Chapter 40 #2
“Exactly, seven months. That’s nothing. I’m sure it wouldn’t change anything if you got pregnant now,” Silas tells her, trying to sound convincing.
“Actually, seven months makes a big difference on the human body when it involves healing,” Noah informs him.
Sy glares at him. “Whose friend are you? I’m trying to get my wife pregnant here.”
We finally all reach the main floor now that Silas and Cecilia have moved slightly to the side, and I immediately notice Clay go for his wife.
He wraps his arm around her back, whispering something into her ear with a serious expression.
Then he kisses the side of her head fiercely when she nods with a sad smile.
We’ve stopped baby-talk altogether in front of Morgan. She’s having a really hard time dealing with their situation lately even though she keeps a bright smile plastered on her face. I can’t imagine this is an easy conversation for her to hear.
I look away from them and gaze around at everyone gathered together. My eyes finally fall on the only man I see. “Wolf…” My heart somersaults in my chest at the sight of him.
He stands farther back, eyes blazing into mine. A full black tuxedo hugs his muscular body with a bowtie around his neck, while his hand grips a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers. A man after my heart. Literally. I saunter over to him with my heart in my throat.
“Bunny… You look absolutely breathtaking.” He kisses my cheek, then hands me the flowers. “These are for you.”
I take them with a soft giggle. “Why does it feel like prom night?”
“As long as I’m a much better option than your prom date was, that’s all that matters.”
My deep red fingernails come up to scrape through his beard. His hair is slicked back, making him look deliciously sexy. “You are. A thousand times more.” I smile. “What about me? Hotter option than your prom date?” I ask with a smirk, then spin slowly to show him all my assets.
We haven’t had sex since Gracie’s birthday almost a month ago, and I’m starting to lose my mind.
He hasn’t even tried to kiss me since. Always the cheek, nose, temple, or forehead, but never my lips.
I know he’s probably just giving me time to settle through my thoughts, but I don’t think he realizes it’s only making the voices in my head worse…
What if some part of him still isn’t sure about us? He claimed to love me, but what if he thinks I might turn out like my mom later in life? It’s what I fear daily, so why wouldn’t he? I wouldn’t want someone like that in my life or around my kids, so I don’t blame him for having doubts.
I know these thoughts are stupid and he’s been working so hard on proving me wrong, but the voices just won’t shut up.
He grabs me by the hips, pulling me against his chest as I hold the flowers to the side. “A million times better. But you aren’t an option, Em; you’re my choice. One I’d make over and over for the rest of my life,” he says softly, one hand coming up to cup my cheek.
And slowly, the voices dim in my head for the time being.
A few steps away, Gracie claps her hands and giggles in my father’s arms. I step out of Greyson’s hold and head for my little girl as Amanda steps up, taking the flowers from my hands.
“I’ll put these in a vase for you before we leave. You look beautiful, Emma,” she tells me with a smile.
“Thank you.” I’m grateful for her, she’s been really good to my dad.
There are still awkward moments, but I’m warming up to it more and more. And she’s amazing with Gracie, so I couldn’t ask for anything better. Compared to my mother, who hasn’t even tried to get in contact with me since she mentioned her new man. I’m also very grateful for that.
“My magnificent Sunflower,” my dad says as he side-hugs me and kisses my temple. “You just keep getting more gorgeous with the years.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” I kiss his cheek, then reach for Gracie. “My Little Tulip.” I squish her to me in the way that always makes her squeal with laughter. “Be good with Pops and Grams, okay?”
“Oh, Lord. I did not think that through, did I?” Amanda laughs at the name I’ve given her. “Grandmother at thirty-four. Good thing I enjoy it so much.”
“I think you enjoy the Pops part the most,” my dad tells her with a wink.
“Eww, Dad! I really don’t need to know that.” I shake my head at him when he laughs.
“Mama,” Gracie whispers as she looks up at me with admiration. Her eyes shift to the side. “Dada!” she exclaims when she spots her father coming up beside me.
“Hi, Buttercup. You listen to your mommy and be good to the two oldies.” He chuckles when both narrow their eyes at him. “Mommy and Daddy are going to miss you. We’ll call to wish you goodnight.” He kisses her crown as I kiss her cheek.
