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“You will treat Mirabel as family, I hope,” I reiterated. “It’s not just for Cian’s sake, but also for his future brothers and sisters.”
“His brothers and sisters?” Her eyebrows rose.
“I’m planning on a big family. Are you ready for that?”
She nodded slowly, and her smile grew. With Cian in her arms, she leaned in and kissed me. “I’m happy for you, Ethan. Mirabel’s a healthy woman. She’s strong. She’ll make a good mother, I believe.” A line appeared between her eyes. “Is she still creating music?”
“And what if she is? Theadora’s become a music teacher.”
“Well, there’s no need, is there? You’re a billionaire in your own right.”
“So?” I splayed my palms. “Art’s not about money.”
“No. I suppose it isn’t.” She was about to leave with Cian.
“Where are you taking him?”
“We’re off to the courtyard for lunch.” She spoke in a baby voice, and my heart expanded for both grandmother and child.
I kissed my mother and son goodbye then went back to getting ready for the biggest day of my life. I loved us celebrating it at Merivale because this was where my soul lived.
I even saw us living there one day. It was a huge estate. I loved our new home, but Merivale was where I wanted to raise my children.
A pang of regret that the farms had moved away nipped at my nostalgic muscle. Declan had been right to oppose Elysium, which had become a thriving hub of wealth and glamour. The odd designer-clad guest occasionally joined my mother at Merivale for a drink, which made me wonder if this was her way of having her wealthy cohort milling around her. She was still that ambitious woman, after all.
Declan knocked and entered. He gave me a hug. “You’re doing the right thing.”
I frowned. “Why does everyone keep saying that? Savanah said the same thing earlier.”
He smirked. “You were always the bad boy of the lot.”
“I wasn’tthatbad. I recall you having your wild times too.”
“Before the army, I had my moments.” He played with a trophy on my shelf of boyhood mementos. “I’ve never been happier. Marriage is great with the right woman. My love for Theadora grows each day.”
“Now you’re going all soppy on me.” I laughed.
He grinned. “Mirabel’s great. She’s already like family. She’s from here. One of us.”
“She is. Mother wouldn’t see it that way. But she was just here and, much to my delight, gave me her blessing.”
He shook his head in wonder. “She never gave us her blessing.”
“But she’s grown fond of Theadora, hasn’t she? I’ve noticed that little by little. Like the time they played two-handed piano on your birthday. And they seem to chat about music a lot.”
“That’s true. Mother’s slowly coming round, which makes things more comfortable for Theadora. That’s what matters to me.” He picked up my football signed by David Beckham and tossed it from hand to hand.
“So did you read the statement?” I asked about Will’s arrest.
He nodded solemnly. It wasn’t a great subject for my wedding day, but I was way too curious to wait.
“Do you wish to discuss this now, or later, with Savvie present? She doesn’t know yet either.”
“Now, for God’s sake. I’m dying to know. It’s been eating away at me.” I paused at the window. It was a sunny day. A good omen for a wedding.
“So this is what Colin, the professional…” He dragged his hands over his face. Like me, Declan hated discussing our father’s private life. “He was one of father’s regulars who made the full confession.”
“So this prostitute strangled our father?” I grimaced.
