Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
A ntonio wasn’t sure what to expect when Scarlett had called him an hour ago and asked if he could come by her house. Now that he was there, he still didn’t know where her head was at. He thought it would take days before she made a decision, but it had taken less than twenty-four hours. Since she invited him over, he was optimistic that she’d say yes. Otherwise, she could’ve just said no on the telephone.
With the open floor plan, he could see her in the kitchen. Wearing a fitted long sleeve T-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans, she made everything she wore look good and sexy. On her feet were a pair of thick socks. He rarely saw her this dressed down, and he loved the look.
“I want to add two things to the contract,” she said when she strolled into the living room with two bottles of water and handed one to Antonio. Instead of sitting on the sofa, she perched on the arm of it.
Antonio struggled to keep his expression neutral. Especially since he wasn’t sure what changes to the contract she wanted. He was glad it wasn’t an outright no to his proposal, but whatever her contingencies may be, he wasn’t sure if he could meet them. Though he would definitely try to give her whatever she wanted.
“What are they?” he finally asked.
“One, please remove the part about you supporting me and Bella financially. Since we’re going to be a team, we’ll figure out how to move forward financially together. Oh wait, it’s going to be three things that need changing, like the part about an inheritance.”
Antonio had his dad add that part in case Cynthia did leave her estate to Bella and Scarlett. It would be theirs, and he wanted to make sure she knew he didn’t want or expect to have any access to it.
“If you’re saying what’s yours is ours, then it’s only fair that what’s ours is yours,” Scarlett explained.
He was okay with them sharing what they currently brought to the table, but if Bella did receive an inheritance, he planned to make sure it was hers. That went for Scarlett too, especially as long as there was a contract between them. There was no doubt in his mind that she would one day realize she was just as crazy in love with him as he was with her. But some things took time, and Antonio was prepared to wait.
“We’ll have to further discuss the financial part of our relationship. What else do you want changed in the contract?”
“I want an end date added to the contract. If we’re not in love within a year—”
“You mean if you’re not in love with me within a year,” Antonio corrected. He knew his heart. He was in love with her whether she wanted to believe it or not.
“Okay,” she conceded before continuing. “After a year, I’ll agree to let you go. I love that you’ll be Bella’s father, but you and me…” Her words trailed off and her brows knitted together as if she was trying to find the right words. “Antonio, you’re an incredible man. You deserve to be with someone who will love you like you deserve to be loved. I’m crazy about you, but I can’t ask you to give up the rest of your life for me, especially when I’m not able to return your feelings.”
“Yet,” he added. For a reason he couldn’t put his finger on, or maybe he was just being a hopeless romantic, he believed she’d fall in love with him. He also believed it would happen sooner than later.
She sighed loudly. “I know what you said about you getting me and Bella in this deal, but that’s not enough. None of this seems fair to you.”
“Shouldn’t I be the judge of that?” he asked, then tugged on her hand and pulled her to him. When he positioned her to sit on his lap, he was glad she didn’t refuse. “I think you’re underestimating the power you and Bella have over me. To be honest with you, I genuinely feel I’m the winner in all this.”
She looked into his eyes and looped her arms around his neck. “I can already tell you’re too good for me,” she said quietly. “But to be honest, I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes. I really do hope everything turns out the way you’re envisioning.”
Antonio gently gripped her chin and pulled her mouth closer. “I promise you’re not going to regret marrying me.”
“I know I won’t. I’m just hoping you won’t regret marrying me.”
Antonio wanted to erase the vulnerability he saw in her eyes. “I won’t,” he said, and covered her mouth with his.
Her lips were as sweet and soft as usual, but this kiss felt different from all the others. What they were sharing was more than just physical. They were sharing a promise. He would be hers. She would be his, and they were going to raise Bella together.
When the kiss ended, Scarlett rested her forehead to his.
“All we have to do now is tell Bella, but somehow I think she will be beside herself,” Scarlett said smiling.
“I know I am. I can’t wait to make this all official.”
He also couldn’t wait to prove to Scarlett that they were meant for each other.
* * *
Days later, Scarlett was in her office which also doubled as her studio, trying to get her nerves under control. Her pulse pounded loudly in her ear as she paced the large space, mentally preparing for the conversation she’d be having with Bella shortly. Thankfully, Antonio had agreed to be there when she broke the news about their upcoming nuptials.
The last few days had been chaotic, mixed with a huge dose of excitement. After she had given her conditions regarding the contract, she and Antonio talked it out and eventually came to terms they could agree on.
Then came the planning. Scarlett had never met anyone as organized as Antonio. Hoping she’d say yes, he had already developed a spreadsheet of next steps. It included suggested wedding dates, possible locations, and even move-in dates for her and Bella. The plan was for them to move into his home, which Scarlett loved.
They both agreed the sooner they got married the better. They had entertained the idea of flying to Vegas and eloping, but the timing wasn’t good. They both had full schedules over the next few days and figured getting married in town would be better. Still, they didn’t want a big wedding, nor did they want to marry at the courthouse.