“Our rides are here,” Gabe says from the entrance, then offers his arm to Aubrey, guiding her out of the house to their waiting vehicle. Noah does the same to Ronnie, walking her down to the same luxury SUV as Gabe and Aubrey. Next Morgan and Clay exit, entering the following SUV.
Cecilia and Silas kiss their son goodbye and wish goodnight to Mira and John as well as my dad and Amanda. Silas’s parents follow behind with Dante as they head over to their home, leaving only our little family. I pass Gracie back to my father and grab my clutch, preparing to leave as well.
“Our car isn’t here yet. I asked him to come five minutes later,” Grey informs me by grabbing my wrist, stopping me from heading to the door.
“Oh… okay.” Weird, but whatever.
A few minutes later, he grabs my hand and pulls me toward the door. “Time to go, my love.” He offers me his arm and walks me out the door.
I’m expecting to see the same style of SUV waiting outside like the rest of our group had used. But instead I find a black 1950 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine by the curb with the chauffeur waiting patiently by the back door.
My eyes widen instantly as I dig my nails into Greyson’s arm. “Oh my God, Greyson! Is that…”
He turns to face me with a smile. “It is. I know we don’t get a lot of date nights with Gracie, so I wanted to make this one as memorable as possible,” he says, cupping the side of my face. “And what better way to do so than by incorporating your love for the fifties.”
“Oh, Wolf…” I turn to him with warmth filling my heart. “You don’t have to go through all this trouble for me. I’m more than happy with what we already have,” I tell him sincerely. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I want to give you the world, Emma. Haven’t I made that clear yet? There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
He lowers his head and brings his lips to the side of mine, laying a kiss not even a millimeter away. He straightens with a smile, then continues guiding me down to the car and into the back seat.
It’s clear the car isn’t in its original state with how luxurious and new the interior looks, but I couldn’t care less.
Greyson did all this just to please me. He didn’t have to, he wanted to, and that is something my heart can’t ignore.
Besides, I’m definitely on board with the extra privacy from the tinted windows and partition glass.
I’ll never say no to a little alone time with my Wolf.
Forty minutes later, we make it to the gala as a gentleman opens the door and Greyson steps out, quickly adjusting his suit. He then gives me his hand to climb out as well and helps me fix my dress into place. I lace my hand around his arm before we walk down a red-carpeted path.
Photographers and reporters line both sides of the rope barrier, lights flashing constantly in our faces as we smile. Greyson’s name gets called repeatedly, even mine filters through every so often. But we don’t stop to talk, simply making our way into the beautifully decorated establishment.
The ginormous room looks like every other gala I’ve been to, made for the wealthy.
Everyone dressed to the nines, waiters passing around trays full of hors d’oeuvres and champagne.
There are three different bars serving any choice of alcohol, and tables with seating are set up around the room for those who want to rest. There’s also a stage at the far end for the presentation later, as well as the live auction.
And hundreds of checkbooks walk around, waiting to be ass-kissed before signing them over.
We make our way deeper in, stopping to say hello to a few people before finding our friends near a bar at the back. The moment we step up to the group, a waiter appears at our side holding out his champagne tray. Greyson and I both take one and thank the young man.
“Nice ride you guys had. We saw it down the street,” Gabe says. “We should have gotten something cool like that, too.”
“Sadly, not all men are as attentive and caring as our dear Greyson here,” Ronnie adds. “I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen another like him. If I had, I wouldn’t be single.”
“That’s because you didn’t see Sy trying to win over Cece. It was almost pathetic,” Noah chuckles.
“Oh stop, it was adorable. He was like a nervous lost puppy trying to win over his owner. No offense, Grey, you’re very romantic in your own way, but Silas beats everyone out with romantic gestures.
Jesus, he made you guys dress up as huge foam letters that spelled out love for her birthday! ” Morgan says, laughing.
“Shit, that’s right! I forgot about that. That was epic!” Gabe joins in, laughing as well.
“It really was. You should have seen Cecilia’s face when she saw them coming! Hayes, you still have the video?” I ask Silas, to which he nods with an evil smile.
“No. It was not epic in any way. That shit was embarrassing as hell.” Clay narrows his eyes as they all laugh harder.
“I’m with Clay on this, it was mortifying! Super romantic, but terrifying,” Cece says with wide eyes.