10. Scarlett
TEN
SCARLETT
My heart is pounding, and I'm clutching Axel's hand painfully tight. He hasn't mentioned it, he's just smiling and reassuring me. But as Noah gets closer, my fear ratchets up. "What if he's angry?"
Axel shakes his head. "He's not, I promise you, baby, he's not. He just wants to apologize."
I nod, but still the fear doesn't fade. Why am I so afraid? I don't understand.
As soon as Noah is standing in front of me, he reaches for my arm, pulls me from the bench and into his arms and into a bear hug. "God," he whispers, a shudder wracking through his body. "Scarlett," he murmurs. "I'm so fucking sorry. So damn sorry. I wish I could take it back. I didn't mean it."
My heart melts at his words and the sincerity of them. I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. It's hard to believe that in the space of two days, I have both Noah and Axel back in my life. Something I never thought possible.
When Noah releases me, Axel pulls me back to him, keeping me close by. I know he’s been worried; he's scared that Noah could lash out again, but I know Axel would never repeat what happened five years ago. That fear has gone. He's more than proven that he wants me and Brandon. What happened all those years ago was a case of lack of communication and stubbornness.
"I'm so very sorry, Scarlett," Noah says as he takes a seat on the grass in front of us. "Truly I am. The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. I was falling apart, you were leaving, and I felt I was losing my family again. No matter how hard I tried to think rationally, I couldn't. Then the party came, and I couldn't stop drinking, I ruined everything. I'm sorry."
"You got yourself together," I say softly. "Have you stopped drinking?"
He nods, pushing his hand into his pocket and pulling out a chip. "Four years sober," he tells me. "I'm not going to lie, it was hard, I relapsed a few times that first year, but Axel was always there, always at my side. He helped me a lot. I was able to get sober. I've seen a therapist too. I've worked through my fears, and I've wanted to make amends for years."
"I'm glad you’re sober and have worked through your fears, that's amazing, and I'm proud of you."
My gaze moves to the climbing frame that Brandon's currently making his way down, and no doubt, will be running over to us any moment.
"What do you do for work?" I ask, knowing I have no idea about his life now.
He gives me a sheepish grin. "I went back to school," he tells me. "After you left and I sought help, I knew I wanted to help others like me. I work with children and young adults that have lost family members. I help them work through their grief."
Holy shit. "That's wonderful. I truly am proud of you, Noah." He truly turned his life around, and that's just awesome to see.
"Axel said you have a son," he begins. "How old is he?"
I can't help but smile. "Brandon is four, he's just amazing."
Axel nods. "I'm not just saying that because he's my kid, but he truly is."
Noah bows his head. "I hate that you lost time with your family because of me."
"Don't," I tell him. "We're all here now, and that's all that matters." I know it’s going to take a while to get to a place where we're both able to forgive and forget the past, but we're starting, and that's the main thing.
"I'd like to meet him," Noah says. "Whenever you're up to it and you're ready."
I love that he's put that on me, that he's willing to wait.
I beam at him. "Well, that's good, because he's on his way now." I nod as my little boy walks toward us; his eyes wide as he takes everything in.
The second he reaches us; he gets close to Noah. "Brandon, honey, this is your uncle Noah."
Brandon reaches out and touches Noah's face, and my brother beams at him.
God, I never thought this would be possible, but it is. Now I have all my family together. My son is going to have so many people around that love him.
One week later
My hands are shaking, but I can't keep the smile off my face as I look at the man I’m marrying. It's been an absolute whirlwind, but I know deep in my heart that it's everything I want. He's all I want. My love for Axel is undeniable and pure. The years that passed us just grew that love.
Now here we are getting married, it's something out of a fairytale. I insisted on a small ceremony, something quick and easy at the courthouse, but both Axel and Noah wanted me to have my dream wedding, so I made a compromise. We'd have this wedding, and then when the time was right, we'd have my dream wedding as long as they organized it. Neither of them backed down at my words and insisted it would be done.
"You look beautiful, baby," Axel tells me, the love shining in his eyes makes my heart want to burst. "I love you," he says, and I gape at him.
This is the first time he’s told me, and I'm shocked. I knew he had strong feelings for me, but love? I thought I was alone in that, but God, it feels good to know that he does.
The officiant starts the ceremony, and I'm unable to take my eyes off the man that I'm marrying. Today is the day we become an official family, and I'm so happy. Not only is Noah here watching us, but both Brandon and Evelyn are too. Everyone we love are here, and that's exactly how we wanted it.
A dream wedding would be amazing to have the best dress, the amazing venue, and the beautiful reception with people fawning over me. But nothing can top this one. I have everyone I love watching me make my vows to the man I love. This is my dream wedding.
"Repeat after me," the officiant says to Axel. "I, Axel Beckett, take you Scarlett Moore, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
Axel repeats the vows, his voice thick and filled with emotion. My eyes brim with unshed tears. God, I didn't expect I’d cry during our vow exchange. But hearing how deeply moved Axel is, has tears spilling down my face.
The officiant turns to me, and I take a steadying breath and recite my vows to the man I love.
"I, Scarlett Moore, take you, Axel Beckett, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
We exchange our rings, and I have a feeling I’m wearing a sappy as hell smile on my face. I've never been as happy as I am right now.
