Chapter 32
LUCIAN
The conference room hummed with conversations and clinking glasses, transformed once again into Cross Capital's annual Christmas gala.
Red and gold decorations adorned every surface, and the same string quartet from last year played carols near the windows overlooking the Chicago skyline.
But this time, everything was different.
I moved through the crowd, shaking hands with shareholders and making small talk with board members, my nerves coiled tight beneath my composed exterior.
Tonight would change everything—again. But this time, I'd be the one driving the change instead of letting it happen to me.
Across the room, Tessa flitted about the room gracefully, checking on catering stations and ensuring guests had everything they needed.
No champagne flute in her hand this year, I noted with a private smile.
She wore a navy dress that accommodated her barely visible bump, her hair swept into an elegant updo that left her neck exposed. Every few minutes, our eyes would find each other across the crowded room, and the electricity between us remained as powerful as ever.
Jamie worked beside her, both women orchestrating the evening's logistics flawlessly, thanks to the clear sky and open roads. The two of them had pulled off the event of the year, and I couldn’t be more proud.
"Lucian." Robert Vaughn appeared at my elbow, his expression cautiously optimistic. "Hell of a week we've had."
"Indeed." I accepted the glass he offered, though my stomach was too knotted to appreciate the expensive bourbon. "Thank you for your support with the board."
"Viktoria overplayed her hand. We all saw it.
" He glanced toward the entrance where my ex-wife held court near the bar.
She was still a shareholder for now, but soon, she'd be ousted from that position too.
"She thought she could leverage Elena's accident to turn sentiment against you, but that backfired spectacularly. "
The board's emergency vote three days ago had been closer than I'd have preferred—seven to five in my favor—but a victory, nonetheless.
Several members who'd initially wavered came around when they realized Viktoria's campaign was motivated by personal vendetta rather than legitimate corporate concerns.
"Speaking of Elena," Robert continued, "how is she adjusting to being home?"
"Better than expected. She's stubborn as hell, which is serving her well in physical therapy." My chest warmed thinking of my daughter's determination to walk without assistance by New Year's Eve. "She's here tonight, actually. Against doctor's orders, but she insisted."
I spotted Elena near the dessert table, having been wheeled there by some kind stranger, but looking more alive than she had since the accident.
Her presence tonight meant everything—not just her physical recovery, but her emotional support for what I was about to announce.
The crowd began to thin near the makeshift stage where I'd give my annual address. I knew it was time to move toward the moment that would define my future.
I made my way toward the coat closet to collect my notes but found Tessa already there, hanging up a guest's forgotten scarf.
"Fancy meeting you here," I murmured, stepping inside and closing the door behind me.
She turned with a grin that lit up the small space. "Mr. Cross, this is highly inappropriate behavior for a CEO."
"Good thing I'm about to change that." I backed her against the wall of hanging coats, my hands finding her waist as I leaned down to capture her mouth with mine.
She melted into me immediately, her arms circling my neck as we stole these precious moments of privacy.
The taste of her, the feel of her body against mine, the way she fit so perfectly in my arms—it all reminded me why I was willing to risk everything for this woman.
"Are you ready for this?" she asked breathlessly when we broke apart.
"Are you?" I searched her face for any trace of doubt or fear but found only excitement and determination.
"Your love makes me ready, Luci." Her hands smoothed down my tie, straightening what our kisses had rumpled. "Go get 'em, tiger."
Her confidence bolstered my own resolve. I kissed her again one last time, then straightened my jacket and prepared to face the crowd.
The conference room had filled completely by the time I reached the small stage. Familiar faces looked up at me expectantly—employees who'd worked for Cross Capital for years, board members who'd just voted to keep me in power, shareholders eager to hear about our future direction.
And scattered throughout, the people who mattered most—Elena happily snacking on Christmas cookies, Blake standing near the windows with his arms crossed, Tessa and Jamie positioned near the catering station, and Viktoria watching from the back with calculating eyes.
"Good evening, everyone." My voice carried easily across the room as conversations died away. "Thank you all for joining us for another successful year at Cross Capital."
I launched into the traditional overview of our quarterly performance, merger successes, and projections for the coming year.
But my heart raced as I approached the personal portion of my remarks.
"This year has tested us in ways we didn't anticipate," I continued, my gaze finding Elena's encouraging nod. "We've faced challenges that forced us to examine what really matters—in business and in life."
A murmur rippled through the audience. They could sense something different in my tone.
