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“Thanks, man. We both got pretty damn lucky in spite of ourselves.”
Daniel smiled knowingly at that. “No doubt.” He shook his head, and I figured he was thinking of Vivian, who probably reminded him of just how lucky he was multiple times a day. “I have a wedding gift for you, but it’s not ready yet.”
“You shouldn’t have,” she admonished, cutting a sideways glance at me.
“Don’t even think about arguing. It’s done, and that’s the end of it,” he said sternly. “Vivian and I have purchased the two floors below yours in the apartment building. The contractor has already begun to gut them, but the two of you will need to get with the designer to plan the space to your specifications. I wanted you to have a place for your family to come so they could be close. Maybe it’ll encourage them to stay a little longer than a weekend visit.”
“Daniel…I don’t know what to say.” I frowned, shell-shocked by his generosity.
“Thank you would suffice, though it’s unnecessary. I just don’t want to hear any objections.”
“It’s too much—”
“No protests. The paperwork is in New York. The apartments belong to the two of you. Enjoy them.”
“I—I don’t know how to say this without sounding ungrateful, but we’re friends, and I think you’ll understand where I’m coming from,” I started. “Muriella is my responsibility now. I appreciate you’ve looked out for her all these years, but I’m taking over from here.”
Daniel smiled. “You think I don’t know that? That’s exactly why I’m giving you this gift. It’s not totally unselfish on our part. We want to keep you close. This is a way to accomplish that.”
I let out a long breath. “I’m already uncomfortable living in a place I didn’t provide, but I can’t take Muriella away from there because of my pride. At least let me pay you for the apartments. That would make me feel better.”
“I can’t do that. Would it make you feel better if I told you we don’t even notice the money is missing? It’s not my intent to make light of the gift, but financially speaking, it’s nothing. Vivian and I wanted to do something for the two of you. We’re negotiating to purchase the entire building. Then our family can have all the privacy we need and plenty of room to grow. If you want to partner on some of that, I’m open to it. When we do acquire the remaining apartments, half of them will belong to you and Muriella.”
I started to speak, but Muriella put her hand on my chest to silence me. “Daniel. Thank you. As usual, itistoo much, but you’ve provided a wonderful solution to a situation that was bound to be difficult someday. I want to be in New York. Stone wants to be here. We both want to be with each other more than anything. Knowing everyone will have a place to come…we can’t thank you enough.”
“Just give me and my pride some time to get used to it.” I grinned at him. “We bought y’all an apartment in Paris.” His brow creased, and I slapped his shoulder. “That’s right. You’re a property owner along with all the rest of these fine folks.”
Daniel glanced around. “Then they won’t mind allowing Vivian and me to have a cottage here too.”
“Got a good spot I’ll show you some other time.”
“Appreciate that.”
I squeezed Muriella and kissed her temple. “As much fun as we’re having with everybody, I’m ready to have my wife all to myself.”
“You made me sit through breakfast with the two of you, which nearly did me in. You aren’t getting out of here without at least suffering through a piece of cake,” Daniel said.
“I forgot about the damn cake,” I muttered. “We can’t skip that part.”
As the night wound down,everyone happy with drink and love, Mulaney caught us when we took our empty glasses to the kitchen, and she dove right in.
“Muriella, you’ve used your free pass with me. You hurt my brother again and—”
Muriella held up her hand to stop my sister before I could. “We’re going to upset each other sometimes; that’s just a natural part of being a couple. But I will never hurt Stone again. I won’t try to justify my actions to you. I admire your fierce protectiveness of him, but know I love your brother. Time will prove that. I hope you and I can be sisters too.”
“Fair enough. I just want my baby brother to be happy.” Mulaney folded her arms, still putting a wall up.
“Then we already share common ground.” The smile Muriella gave her was friendly, welcoming, which is more than I would have been under the circumstances.
“You done?” I asked my sister.
“Just making sure your wife and I have an understanding,” she said, keeping her guard up.
“You do. You’re going to be nice and respect the woman I love, or we’re going to have a problem.”
Mulaney lifted both hands in surrender. “All right. Don’t be pissed at me because I’m looking out for you.”
“Come here.” I pulled her close when she came to me. Once in my arms, she clung to me like she was afraid she might lose me. She was more fragile than she wanted anyone to believe. “Hey, what’s really going on?”
