"All done, bro," I say, signing the last of the paperwork with our solicitor, and Harley grins from his seat behind his desk. 

"Congratulations, Mr. King, everything is done and good luck with the expansion," says our family lawyer, John, and he shakes my hand before leaving. 

"When are you going to tell Maisy?" Harley asks with a slightly disapproving face.

I know he doesn't agree with me not telling Maisy, but I think I’m doing the right thing. She has spent months alone and worrying about money. I want to take over that for her. I want to give her a chance to have a future she controls, like being able to go to university.

"Soon. She is stressed enough about the baby coming and Elena. I just don't want to stress her out with another thing to worry about,” I tell him with a sigh, watching as he puts the paperwork in his briefcase.

"I get that," he finally replies.

"You’re going to have to make room for my desk," I smirk.

"I've already ordered you one, which you can have in your own damn office," he says with a chuckle.

I can’t wait to have my own office. I'll have to make sure the door has a lock for when Maisy comes over and we find out how sturdy the desk is. Thankfully, before I get any harder from that thought, there's a knock at the door. 

"Come in," Harley shouts, and I lean against a wall as a pretty woman with short, blond hair walks in. She looks to be in her early thirties and is wearing tight, yoga shorts with just a sports bra on. Even though she is pretty amazing, my thoughts go straight to Maisy, and I start comparing. She always wins. 

"Harley, baby, I wondered if you wanted to go out again tonight. You could stay at my place, again,” she says, leaning over Harley's desk.

"No, I'm busy. Jessica, this isn't a good time," he says, looking bored and leaning back in his chair to watch her. I honestly feel like leaving because this seems like it’s going to get awkward in here. I’ve left enough girls after one night to know where this conversation is going.

"How about tomorrow?" she asks, sounding a little desperate now.

"I can go," I say, smirking at how awkward Harley looks right now. He glares at me before coming to stand next to Jessica and holding her one arm gently but firmly as he leads her out.

"I'm sorry, Jessica. I enjoyed last night, but I'm not looking for anything more right now. I did explain this yesterday, and nothing has changed," he tells her and stops by the door.

"Fine, you’re the one missing out." She shoves past him and slams the door on the way out. 

"Damn, that was bad." I whistle as Harley shakes his head at me.

I get a bottle of water out of the mini-fridge he has in here. I have to order myself a mini-fridge too.

"How is Maisy doing?" He changes the subject.

I send him a knowing glance, but I don't say anything. I've never seen any of Harley's one night stands, but I've heard he has them. Always with older women, so I'm guessing he has a thing for them. 

"All good. My baby is kicking a lot. Maisy won’t admit it, but she is struggling to get off the sofa these days. She is looking forward to seeing you this Saturday," I tell him, and he smiles fondly.

If I didn’t know that Harley has always treated Maisy like a sister, I would be jealous of that look, but I’m not. I know there’s nothing between them other than love for each other like family.

"Yeah, me too. Sorry I can't be over more, but the gym is so busy. I will be happy for your help after the baby comes," he says.

"I'm honestly looking forward to it. I've always loved this place." I smile. I come here at least three times a week to work out, and I run every day for an hour to keep in shape.

"It certainly keeps me busy." He smiles, but it doesn't quite look real.

"You doing okay, bro?" I ask.

"Yeah, it's just odd to see my younger siblings more settled in their lives than I am." He laughs before the phone rings. He answers and then asks whoever it is to hold.

"Sorry, Seb, I have to take this. I’ll see you later," he says.

"No problem. Later," I say, then walk out.

I'm nervous as I get into my car because I'm meeting Maisy’s dad to ask him for permission to marry Maisy. I know it's a little old-fashioned, but I need to do it. I’ve done everything backwards, like getting Maisy pregnant before marrying her, so I need to do this one thing right. 

I pull into the parking lot of the coffee shop in town and order a coffee. I take a seat by the window, watching people come in. I'm a little early, so I'm surprised to see Maisy's dad come in and take a seat, after getting his own drink.