"Three days ago, our board of directors voted to maintain their confidence in my leadership of this company. I'm grateful for that support, especially from those who stood by me when the rumors and speculation threatened to overshadow our work."
I paused, letting my eyes sweep the room before finding Tessa's face in the crowd. She gave me the smallest nod, her expression radiating love and encouragement.
"But tonight, I want to address those rumors directly.
For months, there has been speculation about my personal life, specifically about my relationship with one of our most talented team members.
" I stepped closer to the edge of the stage.
"I'm here to confirm that yes, I am in love with Tessa Wynn, our newest junior analyst. More than that, I'm hoping she'll soon become Tessa Wynn-Cross, as we're expecting our first child together. "
The reaction was immediate and mixed. Some faces showed genuine surprise, others knowing smiles, and a few disapproving frowns.
But the energy in the room shifted, conversations buzzing as people processed this public confirmation of what many had suspected.
Viktoria's snort of disgust cut through the chatter. She pushed through the crowd toward the exit, her heels clicking angrily.
"Pathetic," she muttered loud enough for nearby guests to hear before storming out completely.
I didn't watch her leave. Instead, I stepped down from the stage and moved directly to Tessa, who stood frozen with surprise and joy written across her features.
"Tessa Wynn," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear as I slipped my arm around her waist. "The most brilliant analyst this company has ever seen, and the woman who's made me believe in second chances."
Jamie's voice rose above the crowd's murmur. "Kiss her!"
The chant spread quickly through the room, voices joining in until it became a thunderous demand.
I looked up to see we were standing directly beneath the mistletoe that someone had hung from the conference room's light fixture.
"Well," I murmured to Tessa, whose cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment and delight. "Seems we don't have a choice."
I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her thoroughly, pouring every ounce of love and commitment into the contact.
The room erupted in applause and cheers, but all I could focus on was the woman in my arms and the life we were building together.
When we finally broke apart, Daniel appeared with champagne glasses—sparkling cider for Tessa—and genuine warmth in his expression. "Congratulations to you both. The company's lucky to have you."
Jamie bounced over with tears in her eyes, pulling Tessa into a fierce hug. "I knew it! I absolutely knew there was more to that mentorship than you were letting on." I chuckled as they hugged and Jamie pulled away to busy herself with guests.
The crowd began to disperse back into smaller conversations, but I noticed Blake lingering near the windows with a stormy look in his eyes.
He caught my eye and walked over with that casual swagger that reminded me painfully of myself at his age.
"So," he said, looking between Tessa and me with a mixture of amusement and resignation. "My dad's dating someone closer to my age than his. That's not weird at all."
"Blake—" I started, but he held up a hand.
"Relax, old man. I'm just saying, for a guy pushing fifty, you've still got game.
" He extended his hand to Tessa with a grin that was pure charm.
"You seem cool after everything, and you make him smile again, so I guess that's what matters.
" I could only take his acknowledgement at face value, but I hoped he was being sincere.
Tessa shook his hand with obvious relief. "Thank you, Blake. That means a lot." I watched with tense shoulders as he winked at me and then turned back to her.
"But I'm not calling you mom," he added with a smirk. "That would be too weird, even for this situation."
The comment drew chuckles from everyone within earshot, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. My son's acceptance—grudging as it was—meant more than I could express.
As the evening wound down and guests began to leave, Tessa and I found ourselves by the windows overlooking the city. The snowfall we'd experienced last year was in short supply this year, but the city was every bit as beautiful decked out for Christmas.
"Look at that," Tessa murmured, leaning against me as we watched the winter scene unfold. "At least it's not the blizzard that stranded us here last year."
"Thank God for small mercies." I tightened my arm around her, remembering how that storm had opened the door between us. "Though I can't complain about where that blizzard led us."
She tilted her head up to smile at me, her eyes sparkling with contentment and love.
This was the moment.
Everything in my life had led to this—all the mistakes, the loneliness, the years of putting work before happiness. All of it had brought me here, to this woman who'd shown me what it meant to truly live again.
I turned to face her fully, my hands finding her waist as I looked down into those hazel eyes that had captivated me from the very beginning.
"Let's make this official already," I whispered against her ear, my voice thick with emotion and certainty. "Say you'll be my wife?"
Her face transformed with joy so pure, it took my breath away.
"Yes," she breathed, reaching up to frame my face with her hands. "Yes, absolutely yes."