Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
ONE MONTH LATER
Julian
Life was good. The past month has been the best I could have ever asked for.
“Are you ready?” Laurel smiled, taking hold of my hand.
“I’m ready.” I grinned.
We walked into the living room, where the girls sat on the couch.
“Girls, I need to talk to you about something,” Laurel said. “I received a call today from our landlord. The house has been repaired, and we can move back.”
“No!” They all whined at the same time. “We don’t want to leave.”
“Mom, you love it here too,” Stella said. “You don’t want to leave, either.”
“And I know Julian wants us to stay,” Sophie said.
“You’re right. I do want you all to stay.” Julian smiled. “That’s why this weekend, we’re going to your house, and you’re going to pack all your things and move them here into your new bedrooms. But first, we’re taking you shopping to redecorate your rooms any way you want.”
“Really?” Their eyes lit up.
“Yes, really.” I smiled. “This is our new home now.”
“Yay!” They hugged both of us.
“I love you, Julian,” Sara said as she hugged him.
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
Laurel led the girls upstairs to discuss ideas for decorating their bedrooms. Meanwhile, I grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed down to the beach. Standing at the water's edge, I sipped from the bottle as the waves gently washed over the sand. It all happened so unexpectedly. One day, I was a bachelor solely focused on my career, running from anything and anyone that screamed relationship, and the next, I found myself surrounded by the gentle chaos of a family. It wasn’t just Laurel. It was how the girls looked at me - with love and trust. It squeezed something in my chest I didn't know existed before.
“What are you doing?” Parker walked over and stood beside me.
“Reflecting on my life and how happy Laurel and the girls make me.” I smiled. “How about you? When are you going to find someone to love?”
“Whoa.” He chuckled. “Just because you and Roman found yourselves a little family doesn’t mean I have to. I’m perfectly content doing my own thing.”
I smiled, hooking my arm around him. “You can’t stay a bachelor the rest of your life. Don’t you want someone to share your life with?”
“Jesus. You sound like Mom.” He smirked.
“They’re wise women. You should listen to them.”
Two Months Later
We stood in the suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and I could tell Roman was a nervous wreck.
“Why are you so nervous?” I asked him. “You already did things backward.”
“Yeah, bro. You and Morgan already have a kid. Getting married is no big deal.” Parker smirked.
“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” My brows furrowed.
“No! God, no. I can’t wait for Morgan to be my wife. And I’m not nervous.”
“Yes, you are.” I smiled.
“Don’t worry.” Parker patted his shoulder. “The ceremony will be over with soon, and then we can party.”
There was a knock at the door, so I walked over and opened it, finding the moms standing on the other side.
“Look at my gorgeous boys,” Katherine said as they stepped inside.
“Are you ready to marry the love of your life?” Calista walked over and straightened Roman’s tie.
“More than ready, Mom.”
“You know, Roman. I have to say that I’m not very happy that you and Morgan decided to have Love as a bridesmaid,” Pippa spoke.
“Morgan thought it was only right. Besides, she’s our stepmother. She’s family, and we have to accept her.”
“Well, we don’t.” Calista smiled. “And it will be a cold day in hell before we do.”
“You three better not start anything,” I pointed at them.
“We would never,” Katherine said.
“Yeah, right.” Parker laughed.
“We promise, darling. Now, it’s time to get you down to the gardens so you can marry your bride.” Katherine smiled.
The music started, and as I stood next to Roman with my hands folded, I watched Stella, Sara, and Sophie make their entrance. They gracefully walked ahead, pulling a white Cinderella carriage with Maddie inside. I smiled and winked as they took their places. Looking over, my heart raced as Laurel walked down. She looked stunning and more beautiful than ever, making it impossible for me to wait until tonight when I took her to the suite I reserved. She smiled as she stared at me and took her place next to the girls. The other girls followed, including Love, who looked like she popped out overnight. I swore she wasn’t that big when I saw her at the rehearsal dinner.
I rested my hand on Roman's shoulder and smiled, seeing tears welling up in his eyes as Morgan walked down the aisle in the stunning wedding dress Jenni had designed for her. When her uncle placed her hand in Roman’s, they said their vows. I wouldn’t lie and say I didn’t shed a tear. Because one day, I’d be standing in his place, marrying the love of my life.
After a beautiful ceremony and several pictures later, it was time to return to the reception to mingle with the guests, eat and drink the night away.
“You look absolutely stunning.” I kissed Laurel.
“Thank you, my handsome and sexy man.” She smiled, placing her hand on my chest.
Leaning in, I whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to take you up to the suite later and get you out of that dress.”
“I can’t wait either.” A bright smile crossed her lips.
I looked across the room and saw our moms talking to Love. “Shit,” I said, racing over there. “Hey, you four. What’s going on over here?” I smiled, hooking my arm around Love .
“Nothing, darling. We’re just talking,” Calista smiled.
“I better go find Harry,” Love said. “It was good talking to the three of you.”
“You three.” I pointed at them, shaking my head.
“Relax, sweetheart,” Pippa said. “We got to talking, and Love isn’t all that bad. We realize she’s just a stupid girl who made stupid decisions like we did when we were young regarding your father.”
“Aside from her stupidity of marrying your father and getting pregnant, she is a smart girl. She just hasn’t realized her full potential,” Katherine said.
Two Months Later
“What do you think, girls?” I smiled, holding up the three-and-a-half-carat princess cut, platinum engagement ring.
“Mom is going to love it.” Stella grinned.
“You think so?”
“We know so,” Sara said.
“You heard the little ladies, Ronald. We’ll take this one.”
“Excellent decision, Mr. Hamilton. I’ll get this ring cleaned and boxed up for you.”
“Now, remember. Not a word to your mom about this.”
“We won’t say anything. We promise, right?” Stella looked at her sisters.
“Nope. We won’t spoil the surprise. But we do need new iPads,” Sara said.
My brow raised as I stared at her. “Are you saying that you'll ruin the surprise if I don’t buy you new iPads? ”
“Well, we can’t guarantee something might not slip out of our mouths,” Sophie said.
“But you all just promised me?” I cocked my head.
“That was before we remembered we needed new iPads.” Stella grinned.
I couldn’t help but smile as I stared at the three of them. They were so innocent but occasionally displayed an evil streak.
“Fine. I’ll take you to the Apple store after we leave and buy you new iPads. But if your mom asks why I did that, you three better come up with something good.”
“We will, Julian.” Sara threw her arms around me.