Julia slowly shook her head at me. “Wow. You two are so stubborn. I would give anything to be able to travel back in time and watch the two of you.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I never once gave up on her. Just like I’m never giving up on you, princess.”
“I know this is hard for you, Dad, considering what you went through with Mom all those years ago. But please don’t worry; I’ll be okay. I promise. I’m strong and I can do this. We’ll have to make some minor adjustments, but life will go on.”
A single tear fell from my eye as I stared into the eyes of my little girl. “Life will go on, princess.”
“Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.” She reached over and wiped away my tear.
“What is it, baby?”
She looked down and, suddenly, I became worried.
“That night of the accident when they took me to surgery, something happened.”
She paused.
“Julia, what happened?”
“I had a dream, but I don’t think it was a dream. I saw Denny.”
I narrowed my eyes at her and cocked my head. “What do you mean you saw Denny?”
“One minute I was in the operating room on the table, and the next I was standing in the hallway outside the room. He told me that it wasn’t my time and that I had my whole life ahead of me.”
I swallowed hard as another tear filled my eye. “Did he say anything else?”
“He told me to tell you to stop being stubborn and that you know the right thing to do and that forgiveness always prevails. He said that everything happens for a reason and the big guy upstairs makes things that way. He looked so good, Dad, and he said he was happy and had never felt better.”
I knew at that moment that Julia was telling the truth. Denny had written in his letter that forgiveness always prevails and nobody knew that but me and Ellery. I squeezed her hand as I bent my head down and rested it on her. Knowing that Denny was happy and at peace gave me comfort.
“Dad, are you okay?”
I lifted my head. “I’m fine, princess. Thank you for telling me. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I don’t know. So much had happened. Do you think I’m crazy?”
“No, Julia.” I smiled. “You’re not crazy at all.”
“Do you know what Denny meant about forgiveness and you being stubborn?” she asked.
“No. Not really.” I let out a light laugh.
Her dialysis was finally over and I helped her out of the chair and into the limo where Ralph drove us to our building.
****
Later that night, after Julia got home and settled, Ellery and I went back to the penthouse and placed a carryout order. Grabbing the plates from the cupboard, she set the table and I opened the wine. A few moments later, the doorbell rang and our Chinese food had arrived.
“Julia told me something today that is really sticking with me.”
“What did she tell you?”
“She said that she saw Denny the night of the accident when she was in surgery.”
“Oh?” She smiled. “What did he have to say?”
I sighed. “He told her to tell me to stop being stubborn and that I know what the right thing to do is. He also said that forgiveness always prevails.”
She set down her chopsticks and her eyes widened as she stared at me.
“Yeah. I was just as shocked as you are right now.”
“I don’t know what to say, Connor. Denny did say in his letter that he’d always be watching over us. I guess he is and, to be honest, it’s very comforting to know that he was there for Julia.”
“Yeah. The man is dead and yet he’s still telling me what to do.” I smiled.
Ellery laughed and we finished our dinner, took a nice hot bath together, and then made love to each other into the late hours of the night.
Chapter 25
Collin
Stroking her soft beautiful breast, I wrapped my lips around her hardened nipple. The soft moan that escaped her lips turned me on even more. My fingers traveled down her torso and stopped the minute I felt her swollen clit. When I traced around it with small circles, her hips thrust into me, begging me for more. I loved to tease her, but what I loved most of all was making her come. My fingers found their way inside, feeling her pleasure and the warmth that emerged from her. My tongue traveled around her breasts, all the way down to her hips and finally stopping at her sweet aching spot that was begging for a release. The flicker of my tongue against her clit drove her insane.
“Collin, please. Deeper, faster, baby.”
“Patience, my wife. It’s all about control.” My tongue swirled around her, licking and sucking her lips until she was about ready to lose control. “Let me enjoy you first before I fuck you into oblivion.” I looked up at her and smiled as I took hold of her legs.
“If you don’t make me come now, I will finish myself off and kick you out of this room, leaving you with the worst blue balls you’ve ever had!” she said in an authoritative tone.
Hearing her say that got me so damn turned on that I flipped her over so she was on her stomach and I thrust inside her as hard as I could. I was like an animal, thrusting in and out of her at a rapid speed.
“Is this what you want?” I groaned as I grabbed hold of her ass as hard as I could.
“Yes. Oh yes, baby. That’s it. Make me come all over your hard cock.”
Jesus, I wasn’t ready to come yet, but she had me so fucking turned on, I couldn’t hold back anymore. Three more pumps inside her and she screamed my name as I did hers and we both came together. My heart was rapidly beating and my skin was wet from sweat. I spilled every ounce of myself inside of her before collapsing on top of her, trying to catch my breath.
“Fuck, Amelia. You had me so turned on I couldn’t stop myself.”
She giggled and reached around, tangling her fingers in my hair. “Excellent way to start my first day of work.”
