Grace

“Lover boy just dropped these off,” Ethan says, setting a container of sliced cucumbers on my desk.

I smile at the latest of the little things Keir’s done over the past two weeks to make sure I know he loves me. He’s been leaving me notes, buying me small gifts, and taking care of little things for me. He does my laundry if he sees it in the basket at my place, washed my car last week, and now he’s slicing cucumbers for me because I always complain they should sell some that way. He’s doing exactly what I asked for, and I’m starting to understand that I didn’t need to ask for them. He would’ve done these things for my anyway.

“Sit down and tell me about your date for the hotel opening tonight.”

“You have your meeting with Miles and Keir in ten minutes.”

“Plenty of time, Ethan Hall. Sit down, and spill.”

“Her name is Evie, and I met her at Downtown Summerlin. She works at the gelato place.”

“Go on.”

“She’s gorgeous. She has curly hair that’s lots of shades of brown like yours, green eyes, a curvy body, dark brown skin that’s softer than it looks…and she’s crazy smart and calls me out when I try to charm my way out of things.”

“I like her already.”

“She didn’t want to come tonight, because she couldn’t afford a dress, and wouldn’t let me buy her one. My mama visited her, and told her how poor she was when she was my age, and how it’s okay to accept help. She brought her to Stella for a dress.”

“Make sure you introduce us, okay?”

“Yeah, just don’t embarrass me.”

“Would I do that?”

“Totally.”

“I promise to behave. Now, I really do need to get to my meeting.”

We both walk out of my office, with him sitting at his desk while I continue on across the floor. Keir is waiting outside already, and I know this is because Miles and he both promised to never meet without me present. I smile at him as Susan tells me to go inside.

I’m surprised to see Candi Griffin with Miles, but once they explain everything to me, I’m glad she’s here. We have Susan send Keir in once everything’s ironed out.

“Candi, what are you doing here?”

“Working out a deal that will benefit all of us.”

“Okay, I guess.”

“It’s a good thing,” I tell him, motioning for him to sit on the couch next to me.

“Did you just find out?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Lay it on me,” he says, sitting with me.

Miles smirks at us both, before speaking. “I love that the two of you have fallen in love, but we prefer to move people out of supervisor/employee situations when it happens. Your observations in Phoenix were spot on, but it’s your photography that blew all of our minds.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“Would you be happy just doing photography?” Candi asks him.

“Yes. I’d love to do it full-time.”

“Then I’d like to hire you to be the official Corrigan photographer. I have my hands full with Griffin jobs, plus the others I pick and choose. I’ve always gotten first refusal on Corrigan work, but I hate saying no to my friends. You would also have the option to take any other jobs I couldn’t do.”

“They wouldn’t want me.”

“Once the photography world sees your car photos, along with the hotel ones, they’re going to want you.”

“What about salary?”

“You’d be making what you make here, plus any bonuses we’re given.”

“This all sounds great, but they boys love the daycare center here.”

“Grace already brought that up, and I assured her they could attend as part of her benefits,” Miles tells him.

“Thanks for thinking of them.”

“Always.”

“I know.”

“So, what do you think? We can announce it tonight when we talk about your photos,” Candi tells him.

“Yes. I would love to work for you.”

“Great. We’ll get the paperwork started.”

“I’ll miss this place.”

“You can come by whenever you want. Your pass will still be active.”

“Thanks for everything, Miles.”

Because he’s about to leave the company, I let him take my hand as we walk through the floor, and into my office. There are some curious stares, and Ethan smirks as we walk in, but I don’t care. This is my life, and right now I’m really happy with it. After a vigorous round of desk sex, I’m even more happy.

Keir

I’m bringing the boys with us tonight, because it’s a big night for me, and I want to share it with them. My parents have promised to watch them so I can continue to romance Grace. She’s been staying with us a few nights a week since the night the boys convinced her to stay, and she took care of Con when he had the flu last week, but I want more. All three of us want more, and I want to tell her tonight.

