Page 123 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“Really?” Skylar squealed, handing Harry over to Isabella before taking off down the corridor towards the studios.

Star and Damian stepped out of the way as Skylar ran past them. “Slow down... this is not...” Star said, but it was too late. Skylar had disappeared. “Teenagers!” she said, coming to stand next to them. “Is everyone congregating here?”

Scarlett and Seb appeared next, followed by Andrew and Ana. “It’s the entire gang... nearly...” Isabella said. “Only Henri and Patrice are missing.”

Christian knew Isabella was sad that their friends could not make it over from America. It was why...

“Surprise!”

Isabella squealed as Patrice stepped through the hotel doors. He’d sent the private plane to pick them up. Isabella needed her extended family around her. Patrice had also been instrumental in the project, coming out of retirement to help her female friends before slinking back into the background.

“You didn’t really think we would miss this?” Patrice said, holding her arms open.

Isabella handed Harry to Damian before throwing herself at Patrice. Tears glistening in her eyes.

When she’d finished with Patrice, she turned to Henri, wrapping her arms around him too. “Oh, this day could not get any better. Thank you, all of you.”

A waitress appeared behind her, carrying a tray of champagne. Star and Damian, Andrew and Ana, he and Isabella, even Scarlett and Seb... he still struggled with that idea, but as Scarlett had said to him... Don’t think about it. His best friend, however, was an amazing man, and truth be told, he could not have asked for a better partner for his sister. They complimented each other perfectly, and now Sebastian was running King, Lebroc and McCarthy Group. He had gone from strength to strength.

“To my amazing friends. We’ve been on quite a journey over the past few years... but friendship and love have seen us through. I want to thank every one of you for making all my dreams come true. For encouraging me to follow my heart.” Christian watched as she turned to him, his heart beating faster. “To Christian. I never thought I’d find a love like ours. I didn’t think it existed. You have helped me, encouraged me to take chances, step out of my comfort zone. Who would have thought a sunrise yoga class would have led to this? Someone was looking down on us that day and helped us find our way to each other. I love you.”

Christian’s heart was in his mouth. He thought back to Lily’s letter. Had she been looking down? Star was sure she’d helped her and Damian reconnect. Had she wanted Isabella for him and Skylar? He liked to think so. Looking heavenward, he sent up a silent thank you, just in case, before pulling Isabella into his arms. Much to the disgust of Amelia, who was starting to fuss.

“Let’s get these two monkeys into the creche and then we can enjoy the party.”

Damian and Christian had arranged a child-minding service to come and look after everyone’s children. Their brood was growing—Star and Damian had Toby and baby Lily-Rose. May and Arkhom, had Kalaya and Aom, two incredibly gorgeous little girls. Andrew and Ana had Ethan, a spritely one-year-old, and of course, Olivia, who adored her baby brother the same way Skylar adored all her brothers and sisters.

The twins had been unplanned and were the reason The Retreat II had taken three rather than two years. Christian had cried like a baby the day Isabella told him she was pregnant. He cried again when they found out they were having twins and again when the twins were born and placed in his arms. It hadn’t taken Isabella long to realise her ruthless, billionaire businessman, now husband, was little more than a squishy teddy bear, or at least when it came to his children and family. He would forever be thankful for his second chance at happiness.

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