36. Thirty-Six
THIRTY-SIX
WRENLY
I t had been a week since Theo had asked me to marry him. I’d asked him a hundred times if he was marrying me because I was pregnant. He’d promise that he had always planned on marrying me whether I was pregnant or not—sometimes while his face was between my legs, other times when he’d thought I wasn’t awake. He had whispered sweet promises in my ear while his hand gently touched my stomach.
Now, we lay in bed, the morning sun streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow on our intertwined bodies. Theo’s hand rested on my belly, his fingers tracing circles on my skin. I turned to face him, studying the contours of his face, the way his dark lashes fanned out against his cheeks.
“Are you sure about this?” I whispered. “About marrying me?”
His eyes fluttered open as his gaze met mine. I watched his face for any subtle changes to his expression that would convince me that his acceptance was a ruse. But there was none. He smiled at me and pulled me closer, our noses nearly touching. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” he told me. “I love you, Wrenly Morgan, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Whether you were pregnant or not, I choose you. ”
I wanted to believe him, to trust the sincerity shining in his green eyes whenever he spoke of our future together. But a small, persistent voice in the back of my mind couldn’t help but wonder if he would still want me, want us, if it weren’t for the tiny life growing inside me.
“You’re overthinking again, aren’t you?” His gentle teasing pulled me from my thoughts. He reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his fingertips grazing my cheek.
I looked down to avoid his gaze. “I can’t help it,” I admitted with a sigh. “Everything is happening so fast. The baby, the engagement . . . Sometimes, it feels too good to be true.”
“Hey, look at me.” He tilted my chin up, forcing me to stare at him. “I love you, and that will never change. Baby or no baby, you’re the one for me. No one else exists but you. Do you believe me?”
I searched his face, waiting for doubt or hesitation but only found love. Slowly, I nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I guess I have to believe you,” I teased.
“Good.” He planted a quick kiss on my lips. “Now let’s go tell my parents.”
“Wait, what? Your parents? Right now?” I sat up on my elbows in panic.
A mischievous grin spread across his face. “No time like the present, right?”
I bit my lip as nerves fluttered in my stomach at the thought of meeting his father. Theo hadn’t spoken much about him, but I knew he was intelligent and a shark in the courtroom. There was no lawsuit against The Brotherhood he couldn’t get overturned. I’d read about him on the Internet once when Theo had been out on a job, and I’d admit I was impressed.
“But what if he doesn’t like me?” I asked, voicing one of my deepest fears. “What if he thinks I’m not good enough for you?”
“Baby, not only are you the most amazing girl I could ever hope to be matched with, but you’re the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Morgan, his leader and a family for whom he holds nothing but absolute respect. My father was devastated when your parents died. Personal feelings aside, my father is a businessman, and even he knows the two of us together is a match made in Heaven. And my mother adored yours, so just don’t be surprised if she is a little . . . excited . After all, her only son is getting married to and knocked up the finest piece of ass in New York.”
“You pig.” I crinkled my nose and playfully smacked his arm.
He laughed and grabbed my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist. “I’m just stating facts, baby. You’re the total package—brains, beauty, and now the mother of my child. My parents are going to be thrilled. Now, come on, let’s get dressed and head over to my parents’ place. They are excited to officially meet you.”
With a resigned sigh, I allowed him to pull me out of bed.
An hour later, we stood on the doorstep of an imposing brownstone on the Upper East Side. I’d opted to wear a black long-sleeve lace dress with black heels, and he was dashing as always in a crisp maroon button-down and black slacks. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before ringing the doorbell. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing a distinguished-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair and green eyes similar to Theo’s. Next to him was a woman with black hair and honey-brown eyes. Theo had her features—high-cheekbones and full lips that were currently curved into a warm smile as she looked at us.
“My baby boy!” she exclaimed, pulling Theo into a tight embrace. “And Wrenly. Oh, let me look at you.” She held me at arm’s length, her gaze appraising. “You’re even more beautiful than I remember! Come in, come in!”
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks at her compliment. “Thank you, Mrs. West.”
“Please, call me Jolie,” she insisted, ushering us inside. “And this is my husband, Thane.”
Thane West extended his hand, his grip firm as he shook mine. “Welcome to our home, Wrenly.”
I had seen Thane around my father a few times at events. He’d always struck me as a no-nonsense kind of man, and my father had trusted him to handle legal affairs.
I followed Theo and his parents into the foyer, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor. The interior was just as grand as the exterior, with high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and expensive artwork lining the walls.
“Please make yourselves comfortable,” Jolie said, gesturing toward the plush velvet sofas in the living room. “Marta should be out soon with refreshments.”
As we settled onto the couch, Thane and Jolie sat across from us, Thane’s keen gaze assessing. “Theo tells us you two have some news to share.”
Theo intertwined his fingers with mine reassuringly. “Yes, we do.” He looked at me for approval. I nodded and squeezed his hand. “Wrenly and I are engaged.”
