Page 27 of Under The Greek's Protection

Chapter 9

Hailey

Closing my eyes, Ilet out a deep breath as I loaded the dishwasher. These last two months have really been life changing. When we returned to Dallas, Alistair brought us to our new home. The two story house is beautiful. I used to dream of owning a home like this one, and have Devyn come live with me; now, Alistair has made that dream come true. The six bedroom house has a large living room with a fireplace, a den that I would also call a game room, Alistair’s office, six bathrooms, a home gym, a state of the art kitchen- that I don’t think Alistair had ever really used, and a deck and pool in the backyard. The house is magnificent, and Devyn and I fell in love with it.

After giving us a tour, and Devyn having picked which room would be hers, my husband surprised me again when he handed me a large manilla envelope. I was hesitant when I took it from him. The last time he handed me some papers, I found out we were married.

Alistair grinned as I slowly opened the envelope and took out the papers. I gasped when I saw what they were.

“Alistair,” I whispered. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You are my wife now Hailey, and everything I have is yours. I had those new documents drawn up with your name on the deed to our house. You have also been added to my accounts and credit cards. When you’re ready, we’ll go shopping for a car. I was going to pick one out for you, but I thought we could make it a family outing.”

I stood there, staring at him as Devyn took the papers out of my hands. This crazy, handsome knight in a suit had made me a part of his dynasty, not only in name, but financially too. When no words fell from my lips, Alistair drew me near him, and put his finger under my chin.

“Don’t think that I’m trying to buy you, Hailey. I did these things because this is what a husband is supposed to do for his wife,” Alistair stated as he kissed my cheek, before letting me go. “Come Devyn, let’s go get the car so we can go pick out the furniture for your room. Hailey, we’ll meet you out front.”

I was still speechless as we furniture shopped. I remembered when I was younger and my Nana June, bless her soul, told me, God places the right people in your path when you need them the most. I bowed my head, and thanked the Lord for putting Alistair in our path that night.

GeeGee was a lot of help in the beginning. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She’s a good mother figure for not only Devyn, but for me too. Our mother could have definitely taken some lessons from her.

Nina, Zar, and the others have also been a delight to be around. Nina and Janae have welcomed me into their sister circle with open arms. We spend a lot of time together when the guys are having their meetings. Sunday dinners are a riot. I fall out every time GeeGee pulls out that wooden spoon on Alistair and Xander. I don’t know why they think they can sneak food past her.

I turned one of the downstairs guest rooms into my office. After the new office furniture was put in later that night, Alistair and I did our own ground-breaking ceremony, with him taking me on my desk.

I’ve become addicted to his touch, craving Frank and that piercing. The way Alistair tenderly holds me at night, I feel so loved and protected. He is full of surprises. One time we were at the house by ourselves because GeeGee took Devyn over to Nina and Zar’s for a visit. I needed to ask him a question and began walking through the house calling his name, but he wasn’t answering. Finally, I went to the back French doors that lead out to the patio and backyard, and there he was sitting on a blanket under the large tree with a picnic basket. I giggled when he rose to his knees, holding two champagne flutes. We spent the rest of the afternoon lying on the blanket, eating, laughing and talking. I laid my head on his chest as he told me stories from his youth. I was beginning to understand why he acts the way he does. He wasn’t necessarily crazy, just misunderstood. I felt his body tense as I told him about growing up in Andre’s household. He began to relax when I reached up and started to play with his beard. I’ve come to realize, doing that will calm him. I’m so used to doing it now, I find myself falling asleep while caressing his beard. I can admit it, I’ve fallen in love with my husband, Alistair Kourakos. I just haven’t told him yet.

Speaking of my husband, I was in the kitchen earlier, finishing up dinner, when he and Devyn made it home. Devyn came running in, telling me about what happened at the school.

“Hailey, you’ll never believe what happened when Alistair came to pick me up! Okay, so this bully named Tristan pushed me down the steps, and luckily Megan grabbed my arm or else I would’ve been eating the pavement. Anyway, Alistair told Tristan he’d pay the other kids to beat him up, but then Tristan’s father showed up...”

My mouth dropped as she became animated in her movements, showing me what Alistair did to that boys’ father. As he strolled in, my eyes cut to him. He had the nerve to stop Devyn and tell her she was doing it all wrong, and began helping her with the move.

“Wait a minute,” I said, halting their impromptu self-defense lesson. “What the hell, Alistair? You can’t be doing stuff like that at her school. What if they kick her out because of what you did? Or what if they ban you from coming on school property?”

He smiled at me with that crazy look in his eyes. “Let them try.”

“But Alistair, sometimes you have to think before you react,” I started as he walked over to me, placing his hands on my hips.

Alistair bent down, peering into my eyes. “Η καρδι? μου (my heart), do not ask me to change who I am. This is who you are married to, and I will react the same way each and every time someone disrespects or tries to hurt you or Devyn. It is my job as your husband and her big brother to protect the both of you, okay?”

His soft brown eyes sparkled as I reached up and placed my palm on his cheek. “Okay,” I whispered. Alistair smiled, then took my hand on his cheek, and kissed my palm.

“Devyn, let’s get cleaned up for dinner. It smells like Hailey has cooked something delicious,” he said before pecking my lips, and leaving the kitchen with Devyn.

I didn’t want Alistair to change because I love him just the way he is, but when it comes to certain things, I want him to think first, then react. I know it’s not going to happen, but maybe he might consider it the next time.

When they came back into the kitchen, I had the food on the table in the dining room. Tonight, I cooked smothered pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes, French cut green beans, a tossed salad, and fresh baked rolls. As I grabbed the pitcher of fresh brewed sweet tea, they followed me into the dining room. Alistair sat at the head of the table, while I sat in the chair on the left side of him, and Devyn sat on his right. I could have sat at the other end of the table, but I preferred to sit closer to the two of them. We took Alistair’s hands when he offered them to us, then lowered our heads as he blessed the food.

We finished dinner about thirty minutes ago. Alistair took Devyn into the den to help her with her homework while I cleared the table and began to clean the kitchen. Just as I closed the dishwasher, and started it, the doorbell rang.

Once I got the dishwasher going, I left the kitchen, making my way to the front door. When I got there, Alistair was opening the door, and GeeGee stepped in.

“GeeGee, what a surprise,” Alistair greets as he pulls her into a bear hug and kisses her cheek.

“Boy, now you know I was going to come over here after finding out what happened at school today,” she states, hugging him back.

“Hey, GeeGee,” I greet, as I join them. She gives me a hug after Alistair lets her go, then closes the door.

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