He nods once and sets down the pen. “I’ll have the paperwork drawn up by the end of the week.”
“Thank you.”
I stand. He does too and extends his hand.
“For what it’s worth?” He shakes my hand firmly. “I think your great-grandfather would be proud. Not because you followed his rules. Because you made your own.”
I smile politely, but I don’t tell him I don’t care what my great-grandfather would think.
I leave the office and head for the elevator.
My phone buzzes.
Tania:How did it go?
Me:It’s done. I’m coming home.
The penthouse is quiet when I walk in. Callum is on the couch. Evan is in the kitchen getting a snack. Tania is standing near the windows, arms crossed, watching the street below. She turns when she hears me.
“Well?”
I set my briefcase down, walk over to her, and pull her against my chest. Her arms wrap around my waist immediately.
“It’s done,” I say. “The clause is gone. For our kids. For anyone who comes after.”
She pulls back and looks up at me. “Our kids?”
I realize what I just said. Callum’s grinning from the couch. Evan’s watching from the kitchen.
“If we have them,” I clarify. “If you want them. No pressure. No expectations. But a... choice.”
Her eyes search mine. “You’ve been thinking about this.”
“I have.”
“How long?”
“For a while.” I brush a strand of hair off her face. “Since I realized I wasn’t doing this because I had to. I was doing it because I wanted to.”
Her throat moves. “I’ve thought about it, too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She glances at Callum and Evan, then back at me. “I didn’t know if I should say anything. If it was too soon. If it was?—”
“It’s not too soon.” I frame her face with my hands. “Not for me.”
Callum stands and crosses to us. “Not for me either, Red.”
Evan joins us. “Or me.”
Tania laughs. Breathless. “You three are actually agreeing on something.”
Callum’s hand finds her waist. “Don’t get used to it.”
Evan grins. “He’s right. This is a special occasion.”
“Speaking of.” I step back. Look at my brothers. “Should we?”
