Epilogue
SEPTEMBER
GABE
"I’m so happy you could all make it here," I said. "Welcome."
There was nothing to see on our newly acquired Essex property yet, but Maddox and I decided to show it to the family anyway.
Grandmother was smiling and looking around.
She'd been happy with the news that Maddox and I were starting a business together.
She didn't even scoff when I informed her that I was having this picnic catered.
A team from Essex had set up everything for us already.
They'd brought chairs and tables too. The entire family was here, including Celia and Kate, their mom. Diane was next to them, and I headed in their direction as everyone started to eat. Maddox and I invited Helen too—together—but she’d declined, insisting she wouldn’t feel comfortable attending a family event.
"I'm so glad you came for the occasion," I told Kate, putting an arm around Diane's waist. My fiancée. Fuck yes.
"I couldn’t miss this opportunity," she said. "And besides, we have a wedding to plan."
Diane smiled from ear to ear. I liked seeing her like this, so exuberant. "Mom had so many great ideas," she said. "I'll run them by you later."
"You don't have to. Just do whatever makes you happy."
"Oh, see, that is a fine man," Celia said.
Kate trained her gaze on me. "Gabe, are you really serious about that? Because I have some outlandish ideas at the back of my mind that I haven't even shared with Diane yet."
"Mom, what do you mean? The ones you suggested are already outlandish." Diane looked at me. "Swans might be involved."
I laughed. Okay, that was a bit more than I'd imagined, but why the hell not? It made my woman happy, and that was all that mattered.
"Come on, let's go to the table," I said. "I want to toast with everyone."
The waiters had already put flutes of champagne in front of everyone. Ben was fussing, and Penny was trying to keep him from grabbing the flute in front of her.
"He's so cute, isn't he?" Diane said, following my gaze.
"Damn right." I kissed the side of her head. "Can't wait for us to have one of our own."
She just smiled sheepishly, looking up at me. "Neither can I."
That took me by surprise, but it was a good one. "But a few weeks ago, you said—"
"I know."
I'd brought it up, asking when she’d like us to start trying, and she'd replied that she'd like to wait until her business was in a more stable place. She was doing incredibly well. Diane’s tours were among the highest rated in the city, and she was constantly looking to expand, even offering day tours out of Boston to Salem.
The only downside was that she was now working almost seven days a week.
She'd finally agreed to drop the tutoring so she could rest in her time off. I was very proud of her.
"But if there is one thing I've learned since meeting you, it's that wanting everything to happen on a certain timeline isn't the best idea. Sometimes the best things happen unexpectedly."
"Fuck yes, they do," I said. I kissed her earlobe and then farther down her neck.
She sucked in a breath. "Gabe! Your family is here."
"I know. It's the only reason I'm not throwing you over my shoulder and taking you someplace so we can make out alone."
I couldn't wait to be a father. I’d never thought I'd feel this way, but I was so damned ready to build a life with this amazing woman.
We headed to the table and each took a flute of champagne. I tapped the side of mine with a fork and got everyone's attention. "Thank you all for coming here."
"We wouldn't miss this," Colton said.
"Today marks a new era in the Whitley family." I clinked my glass with Maddox, who winked at the group.
"We're going to continue building on the legacy," he said. "One we'll all be proud of."
"I have no doubt," Grandfather said.
"Hear, hear," Grandmother added.
"You two are a powerhouse," Colton said.
That was high praise coming from him, considering his relationship with Maddox and the rest of our half brothers wasn't always as good as now.
"And as always," Jake added, "if you’re in need of any support, let us know."
"How come you all decided on Essex after all?" Natalie asked.
"Yeah, I was about to ask that too," Spencer added, taking Ben from Penny. "You mentioned something about Stockbridge at some point."
I exchanged a glance with Leo and Maddox.
We hadn't told the others about the whole business with Dad.
There was no point. We'd averted a crisis, and he'd fucked off back to Sydney. Maddox insisted that Dad had made no attempt whatsoever to contact him, even after finding out we’d bought the property.
But I could tell that keeping an eye on him was taking a toll on my brother, so I'd offered to do it. Leo, Nick, and I were monitoring his moves in case he didn’t get the message and wanted to look for other business opportunities in the Boston area.
I, for one, hoped he started something in Australia. I wanted him to do well—but away from us.
"This showed up," I replied, "and it's a great property."
"Oh, I'm so proud of you," Grandmother said. "You built a new home and found this wonderful lady."
Diane simply melted against me. I kissed the side of her head and then fake-whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. "I like how I invited everyone to celebrate a business deal, but she's proud of me for finding you."
"Oh, business comes and goes, boys," Grandmother said, "but family and relationships are what endures."
"So let me get this straight. You're only proud of him, not of me?" Maddox asked.
"Of course I'm proud of you boys continuing to grow this legacy and everything. But I'll be just as proud when you come to these events with someone on your arm."
I put a hand on his shoulder. "Dude, you did this to yourself."
"I figured you'd show me some mercy considering we're here to celebrate," Maddox told Grandmother.
Leo and Nick both laughed.
"That is not how Grandmother operates," Leo said, "and you should know it."
I held my flute up to him. "And a big thanks to Leo here, who tirelessly looked up properties."
It was true. He might not have found this one, but he had put a lot of effort into checking out Stockbridge. Maybe one day I'd open something there too. I felt invincible with Diane and my family by my side.
"You know," Natalie said, "every time Jeannie sets her eyes on one of you guys, I always think she's barking up the wrong tree. And every time I'm surprised.”
Meredith put her hands over Cade's and scoffed, "Well, I don't. I trust Jeannie's instincts 100 percent. So, you know, beware."
Maddox shook his head. "Not going to happen. So why don't we focus on celebrating the happy couple and our business success today?"
Even I started to laugh. Because the fact was that even when Jeannie Whitley wasn't voicing her plans, that didn't mean she wasn't working on them.
"When are you starting construction?" Spencer asked.
My brother seemed more energetic than usual. It had to mean that Ben was sleeping better lately.
“We want to acquire the property next door, too, before we start finalizing the plan," I said.
"That adventure park?" Cade said. "I saw it in passing."
"That's the one," I added. "The owner is considering the idea, but his daughter absolutely hates it.”
"You spoke to her?" Maddox asked me.
"No, just with her father, but he was adamant that she's against the sale. He won't do it if she's not on board."
Maddox waved his hand. "Oh come on. I'll meet her. I bet I can sweet-talk her into it."
Diane bit back laughter, and I cleared my throat. "Maddox, that's not going to work."
"First of all, do we even know how old his daughter is?" Cade asked.
Of course he would be the one to egg Maddox on.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her, but I'd guess she has to be somewhere around our age.”
“Maybe he does have a shot," Cade said.
Maddox smirked with far too much confidence.
Diane pulled back a bit and looked up from me to him. "Wait, he's actually planning on flirting his way through a business deal?"
"Yes, he is, apparently."
Maddox wiggled his eyebrows. "Just watch a master in action."
Unable to hold back, I burst out laughing. Maddox looked very self-assured, but I had a hunch that it wasn't going to work out at all the way he imagined. Cami, the owner’s daughter, was very stubborn and dead set against the idea. I could picture her and Maddox butting heads, not reaching a deal.
But I wasn’t going to worry about it today.
This was a great day. I was with my future wife and surrounded by the entire family, and Maddox and I were writing a new chapter in Whitley history.
Life really couldn't get any better.