Chapter 53
Parker
“Magnolia Ashcroft! This isn’t up for debate.”
Maggie stomped around our living room, aggressively tossing throw pillows at me. She’d come to visit Blossom, but I’d caught her on her way up. “You’re right, Parker, it isn’t up for debate, because I’m saying no! I will not allow a bunch of goons to follow me around.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, a frustrated sigh escaping my chest. “Magnolia, Mom and the dads are freaked out after what happened with Logan’s family, and you’re not listening to them.”
My sister shot me a withering look and crossed her arms. “They would freak out if I got a paper cut.”
“But you didn’t. You got kidnapped.”
She shrugged. My sister freaking shrugged. “They weren’t even after me, they were after Clover.”
“You got plucked off the street. It didn’t matter that you weren’t the target.” I dodged another pillow and gripped her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. “For my peace of mind, if not theirs, please cooperate with this. We’re worried about you.”
She pouted, looking at the floor rather than me. “How many assholes would I be dealing with?”
“It’s a small security team, all personally vetted by my pack.” Relief poured through me when she didn’t immediately start fighting me on it again. “Four guys, that’s all.”
Her brows rose, a petulant expression tightening her mouth. “That’s four too many.”
“You’ll come around to the idea.”
Maggie smirked. “Is that a promise or a threat?”
“Depends on how much of a pain in the ass you want to be about it.” I spun her around, nudging her toward the stairs. “Go on, your niece is ready to spend some time with her auntie.”
“Aren’t you coming with me?”
“I have to head to the office for some meetings. I’ve been letting a lot of things slide.”
“Uh, yeah, ’cause you have a baby. Things are supposed to slide.”
“I have responsibilities, Maggie.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, you have fun with that. I’m going to go cuddle the squishy.”
I felt unsettled the whole drive to the office, and my brain was a bowl of soup during my first meeting.
I couldn’t focus on anything they had to say.
All I wanted was to go back home to Blossom and Clover.
I glowered at the display screen while one of the company lawyers discussed the fine details of the next acquisition.
I couldn’t have cared less. Why did so many people want my attention today?
Glancing at my watch, I groaned quietly.
I’d only been here for an hour, but being away from my family made it feel like days.
At one time, I’d been at peace at my office, but not anymore.
Even surrounded by people—some I’d known since I’d started my own business outside of my family’s empire—I felt isolated.
Then it dawned on me.
I wasn’t where I was supposed to be.
My mind churned as I looked at the screen, ignoring the numbers displayed there. What the fuck was I doing? I had spent my life making and maintaining my fortune so I could live the life I wanted.
Was this that life?
How much of Blossom’s life would I miss?
I stood abruptly.
“Sir?” The lawyer paused, looking at me curiously.
“I’m stepping back, effective immediately.” Had I actually said those words out loud? “I’ll assist with any transition, but my family needs me more than you do. It’s truly been a pleasure working with all of you over the years, and I wish you the best.”
Holy shit.
I moved in a cloud of surreality as I left the meeting. I’d never walked out of one like that before. Someone could pack up my office later and send my belongings to the house; none of that mattered now.
When I arrived home, Clover was curled up on the couch in a pile of blankets, Blossom cuddled into her chest and Logan next to her. Her feet sat in his lap as he rubbed them while they watched the cooking channel together.
“Parker!” Clover beamed as I entered the room. “You’re home early. Maggie is upstairs, fixing my wardrobe. I think she went on a shopping spree and bought Blossom an entire baby store. Apparently, you Ashcrofts think alike when it comes to babies. Is everything okay?”
“Yep.” I strode over to my girls and got on my knees so I could give my omega a proper kiss.
Clover melted into it with a quiet moan, her purr immediately following. She blinked rapidly when I pulled away to plant a kiss on the top of Blossom’s head. “Hello, there. Did you miss me or something?”
“Of course I did.” I threaded my fingers through her hair, gently stroking her cheek with my thumb. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of me going forward.”
“What do you mean?” Clover asked, accepting my help to sit up.
I held out my arms in a silent request to hold our daughter. Despite Clover’s confused look, she didn’t hesitate in letting me gather up Blossom.
“I quit my job,” I said simply, gently running one hand over Blossom’s soft tufts of hair.
“You did what?” Logan choked, the TV show forgotten.
Clover looked at me like I had grown a second head. “Do you need a doctor?”
“As touched as I am by your worry, I think this is the best decision.” I breathed in Blossom’s sweet, milky scent mixed with Clover’s peony.
“So you just…quit, like that?” Logan stuttered out. “Dude…did you talk to anyone? What’s happening to your company?”
I shrugged. “I informed a few people at my morning meeting. The company will survive without me, and we have more money set aside than we’ll ever need.”
“What are you going to do now?” Logan asked, obviously as confused as Clover.
“This.” I kissed Blossom’s tiny head, a surge of affection and protectiveness almost choking me.
“Everything I’ve ever done has been for family, first those who were family by birth, and then by choice.
Leaving here made me feel empty. Focusing on work is impossible when I just want to be here and see every milestone, marvel at all the growing she’ll do.
Blossom is a baby right now, but one day she’ll have sports games or ballet recitals, and I want to be present for every single one of them.
Whatever our little girl wants to do, I’ll be right there. ”
Clover looked at me with shiny eyes. “Parker, you can’t be that fucking cute when I’m still hormonal.”
“Yeah, well, I’m making myself misty, too, so you’re going to have to deal with it.
” I wanted a house full of little ones, and I wanted to make sure they all felt like the absolute treasures they were.
I nuzzled Blossom. “Mommy can go kick butt once she’s finished law school.
I’m putting in my application for stay-at-home dad. ”
“Application accepted.” Clover set her hand lightly on my shoulder. “You’re really chill with me going back to school?”
I smirked. “You think I offered to fund a new library on campus for nothing? That building is going to look incredible.”
“That’ll do it.” Logan chuckled.
“It pays to be rich. Might as well use the money for something good.” My eyes never left our daughter.
“You’re really sure you’re ready to be a full-time stay-at-home dad?” Clover asked, resting her head on my shoulder.
Surrounded by my daughter and my omega, I was never more sure of my answer. “It’s the only job that matters now, and I want to be here for every second of it.”