Page 125 of Geordie

Ian raises an eyebrow but appears unperturbed. “You mean you haven't asked her yet? You should before someone else does.”

“I think that's between Lily and I, Granda,” he grits out. “I'll let you know if there are any developments.”

Ian sits back. “When you decide to make it legal, I'll pay for your wedding, as long as it's in Scotland. That should give you an incentive.”

“I can pay for a wedding myself.”

“Not like me, lad, here at the residence; it will be the event of the century, barring any royal weddings.”

I see myself in white, a long train sweeping behind me as I walk down the aisle to Geordie as celebrities on both sides of the Atlantic watch. “We'll think about it,” I say.

“There's no time limit, but I would do it before Innis goes to university.” Ian swirls his drink, the light from the lamp glinting off the liquid. “I've been told the party is over. You two should explore the house or go into Edinburgh; there should be something happening there that would interest you. Take the driver.”

“That's kind of you.” As Geordie signals that we should leave, he escorts me out. “Have a good evening, Granda. Sleep well tonight.”

We walk a distance down the hall. “Where's Innis?” I ask.

She's in the nursery, near our suite. There's a nanny in an adjoining room. She's never alone. Would you like to visit?”

“Do you have to ask?”

Our daughter is in an antique bassinet draped with lace. Geordie shakes his head, running a hand over the rim of the crib. “This was my cradle. Granda must have had it brought up from storage. He can be kind in unexpected ways. This is a way of him telling me that he heard me when I told him about Innis. He just wanted to talk to you. I'm surprised he didn't ask if you had Scottish blood. Knowing him, he already checked your background.”

I scoop my daughter into my arms. “I still can't believe I'm holding our little red-haired girl. Connie's insemination, her pregnancy, it all feels like lifetimes ago, but here we are together and it's not a dream.” Innis shows us her toothless grin and my heart melts. I can't remember when I've been this happy. Geordie has his arm around me while he lets Innis play with his finger.

“If you had listened to me the night of my birthday party, this would have been different,” I say, looking at Geordie, besotted with our child.

“I couldn't let you go,” he muses. “If I didn't do something, I knew you'd end up with Stephen. That, I couldn't stomach. Connie already agreed to be my surrogate. It was convincing you to use your egg, and that it would still be our child, which was the hard part. I fought hard just for this wee babe to come into the world, but I fell in love with you the minute I met your bad-tempered, condescending self. I needed you both.”

I elbow him in the ribs, and he feigns being injured, then smiles. “I knew it was love when I was hurt to see the PollenNation website on your laptop and thought you were married.” He pulls me around so that I'm facing him. “Do you love me, lass, you've never said?”

I look down at our daughter. “I do, I love you.”

His finger tilts my chin up. “You're saying it to the bairn; say it to me.”

“I love you, Geordie.” I bite my lip, but more rushes out. “Fuck it, I want you so much it hurts. I need you in my life; never leave me.”

His arms come around me, the child between us, and he kisses me. “I won’t lass, I never will.”

Epilogue

Lily

We’rewellintoautumnand it’s hot enough for a pool party. We've been using our backyard more than inside the house during this mini heatwave. It's my birthday and instead of a crazy ’90s or a Rat Pack theme formal dress party, I've opted for something more family orientated. With kids around, there should be less drama.

I'm carrying a tray of hamburgers and hot dogs. I'll have to make another trip to bring out the sausages and ribs to the men who are congregating at the barbeque.

Geordie puts his beer down when he sees me and takes the tray, setting it on a table near the grill. “You didn't have to do that; I was about to go inside for the food.”

“Everyone brought food, so I didn't have to do anything. I just want to be useful.”

Harv, Eddie, Dennis, Jack, and Connell, also with beers in hand, discuss the state of the coals.

Geordie puts his arm around me. “I'll walk you back inside to fetch the other tray. I'll only be a minute, lads,” he calls to the men, who are still in heated conversation.

Molly and Connie are in swimsuits with Connie's boys splashing in the pool; Innis and Molly's kids are in the shallow toddler pool.

We reach the kitchen. Geordie opens the fridge, pulling out more stuff to grill while I lean against the sink, watching our guests through the window. “You know, I don't think I'll ever get over seeing your grandfather in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. The woman with him, is that his girlfriend?” Geordie joins me at the sink.

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