Page 100 of Cause and Effect

He swooped down and picked me up. “My bed is now officially yours, and you’re never leaving it.”

“I don’t plan to.” My arms around his neck tightened as he carried me to the bedroom.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

ONE MONTH LATER

Julian

Life was good. The past month has been the best I could have ever asked for.

“Are you ready?” Laurel smiled, taking hold of my hand.

“I’m ready.” I grinned.

We walked into the living room, where the girls sat on the couch.

“Girls, I need to talk to you about something,” Laurel said. “I received a call today from our landlord. The house has been repaired, and we can move back.”

“No!” They all whined at the same time. “We don’t want to leave.”

“Mom, you love it here too,” Stella said. “You don’t want to leave, either.”

“And I know Julian wants us to stay,” Sophie said.

“You’re right. I do want you all to stay.” Julian smiled. “That’s why this weekend, we’re going to your house, and you’re going to pack all your things and move them hereinto your new bedrooms. But first, we’re taking you shopping to redecorate your rooms any way you want.”

“Really?” Their eyes lit up.

“Yes, really.” I smiled. “This is our new home now.”

“Yay!” They hugged both of us.

“I love you, Julian,” Sara said as she hugged him.

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

Laurel led the girls upstairs to discuss ideas for decorating their bedrooms. Meanwhile, I grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed down to the beach. Standing at the water's edge, I sipped from the bottle as the waves gently washed over the sand. It all happened so unexpectedly. One day, I was a bachelor solely focused on my career, running from anything and anyone that screamed relationship, and the next, I found myself surrounded by the gentle chaos of a family. It wasn’t just Laurel. It was how the girls looked at me - with love and trust. It squeezed something in my chest I didn't know existed before.

“What are you doing?” Parker walked over and stood beside me.

“Reflecting on my life and how happy Laurel and the girls make me.” I smiled. “How about you? When are you going to find someone to love?”

“Whoa.” He chuckled. “Just because you and Roman found yourselves a little family doesn’t mean I have to. I’m perfectly content doing my own thing.”

I smiled, hooking my arm around him. “You can’t stay a bachelor the rest of your life. Don’t you want someone to share your life with?”

“Jesus. You sound like Mom.” He smirked.

“They’re wise women. You should listen to them.”

Two Months Later

We stoodin the suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and I could tell Roman was a nervous wreck.

“Why are you so nervous?” I asked him. “You already did things backward.”

“Yeah, bro. You and Morgan already have a kid. Getting married is no big deal.” Parker smirked.

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