Page 41 of Pax

“I was never confused about Pax,” she smiled. “I’ve always known that I loved him and that if we didn’t end up together, I would be alone forever. That’s how strongly I felt. I was confused about my parents and what they did. I’m learning to forgive them and, hopefully, move on from that. I know they didn’t mean to put me in harm’s way, but they also didn’t trust me as their daughter and professional.”

“Parents will always see their children as little children,” said Daphne. “It’s hard to flip hats and think of kids as adults. Sometimes adults with their own children, or even grandchildren.”

“Truth,” smirked Antoine, walking by the table. The women laughed, and Deanna called out to him.

“Mr. Antoine?”

“Ouch,” he said, clutching his chest.

“Oh, come on. You know I only mean that out of respect for you.”

“I know, but it still kills me when a beautiful young woman speaks to me like I’m my father.”

“To her, you are your father,” laughed Clark. He gave a side grin.

“What do you need, honey?” asked Antoine.

“I’m just wondering if all of you took a while to realize that you were in love with your wives?” she asked.

“For me? Yes,” he said honestly. “At least, compared to some of the others. Ella was hurt when we met, along with Ryan. I didn’t want to scare her, and I didn’t want to admit my feelings for her and make her feel as though she owed me something.”

“What changed?” asked Deanna.

“The day we went to officially adopt Gaspar and Alexandra’s kids, Luke, Adam, Ben, Carl, Violet, and Lucy. We were standing in the courtroom and finished their adoption and took a break between Ella’s hearing to officially become the legal guardian for Ryan. My father pulled me aside and reminded me of how foolish I was being.

“He was right. I asked her right then and there to marry me. We walked back in, and the judge married us and gave guardianship to Ella for Ryan. It was the best decision of my life. But fear almost screwed it up for me.”

“Do you think that’s what’s holding Brax and Saint back? Fear?” asked Amy.

“It’s a good bet,” he nodded. “Think about how afraid Marcel was when he realized that you’d brought him to life. You. A single, small woman brought him back to life after two hundred years of death. Can you imagine what that felt like for him?”

“He’s tried to describe it to me,” she said quietly. “The thing is, I didn’t really have a choice. I mean, to fall in love with him, I didn’t have a choice. I knew the moment I saw his face that he was my destiny. He was my world. I’m sure that sounds corny.”

“Not at all,” said Nell. “Even in a moment that I thought was the worst of my life, seeing Sor brought me hope. I couldn’t really explain it to anyone because I thought it would make me look like a loose woman or something. I mean, my husband dumps me for his wife, and we’re thrust together.”

“Because you were supposed to be together,” smiled Claudette, making her rounds to the tables. “Everyone who is here is supposed to be here. It’s the way it’s planned.”

“Planned? By whom?” she asked.

“You never can tell,” smiled Claudette. “Never can tell.” They watched as she giggled like a little schoolgirl, walking away from them.

“What does that mean?” asked Jill.

“No telling,” laughed Deanna. “How about you guys help me redo the cottage? Pax said I could do whatever I want to it, and it’s a bit manly for me.” Macie clapped her hands together, raising them above her head in a cheer.

“Now, that sounds like a plan.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

With the men on the road and not communicating much with back home for the time being, the girls were forced to do a little shopping. The great thing about Belle Fleur was that you could do a little shopping on the internet or in Mama Irene’s attic. Either way, you were going to end up with a magnificent home.

“I’ve got some photos of Pax when he was little if you’d like them,” smiled Annie. “I’m sure you have some of yourself as well.”

“I do,” she nodded, but they’re all in storage now. “Before I left here the guys helped me to put all my things into a storage unit not far from here.”

“We can get it for you,” said Adam. “Carl, me, and Ben will run over there and bring everything back. What you don’t want we can keep in our warehouse for displaced households.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you!”

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