I stare at Axel, his eyes darkening with lust as I bite my lip. I can't wait until we get home and celebrate our nuptials. Tonight, Evelyn is taking Brandon for the night, meaning that me and Axel have the house to ourselves.
I tune back into the officiant when I hear him say. "I now pronounce you husband and wife." He turns to Axel, beaming as he says. "You may kiss the bride."
Axel doesn't hesitate, he moves in closer to me, his hand sliding into my hair, and his lips cover mine. It's chaste, yet filled with promise and love. I cling to him, wishing we were alone now. He pulls back. "Later, baby, I promise, I'll take care of you later."
"Good," I whisper huskily. "Because I'm soaking wet, and I love you." Finally admitting it out loud is refreshing, and I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
He closes his eyes and groans. "Killing me."
I laugh. "Come on, we've got somewhere to go."
Axel instantly sobers. "Evelyn, are you sure you're okay to take Brandon for an hour or so?" he asks.
Evelyn waves him away. "Go, do what you need to, then we can party."
Axel takes my hand as we exit the courthouse, Noah right behind us. Today, Axel takes over the company, whether his father wants him to or not. I can't wait to see that bastard's face when Axel's attorney presents all the necessary documentation to remove his ass from being CEO of AllBeck Management.
The car ride to the office is quiet, and I know both Axel and Noah are worried about what Mr. Beckett will do in retaliation, but I know no matter what, Axel will protect our son from any backlash.
Entering the building, Allie smiles at us as she gets to her feet. "Mr. Beckett, your attorney is here and waiting in the conference room with your father and his attorneys. Is there anything that I can get for you?"
Axel shakes his head. "No, thank you, Allie."
She beams at me. "What about you, Mrs. Beckett?"
"No, thank you, Allie, but please call me Scarlett."
She nods, her cheeks blushing as she looks at Noah. "Of course. Oh, and Mr. Beckett, I've also got security on standby should you need it."
I press my lips together to stop the laughter spilling out as I imagine Axel's father being escorted out of the building. I think that would push the man over the edge if it were to happen."
Axel's lips twitch. "Thank you, Allie," he says, his voice filled with humor.
We enter the elevator and ascend to the conference floor. The minute the doors open, Axel's attorney is walking toward us. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Beckett, I wish you both all the happiness in the world." He gives us both a genuine heartfelt grin before it fades, and his expression turns serious. "Now, I have everything we need, it's time to get this asshole out of here."
I follow behind Axel as he leads us to one of the rooms where his father is seated. The man doesn't even greet his son as we enter.
"What is the meaning of this, Preston?" Mr. Beckett practically growls. "And what the hell are they doing here?"
"Well, as you are aware, the clause in the contract you gave to my client needed to be fulfilled. He has to marry and to have an heir before the company is signed over to him completely. That is correct?"
Mr. Beckett's attorneys nod their heads. "Yes."
"Excellent," Preston grins. "Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Scarlett Moore. Oh, my bad, I mean Scarlett Beckett, Axel's wife."
Mr. Beckett's eyes narrow. "What is the meaning of this?" he snarls. "You are to take this seriously. This is the business that we're talking about. What does a floozy like her have to do with any of this? You can't be serious about marrying her?"
Axel slides his arm around my waist. "Deadly," he sneers. "You'll do well to remember not to speak about my wife that way, father," he spits.
"You actually married her?"
Axel grins. "I did. I married the woman I love. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Before Mr. Beckett can argue, Preston presents him and his attorneys with the birth certificate along with the DNA test of Brandon. "As you can see, Axel and Scarlett have a son, Brandon. So, the clause in the contract is complete. I expect AllBeckett to be signed over to Axel by Monday morning. If not, I'll see you in court."
Mr. Beckett looks stunned, his eyes practically bulging out of his head as he glares at us.
I smile sweetly at him. "If you'd like the DNA test to be repeated, then that's fine," I tell him. "We'll get it done as many times as needed. It's going to come back the same each and every time."
Axel's arm on my waist tightens. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going home to celebrate. You have until Monday to get your shit out of my office and sign the paperwork over to me. The security will be watching you," he tells his father as he leads me out of the office.
Everyone is silent until we get into the elevator, where it's Noah that breaks the silence by busting a gut laughing. "Christ, I thought the old man was going to have a heart attack. Did you see his face?"
Preston grins. "It was Scarlett that stumped him. He was no doubt going to protest your son's paternity, but you stopped him short. You should have everything signed over by Monday," Preston tells Axel. "If you don't, well we'll enjoy taking him to court."
Axel nods. "I appreciate all the hard work you've done, Preston."
"What are friends for, now, I want to know when I can meet your boy?"
I smile. "We're celebrating, so join us."
The more the merrier. I want everyone we love to celebrate with us, and Preston is a friend of Axel's, so he's more than welcome.
"If you're sure?" Preston asks.
Axel nods as he pulls me in close to him. "Definitely." he turns to me. "Love you, baby."
I sag against him, loving his embrace. "I love you too," I reply.
Happiness is everything, and I have everything I could have wanted. I have my husband, our son, and our family. I'm complete.