“She asked me not too long ago if I forgave my father for the way he treated me, and I had to stop and really think about that. I told her I did because I never would have met the two most important people in my life if it hadn’t been for how he was. She must have really thought about that.”
I brought her up on my lap and wrapped my arms around her.
“I love you so much, Alex, and I know I’ve said this time and time again, but I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“I can’t imagine my life without you either, Stefan.” Her lips brushed against mine.
She took my hand and placed it on her belly.
“Our son is telling you that he loves you too.” She smiled as I felt the fluttering against my hand.
The meeting with Monica went well. Better than I had expected it would. She and Lily spent some time down at the beach talking and building sandcastles together, while her husband, Mark, Alex, and I sat on the patio and talked. He was a good man, and he was good for Monica.
After Monica and Mark left, we asked Lily if she wanted to talk about her visit. She told us that she wanted to keep in touch with her when she went back to Maine, so they exchanged phone numbers. She was worried I’d disapprove, but I told her it was fine and that I was happy she wanted to.
I’d honestly never thought almost seven years later, I would be dealing with this. But I was and it was okay. If my daughter was happy, I was happy.
Night had settled in. Alex was over at Sam and Julia’s with Lily, so I grabbed my guitar and took it out on the patio along with four beers, in case my brothers wanted to join me. I strummed the chords to the song I wanted to sing to Alex the night of her birthday party. Then the accident happened, and time got away from me.
“Can I join you, bro?” Sebastian smiled as he walked over with his guitar.
“I was hoping you would.” I handed him a beer.
“Where are the other two?” Sebastian asked.
“Sam is home, but I’m not sure about Simon.”
“I saw his car in the driveway.”
“Let’s play and see if they come over.” I grinned.
We both started playing a song and within a matter of minutes, both Sam and Simon walked over with their guitars.
“You could have just texted us,” Sam said.
“Have I been summoned?” Simon smiled as he grabbed a beer from the table.
“That you have my brother.” I grinned as I strummed some chords. “I’m glad you’re all here. Next Saturday, my house. We’re painting the nursery. We’ll each take a wall, split the molding and be done in a matter of a couple hours. Easy peasy.”
“We got you, brother,” Simon said.
Chapter 46
Alex
Julia and I were in the kitchen at my house, and she was teaching me how to make apple turnovers from scratch while the boys were upstairs painting the nursery.
“Are you nervous about the birth?” Julia asked.
“Yes. I’m very nervous because I don’t have a high pain tolerance. The whole thing scares me to death.”
“You have an amazing support system and Stefan will help you through it, or you might end up hurting him.” She grinned.
“I’m going to go with the latter.” I laughed.
“Alex! My dad and uncles are throwing paint at each other in the nursery!”
“What?!” I looked at Julia and we both ran up the stairs.
When we reached the nursery, I opened the door and saw the four of them flinging paint at each other.
“What is going on in here?!” I snapped.
“Samuel!” Julia shouted. “Stop that!”
“He started it.” Sam pointed to Simon.
“The hell I did!” He laughed.
Stefan flung the paint at Sam and when he ducked, it hit me in the face. The room went silent.
“Uh-oh, Dad. You’re in trouble!”
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” He smirked as he tried to hold back the laughter. “It’s Sam’s fault he ducked.”
I walked over to the paint can, stuck my hand in it and pressed my hand against Stefan’s face.
“Okay.” He nodded his head as he stood there. “I get it. Just know how much I love you.” He took his paint brush and ran it down the front of my shirt.
I stood there and stared at the thick line of paint going down my shirt.
“You boys have had your fun,” I said. “Can you put some paint on the walls now?”
“Yeah, baby. We’ll do that right now. Right, my brothers?”
“Yeah. Sorry, Alex,” Sebastian said.
“Not!” Sam laughed as they all started flinging paint at each other again. Picking up an extra brush, I joined in and then Julia and Lily got in on the paint fight. This was my family, and I loved every one of them.
Stefan
“I can’t believe we’re going to Disneyland!” Lily shrieked as all seven of us piled in the oversized van I rented.
“I’m so excited.” Alex grinned for she had never been to Disneyland.
“You’re going to love it. I can’t wait to show you my favorite things there.” Lily smiled.
We left early in the morning to avoid the major rush hour traffic and it only took us about an hour to get there. After walking around for a bit, I looked at my watch and it was time, so I looked down at Lily and gave her a wink.
“Dad, look.” She pointed. “Can we go to Snow White’s wishing well so I can make a wish?”
“Sure, we can. Are you okay?” I glanced over at Alex as I held her hand.
“I’m great.” She smiled.
“You’re not uncomfortable, are you?”
“No. Stop worrying. If I need to stop, I’ll let you know.” She kissed my lips.
When we got to Snow White’s Grotto, the area where the wishing well was located, it was roped off, and a woman dressed as Snow White was staring down the well.
“Dad, look! It’s Snow White.” Lily beamed.
“I don’t think we can go there,” Alex said. “Why is it roped off?”
“Nah,” Sebastian said as he unhooked the rope. “We can go. If my niece wants to see Snow White and the wishing well, she’s going to.”
“Hello, princess.” Snow White smiled as she bent down in front of Lily. “Would you like to make a wish?”
“Yes!”
Snow White handed her a coin and told her to make a wish and to toss the coin in the well.
“Again, why is the area around the well roped off?” Alex whispered.
“I don’t know.”
After Lily made a wish, Snow White gave her a hug and Lily ran over and stood by Julia and her uncles.
“Would you like to make a wish, Prince Charming?” Snow White turned to me.
“I would love to.”
When Alex and I approached the well, I got down on one knee and took Alex’s hand in mine.
“Stefan, what are you doing?” she asked.
“I love you, Alessandra Clark, and you’ve made me the happiest man alive. I thought I was happy before, but then you came along and showed me what true happiness is. My wish is that you’ll grant me a happily ever after by becoming my wife.” I pulled the ring box from my pocket and flipped open the lid. “Will you marry me, Alex?”