Page 135 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Hi, nice to see you again,” I say, feeling overwhelmed with everyone, and there is still more to come.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Harvey encourages them, and they move away, leaving us alone.

“Do you need water?” Harvey whispers.

“Please.”

When he returns with a bottle, I quickly drink half of it at once.

“You only have Oliver and my parents left.”

“That's me,” Oliver’s deep voice says as he approaches, shaking Harvey’s hand.

“Nice to see you again, Jem,” he says before joining the group, which allows me to greet the final three who have walked up behind Oliver. I’m grateful I just had water because I’m shaking as I look at them.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln,” I say.

“Call us Eliza and Sebastian. You don’t need to be formal with us.” Eliza smiles.

“I told her not to worry,” Harvey adds, his hand touching the top of my jeans. The small gesture makes my body relax a little.

“It’s nerve-wracking meeting family, isn't it, dear?” the older woman says beside Sebastian.

“Yes,” I say with a light laugh.

“Don't worry about us, we don't bite. We’re just thrilled to be here. Where’s your little one?” the older woman speaks again.

“Yes, we’ve been asking Harvey all about him,” Eliza says.

I wave Chad over, and he stands beside me, looking up at the three people in front of him. He hides behind my leg slightly, like he did when he first met Harvey. He’s waiting for me to introduce him, but Harvey beats me to it.

“Chad, these people here are my mom, dad, and my grams.”

“Hi,” Chad says in a soft voice, but he steps out from behind my leg and looks over at Harvey. He must see something that brightens his face, and then he runs off to go play with his friends.

“He’s lovely,” Sebastion says.

“Thank you. Could I introduce you to my mom? She’s been asking about you all.”

“Yes, please,” Grams says, holding her walker.

“Do you want to sit down first?” I ask.

“No, don’t be silly. We’ll be fine. Bring her here where it’s quiet. I can't hear much in big crowds,” Grams says.

I nod and go grab Mom, bringing her over. She says hello before they take a seat and start talking about her travels. I can’t help but glance over, wishing Dad was here to meet them.

“Are you okay?” Harvey asks.

“Yeah, I just wish my dad was here to meet everyone.”

“He would've loved me, right?” Harvey jokes.

I roll my eyes, and the lightness in my heart returns. He’s magnetic in how he does that in such a short time.

“Yes, he would have,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

His breath tickles my ear as he leans in close, making goosebumps rise on my body. “I would’ve loved him too.”

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