Chapter 19 #2
My mother stirred her drink with the celery stick and tutted. “Dear, we’ve talked about this.”
“The thing is… I’m married now. I no longer need your permission. I’m here as a courtesy so you wouldn’t have to hear it from someone else.”
My father sat straight up. Oh, yeah, I definitely had his attention now, so I pressed forward.
“As you know, there’s a stipulation on my trust fund, one that transfers it in full to my ownership upon proof of marriage, which we have.
” I held up my hand to show off my ring.
“I believe you were the ones to request this stipulation, and here we are.”
I tried to hold back the smug grin that fought for its place and maintained a cool, unaffected expression.
My father’s eyes darted to Gio and a scowl took place. “Why are you doing this? Is it for the money? Is your farm going under? Tell me a number, and I’ll save you the headache and write you a check right here.”
The fucking nerve. I couldn’t believe he thought he could buy Gio out. No, I could believe it because they always believed they could buy whatever they wanted.
Gio, in his calm strength, didn’t flinch at the accusation. “My farm is fine, it’s paid off, actually. I’m not here for the money. I’m here for support, because I care about Jasper.”
“Bullshit,” my father snapped out in a hushed tone.
“Gio doesn’t care about the money, I know that’s hard to believe because it’s all you care about, but he doesn’t.
I had to force him to even let me pay for utilities for my shop.
But you know what? Even if he wanted the money, I would give it to him, because he has shown me wealth far greater than any bank account can hold. ”
“If you’re so altruistic, what do you need with the trust fund?” My mother asked with mock disinterest as she sipped her drink. I knew beneath the surface she was simmering with fury, but… appearances and all.
“The thing is, I don’t really need it. I’m rich enough without, but I’m taking it anyway, and you will no longer get to dictate what I do with my life.
I’m happy. I love my life, I love my family, and I won’t have you speaking into what you think it should look like.
” Months ago, it would have been impossible to say this, to stand up for myself, but I had something to fight for now, beyond myself and my own dreams.
“Well, I… I never.” My mother tossed her napkin onto the table. “I’m not going to sit here and listen to this.”
“Whether you listen or not, it doesn’t change a thing. This is happening. We’ve already made an appointment with Mrs. Lewis at the bank.”
“We’re leaving,” my father announced as he stood up from the table. My mother slid out and they waited for us, like we were going to follow suit.
Gio didn’t make a move to leave the bench, and said, calmly, “I think we’ll stay. We’re not done eating, and I’d like to enjoy the beautiful ocean view with my husband.”
“Then you can pick up the tab,” my father hissed.
“That’s fine. I love taking care of Jasper. He deserves to get spoiled. It was nice to meet you both.” If a smile ever said “fuck you very much” it was the calm one Gio offered.
The grin I’d been holding back broke free at last, and I gave them a dismissal wave.
They stormed off, their day completely ruined, but mine… mine was only looking up. I turned toward Gio and kissed him deeply. “God, Gio, you were incredible. That was so fucking amazing.”
Gio played with my curls and looked at me with eyes full of affection. “So were you. Watching you stand up for yourself and stand up for me, I was so damn proud.”
A laugh burst out of me at how freeing it was. Having Gio by my side, the way he never let my parents get to him, it helped me find my voice, too. We still had one big step, and probably a buttload of paperwork to sign, but I felt like I was already victorious. I was free.
I settled back into the seat, leaning against Gio, and staring out at the crashing waves in the distance. A sigh fell from me, taking with it years of shrinking inside these walls. And now, I felt like I could breathe. The saltwater air was no longer choking me, but bringing me new life.
“This is pretty nice, actually,” I said.
“It is. But we’ll find our own place next time we want to have seafood by the beach. I know there are some great fish shacks along the boardwalk.”
A fish shack was about as far as you could get from this uppity place, which sounded perfect. But for now, I would eat my ridiculously overpriced fish and chips, and enjoy the date with my husband.
We didn’t get home until late that evening.
While there was nothing to contest at the bank since everything was legal and above board, it still took hours.
Mrs. Lewis had given me plenty of judgey side-eye, but after verifying the authenticity of the marriage certificate, she had been forced to go through with the transfer.
Gio—my sweet man—choked on his water when we began signing paperwork that showed the number of zeroes in the account, but it was the only break in his composure.
Well, the only break until I insisted Gio’s name be added to the account.
He tried to argue, it wasn’t part of our deal, but I insisted.
As he once told me, what good was a house or a barn or food or a bank account without someone to share it with?
Contrary to my parents’ belief, there was plenty to go around.