I climbed off of her and gave her a kiss. “We better get ready. You don’t want to be late for your first day and I have a meeting to get to.”
We showered, got dressed, and parted ways for the day. “Have a good first day and I’ll see you later, baby.”
When I arrived at the office, Ethan told me that Julia wanted to see me. It was her first day back. Smiling, I walked into her office and took note of the numerous flower arrangements that were scattered all around.
“Welcome back, sis!”
“Thank you for the flowers, little brother, but one arrangement would have sufficed.”
“So Ethan got a little carried away. I think it looks and smells great in here.” I kissed her cheek and then took a seat across from her desk. “You looked tired. Are you sure you’re ready to be back here?”
“I am very tired and, yes, I’m ready to be back.”
“You’re only here part time. Don’t forget that and push yourself.”
“I won’t. With my dialysis schedule, it’s going to be hard to work full time anyway. I have to go four times a week and it sucks.”
“Have you considered maybe just staying home and taking care of yourself and Brayden?”
“I can’t. I’d go crazy. I love working here and when Dad retires, he’s going to need both of us.”
“Just take it easy, sis.”
My phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket, noting a call from Max Hamilton.
“I have to take this. I’ll talk to you later. Hey, Max. What’s up, buddy?”
“Can you meet me, Oliver, and Liam for lunch today? I have a proposal for you about a new piece of software my company developed.”
“Sure. Where and what time?”
“The Four Seasons Restaurant on East 52nd Street at one o’clock.”
“Sounds good, bro. I’ll be there.”
“Great. See you then.”
I went to my dad’s office and once again found him staring out the window.
“Do you ever do any work?” I chuckled.
/> “It doesn’t seem like it these days. Thank goodness I’ve trained you well.” He smiled as he took a seat in his chair. “What’s up?”
“I’m meeting Max for lunch. He wants to pitch some new software his company developed.”
He slowly nodded as he leaned back. “Good. You decide if it’s worth it. I’m leaving the decision to you.”
“Thanks, Dad. By the way, Amelia and I talked about it and we want to postpone the wedding reception. With everything going on with Julia, we just don’t think it’s the right time.”
His eyebrow arched. “Have you told your mother this?”
“Not yet. I wanted to run it by you first.”
“I will personally castrate you, little brother, if you even think about postponing that reception.”
I turned around and Julia was standing in the doorway. I swallowed hard. She walked in and handed Dad a file.
“Sorry, Julia. We just want to wait.”
“Bullshit, Collin. You’re having that wedding reception as planned. When are you people going to learn that life will go on as normal?”
I put my hands up. “Fine. Okay. We’ll still have the wedding reception.”
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a dialysis appointment to get to.”
“Do you want me to go with you, princess?”
“Thanks, Dad, but Mom is meeting me there with Brayden.”
“Good luck.” He winked at her.
****
I stepped inside The Four Seasons restaurant and the hostess showed me to Max’s table where I shook everyone’s hands before taking my seat.
“How’s Julia doing?” Liam asked.
“She’s putting on a brave front, but I think deep down, she’s falling apart.”
“Sorry, bro,” Max spoke.
I sat and listened as Max pitched his new software. He had a great concept and he executed it flawlessly. After discussing business, we talked about personal matters.
“Are you all coming to my wedding reception next month?” I asked with a grin.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Oliver smiled.
“Kara and Molly are taking Sarah for the weekend so Emma and I can stay in the Hamptons.”
“That’s great, Max. You two deserve some time alone. Are you bringing a plus one, Liam?”
“I don’t know yet. We’ll see. If not, I’ll just tag along with Oliver and Delilah.”
I happened to look across the restaurant and I saw Hailey and Marcus getting up from a table. It looked like they were arguing. As Hailey was about to walk away, I saw Marcus grab her arm and pull her back and not in a nice way. He had anger splayed all over his face. She tried to get out of his grip, but he wasn’t letting go.
“Excuse me for a moment, gentleman.” I got up from my seat and walked over to where they were standing.
“Hailey. Marcus. Fancy seeing you here. How are you?”
“Hi, Collin.”
“Hey, man. We’re great. How are you?”
“I’m good. Thanks, Marcus. Just having a business lunch.”
Hailey wouldn’t look at me. She kept her head down and her eyes focused on the floor.
“Is everything okay, Hailey?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” Marcus asked. “Go back to your business lunch, Collin. Hailey and I have some things we need to do. Have a good day.”
He took Hailey’s hand and led her out of the restaurant. She turned her head and looked at me for a brief moment and all I saw were her apologetic eyes. I walked back to the table and took a seat.
“Everything okay with Hailey?” Liam asked.
“I don’t think so,” I said as I stared at the restaurant door.
