Page 24 of Hot Stepbrother Daddy

Our daughter, Emily, is only a month old, and she's stolen both of our hearts. But now, sitting in the driveway of the Cartwright house, I'm wondering if she can not only steal the hearts of her grandparents but heal the rift between them and us as well.

I shift in the seat, glancing at the house. The same house where Adam and I fell in love. The same house that, a year ago, I never imagined I’d walk into with a baby.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves buzzing in my stomach. “Adam,” I murmur, my voice quiet and full of doubt. “What if they don’t accept us? What if … what if they can’t get past everything?”

He takes my hand, his touch calming me in ways only he can. "Then we'll give them more time. I sure as hell won't beg, Laurie, but we have time."

I swallow, tears pricking at my eyes as I nod. He's right. They didn't come to our wedding, and we didn't bother telling them about the birth, but somehow my mom found out she was a grandma and extended an olive branch in the form of this dinner tonight. "It's just…I don't know. This feels big."

"It is. But we've got Emily, and they'll be too busy falling in love to worry about anything else."

I laugh softly, glancing down at Emily, who’s fast asleep, a little sigh escaping her lips. She’s already so loved, so perfect. If they can’t see that, I don’t know what to do.

“Let’s do this,” I say, my voice finally steady.

We walk toward the front door, side by side. My pulse goes fluttery again, but Adam’s hand on my lower back is a quiet reassurance that I can handle whatever comes.

We reach the door, and I’m surprised when it swings open before we even have the chance to knock. My mother stands there, her face lighting up with pure joy as her eyes land on the tiny bundle in my arms. Her expression softens, tears welling up almost instantly.

“Laurie!” she exclaims, her voice choked with emotion. “Oh my God, look at you, and look at this precious little angel!”

She pulls me into a tight embrace, kissing my cheek and then immediately turning her attention to the baby. “This is my granddaughter? My first grandchild?”

I can’t help but smile as she leans down to gently stroke Emily’s face. I'm overwhelmed by how much I've missed her.

My mother continues to fawn over Emily, and I see Craig standing in the hallway behind Mom, his arms folded but a smile tugging at his lips.

He steps forward, offering a hesitant but genuine smile. “Laurie, Adam,” he says, his voice warm, though there’s still a hint of uncertainty. “It’s good to see you both. All three of you now! We, ah, have a lot to catch up on. Come in. Please." Then his voice goes tight like he's choking up. "We've missed you."

As we all gather in the living room, Emily cooing in my arms, I glance over at Adam. He smiles at me, his eyes full of tenderness, and I know, deep in my heart, that everything will be okay.

We’ve made it. Together.

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

ADAM

Ten Years Later

I've learned to stay out of my wife's way when she's working, and now is no different. Except tonight, there is a new sort of buzz radiating off Laurie. She's about to take the next step in her career, and she's practically vibrating with nerves.

A major fashion show and her pieces are front and center.

Our two daughters, ten-year-old Emily and five-year-old Ava, are with our parents. They're both fiery and determined like their mother, and while it's odd to experience something so big without them, this is their mother's moment.

I’m so fucking proud of my wife. Her designs have come so far, her reputation even further. The woman I fell in love with all those years ago has become a force of nature.

She’s adjusting a piece of one of her dresses, her brow furrowed in concentration, and she looks absolutely radiant. But when she turns to me, ready for the final check before heading out to the runway, my smile falters slightly.

Laurie’s not wearing the dress she designed for herself. She’s in something modest, simple, black, understated. Something about it feels off, like it’s not the woman who’s about to take over the runway, not the woman who’s spent years building her brand.

“Hey,” I say, stepping toward her. “Why aren’t you wearing the dress you designed for yourself? The one you were so excited about?”

She hesitates, looking down at her outfit, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. “I just don’t feel like I look the same as I did ten years ago, Adam. After two kids, the late nights working, the stress. This body is not the same. I’m not the same.”

I feel a knot twist in my stomach. “Laurie, are you serious?” I step forward, lifting her chin gently, forcing her to look at me. “You’re more beautiful than you’ve ever been. You always have been. You were stunning back then, and you’re stunning now."

She looks into my eyes, searching for something, maybe the reassurance she needs.

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