Chapter 42
L ily and James had been dancing the night away, something that Edward was no longer violently opposed to.
He’d been so wrapped up in his own and Leonard’s drama that his daughter’s romance with James had completely gone over his head.
That was until the day Lily walked into his office, her chin lifted, with the air of stubbornness he was fully aware she had inherited from him.
“Dad, I have something to tell you.”
Edward had looked up and put down his pen, leaning back into his chair and clasping his hands together.
“Don’t try to do the whole Al Pacino Godfather look– it doesn’t work on me.”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to. This is how I look whenever I’m working and someone barges into my office unannounced.”
Steely blue eyes glared at him.
“What is it?” he finally said, bored with the stare-off.
“James and I are in a relationship.”
“James who?”
“James McNeil.”
“The butcher’s vegan son?”
“What does veganism have to do with anything?”
“It doesn’t, but you’re not going out with him.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t care if he’s vegan, a carnivore, or only eats sardines. You’re not seeing him. And what do you mean you’re in a relationship with him? You don’t even know him.”
“Shows how much attention you pay to my life. We’ve been seeing each other for months.”
“Over my dead body.”
“You’ve been breathing since it started and, as far as I can see, still are.”
Edward could feel his face reddening. She was a cheeky wee shit. “Lily, you are starting uni next year. You won’t have time for a relationship. And I can tell you right now, you’re not giving up your education for a boy from the fucking village!”
“I’m not giving anything up, especially not him. I can have both. James is extremely supportive of me and my plans. We’ll find a way to make it work.”
Lily’s nostrils were flaring, and her fists were clenched, ready for a fight. The sight almost made him laugh; she really was a miniature version of him.
He remained silent for a long time, watching his daughter, who he remembered appearing the exact same way when she was ten, with plaited hair, raging and pouting when he’d refused to buy her a horse.
“Fine,” he finally said. “You know best, but I won’t have you fucking up med school, understood?”
Lily’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s it?”
“What do you mean?” Edward picked up his pen to continue with his work.
“It’s fine?”
Edward shrugged. “You’re eighteen, Lily, what am I going to do? Lock you in your room?”
Lily rolled her eyes.
“I expected more drama, a bit of shouting and screaming, perhaps.”
“You want me to shout at you?”
“Well, not exactly.”
“So, what do you want?”
Lily huffed. “Nothing, I suppose.”
“Suppose you’d best start inviting him for dinner then, rather than him serving it.”
“He’s not worked here for ages, Dad.”
“You know what I mean. Bring him tomorrow, let Mrs Wilson know. Is that everything?”
Lily was frowning, obviously still unconvinced he was making it this easy for her, but then she shrugged. “Fine.”
“Fine,” he repeated as she turned to leave.
“She’s made you soft, old man,” she said as she gave him a backwards wave.
“Cheeky little fucker!” He’d shaken his head at her disappearing figure down the hallway.
Now, looking at them laughing and dancing, he could admit he’d been wrong.
It turned out that James was a good kid and genuinely only wanted good things for his daughter, even refusing to visit her when she was running late on assignments, much to her annoyance.
But despite her fiery wrath, he’d stick to his guns, something Edward respected, even admired.
James had even started helping around the estate.
Andrzej had taken him on to work alongside him on Scarlett’s cottages, and Edward was now supporting him in obtaining his carpentry and joinery qualifications at college.
It was all very keeping it in the family , but Edward liked to reward hard work, and despite James’s relationship with Lily, he was a great worker and fast learner, something he could always do with more of.
“Excuse me, I believe you still owe me a dance?” Scarlett snuck up behind him.
He turned to face her and smiled. She had meticulously pinned and tamed her hair that morning, but as the evening progressed, curls escaped. Although she’d looked stunning earlier, he preferred her natural, chaotic state.
“I believe you are correct.” He leaned down to kiss her. “But I’m pretty sure I just heard the lyrics don’t embarrass me motherfucker !”
“It’s Sabrina Carpenter– Please Please Please .”
“You don’t need to beg.” He winked and took hold of her, swinging her onto the dance floor and making her squeal.
Lily grinned and winked at him.
“I think my daughter approves of me being with you.”
Scarlett smiled as he spun her away and pulled her back in close to him again.
“Why’s that?”
Edward shrugged. “Probably because I’m less of a miserable fucker around you.”
He kept her close as they danced.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” He bent down and kissed her gently. “You know, weddings are starting to grow on me.”
“This one is definitely an improvement on the last one.”
“You know, the house could do with a Lady. Do you know anyone you could recommend? Asking for a friend.”
Scarlett laughed. “Hmm, I’ll think on it and let you know.”
Edward slowed to a stop, his voice serious suddenly. “I’d like you to move in with me. Properly.”
Scarlett looked at him and he watched as conflicted emotions crossed her face. She stayed most nights anyway, but all her things remained in the flat she still shared with Andrzej and her mother.
“It’s not like I don’t have the space.” He looked around the hall to make his point and was relieved when she smiled.
“What, even to store all my odd socks you hate?”
“I’ll even unpair them for you if you like.”
“Wow, that’s some big game you’re talking there!” Scarlett laughed.
He bent down and kissed her again, and she leaned into him, the way she always did, making him feel as if he was everything she’d ever want or need in this world.
“So, you want me to move in?”
“Aye.”
“Into your big house?”
“Aye.”
“Into your rooms ?”
“Aye.”
“And sleep in your bed– all the time?”
He nodded and this time she kissed him, deeply, with more tenderness than anyone had ever shown him before, making the rest of the world melt into the background.
Fuck, aye.
The End