Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
E lla
I lay in Graham’s arms, our bodies wrapped around each other. My head lay on his chest while my fingers softly stroked his skin.
“You’re coming to Riley’s wedding this weekend, right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” His lips pressed against the top of my head.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course, babe.”
“The night I was at your apartment and the fireworks were going off. It’s a trigger, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. Every time I hear them, I have flashbacks to hearing my father’s gun go off.”
“What do you do on the Fourth of July?” I lifted my head and looked at him.
“I take a pill and drink myself to sleep.”
“I’m sorry.” I kissed his lips.
“Don’t be. It’s my own fault for not getting the proper help I’ve needed all these years. But all that’s changing now.” He softly stroked my hair. “What time do you have to be at the hospital tomorrow?”
“I have the next three days off because of the wedding.”
“Lucky you.” He grinned. “I’ll miss seeing you there tomorrow.”
“You can always pack a bag and spend the next three nights here.”
“I’d love that.” He rolled me on my back and hovered over me. “You make me happy, Ella.” His lips met mine.
W hen Graham’s alarm went off, I got up with him and went downstairs to make us some coffee. Grabbing the cups, I set his coffee on the bathroom counter upstairs. When the shower turned off, I grabbed a towel and handed it to him.
“I made you some coffee.”
“You’re the best.” He leaned in and kissed my lips.
After he finished getting ready, I walked him downstairs and kissed him goodbye.
“Have a good day.” I smiled.
“You too. I could get used to this.” A handsome grin crossed his face.
“Me too.” Our lips met passionately before he left and went to work.
I took my coffee outside and sat on the patio. The air was already warm, and the sun was rising.
“I saw Graham leave,” my dad said, walking over and sitting beside me. “I assume things are okay since he was here all night?”
“Yeah, Dad.” I smiled. “We talked, and he told me everything. Charlotte is going to help him.”
“What happened to him?”
“When he was thirteen, he witnessed his father’s suicide by a gunshot to the head.”
“Jesus.” He ran his hand down his face.
“His aunt paid off a lot of people to say his father died of a heart attack because she didn’t want his name and reputation tarnished. She told Graham he was never to speak the truth of what really happened.”
“No wonder the guy has PTSD. God, I can’t even imagine.” He shook his head.
“We’re officially a couple.” I smiled. “I love him, Daddy.”
“I know you do, sweetheart.” He leaned over and kissed the side of my head. “We like him too.”
“He told me that you and Uncle Christian talked with him yesterday. Why were you at the hospital? It wasn’t one of your surgical days.”
“Your Uncle Christian called me after he saw the two of you on the rooftop. I pushed back a few of my patient’s appointments and went to the hospital.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re my little girl, and family always comes first. I have to get to the medical center.” He stood up and kissed the top of my head.
As he walked away, I called out to him.
“Dad?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?” He turned around.
“I love you.”
A smile crossed his face. “I love you too.”
A ll of us girls stood in the suite of the Beverly Hills Hotel while Jenni ensured Riley’s dress was perfect.
“There. You look beautiful.” Jenni grinned.
“You did a great job, Mom.” Stella smiled.
“Thanks, sweetheart. I can’t wait to make your wedding dress.”
“I’m not even thinking about marriage for a long time.”
“Good girl.” She winked.
“You are gorgeous.” I smiled at Riley. “Are you nervous?”
“A little.”
There was a knock at the door, and Lily opened it.
“Oh my.” Our Grandma Barb walked in. “Look at you, Riley. You’re stunning.”
“Thanks, Grandma.” She hugged her.
Piper walked out of the bathroom, dabbing the corners of her eyes with a tissue.
“Mom, stop,” Riley said.
“I can’t help it. If you think I’m bad, wait until your father sees you.”
Grandma Barb left, and Riley looked at me. “I’m nervous about her.”
“She’ll be okay. Grandpa said she’s been doing fine since being on the meds,” I said.
“Okay, girls. It’s time,” Piper said. “Let’s get our little bride downstairs.” She dabbed her eyes again.
We lined up in front of the entrance to the Crystal Gardens. Gabriel walked over, and when he saw Riley, he placed his hand over his face.
“Dad, no. Do not make me cry.”
I watched as he inhaled a sharp breath. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You look so damn beautiful.” He held out his arm.
The music began, and we bridesmaids walked down the aisle one by one. A smile crossed my lips when I saw Graham staring at me. Today was special—not only because it was the wedding but also because Riley was the first of the Kind children to get married.
After a beautiful and tearful ceremony, I walked over to Graham. With a smile, he took hold of my hands and told me how beautiful I looked.
“You clean up well.” I grinned, for he looked so handsome in his suit.
“Thanks.” He chuckled. “Sure beats scrubs almost 24/7.”
We were summoned for pictures, so I kissed Graham and told him I’d see him in the Crystal Ballroom for the reception.
“I can’t wait to marry Adrien.” Lily hooked her arm around me.
“Have you two set a date yet?”
“We’re going to wait until this little one is born.” She placed her hand on her belly. “I don’t want to look like a whale in my wedding dress. Plus, we’re so busy trying to get the art gallery finished to open. Planning a wedding right now would be too stressful.”
“I get that.” I smiled.
“How are things with you and Graham?” she asked.
“Perfect.” I grinned.
After taking many pictures, we headed to the Crystal Ballroom. Graham walked over and handed me a glass of champagne.
“Thank you.”
“Anything for my beautiful girlfriend.” His lips touched mine.
“Ella, I need you.” Isabella gripped my arm.
“What’s wrong?”
“I decided I’m telling my dad that I’m going to college to become a psychologist.”
“Here? Now?”
“Yeah. That way, he can’t freak out in front of everyone. Sorry, Graham, but I need my cousin.”
“It’s okay, Bella.”
She pulled me over to where her dad was talking to Uncle Jackson, Simon, and Shaun.
“Daddy, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I’ve decided that I’m going to become a psychologist like Mom.”
“Did you really think I didn’t know that already?”
“You did?” she asked.
“You’re my daughter. I know you inside and out. I think it’s great you want to become a psychologist. We could use another one in the family.” He winked.
“Thanks, Daddy.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “I’m going to talk to Mom.”
When she walked away, Annabelle walked over.
“There’s my favorite girl.” Conner hooked his arm around her. “My little future orthopedic surgeon.” He kissed the side of her head.
“You know it, Daddy.” She smiled.