Chapter Sixty
Olivia
I stare at the house in the late morning—our home. The sound of waves and a briny wind greet me, as though I’ve never left. But what makes it the best is the feel of Liam’s arm around my waist as we walk along the garden toward the main entrance.
“I can’t believe I’m back,” I murmur.
“Why not?”
“I wasn’t sure if you’d accept my proposal. If…I’d hurt you too much.”
I reach for his hand, and he threads his fingers with mine. Step by step we head inside. The late morning light hits the Steinway just right; it gleams as though to say, “Welcome home.”
“Home sweet home,” I whisper. It feels like every cell in my body relaxes.
“What about your condo?” he teases, his eyes crinkling.
“I’m going to sell it. It was a place for me to escape to and plot my revenge.
I used to think about it like I was a snake under a rock, coiling up, storing energy and just waiting to strike.
” I take our linked hands and place them over my belly.
“But this is where I want to live and raise our baby. I missed you. And so did our baby.”
He places a firm kiss on my forehead. “I missed you, too.”
I put my other hand around the back of his neck and pull him down for a proper kiss. Suddenly his phone buzzes. He ignores it, but another buzz and then another interrupt us.
“See what it’s about. Just in case. Might be your brothers,” I say with a rueful grin. They didn’t bother us last night, but today might be different.
Liam rolls his eyes but pulls out his phone. The smile vanishes.
“What is it?”
“Shit. It’s from Frederich. Grandma’s on her way.”
“What?” I blink. She never visited, and I don’t see why she would now. “What does she want?”
“Not sure.”
The security system pings with an alert. Liam checks the app and scrunches his face. “She’s here. Crap. Jesus, why is she here? Grandpa too!”
“This is ridiculous, Liam.” Cedric’s voice booms over the phone. “You should add us to the system. We are your family.”
Yup. They’re definitely here.
Liam squeezes his eyes shut for a moment. “The program is malfunctioning, so I can’t add anybody. But give me a second. I’ll let you in.”
I lay my hand on his tense arm. “It’s going to be fine. They can’t do anything to you.”
He nods grimly. “Yeah. I guess.”
I narrow my eyes. They better watch what they say and do to my husband. I don’t think Sorcha and Cedric are as obliviously cruel as his parents, but I’m not letting him suffer in silence. Several minutes later, the two elders of the family barge inside.
Sorcha’s in a fashionably elegant dress that makes her look like the sylph from La Sylphide, while her husband is in a starched white button-down shirt and jacket and slacks. No tie makes it casual, I guess…?
Sorcha marches in, Cedric with his hand on her elbow. Her eyes rake me up and down, her mouth tight. Guess she doesn’t care for my casual jeans and a shirt. And she doesn’t like the fact that her grandson’s also in jeans and a shirt.
“What was the meaning of the drone show last night?” she says without preamble. “Aren’t you married?”
“Didn’t you know…” I trail off, not sure if Liam kept our brief separation from them for a reason.
“They were in Saint Petersburg for a month,” he says. “They just landed this morning.”
That explains why they didn’t intrude into my life. I hug him from the side. “We’re most definitely married. We’re going to have a second wedding.”
Liam’s eyes brighten in surprise and pleasure. “Really?”
“Shouldn’t we? And make sure to invite everyone and get blessings from those who love and care about us? I want everyone to know I chose you.” I grin up at him, enjoying the awe and joy rippling over his handsome face. I know I’m going to love spoiling him.
“You mean the spectacle wasn’t enough?” Sorcha demands, her eyebrows raised high.
“Nope.” I turn my attention to Liam and cradle his cheek. “You’ll always be my number one, Liam. The most important, the most irreplaceable person in my life.”
“At least the children are cute, my dear,” Cedric says mildly, running a soothing hand down Sorcha’s ramrod straight back.
“Not cute, devoted,” I say with a sweet smile. “Don’t you agree, Grandfather?”
Cedric clears his throat awkwardly. “Yes, of course. But you can be both.”
“Olivia sure is cute.” Liam beams.
Sorcha blinks once, slowly. “I suppose there’s no helping a bias toward one’s wife.” A glint of approval flashes in her eyes before she shifts her focus to me. “The wedding will happen—”
“We’ll take care of it.” I run a hand over my belly. “I have to make sure I don’t stress out the baby.”
“Baby?” Her eyes widen. “Oh my.”
“Exactly. If they’re anything like Liam, they’ll be adorable. Just imagine.”
Her expression softens. “Spectacular.”
“I always knew you were a woman of unusual taste and discernment.” I smile at her and Cedric. “You’re both invited to the wedding. But if you don’t mind, could we have some private time? I’m exhausted from the pregnancy.”
“Certainly. You should have more help around the house, too. See that she’s taken care of, Liam,” Sorcha says. “Anyway, we’ll go now.” She takes Cedric’s arm and they leave without further ado.
The second the door closes, I loop my arms around Liam’s neck, then go on my toes and kiss him to show how much I love him.