Chapter 39
The sound of wrapping paper being ripped and excited squeals surrounds me, creating a symphony of holiday cheer. I relax into the plush cushions of the couch in the living room, a contented smile crawling on my face as I take in the scene in front of me.
The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree in the corner cast a warm glow over the room, illuminating the handmade ornaments adorned with photos of Maggie. It’s a lot more personal than any tree I’ve put up in the past.
But everything’s different now with Haley and Maggie in my life, and I couldn’t be happier.
I love waking up with Haley in my arms. I love driving Maggie to school in the morning and listening to her chatter about the latest kindergarten gossip. I love coming home after a long day of work to my two best girls.
But most of all, I love walking through the vineyard with my family by my side, especially now that I’m the owner.
Despite rescinding my offer to buy Vivanza, Grady ended up pulling one over on everyone when he gave me the vineyard instead. I tried to refuse, but he wouldn’t hear it. Said I deserved it.
I still question whether it’s true, but I’m trying to be better about not punishing myself for things I did in the past. Trying to forgive myself.
“Do you think we may have gone a little overboard?” Haley asks under her breath as she surveys the growing pile of presents surrounding Maggie.
“No such thing.” I kiss the top of her head. “She deserves it. If it weren’t for her, I’d probably still have my head shoved up my ass.”
She laughs as she snuggles in closer, her red and green checkered pajama bottoms matching mine. Last year, if you told me I’d be wearing matching pajamas with my wife as her daughter opened presents in front of our Christmas tree, I would have laughed. Hell, most years, I spent Christmas morning in the fields or experimenting in my lab.
Not this year.
“It’s a good thing I have her then,” Haley remarks.
“We have her,” I correct, tilting her chin.
“We have her.” She repeats as my lips touch hers.
“Ugh. Crush business? Again?” Maggie exclaims with a slight lisp due to a missing tooth.
Haley and I laugh, but don’t stop kissing. I went years keeping my true feelings for her locked up and punishing myself for my past mistakes. Never again.
“Stop complaining, pipsqueak.”
“Whatever,” Maggie says, returning her attention to another one of her new toys.
I narrow my gaze at Haley. “Did she just whatever me?”
“Wait until she’s a teenager. It’ll be even worse.”
I run a hand over my face. “I’m not sure I’ll survive her as a teenager. And dating? I may end up back in prison.”
“You’ll be fine. You’re a good dad.” She gives me an encouraging smile. “Speaking of which…” She nods toward Maggie. “Now might be a good time.”
I draw in a deep breath as a bout of nerves overtakes me. I wasn’t even this nervous when I drove over to Haley’s to ask her to be my fake wife. Because I knew it wasn’t real. What I’m about to ask Maggie is real. And it has lifelong consequences. It absolutely terrifies me, but like I promised Haley when she agreed to give me another chance, I’m not going to walk away from things that scare me. Not anymore.
“Hey, Maggie?”
She looks up. “Yes, Beck?”
“Can you come here? I think I found one more present for you.”
Her eyes light up at the mention of another present and she jumps to her feet, running toward me. I reach behind the lamp on the side table and grab the small wrapped box, handing it to her.
My heart thunders in my chest as I watch her sit on the floor and open it. Sensing my anxiety, Haley grabs my hand and squeezes.
“It’s jewelry!” Maggie exclaims as she lifts the lid off the white box. “I love jewelry. I love being fancy, you know.”
“I know you do.”
As if I need another reminder of just how fancy Maggie likes to be. Her closet is filled with princess dresses, and I’ve been forced to attend my fair share of tea parties and makeovers. I’ve stopped even noticing when I go to work with my nails painted different colors. It’s all part of having a little girl in my life.
“Do you know what that says?” I gesture to the letters on the friendship bracelet.
“Those are our names.”
“That’s right. And do you know what the charm says? The one in the middle?”
She returns her attention to it, but shakes her head. “Not all the words.”
“That’s okay. Want me to read it to you?” I ask, struggling to keep the emotion out of my voice.
With a nod, she stands and crawls onto my lap, handing me the bracelet.
“It says, ‘It is not flesh and blood but the heart that makes us father and daughter’.”
I glance from Maggie to Haley, a few tears escaping her eyes.
“Does this mean you’re my daddy now?” Maggie asks, her brow wrinkled in confusion.
I situate her so she’s facing me. “I want to be, Maggie. But only if that’s what you want.”
“So you want to be my daddy?”
“More than anything.”
She stares at me for several moments with those wide, innocent eyes of hers. Then she wraps her tiny arms around me and squeezes. “I want that, too.”
I hug her tighter, inhaling the familiar smell of her shampoo. “I love you, Maggie.”
“I love you, too, Beck— I mean, Daddy.”
“You can still call me Beck if you want.”
“I’ve never had anyone I could call Daddy before, so I want to call you Daddy.”
“Good.” I hug her against me once more, my heart so full I fear it’ll burst.
I wasn’t sure if this would ever be a possibility, not with Oliver in the picture. To my surprise, he didn’t put up much of a fight when I essentially demanded he terminate his parental rights so I could adopt Maggie. Then again, he’s dealing with enough as it is with his wife divorcing him and his boss firing him once he learned what he did in order to convince Grady to sell to his firm.
He said he believed in karma. I’m glad it finally caught up with him.
“That just leaves one more thing,” I say as Maggie crawls off me and slides her bracelet on her wrist. I reach into the pocket of my pajama pants and retrieve a tiny black box, facing Haley.
“What’s that?” She eyes the box with suspicion.
“A ring.” I flip open the box to reveal a sparkling round cut diamond.
She gasps, her eyes widening. Then a smirk curves on her lips.
“In case you’ve forgotten, we’re already married, Beck.” She holds up her hand to show me the simple wedding band still adorning her finger.
Since we were already married, we didn’t think it made sense to go through with the divorce. Not to mention, we would have a hard time proving physical separation, considering we’ve been living together ever since I finally stopped being a fucking coward, as my brother put it.
“I want a do-over. Want to give you the wedding of your dreams. Want you to go dress shopping with all your friends as you gush about how excited you are. Want to watch you walk down the aisle to me and think what a lucky guy I am.” I blow out a nervous laugh. “I thought that last time, but still. I never want you to doubt how much I love you. How real my feelings for you are. How goddamn happy I am with you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Haley. So what do you say? Will you marry me again, but for real this time?”
Several seconds pass as she looks from me to the ring and back again. I shouldn’t be anxious. After all, she’s already my wife. But a part of me will always think I don’t deserve her.
Finally, she cups my cheek. “It’s always been real for me.” Her soft lips press against mine in a tender kiss. “But I’m more than happy to marry you again.” She moves her mouth to my cheek. “And again.” She kisses my other cheek. “And again.” She returns her lips to mine.
I slide the ring onto her finger and deepen the kiss, Maggie’s snickers the perfect background noise to this moment.
“Don’t look, Monte,” she says in a loud whisper. “They’re doing crush business again.”
I briefly pull away, glancing toward my little girl. “Get used to it, kid.”
Then I kiss my wife again.
Thank you so much for reading Married to the Frenemy.