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His dad is dying. Despite how Alden feels about him, I know that hurts. Oliver has good intentions trying to include Alden, but I don’t see it being a great idea. Their father leaving the way he did affected them in different ways. Alden’s abandonment issues aren’t hard to see. Look how long it took him to commit to our relationship, all because he kept waiting for the circumstances to be perfect. He wanted there to be no obstacles, no chance we’d ever be torn apart again. No chance he’d get left behind and hurt again. He’s come a long way since then.
Oliver needs to forgive his father and get that closure, but Alden’s outlook isn’t wrong. He doesn’t owe his father anything. He owes it to himself to do whatever gives him peace.
Alden slips an arm around my waist from behind while I stand at the kitchen counter. He rests his chin on my shoulder.
I reach back and brush my fingers through his hair. “Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure what I think about Oliver taking him on some bucket list trip.” He plants a kiss on my cheek. “What do you think?”
I was afraid he’d ask. Gnawing my lip, I turn around. “Honestly, Den, last time I weighed in on Oliver and your dad, you didn’t talk to me for a month. This may be a subject I shouldn’t give my opinion on.”
“No.” He leans against the counter beside me. “That was…I was going through too much then, after Mom’s funeral. I want you to be able to be straight with me even if it’s not what I want to hear. I promise I won’t push you away.”
“Okay. I think you have every reason to hate your father or to feel nothing for him. Not because he cheated on and left your mom. That was between them. But because he left you. You aren’t obligated to go on this trip or do anything pertaining to him that you don’t want to do. That’s your decision to make. But I also think Oliver is entitled to that same choice.”
I face him and run my hands down his arms. “I know how much your dad hurt you. How much it still affects you. And I’m sorry. I think Oliver hurts too, but differently. If forgiveness helps him to cope then he deserves that peace, even if your father doesn’t. I think Oliver is in a difficult spot between the dad he’s losing again, and the brother he worships.”
Alden stares down at me and slowly brings his lips to mine. The tenderness of the kiss is the sweetest thing I’ve ever experienced. He rests his forehead on mine. “This is what I love about you. The way you care about everyone. And you’re so fucking smart.”
“Don’t make me cry,” I murmur.
“You also have an amazing ass and fuck like a porn star.”
I slap his chest. No matter the situation, he can always make me laugh.
“Screw the rest of the unpacking tonight. Go get your hot bath and I’ll get our bed put together,” he says. “Then I want to fuck you real good.”
It’s not a suggestion I need to hear twice.
We considered keeping my childhood bedroom as our own, but the master is much bigger. I’m not sure what we’re going to do with my old room for now, but eventually it’ll belong to our firstborn child. We’ve both decided we want to wait a few years, until we’re thirty or so, to have kids. We want time to enjoy one another first.
While I soak in a tub with bubbles up to my chin, I hear Alden banging around as he assembles our bed. My thoughts drift to my wedding. Mom and I are already full of plans. In less than a year, I’ll be Ella Stokes, and I can’t wait. In the meantime, I feel like I’m already living my dream.
By the time I’ve finished my bath, Alden is done with the bed. He’s even located the bedding and put it on. I crawl on top of the covers and stretch out while I wait for him to shower.
The day catches up to me and my eyes fall closed. I’m not sure how long I’ve been sleeping when I hear Alden on the phone. He’s talking to Oliver about their father. All I can hear is Alden’s side of the conversation but it’s enough.
“I get it. You do what you need to do. I’m not going to give you any shit over it, but I’m not going with you, and I don’t want to talk to him.” He listens for a moment. “Don’t worry about that. Smith can take over for a couple of weeks. Are you coming in after his appointment tomorrow?”
There’s a pause and Alden chuckles. Before he hangs up, he adds, almost as an afterthought, “Oliver. Tell him he can come to the wedding.”
CHAPTER12
After nine months, it’s actually here and I’m not sure whether to cry or throw up from nerves. I’ll probably end up doing both. It feels like my whole life has been leading up to this moment. The day I marry Alden Stokes. We’ve been through so many highs and lows to get here.
Everyone is getting ready at our house before we travel to the arboretum nearby, where the ceremony and reception will be held. There’s a tap at my door as I’m giving myself one last look in the mirror. The dress is stunning. I can’t wait for Alden to see me in it.
“Come in,” I call, expecting Mom or Tori. Everyone’s ready and we’re waiting on the limo to take us.
When I turn around, Alden stands inside the door. “Ella.”
It’s all he says while his gaze roams over me. He isn’t the only speechless one.
Look at him. I haven’t seen him since yesterday when Oliver picked him up. He’s got a haircut. It’s a little shorter and neater than it usually is. His tailored tux fits his body perfectly. He looks sexy as hell.
He strides over to me and plants a light kiss on my lips, careful of my makeup. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And mine. Forever.” He gazes down into my eyes. “Tell me how I got so fucking lucky, El.”
“You climbed through my window. I had no chance after that.” I run my hand down his chest. “And now I get you forever.”
