Page 45 of The Billionaire and the Nanny

Ethan

Penelope tellsme she has something to talk about.

I’ve only just woken up and gotten my coffee, which I sip, then glance at my watch. It’s early, and Lilly Belle is still sleeping.

“What’s up?” I ask my fiancé, as she stands before me, beautiful as ever, no makeup necessary.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about a few things we need to clearup.”

I make a face. Shit. I know things aren’t going to just be perfect right away after everything I’ve put her through, but I hope to god she’s not having second thoughts about marrying me. “Okay, shoot,” I tell her. “I’m listening.”

“Firstly, we need to talk about Wilson.”

My eyebrows rise. “Wilson?”

She nods. “Ethan, the man’s been your servant for almost twenty-five years. He’s old. He wants to retire, but he worries too much about you. You’re like a son to him so he can’t stay away. But now that we’re getting married, he can finally retire and start spending more time with his family. Please promise you’ll let him go and give him pension so he can enjoy life in South Carolina. Please. He deservesit.”

“That filthy bugger?” I scoff, relieved that’s all it was, giving her a warming smile. It’s actually a great idea, and I was starting to think about suggesting this to Wilson anyway. “Fine, done. Whatelse?”

“Your mother.”

“Forget it. I’m not making amends withher.”

“I wasn’t going to suggest that,” she says. “I was going to say that if having her in your life remains a toxic situation, then I don’t want her anywhere near Lilly Belle. However, if you think you can go to therapy with her, sort things out, and make room for her in your life, I’m fine with that, too. I’ll support whatever you want to do, but I want you to make a decision one way or another on whether or not to include her in yourlife.”

I stay quiet. I don’t ever want to see my mother again. Yes, the five-year-old in me still yearns for her approval. It’s driven everything I’ve done in my life, but at some point, I have to accept that situation for what itis.

“I’m still not sure about my mother. A lot depends on her,” I say. “But I promise she won’t be around Lilly or you unless she has changed from the way she used tobe.”

“And finally,” Penelope says, sighing, “we need to deal with the mess your contractors made of the baby’s room. It’s a mess, Ethan.”

“Shit. Really?” I put my coffee mug down. I was so busy at work the last few days, I didn’t have a chance to look at their progress, but they always did great stuff for me in thepast.

When we get to Lilly Belle’s room, I get ready to be furious. Then we open the door and…holy pixie dust. Her room is a wonderland full of painted vines and trees and flowers. Tiny sparking lights stretch across the space, and her crib lies underneath the big branch of a tree. A glow in the dark resin model of Tinkerbelle pokes out from inside the constructedtree.

“Welcome to Neverland,” my fiancé laughs. “I was just messing with you. It’s incredible.”

“You’re going to wake her,” I whisper, realizing how loud we’re being.

“She’s waking up anyhow,” Penelope replies, then pads over and picks Silly Belle up and starts cooing and cradling our child.

Ourbaby.

I swallow my tears, but this time they are happy tears.

I shake my head and pick up the remote control on top of the dresser. “And this?” I ask. “It actually works?”

Penelope smiles broadly. “Go on, press it andsee.”

I press the button and Tinkerbelle flies out of the tree and over to the papier-mâché blueberry bush on the opposite end of her room, making a fairy dust sound as shegoes.

“Look, Lilly!” Penelope cries.

Lilly Belle’s eyes are round and huge as she tries to grab for the little flying fairy. She laughs hysterically.

“Holy crap, that is awesome,” I say, and a true belly laugh explodes from my throat. I realize in that moment it’s never happened before. I’ve never truly laughed like this in my entirelife.

I feel something in my chest give way and suddenly, it’s like I can breathe for the firsttime.

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