While I’d been all hot for Gio at the restaurant, and when we first entered the bank, after the lengthy process, it was all kind of a lot.
Then we hit the traffic I had hoped for in the morning all the way home, leaving us both exhausted by the time we walked in the door.
Family dinner had taken place without us, making me happy to know the connection the kids had went beyond the two of us.
It was strange, because walking back into the farmhouse, everything was exactly the same, and yet, it was completely different.
Not because of the funds we now had access to, but because I truly felt free to move forward with my life however I pleased.
And the thing was… looking around the table, and seeing the kids, seeing Gio, this was exactly what I wanted.
I was pretty zoned out, processing it all until I finally decided to call it a night.
Gio followed suit, and soon we made it to bed.
This morning, I had plans to come back and celebrate.
Plans to get my brains fucked out by my husband and go through the box of condoms I picked up.
Now that we were here, though, I was too exhausted from the day; mentally and emotionally spent.
What I needed more than anything was to simply be held by the man I absolutely loved without any doubt.
Stripping down to my underwear, I climbed into bed. Gio wore his shorts and tank top, looking so completely perfect. He sat against the headboard and opened his arms to me. I crawled over and tucked against him, leaning my head on his chest.
“How are you feeling?” He asked softly.
“Liberated. Like a weight that’s been tied to my neck my whole life has fallen off at last. But, it’s weird, you know? I’m having a hard time grasping that it actually happened.”
Gio chuckled softly. “Yeah, no kidding. I keep picturing the account balance and it’s a lot to take in. You really didn’t have to add me to the account, though. I told you I never wanted it.”
“I know, Daddy, but you’ve done so much to take care of me and everyone.
This is something I could do to know that you’re all taken care of, too.
I want to do something with it, though. Something good.
Like you said, it doesn’t have to be a curse, it could be a blessing.
I’ve been looking at local resources I could support, and I found the Love Bank food bank which supports people with food insecurity but also has a program to help their pets, too.
Maybe you can check it out with me sometime and see what we could do. ”
“I would love that.” Gio pressed a kiss to my head.
“You have a really big heart, Jasper, and I am so damn proud of you. I know you’re eager to make the money mean something, and it will in due time.
First, let’s get your studio finished, and then we can take our time to figure out the best way to use it to do the most good.
Love Bank is a really great start, though. ”
A knock sounded on the door, and Nicky called through it. “It’s me. Can I come in?”
“Yeah, just a minute.” I jumped up and hurried to get some clothes on, not wanting to be in my briefs when she came in. Gio sat in bed, watching me with a small smile. I supposed this was why he tended to wear clothes to bed.
Once I had pajamas on, I opened the door. Seeing her standing there, holding her arms over herself, with a distraught look on her face, it tugged at my heart. I held my arms out, and she stepped into them. “Sorry to bother you both, I just… I don’t know.”
“It’s okay, it’s not a bother.” I pulled her in and closed the door behind her. She leaned against me but lifted her head to look at Gio.
“Papa?”
“Come here, sweetheart.” He patted the bed beside him.
She left my arms and crawled into the bed, taking the spot I’d just been in.
I stayed by the door, unsure if I should leave to give them space, but Gio met my gaze and patted the bed again.I went around and scooted in beside Nicky.
She tucked herself against Gio and sniffled.
I reached over and rubbed my hand over her arm.
“What’s going on, Nicky? Do you want advice, action, or affection?”
I remembered Gio asking me that when I’d come to him after seeing my parents the last time. The time he kept my tie. I loved that it was his way to gauge the need of the moment, not trying to overstep.
“Affection, I think. I don’t really know. It was just a weird day and I’m feeling some things.”
“I had a weird day, too,” I muttered.
Nicky looked over her shoulder at me, and pulled me closer, until we sandwiched her.
While I hated to know that she had a hard day, I liked being included in this moment.
Clearly, this had been something she’d had with Gio before, but now I was being looped in as a parent, trying to offer her comfort.
“Boys suck,” Nicky whispered.
“Mmhm. That they do.” I agreed, and Gio responded by giving her a squeeze.
We sat there together, allowing her time to soak in our warmth in a safe space to process whatever it was she was working through. After a while, she turned to tuck into me, making my heart feel like it would burst.
“You had a weird day? Are you okay?”
I shrugged and rested my head on top of hers. “I’m rich.”
“That sucks,” she murmured and nestled against me. Gio met my gaze over her head and we shared a smile.
I was rich. Rich beyond zeroes, beyond banks. In this bed, this house, I had more wealth than my parents could ever grasp. Reaching around Nicky, I found Gio’s hand and held it. I had my husband. I had my family. I had love.