Caelon follows suit, jabbing his index finger in Cole’s direction. I wince. ‘Even if you marry my sister, you will never be part of this family.’ He storms out.
James follows.
Then Killian.
Sean at least nods Cole’s way before marching after them.
And Rian simply wraps his arm around Rebekka.
‘I’ll take that champagne, Mrs B.’ Avery rubs her hands together.
‘You’d think these lot don’t have billion euro empires to run.’ My father shakes his head good naturedly before standing, probably to pop a bottle.
Cole’s lips brush against my ear. ‘You okay, baby?’ He whispers tenderly.
‘Yes.’ My shoulders sag in relief. ‘It could have been worse, I suppose.’
‘They’ll get over it in time,’ Ivy beams at us. ‘Maybe.’
‘And if they don’t, what about it?’ Layla shrugs. She would say that. Her family disowned her when she stepped down from her royal duties as the youngest princess of England. It doesn’t seem to affect her, but then again she didn’t have the same relationship with them that I’ve always had with mine. I love all my brothers. And it tears me in two that there’s always going to be this divide now because I’m with the very man that they despise.
‘So, congratulations.’ I reach over to pat Rian’s knee, then Rebekka’s.
‘It’s so exciting. We decided we’d try… and look, it happened.’ Rebekka beams, placing a palm over her non-existent bump.
‘How could it not? You two never leave each other alone,’ Scarlett laughs.
‘You can hardly talk!’ Avery nudges Scarlett. The two women were best friends long before they met my brothers, and it shows in the ease of their friendship. ‘This is the longest your womb has been empty since you met James.’
‘True.’ Scarlett flicks her dark hair from her shoulders. ‘What can I say? We all have to do our bit to keep the Beckett name living on.’
‘Oh, yes, because you’re so selfless like that. Lie back and take one for the family, not because your husband isespecially skilled with his giant…’ Ivy clamps a hand over her mouth before she can finish that sentence. She has a habit of opening it without thinking. It’s utterly endearing. She’s one of the most genuine women I’ve ever met.
Cole stiffens beside me. ‘Are they always like this?’ he whispers.
‘No.’ I rest my cheek against his shoulder and tilt my face up to meet his eyes. They’re half intrigued, half horrified. ‘They’re usually worse.’
‘Jesus. Fucking. Christ,’ he mutters.
Chapter Forty-Four
COLE
It’s been two weeks since I officially met the Fockers—I mean, the Becketts. It’s also been two weeks since any of them called to visit their sister, bar Rian. In fairness to Sean, he’s out of the country on business, but the others have no excuse.
The Beckett women continue to call and text daily, as do Zara’s parents, who we had dinner with twice last week, but frankly, I’m disappointed in the others. Not exactly surprised, but disappointed.
‘You okay?’ Zara asks, rocking up onto her elbow in the bed beside me. We spent the evening poring over nursery ideas, then indulging in a marathon sex session, followed by a long stint in the clawfoot tub.
A soft summer breeze drifts in through the open bedroom window, sending Zara’s hair floating over her face. I reach over and tuck it behind her ear. She’s utterly stunning. I still can’t believe she’s mine.
‘Move in with me.’ I trace my fingers along the elegant curve of her neck, trace her collarbone, then the silky soft skin between her beautiful breasts.
Her eyes snap to mine. ‘Now?’
We’ve talked about it, but she never actually agreed. She’s here every night anyway, so I don’t see what difference it makes.
‘Yes. What are we waiting for?’ I lower my hand to her stomach, gently stroking it.
