Page 108 of Rebel Heart
Malcolm continued, “Something told me then that she was going to be the child who did it all differently than I would’ve liked. But I guess I ignored it for far too long. From her very first day in the world, Jules marched to the beat of her own drum. She was always a good kid. She never really got into big trouble. But she did things her way, despite any outside input. And it’s always worked out for her. Maybe it’s that rebellious nature that comforts me now. Because it’s the kind of thing that keeps her fighting, that lights that fire inside her.”
I closed my eyes for a moment and allowed those words to sink in. So much of what he was saying felt like the woman I knew her to be. Bright, fiery, bold, and determined. But still so sweet, so beautiful, in every way that mattered.
When I opened my eyes again, I found Malcolm looking at me. “What I guess I’m trying to say, Beau, is that my daughter is a fighter. She’s the kind of person who isn’t going to give up, no matter what. So, as grueling as this is to sit and wait and hope for the best, I find comfort in knowing it’s the girl with that boldnature that’s fighting for herself and your baby right now. She’ll be okay, and she’s going to fight to make sure that baby is, too.”
I wiped at my eyes, blinking and breathing to rein in the emotions. But I didn’t know why, because I felt compelled to respond and lay my heart bare before this family.
“I know I’m not the man any of you would have chosen for her. Perhaps, rightfully so, considering none of this was in my plan for my life. But I met Jules, and she changed everything for me. I would move mountains for her, just to make her happy.”
I took a moment to breathe, feeling like I had so much to say while being unsure I’d be able to get it all out.
“I didn’t make the best first impression with this family, and unfortunately, I can’t go back to change that. But even if I could, I don’t think I would. I did what I did for her, not to hurt any of you. So, I will say that I’m sorry. I’m sorry for taking away the opportunity for all of you to see her on the happiest day of her life. I’m sorry she didn’t have the wedding you all wanted her to have. I’m sorry I didn’t give you the opportunity to get to know me before I tied myself to her for the rest of our lives. I’m far from being a perfect man, but that knowledge doesn’t stop me from trying to be that for her.”
Pausing again, I looked up and scanned the room. In every face where I’d grown accustomed to seeing a sneer or disgust was something else. Either surprise or contentment or, in some cases, guilt.
“Seeing all of you here, watching the way you’vestomached being around me over these last few weeks for the sake of her, I can’t deny the love you all have for her. It’s clear to me that Jules is a huge part of your family. And I understand how much she means to you. But she’s all I have. Her and this baby, they’re the only family I’ve got. So, I need you to understand why I couldn’t walk away from her, why I won’t walk away, and that I need her to be okay. I need both of them. Because without them…”
I closed my eyes and dropped my head into my hands, my fear taking hold of me again. I tried to breathe through it, tried to pull myself together, but even surrounded by all these people, I felt so alone, especially at the thought I could lose her.
“You’ve got us.”
My body went rigid, and I lifted my head to meet the gaze of the one man I thought would never speak to me if he could help it.
Wyatt sat in a chair directly across from me, looking ashamed. “I agree with my father that Jules is a fighter, and I refuse to believe the worst is going to happen to her now. But if that ever did, you have us.” He sat up straighter and cleared his throat. “I think we all owe you an apology for how we treated you. Maybe we had justifiable reasons to be upset or angry about what happened, but our actions were uncalled for. My actions were inexcusable. You deserved better than that. Jules certainly did.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything.
So, Cooper took the opportunity to speak his mind. “I feel like I need to thank you, Beau.”
My brows pulled together. “What?”
“Not long after you showed up at Westwood’s and had a chat with my brothers and me in the conference room, Jules had a problem with a mixer at the bakery. If I didn’t have the things you said in the back of my mind that day she reached out about the mixer, I probably would’ve sent someone else to take care of it. And I would’ve missed having the chance to see just how big of a fool I’ve been. Seeing the changes to her body that were the result of my niece or nephew growing inside her was the biggest slap in the face of how long I’d been unnecessarily holding a grudge. But the worst part was when she left me to fix the mixer and returned to the front of the bakery. I watched as she stood there in front of that door trying to collect herself, and I realized just how badly I’d hurt her. Like Wyatt said, you both deserved better from us.”
As great as all of this was, I couldn’t stop myself from believing the worst. What if it took this horrible, horrible situation to get the family to accept me only for Jules never to witness it?
When I remained silent for too long, considering that very real possibility, Tate said, “I think what we’re all trying to say, Beau, is that we were wrong. About you and your intentions with Jules. You told us you didn’t need for us to like you or want to get to know you. All you wanted was for her to be happy, to have her family back in her life. That selflessness tells me how muchyou love her. But I know my sister well enough to know that she senses we haven’t really given you a fair shot.”
I chuckled and nodded. “She hasn’t stopped talking about it. I just keep reassuring her that it’s fine, and things will take time, even though I don’t expect them to improve.”
“And that right there tells us how mistaken we were,” Ivy chimed in. “You could’ve told her that you wouldn’t come around or that you wanted her to stop seeing us at all. You didn’t. You sacrificed and were left to feel uncomfortable just to make her happy.”
Malcolm added, “A few minutes ago, you mentioned that you know you aren’t the man we would’ve ever chosen for Jules. I think you’re right about that.” Even if I knew that was the truth, hearing him admit it was like taking a knife to the heart. “But I guess that’s why it’s a good thing it was never our choice. Because Jules found the right man for her all on her own. And if you’re willing to give all of us another chance to make things right with you, I’d like to formally welcome you to this family.”
I pressed my lips together as the air rushed from my nostrils. Nodding, not wanting to break down again, I held out my hand to shake his, and said, “I’d really like the chance to start over with all of you.”
Malcolm looked down at my extended hand and ignored it. Because instead of starting things over like that, he thought it’d be better to wrap his arm around my back and hug me instead. “Welcome to the family, son. I’d tell you to look after my daughter with everything you’ve got, but I can see that you’re already doing it.”
I hugged the man back and insisted, “It has been my honor.”
The second the word was out of my mouth, the door to the waiting room opened, and a couple of doctors walked in. All of us stood, and I was certain nobody was breathing. My heart was pounding. It seemed like far too many doctors for good news.
“I’m looking for the family of Jules Easton?”
“That’s us,” Liam said.
“All of you?”
I stepped forward. “I’m her husband, and these are her parents and siblings. Is she… Is she okay?”