Grace opens the door, looking as stunning as I expected. Her dress is black, and sleeveless. There’s a sheer panel on top that flows into a curved neckline and layers of different ruffles to the floor. Her hair is up in a fancy twist, and her only jewelry is the bracelet the boys gave her.

“Hi, Pretty.”

“She’s not pretty tonight, Con, she’s beautiful,” Trevor corrects him.

“Exquisite,” I add.

“I’ll happily take all three words. And look at all of you in your tuxedos, looking so handsome. I’m a lucky lady.”

“Our lady.”

“Yes, Con, and you’re my guys.”

I let the boys hug her first, before I kiss her lightly on the lips. She can fix her lipstick in the limo, and even if she couldn’t, I have to kiss her. We lean our foreheads against each other’s, and smile.

“I’m so happy to be sharing tonight with you. We did a great job.”

“Yes, we did.”

One more kiss, and then we’re all holding hands as we walk to the limo. My little gentlemen help her into the car before climbing in after her. I’m not even mad when they sit on either side of her. The cockblocking only ever lasts until they go to sleep, and then she’s all mine.

We walk the red carpet, posing for pictures while questions are called out to us. We ignore them all, because we’re not here to talk about the controversy we recently went through. It died as fast as it came to life, and no one who matters wants to resurrect it. As we get to the front door, it comes back full-force.

“My babies.”

We all turn as Jacky runs over. The boys look like they’re in shock, and Grace clutches their little hands even tighter. I don’t know how she got in here, but she needs to leave. Now.

“What are you doing here?”

“I knew you’d bring the boys, and I wanted to see them.” She’s playing for the cameras that are focused on us, but I’m not having it.

“Why?”

“They’re my boys.”

“No,” Trevor tells her. “We’re Grace’s boys.”

“Trev?” Her lower lip trembles, and if I didn’t know her so well, I might feel a little sorry for her.

“She loves us. You left us, and never call or want to see us. Grace cooks for us, and helps me with homework. She took care of Con when he was sick, and makes us behave when we fight.”

“Mommy’s love you no matter what, and that’s what Grace does,” Connor adds. “I wish she was my Mommy, but she says you are, and she won’t try to take your place.”

Trevor isn’t done yet. “But she has. She takes care of us. Even when you lived with us, you didn’t care. I pretended you did, but I know you didn’t.”

“Well, I want to now.”

It’s my turn to speak up for all of us. “It’s too late. You gave up your rights, and if these cameras weren’t here right now, I’m absolutely sure you wouldn’t be here, either. I will always be thankful to you for giving me these boys, but our life no longer includes you. That was your choice, and I thank you for that as well.”

“I didn’t think you’d find someone.”

“Well, I did, and she’s everything we need. Go find the life you need, Jacky.”

She walks away, and we walk inside. Once the doors close, Grace moves to one of the couches and pulls both boys into a hug.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, Pretty. We meant it. You’re ours, and we’re yours.”

“I know you said you can’t be our Mommy, but I looked it up on Google, and you can be our Step-Mommy if you marry Daddy,” Trevor tells her.

“You won’t be mean like Cinderella’s step-mother, either.”

“No, Con, I won’t. One day, I might marry your daddy.”

“I’m on board with that,” I add. “Until then, I was hoping you’d move in with us. I’d like us to look at a house to buy, or have one built. Whatever you want.”

“Yes, please!” the boys both yell.

“How can I say no to such a great offer?”

“You can’t.”

“Yes, Con, she can.” Please don’t say no.

“But, I won’t. We’ll look for a house first. If nothing fits, we can build something. I love all of you so much.”

I came to this city hoping for a new start, and I found it. I never dreamed I’d find the woman who I’m meant to be with. It was never Jacky, and I meant it when I thanked her for leaving. My life is beginning again, and this time it’s going to be forever.