Page 82 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

“Oui, and that is a problem why?” Alana sipped on her tea, her legs crossed, her body perfectly poised as usual.

I shook my head. “It’s not.” Having people that loved and cared about my daughter was a gift. I wouldn’t tell them how to parent in my absence. They knew I was strict with good reason. In my world, when you made the kind of money I did, me and my family could be a target. We hadn’t been, thankfully, as I stayed out of the limelight as much as possible, but it was alwaysa concern. One I know Christophe and Alana shared, so they’d be mindful of her safety at all times.

Emily sat on the floor and picked up a teacup, her pinky finger pointed way out. The cup had so much cream in the tea it likely tasted like sugary milk. “We’re having tea.”

“Caffeine free,” Christo added.

“We already transferred her luggage to our room so you could have a night alone. We’re leaving tomorrow first thing. Unless you wanted more time?” Alana asked.

“I…”

“Dad, it will be okay.” Emily got up and then plopped into my lap.

“Oomph!” I wrapped my arms around my baby girl. “I’ll miss you so much.”

She actually hugged me back and rubbed her forehead against my temple. “I’ll miss you too, but I really want this, Dad. It’s going to be so much fun. And, don’t be mad, but Alana told me you’ve made a lady friend recently.”

I held Emily tighter. “She shouldn’t have shared that,” I growled and glared at Alana who calmly sipped her tea, not a concern in sight.

“I’m glad she did. You never go out with women. You’re, like, the loneliest Dad on the planet. Mom meets guys and falls in love all the time.”

“You realize that isn’t how it’s normally done, honey.”

“Yeah, Mom is always heartbroken. But at least she tries to find someone to make her happy. You expect me to be the only source of your happiness, and Dad, I’m not always going to be around. Soon I’ll have college, and I’ll move away.”

“College? You haven’t even started high school yet. Slow down, take it down a notch.”

“You know what I mean. Alana says you’re going to spend this time getting to know someone special. And that is sooooooo cool. I look forward to meeting her.”

I ground my molars. “Alana has been all kinds of chatty this evening it seems.”

Alana stood and came over and put her hand on Emily’s cheek. “Emily is not a baby or a small child. She’s a young lady and can handle her father entering a relationship.” She then squeezed the ball of my shoulder before going over to the tea cart and pouring herself another cup.

“You sure you’ll be all right?” I looked intently into Emily’s pretty eyes. “You want to come home, I’m on the first plane.”

Another eye roll. “I’m a big girl. I can handle hanging out with my aunt and uncle for two weeks. Relax, Dad. Have some fun for once in your life.” Already my daughter was beginning to sound like Alana. Which usually was a good thing, and maybe it was now too.

“Bedtime,chéri,” Christo announced. “Early flight.”

I got up, hugged my girl tightly and kissed her forehead. “I love you, Em.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

“See you in two weeks.”

Episode 30

A Family Unit

JULIANNE

“Do you Julianne Marie Myers take Giovanni Valentino Falco as your lawfully wedded husband, through sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” I whispered, disbelieving my own voice as I said the two words. I gazed into Giovanni’s beloved face. His lips were sumptuous and pressed together. His entire expression set at sensual, yet calm, while I was a bundle of mashed up nerve endings ready to fire off in every direction with the slightest disturbance.

“And do you Giovanni Valentino Falco, take Julianne Marie Myers as your lawfully wedded wife, through sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Gio squeezed both of my hands in what felt like support. Instantly a sense of calm floated across those rampant nerves, coating the fear with a layer of peace and understanding.

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