Chapter 26
Julia
The fatigue was getting worse. The muscle cramps, especially in my legs, were getting worse. There were some days that I could barely walk, no matter how hard I pushed myself. This was becoming unbearable. I was doing everything right. I was eating properly, taking fifteen different vitamins a day, and drinking more water than I ever had in my lifetime. Nothing was helping me and my doctor said I would have to learn to deal with it because they were the side effects of dialysis. I tried to be strong, but I could feel myself sinking into a deep depression. My sex drive was gone and I didn’t have the energy to make love to my husband anymore. Jake was supportive and said he understood. But it had been weeks since we’d had sex and it wasn’t fair to him. Fuck, it wasn’t fair to me. I cried every day and asked God why. I was tired of the sympathetic looks I got from people at the office when I would limp down the hallway. I put on a fake smile every day in public, but behind closed doors, I was nothing but a train wreck. Jake knew it and my family knew it.
“Are you ready to go, babe?” Jake asked as he grabbed our suitcase from the bed.
“Yeah.” I yawned.
We were driving with my parents to the Hamptons. Tomorrow was Collin’s wedding reception and I just wanted to get through it. I put Brayden in his car seat and my dad carried him downstairs for me.
“Do you want to sit in the front, Julia?” my mom asked.
“No, Mom. I’ll be fine in the back with Brayden and Jake.”
Jake held my hand the whole way to the Hamptons and Brayden was a good boy and slept. When we pulled into the driveway, I got out of the car and went to grab my suitcase.
“I got it, princess. You just go inside,” my dad spoke.
It seemed lately that I was being treated as if I couldn’t take care of myself and I didn’t like it. I went inside the house and my mom followed.
“Is there anything I can do to help for the party tomorrow?”
“No, sweetheart. We really don’t have to do anything. The maids were already here to clean and the decorators and caterers will take care of everything tomorrow morning.”
“How many people are coming?” I asked.
“About three hundred.”
“Jesus, Mom. You should have had it at the Waldorf.”
“Your brother wanted it here. We have plenty of room, so don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried. Why do you think I’m worried about it? It just seems like it would have been easier to have three hundred people at the Waldorf than here. But it’s your party, so whatever.” I needed some air, so I took a walk down to the beach.
****
Connor
I looked at Julia as she flung open the door and walked away from Ellery.
“What the hell was all that about?”
“I’m not sure. I’m worried about her, Connor.”
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me. “I’ll go talk to her.”
Just as I was getting ready to walk out, Jake walked in the kitchen with Brayden. “Where’s Julia?”
“She went down to the beach and she just snapped at Ellery.”
Jake sighed as he handed Brayden over to Ellery. “She’s been on edge lately. I try to talk to her, but she insists everything is fine.”
“I’m going to talk to her now.”
I walked down to the beach and saw Julia sitting down in the sand near the shoreline.
“Hey, princess. What was all that about back there with your mom?”
“Nothing, Dad. I’ll apologize to her. Don’t worry.”
Sitting down and bringing my knees to my chest, I wrapped my arms around them and looked at my daughter. “Tell your old man what’s really going on.”
“I don’t know, Daddy. I just feel like everyone is treating me like I’m disabled or something. People are babying me. It’s as if they think I’m going to break.”
“Nobody thinks that.”
“Yes they do. You even do it too.”
The truth was, I did baby her. I couldn’t help it. “I’m sorry, Julia.”
“As soon as we get back to the city, I’m calling Dr. Benson. I want to go ahead with the transplant and I want to be put on the list. Dialysis is too much for me. I thought it would be a piece of cake, but it
’s not. I spend half my time and days sitting in that damn chair. Not to mention the side effects. I just can’t do it anymore, Dad. I feel like I’m missing my son’s life.” She wiped the tears that fell from her eyes.
“We have to find a match, princess.”
“Dad, I love you, but please, just let me be put on the list. I don’t want you investing time in me like that. You have other things to worry about.”
I put my arm around her and she laid her head on my shoulder. “You’re my daughter and I will invest my entire life in you. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you.”
“I know, but please let me do it my way. Please, Dad. I’m begging you.”
I sighed as I kissed the top of her head. “Okay, baby, if that’s what you truly want.”
There was no way I was going to sit back and let her be put on some list that could take years for her to even get a call. I would explore all options without her knowing. I would stop at nothing to make sure my daughter got what she needed.
We got up from the sand and dusted ourselves off before walking back up to the house. As soon as Julia walked in the kitchen, she gave Ellery a hug and apologized to her.
“Can you two watch Brayden for me? I need to talk to Jake alone.”
“Of course we will. You two take as much time as you need.” I smiled.
She and Jake left the house. Ellery set Brayden on the floor and gave him his toys.
“Did you have a nice talk?”
“Yes. We did. Our daughter has decided she wants to go ahead with the transplant. She’s going to call the doctor first thing Monday morning to get on the list.”
Ellery glared at me. “You’re going to do something about that, right?”