Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Six Months Later
Parker
“I can’t believe this day has finally arrived.” I grinned, straightening Julian’s bowtie.
“Are you nervous?” Roman asked him.
“Nah. Maybe a little.”
Roman hooked his arm around me. “Any marriage plans in the future for you and Paige?”
“At some point.” I smiled. “I don’t think she’s ready to commit to marriage.”
The door to the suite opened, and the event coordinator stepped inside. “It’s time.” She smiled.
It was a beautiful ceremony in the Crystal Gardens of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Once pictures were taken, we headed to the Crystal Ballroom for the reception.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look in that dress?” I gripped Paige’s hips.
“Have I told you how much I hate the color pink?” She smirked.
“You look gorgeous in pink.” I kissed her lips.
“Watch your mouth, Hamilton.”
I ran my hand down her thigh and stopped when I felt something hard.
“Jesus, Paige. Tell me that’s not—”
“Just in case.” She patted my chest. “Now forget about it and let’s go have some fun.”
I couldn’t believe she came to my brother’s wedding strapped. Wait, I could believe it. She was still learning how to trust in my world.
Three Weeks Later
Paige
“Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning, handsome.” I smiled as he kissed my lips.
Suddenly, an overwhelming sickness tore through me. I placed my hand over my mouth, jumped out of bed, and ran to the bathroom. As I hovered over the toilet, Parker walked over and held my hair back.
“I have never known you to get sick.”
“I don’t,” I said before vomiting again.
“A few people at the firm are out with the flu.” He smiled.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because I get to take care of you.” He handed me a tissue to wipe my mouth. “Back to bed. I’ll go get you a bottle of water. You need to stay hydrated.”
I climbed into bed and sighed. I couldn’t remember the last time I was sick, if ever, after the accident. Parker walked into the room and set the bottled water on the nightstand.
“I’m working from home today,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and running his finger down my cheek.
“What? Why?” My brows furrowed.
“Because I’m taking care of you. I don’t have to be in court today. I don’t have any client meetings, and I can work on the cases I need to work on from here.”
“You are being ridiculous. Get your ass in the shower and get dressed. I’m fine.”
“Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m taking care of you.”
“Parker—”
“It’s not up for discussion.” He kissed the top of my head. “Get some rest.”
I went back to sleep for a couple of hours, and when I woke up, I felt totally fine. Climbing out of bed, I went downstairs and into Parker’s office.
“Hi,” I said, standing in the doorway.
“Why are you out of bed?”
“I feel perfectly fine. It was probably a little bug or what we ate for dinner last night.”
“We ate the same exact thing, and I’m fine,” he said.
“Well, I feel good enough to go for a swim. Care to join me?” I smiled.
“I would never turn down a swim with my beautiful girlfriend. Give me about ten minutes, and I’ll meet you in the pool.”
I changed into my bikini and dove into the pool. I did five laps before Parker joined me.
“It’s about time, Mr. Hamilton.” I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“I had to finish some paperwork for tomorrow. I’m happy you’re feeling better.” His lips met mine.
“Me too.”
Later that evening, as we were having dinner on the patio, Julian walked over with Brianna.
“Hey, you two.”
“Hey, bro.”
“Hi, Julian.” I smiled. “Have a seat.”
“Where’s Laurel?” Parker asked.
“She took the girls to dinner. She wanted to spend some time alone with them since it’s been kind of hectic since this little one came along.”
“There you are.” My father walked over. “I knocked, rang the bell, nobody answered.”
“Sorry, Dad. I guess we didn’t hear it,” Parker said.
“How are you, sweetheart?” Harrison kissed my cheek.
“I wouldn’t do that, Dad. Paige was sick this morning.”
“Sick how? She looks perfectly fine to me.”
“I think it was from dinner last night,” I said. “I’m better now.”
“Give me my granddaughter.” Harrison took Brianna from Julian.
“Be careful with her,” Julian said.
“I know how to handle a baby, son. I’ve raised three boys in this family.”
“Correction. The moms raised us. You weren’t—”
“Oh, please. You’re overreacting, Julian.”
“I’m overreacting?” Julian’s brow raised.
“Yes,” Harrison snapped. “You know better than this.”
Julian laughed.
“What is so funny?” Harrison asked.
“You did not just say that with a straight face.”
“I absolutely did, son. What is your problem?”
“Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, Papa. Shall we?”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed. “Julian—”
“I distinctly remember, and Parker and Roman will agree, the moms raising us. They made sure we went to school. They made sure we ate. They made sure we didn’t turn into complete disasters.”
“I was there!” he snapped.
“Were you, though?” Julian narrowed his right eye.
“I provided for this family.”
“Oh, you provided. No one is arguing that. You funded us beautifully.”
“That’s called being a father,” Harrison said.
“More like a sponsor. Bro, back me up?” He glanced at Parker.
“A sponsor? What the hell are you talking about?” Harrison asked.
“You know, like those plaques on buildings? The ones that say, ‘Funded by.’”
“You are completely wrong.”
“Am I? Who taught me how to tie a tie? Mom did. Who taught me how to cook? Mom did. Who sat through every school meeting, knew all of my teachers’ names, and showed up when I got in trouble? Because I can tell you who didn’t, Papa.”
“I was working!” he snapped.
“Oh, I know,” Julian said. “You were always working. Important things. Big things. Very impressive things. So let’s not rewrite history and pretend you were at home teaching us life lessons.”
“I taught you three boys discipline and hard work.”
“Sorry, Papa. You taught us how to be afraid of disappointing you. Look. You gave us a lot. You really did. But the moms raised us. But to give you credit, you did teach me something.”
“Enlighten me, son.”
“To be there for my children, no matter what. I will never put my job before my family.”
“You’re unbelievable, Julian.” Harrison shook his head.
“I learned from the best.”
Harrison narrowed his eyes. “Let me guess—”
“The moms.” Julian grinned. “But don’t worry. I still love you with all my heart, Papa.”
“You need therapy, son.”
“I know.” Julian chuckled.