Epilogue
Maisie
O ne year later
“No. Not just no but fuck no!” My body is vibrating, my anger reaching its tipping point.
After Jack followed me home and proposed, it was a whirlwind of making up, making out, and making memories. Jack says it was the best three weeks of his life. Little does he know that I have a surprise that will top it. However, first, I have to deal with the man standing in front of me.
Antony, my sperm donor. Not father. He was never a father.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss while glaring in his direction.
“What do you mean what am I doing here ? I’m your father. I’m going to walk you down the aisle.”
I snort. First, there is no aisle. And second, there is no way this waste of oxygen is going to walk me anywhere. “I don’t know how you found out about our wedding, or why you’re here, but you need to leave, or I will have you removed from the premises.”
“Mandy, I’m your father. It’s my right to walk you down the aisle. I have a photographer all set up.”
“Maisie,” I interrupt him.
“Er, what?” The look of genuine confusion on his face has me shaking my head.
“My name is Maisie. You are not now—nor have you ever been—my father. And the last thing you will do is walk me down the aisle. I would rather step on Legos than take a photograph with you. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have a father. I have you, my sperm donor. A real father would know their child’s name.”
Antony frowns at me, and I can tell by the tightening around his mouth I’ve made him angry. The funny thing is, I don’t care. Maybe a year ago I would have, back when I still felt like a little girl desperate for her daddy’s approval and love. Things changed, and I’m no longer that little girl. I’m the COO of a multi-million dollar company and a chief architect of what the papers are heading as the most significant merger of the decade. I don’t need this man’s approval anymore. I finally approve of myself.
I can tell Antony is gearing up for an argument when a hand clamps down on his shoulder, and he flinches. I smirk when I see my soon-to-be husband standing behind him.
“I believe my bride asked you to leave.” Jack’s tone brokers no arguments, and Antony glares at both of us before storming out of the room. Sighing, I turn back into Jack’s arms and he leads me into the bridal suite.
We’re getting married on the beach like Nan and Pops did. I’m wearing a tea-length white dress with spaghetti straps, perfect for sand and sun.
Marcus and Alexandra walk up, and I smile at them. They are the best thing to come out of this merger.
It was a few weeks after Jack proposed that I remembered the deal. When Jack explained what happened at the resort, how Marcus helped him pack up and return to New York to try to find me, I cried again. Then he told me that Alexandra said if he’d permanently fucked things up with me, he could kiss any deal he put forward without me as dead before the ink dried. Apparently, she thought I was the business genius between us. She also made sure to mention happy spouse, happy house and all that jazz.
Jack takes my hand, and I smile at him. Uncle Gio was supposed to be here, but he’s somewhere in Texas and couldn’t make it. While it hurts, I’m sure something important is going on and whatever it is, I hope it sorts itself out quickly for his sake. The last time I talked to him, he wasn’t his usual boisterous self. It was concerning, but he’s adamant that he’s fine and will send us a present for the honeymoon. Besides Uncle Gio, everyone important to us is in attendance. Jack opted to walk with me down the aisle, as a symbol of our unity.
“We will do this together, Princess. We’re partners, which means we do everything together, starting with taking the first step toward our happily ever after.”
I admit his words made me cry at the time, much to Jack’s consternation.
***
“Hello, Mrs. Foster.” Jack’s arms slide around my waist, and I smile.
“Hello, Mr. Foster.”
My new husband kisses my temple, and we stand to look out over the small group of friends and family as they laugh and eat amongst themselves.
“I have a present for you.”
Jack turns me around in his arms. “We said no gifts, Princess.”
I roll my eyes and raise a hand, showing off the diamond bracelet I woke up wearing this morning.
“What? Technically, it wasn’t a wedding present! It was…” Jack fumbles over his words, likely trying to come up with an excuse, and I just raise an eyebrow until he gives up and grins. “Okay, so it was a wedding present. Sue me.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
We both laugh. I open my satin clutch and pull out a small box tied with a blue ribbon.
“It was my something blue. Go ahead. Open it.”
Jack looks at me before releasing the ribbon and lifting the lid from the box. His eyebrows dip until he realizes what he’s looking at. He picks up the small white stick, and the box falls to the floor. He glances at the stick, at me, and then back at the stick again.
“Congratulations, Daddy.”
That has his whole body jerking. He looks at me again, and I can see the tears swimming in his eyes. Jack pulls me against his chest, cradling me protectively.
“I love you. So much,” he whispers, and I smile, accepting the kiss he presses to my lips. Then he steps back and lifts the stick high in the air. “I’m gonna be a father!” Jack declares to the entire room.
All I can hear are the laughs, happy squeals, and congratulations as we are mobbed by our friends and family. And I can’t help but think this might be the best Christmas ever.