Chapter 22 #2
“You need to tell her everything about your business interests. You could consider a prenup if you need to, so she keeps everything she has and doesn’t have to worry about you taking anything. She has her own lawyer, I assume.”
“Yes, I mean, she must do.”
“I can draw something up if you send me her details, and if you give me her lawyer’s details, I’ll send it straight to them.”
“Thanks, man.”
He pauses. “Have you told her about your situation? That you’re not just a forty-something-year-old man with mummy issues still living at home.”
“Ha ha. Dick.”
Sean laughs.
“Not yet.”
“Then, I suggest you have a conversation about that because it’s relevant if you’re putting together a prenup. It should include your assets too.”
I draw in a deep breath. “Okay. I probably need to do that anyway given that we’re getting married.”
“I still can’t believe you talked her into it. Does she have a head injury?”
“Said it before, and I’ll say it again. You’re a dick.”
He laughs. “But you love me. Let me know what you need and I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks, dude.”
When the call’s disconnected, I sit for a moment and look out over Emma’s back yard. We’re doing this—really doing it. For years the thought of committing like this would have filled me with dread, but I’m settled.
The thought of becoming a stepfather doesn’t even faze me.
So much has happened these past few weeks, and it’s been the best time of my life.
It’s like I’ve been cruising through the years without grounding or anything to keep me still.
But Emma’s family?
They were always meant to be mine.
When I step back into the kitchen, Emma’s at the bench making coffee. She looks up and smiles as I approach.
“What did he say?”
I grasp her upper arms and smile. “If anything happens, he’ll refer us to an estate law expert, but he says your father leaving it this long counts against him.”
She beams. God, it was worth that conversation to make her smile so big.
“But he is concerned that he might throw around some accusations about the kids. I think we present a united front in that case. It’s not like he’s been a part of their life for years.”
Emma nods. “That’s true. He’s never even met Kiera or Jason. We left not long after Bailey was born.”
“He’s counting on you being alone and vulnerable. And you’re not.” I lean in and peck her on the lips. “You’ve got me.”
She pulls me back down and kisses me softly. “Thank you.”
“As if I’m going to let that man hurt you again.”
“Are you two kissing?” Jason’s voice comes from the doorway. “Eww.”
Emma laughs, and it’s the sweetest sound. “I have plenty of kisses. Come over here and get some.”
“Muuuum,” he moans, but he walks over to her and hugs her anyway. She kisses the top of his head.
“Who’s up for pizza?”
I don’t miss Emma’s eyeroll, but it’s too late to take it back.
Yes, it’s presumptive, but it’s been a difficult day and there’s still more I have to share with her.
Jason’s hand shoots up.
“I need to know what your favourites are.”
Jason looks at his mother and then at me. “The one with all the meat on it.”
I ruffle his hair. “Meat lovers it is. Who else?”
By the time I’m done, I’ve got an order for three pizzas and sides, and the excited, beaming faces of these kids fills my heart with joy.
I tap the order into the app, pay for it, and drop onto the couch.
“Want to watch the progress?” I ask Jason. He nods happily, and I hand him my phone. “How about you tell me when they’re delivering.”
He grins, and I meet Emma’s tearful gaze.
Jason nestles in against me, and I wrap an arm around him.
“Thank you,” Emma mouths.
Bailey flounces into the room and sits on a chair opposite us. “How long is it going to be?”
“They’re making it now.” Jason points at the app, and I grin.
How good is this?
My gaze drifts to Noah in the doorway. His focus is on Jason by my side, and I swallow hard. This should have been us.
“Noah, come and join us.”
He shrugs and makes his way across the room to sit next to Bailey. He’s still unsure, and I don’t blame him. It’ll still take time to build trust, although I hope my actions today show him I’m serious.
Time. What we all need is time.
“You got a text,” Jason says.
“Did I? Let me see.”
I take the phone from his hand and smile. “It’s to say the delivery’s on the way. Want to track it?”
He nods, and I tap on the link before handing back the phone.
His face lights up again, and I know I’ve done the right thing.
These kids don’t belong to their father anymore. I’m the man who’ll step up for them, who’ll love them the way they should have been loved.
Emma drops onto the couch beside me, and I press a kiss to her temple.
We’ll get through this together.
“The best thing about pizza is that there’s not much clean up afterward,” Noah says. “You did good today, Dad. We never got pizza or anything like that growing up.”
I shake my head. “I get not wanting to do this all the time, but never?”
He washes the last dish and passes it to me. Emma wanted to take care of the washing up, but we both talked her into sitting down in front of a movie with the kids while we took care of it.
All we used were dinner plates, so it’s not like it’s a lot.
But it gives me a moment to talk to Noah, and those moments are precious.
“Malcolm was strict—more with me than any of the others. I worked out myself that I wasn’t his, although for a long time I thought it was just wishful thinking.”
I snort. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Not your fault. Now I wonder what it would’ve been like growing up with you.”
Drying the dish, I place it in the cupboard with the others.
“To be honest, I’m not really sure what it would’ve been like.
We were young, and I wasn’t ambitious at that age.
I would’ve pulled my socks up and worked hard to support your mother and you, but I’m not sure what kind of life we would’ve had. ”
He pulls the plug out of the sink. “It can’t have been worse than what we went through.”
“Yeah. I guess that’s true.”
“Besides, you really loved Mum … love Mum. He was … just so creepy.”
I nod. “Clearly I didn’t know the guy, but that doesn’t surprise me given the age gap.”
“That’s why we have to protect Kiera and Bailey.”
He meets my gaze and holds it.
“Your grandfather won’t get his hands on them. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”
Noah nods. “I know you will. That’s the difference between you and him.”
Shrugging, I walk the short distance to the laundry door and place the wet tea towel in the washer. “Malcolm removed you all from that situation before anything could happen. Not saying he was a good guy at all—but I do wonder if the thought of anything happening to Bailey was a reason.”
“I guess it could’ve been.”
I walk back toward him and grip his shoulder. “Either way, she’s safe now. They all are.”
“You really do love Mum, don’t you?”
Thoughts of putting a ring on her finger make my heart race. “I do.”
“I’m not sure she realises that.”
I chuckle. “Well, once this whole thing with your grandfather is out of the way, I’ll show her.”
“I don’t want to know.” He smiles.
“Well, maybe when this is over, we’ll all go on holiday together and get a real break away.”
His smiles grows. “That would be awesome.”
“I really want you to come and work with me.”
Noah cocks his head. “When I’m ready.”
I pat his shoulder. “I know. Just say the word.”
This wasn’t what I planned when I left home, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure how this would go.
But I’ll be by Emma’s side as she faces this.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my family safe.