"Hello, Sebastian, how is my daughter?" he asks as an introduction.

Maisy’s dad looks more like an old college professor than the successful businessman I know he is. He owns several very large hotel chains all over Europe and America. I don’t think he is that involved in them anymore by the look of him. His suit has seen better days, despite the fact it’s an expensive make, and his face is pale. He looks a little ill as his hands shake around his drink. 

"Very good, Mr. Reynolds. We are both looking forward to our son’s birth," I tell him, and I have to look down into my drink. The dark coffee reminds me of Maisy’s dark-brown eyes, and I clear my throat before looking at him.

"I came to ask for your blessing. I want to ask Maisy to marry me. She doesn't know I am here. I promise to always look after her. I love her very much," I tell him, managing to keep eye contact the whole time even when he looks emotional.

"You’re one of the best things that's ever happened to my girl. Yes, you have my blessing, Sebastian, and you don't have to tell me you love her, I can see it," he says and then carries on speaking.

“I was disappointed when Maisy came home all those months ago and said she wanted to come with us on our trip to Europe. I knew something must have happened between you two, but we took her away with us. A month into the holiday, my ex-wife found out Maisy was pregnant. I cancelled our trip and made Maisy move back home. I hoped she would contact you, but I didn’t push her. I’m so pleased that you finally showed her where her home is. Don’t let her go,” he says, wiping away a few tears.

"Thanks. I'll speak to Maisy about her seeing you. I know she misses you," I tell him honestly, because we had a chat the other day. She does want her dad around, but she is too stubborn and, I think, scared to try. She’s worried she’ll get put down again.

"Thank you for your help. Can I give you some advice?" he says as he pushes his black hair out of his eyes.

He looks so much like Maisy at that point, it almost makes me smile. They have the same brown eyes and black hair, but his is going grey. The only thing she seems to have gotten from her mother is her body figure, but she has more curves now that she is pregnant, and I hope she keeps them. I could just get her pregnant again. 

"I would like that." I smile.

"Don't let her go. I fell in love with a girl once, but I let her go for money, and I wish I hadn't." He looks away, clearly lost in thought. 

"I won't. She is my life," I say firmly. 

"Well, son, I hope I get to meet my grandson and see your wedding," he says with his voice full of hope.

"I can't promise because it’s Maisy’s decision, but I will try." I pat him on the shoulder before saying bye and leaving. 

When I get home, it’s dinner time and Maisy is in the kitchen, cooking a stir fry as rice is boiling in a pot.

"Smells amazing again, May," I say as I walk in and kiss her cheek. She smiles up at me, and it takes my breath away how beautiful she is. Her long, black hair is wavy, and she is wearing a blue sundress that shows off all her curves as it falls to her knees.

"Don't you think it's getting a little cold for dresses?" I ask her.

"Nope," she says, and I remember she always wears her dresses, no matter how cold. She would just add tights and a big coat when we went out. I help her dish it up, and we eat together in the dining room. We have a simple four-chaired, wooden table, but it's perfect for us. The room is quite bare, with just a wooden cabinet and a picture of the sunset on the wall, but I like it.

"I met with your dad today," I say, noticing how she tenses up. 

"Why, Sebastian?" she asks, looking at my eyes. 

"It doesn't matter, but he wants to talk to you." I grab her hand to hold over the table.

"Do you think I should?" she asks as she moves her food around the plate.

I walk over and crouch next to her, moving her chair to face me and tilting her face up with my finger so she is looking at me. I frown when I see the tears and kiss them away.

"That's your choice, and I'll support you in whatever you want, but I know you miss him. He wasn't a good dad before, but I think he wants to try, May," I tell her.

"It's hard to forgive him," she says, resting her forehead against mine. 

"I know." 

We don't say anything more about her dad as we eat, and I clean up while she rests. When I'm done, I walk back into our lounge and hear her speaking. 

"Okay, Dad. Why don't you come over next week? I miss you, too." 

I smile to myself, knowing this is the best way forward for Maisy.