On top of that, they had to decide who, if anyone, they’d include in their plans. Knowing that well-meaning friends and family would voice their opinion about them getting married suddenly, they decided to keep the news to themselves. They didn’t want anyone to talk them out of something they didn’t understand.
Instead, she and Antonio decided to have a very small ceremony with those who knew about the situation. Ben and Mahogany would act as their witnesses. While Antonio’s stepmother, who’d gotten ordained as a minister a few years ago in order to officiate a friend’s wedding, would marry them at her and Ben Sr.’s home.
Now, all they had to do was tell Bella what was going on. Scarlett had intentionally waited until the day before they got married to share the news with her daughter. Soon to be their daughter.
She shook her head. There were moments she still couldn’t believe she was really going through with all this. But then she’d think about how her child would be cherished by Antonio, and all doubt would flee from Scarlett’s mind.
“Hey, you ready?”
Scarlett startled when Antonio rested a hand against her back. She hadn’t heard him enter the room.
“Bella and I are done cleaning the kitchen, and she went upstairs to grab her electronic tablet to show me something,” he said.
He had prepared lunch for them, and it was wonderful how seamlessly he fit into their lives. Scarlett really felt she was making the right decision in moving forward with their marriage plans. They had considered telling Bella over lunch, but instead decided to wait until after they finished eating.
“I figured now might be a good time for all of us to talk.”
“I’m ready,” Scarlett said, slipping her hand into his. “You?”
He gave a curt nod. “I am, and I’ll let you take the lead.”
As they made it to the living room, Bella was bounding down the stairs. “Okay, Uncle Tony, let me show you what the math app can do.”
Scarlett smiled. Bella was a girly-girl, but she was showing interest in apps and anything computer related. Since her favorite subjects in school were math and science, it might not be too early to see about getting her into a STEM program for kids her age.
“Bella, before you do that, Tony and I want to talk to you. Come and have a seat.” Scarlett and Bella sat on the sofa, and Tony sat across from them in one of the armchairs.
“Did I do something wrong?” Bella asked, her nervous gaze bouncing between them.
Scarlett put her arm around her daughter, pulled her close, and kissed the top of her head. “No sweetie. Tony and I have some good news to tell you.” Scarlett glanced at Antonio, and he nodded reassuringly as she debated on where to start. Instead of giving some long, drawn-out speech about how they decided to spend their life together, she decided to keep it simple. “Tony and I are getting married.”
Seconds ticked by before Bella’s eyes grew large. “You are?” she asked excitedly, and Scarlett nodded. “Yay! Does that mean Uncle Tony will be my bonus dad like Aunt Momo is Jayden’s bonus mom?” she said of Mahogany.
Scarlett was stumped because they hadn’t figured out how to bring up the adoption part.
“Actually, Baby Doll,” Antonio started, looking as if he was trying to pick his words carefully. “I know you have a dad in heaven, but I’d like to adopt you . I love you so much, and I want you to be my daughter. I want to be your real dad. Not your bonus dad.” He glanced at Scarlett, and she smiled, appreciating the way he was leading into the conversation.
When Bella didn’t respond and looked confused, Scarlett added. “When Antonio and I get married, my name will change to Scarlett Jenkins, and your name will change too. It’ll be Bella Jenkins, and Antonio will be your father. We’ll all be a family. Do you understand?”
Scarlett couldn’t think of a clearer way to explain it to a seven-year-old. She’d explain more about the adoption when the time came, but right now, she wanted to make sure her daughter was okay with her marrying Antonio.
“Bella,” Antonio said and reached for Bella’s hand, and gently tugged her to him.
That’s when Scarlett realized tears filled her daughter’s eyes. Oh no .
Scarlett’s heart slammed against her chest when Bella’s bottom lip trembled, and tears began sliding down Bella’s cheek.
“Oh, sweetheart. Why are you crying?” she asked, trying to keep her own tears at bay.
“ Because … Because I always wanted a daddy who wasn’t in heaven.” Bella threw herself at Antonio and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m glad you’re going to be my real daddy.”
Scarlett let her own tears fall. She didn’t think Bella would have a problem with her and Antonio getting married, but her child’s words hit hard. Since Bella never mentioned wanting a father, she thought her daughter was okay with it being just the two of them.
“I love you so much,” Antonio was saying to Bella when Scarlett watched as the two of them embraced. It was clear by his glossy eyes that Bella’s declaration had touched him too.
“I love you too.” Bella’s words were muffled against Antonio’s shoulder, but then she lifted her head. “Now my real daddy will be in the daddy-daughter dance show.”
Antonio sputtered a laugh, and Scarlett grinned.
“Which reminds me, Daddy ,” she said with a laugh and moved over to where they were, then perched on the arm of the chair, “Practice starts next Friday. I hope you’re ready.”
Giving her a watery smile, Antonio had one arm around Bella and slipped his other around Scarlett. “I’m more than ready.” He kissed Scarlett’s lips, then kissed Bella’s cheek.
Any doubts Scarlett had about their marriage of convenience was squashed and replaced with hope. More than ever, she was looking forward to what the future would bring for the three of them.