Page 88 of His Secret Betrayal
I carefully set her down, my heart warming as she clings to Alek, who spins her in the same fashion. Turning away, I grin as Maddison waddles up the sidewalk with a hand on her very pregnant belly. Jax walks beside her, his palm resting on her lower back and giving her that love-sick, doe-eyed expression that’s reserved solely for her and Abigail.
She thrusts a gift bag into my arms before wincing. “I would hug you, but I don’t think I could get my arms around you right now.”
Alek chuckles, appearing at my side with a giggling Abigail perched on his hip. “Any day now, huh?”
She beams. “Yup, but I told little George he had to wait until after your housewarming party.”
My eyes connect with Jax, and we share a knowing smile. The baby, a boy this time, is named after our father. George Parker was, after all, the only parent we had who gave a damn about us. He may have lied about Evelyn, leading us to believe she was dead, but it was done in a misguided attempt to protect us. Perhaps he thought it was better to have a dead parent than one who tried to smother her baby.
My thoughts wander to Evelyn as I usher them inside and give them the grand tour. I don’t know what ever came of her after she was shipped off to state prison. I don’t know if she’s still in jail, or if she’s been released by now. Maybe prison was the wake-up call she needed, or maybe she’s still the same cruel person I walked away from.Although it hurts to know she hated me so much she was willing to smother me, I’ve found peace with how things played out.
If it weren’t for her, I might have never gotten with Alek.
To this day, neither me nor Jax have had any interest in reopening old wounds and, as such, neither one of us have tried to contact her.
Caleb helps me set the plates onto our modern-style dining table. When Alek and I had plans drawn up for our new home, we made sure to include enough space so we could host dinner parties that could comfortably house all our loved ones. It’s a long, sleek black table with matching chairs underneath a chandelier. On the far wall, which has been painted a dark green, hangs a collage of photos we’ve collected over the years. The photo in the middle, however, is my favorite. It’s a picture of Alek and me exchanging vows, our hands clasped together, with gold bands shining on our fingers.
Sadly, Caleb still refuses to call me Step-Daddy.
“So, how’s work?” Jax asks, leaning forward to scoop some mashed potatoes onto Abigail’s plate.
“Great,” I answer truthfully, blushing when Alek shoots me a wink. His idea for me to open my artwork up for commissions took off quickly, and the waiting list is getting longer by the day. It’s currently around a three month wait, which is why I’m now training an apprentice.
“That’s my baby brother,” Jax says proudly when I explain this.
“I’m going to have a baby brother soon!” Abigail declares to no one in particular.
Jax answers her, patient and soft like always, although the words are lost on me because I’m too busy drinking in the sight of my family.
Alek sits to my left, a few more streaks of silver-gray appearing in his hair. He was going to dye it, but I convinced him not to. The silver-fox look really does it for my libido, especially when he’s fresh out of theshower, with droplets of water rolling down his chest. Although Alek still prefers to be in charge—and let’s face it, it’s hot when he gets all bossy on me—I’ve had years to explore, touch, and worship his body. Over time, he’s slowly come to realize that scars and imperfections don’t make a person unattractive. Rather, it’s a testimony of his character and strength.
Today, he’s wearing a tank top that exposes the mass of burn scars along his upper shoulders. Although he still wears his customary business shirts and trousers in public, he’s become more relaxed around our family and in the privacy of our home. Honestly, that’s when I find him the most attractive. A happy, comfortable, and at-ease Alek is sexy.
Alek and Caleb are speaking quietly, sharing a private joke while Abigail is quickly shoving spoonfuls of mashed potatoes into her mouth and generally making a mess of things.
The kid is adorable.
Next to her, Jax has a protective hand splayed across Maddison’s round belly.
It’s honestly hard to believe Maddison and I ever dated. And although we weren’t meant to be each other’s forever people, I’m still grateful for the lessons we learned together. Maybe we had to learn what doesn’t work in a relationship so we could get the next one right.
Maybe, if our paths hadn’t crossed and we didn’t have to learn those very hard lessons together, none of us would be sitting around the table now as one big, happy family. At this moment, Maddison’s eyes meet mine across the table. She gives me a soft, knowing smile before resting a hand over her heart.
I know,the gesture says.
After dinner, as I’m standing in front of our wall of family photos with a glass of wine, Alek’s arms wrap around me from behind. Hischin rests on my shoulder and, with a quick glance behind me, I see his eyes scanning over the photos. He gets this faraway, sort of dopey grin that tells me he’s taking a trip down memory lane.
Five years ago, I could have never imagined that one brother’s secret obsession and another one’s betrayal would lead us down this path. A path where lines were crossed, rules were ignored, and hearts were broken. Yet somehow, against all odds, we were able to turn our struggles into blessings and create a life we love.
Happy ever after feels damn good.
