Page 122 of Enchanting the CEO

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.

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