Jolie let out a delighted squeal, clasping her hands together. “Oh, how wonderful! I can’t tell you how happy this news makes me! I have been wondering when Theo was going to settle down. And when Theo told me he was seeing the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Morgan, I couldn’t think of a more perfect match for our baby boy. A West and a Morgan, finally united! Your parents would be so proud.”
Thane nodded, a rare smile gracing his usually stoic features. “Indeed they would. Thomas always hoped our families would join through marriage one day. He saw the potential in you two, even when you were just teenagers.”
I blinked in surprise. “He did?”
“Of course,” Jolie chimed in. “Margaret and I used to joke about planning your wedding. We had it all figured out—the venue, the flowers, even your dress. I mean, it wasn’t something concrete, but we cherished each other’s friendships. Having our children marry each other would have been a beautiful coupling. But then . . .” Her smile faltered, a flicker of sadness passing over her face.
I felt the regret emanating from her. My mother’s death had had that effect on a lot of people, I was learning. Now wasn’t the time, but I wanted to explore the friendship she’d had with my mother. To have a piece of her back with me through the memories of another. My stomach felt sick as I thought about her, the pain of her loss still heavy on my soul.
Thane cleared his throat, steering the conversation back on track, and I was grateful for it. “Well, what’s done is done. Congratulations to both of you.”
“I know we are thrilled!” Jolie gushed. “Thomas and Margaret would be so happy. We must celebrate! When’s the wedding? Do you have a date set?”
Thane, ever the pragmatist, interjected, “I trust you two have thought this through carefully. Marriage is a big step.”
“We have, Dad,” Theo assured him. “There’s more.” He glanced at me, love and pride shining in his eyes. He was more confident and assured than I was right now, and god, I was grateful. “Wrenly is pregnant. You’re going to be grandparents.”
Jolie’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. “A baby? Oh my goodness! This is the most wonderful news!” She jumped up and pulled me into a tight embrace. “My first grandchild! I can’t wait to spoil the little darling rotten!”
Thane stood and clapped Theo on the shoulder, another rare smile gracing his usually stern features. “Well done, son. A child is a blessing. And with your union, it solidifies the future of The Brotherhood.”
I tensed slightly when The Brotherhood was mentioned. It was a part of our lives, our legacy, but it was also the reason my parents were dead, and I was still coming to terms with the legacy in my blood. Theo sensed my unease and changed the subject.
“We’re thinking of a summer wedding,” he said. “Something intimate and elegant.”
Liar. We hadn’t even talked about it. But I appreciated his protectiveness right now.
“Leave all the planning to me,” Jolie insisted.
Her excitement was contagious, and soon, we were all swept up in discussions of venues, guest lists, and color schemes. She insisted on taking me shopping for a wedding dress as soon as possible.
“Only the best for my daughter-in-law.” She winked.
As the conversation flowed, I found myself relaxing and enjoying his parents’ company. They were welcoming and genuinely happy for us. Even Thane, with his intimidating presence, seemed to soften as he talked about the future and his hopes for his grandchild.
“You have a strong legacy to uphold,” he told us solemnly. “The Brotherhood will look to your marriage as a symbol of hope and unity. It’s a great responsibility, but I have no doubt you two will rise to the challenge.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling on my shoulders.
“We understand,” Theo promised. “But for now, we just want to focus on our little family and our love for each other.”
Jolie nodded in agreement. “Of course, darling. That’s the most important thing. The rest will fall into place when it should.” She stood and smoothed her skirt. “Now, who’s ready for lunch? I’ve had Marta prepare all of your favorites, Theo.”
Theo leaned in close as we walked to the dining room and whispered, “I told you they would love you.”
I smiled up at him, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “You were right.”
He kissed my temple before pulling a chair out for me at the elegant dining table. As we settled in and Marta served the first course, Jolie regaled me with stories of Theo’s childhood antics, much to his chagrin, while Thane shared stories of his courtship with Jolie. It was clear that, despite their positions within The Brotherhood, they were a family first and foremost.
Thane raised his glass in a toast as the meal drew to a close. “To Theo and Wrenly,” he declared, his voice filled with pride. “May your love be as enduring as the bond between our families. And to the little one on the way, a new generation to carry on our legacy.”
We all headed to the foyer, putting our jackets on as we prepared to say our goodbyes. Jolie pulled me into one last hug, whispering in my ear, “I’m so proud of everything you’ve overcome, Wrenly. Thomas and Margaret did well by you, and I know they are looking down and smiling at you and their grandchild,” she said, her eyes misty with emotion. “Now, we expect to see you two more often. Especially once my grandbaby arrives!”
I laughed, returning her embrace. “Thank you for accepting me and this news. An engagement and a baby are probably not what you expected.”
“Are you kidding me?” she exclaimed .
“We’re honored to have you join our family, Wrenly. Your parents would be proud of the woman you’ve become.” Thane gave me a final smile, his green eyes like Theo’s crinkling at the corners.
His words brought a lump to my throat, and I blinked back sudden tears. “That means more to me than you know.”