giggle, she slides her hand out of mine and slaps my chest, but still nuzzles her shoulder close to mine.

As I envision what life will be like soon, I can feel it.

The world we know is dying. What comes next isn’t promised.

And when the battles end, we’ll have to choose?—

Bury the ashes…

Or rise from them.