Page 107 of Forking the Billionaire

“All better,” she said with a warm smile. “Very rested.”

Finally, the screen flipped.

And upon seeing Uncle Wallace and Oma’s smiling faces, I felt something I hadn’t felt since I ran away from Epiphany. I felt homesick—not for a place, but for the people I loved most.

They were here with me, on screen and in person. My cheeks started to burn, and I swore to myself I wouldn’t cry.

And then Morgan’s voice echoed down the tunnel, suggesting the bridal party had arrived. “Are we all set?”

“Yes,” Luna called back to her.

The group of us lined up, me and Jasper and Gabriel. Then a big space for the bride and her friends, with Layana’s sisters flanking the far side.

Chester ran down the tunnel, did a little dance in front of the camera, and stepped to the center of the archway.

Juno came down next, followed by Morgan. They lined up to wait for the bride.

Finally Layana appeared in the most gorgeous dress I’d ever seen. It was satin and lace, white with hints of the gentle turquoise her bridesmaids wore.

I looked at my brother.

And even though I’d never seen it happen, I could swear he was about to cry. His expression was complete awe, like he’d never seen such beauty in all his life, like he couldn’t believe she was actually going to be his wife, like it was scientifically impossible for his heart to be fuller than it was at this moment.

I glanced at Jasper beside me.

And it was probably just the magic of the wedding, but I could swear the expression on his face as he looked at me was just like the one Gabe gave Layana.

TWENTY-SEVEN

JASPER

The universe didn’t care that I was utterly unqualified to be a father. It didn’t care that I had no idea what being a good father even looked like. I had no role model. What I did have was a lifetime of experience of what it felt like to be let down by a father who didn’t bother to try.

Even if I made every other mistake possible, I couldn’t screw that part up.

I’d be present, however much Esme would allow me to be. I’d be there for her, and for our kid. No matter what.

The entire prospect terrified me. It had kept me up all night as my brain ran through every possibility as to what could happen next, every change this would bring to my life, and every way I could screw all of it up.

I’d expected those fears to grow once I was with Esme today. But I was wrong.

As Gabriel recited his vows on my one side, and Esme watched with joy on my other side, I felt something completely unexpected—peace.

No matter how slim the chances of pregnancy while using protection, this could have happened to me with any of the women I’d slept with. It could have happened with Jules. Itcould have happened with a woman I hardly knew who was hot but turned out to keep a house full of snakes as pets, or stuck her gum under tables, or ordered pineapple on pizza. I shivered at the thought.

Having a baby meant a lifetime entwined in the mother’s life. It meant we were instantly a family.

And there was no family I’d rather be a part of than Gabe and Esme’s.

“I pronounce you husband and wife,” Chester announced. “Commence the smooching.”

Gabriel pulled Layana into his arms and kissed her like she was his entire world. It was exactly the way he’d looked at her ever since the two of them had gotten over their egos and recognized the truth that was painfully obvious to the rest of the world.

Their imperfections made them perfect for each other.

Oscar snapped pictures. Cheers erupted. Everyone rushed to hug and congratulate them.

I shook Gabriel’s hand, accepted a hug from Layana, then stepped back with my brother to watch the flurry of excitement from the edge of it.

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