by M. Clarke
Isla shoved me in her arms, and I became overwhelmed with happiness. “This is amazing and perfect. You deserve it. Emma deserves it. Congratulations.”
Nathan and Olivia joined in, and we created a circle of us, our friendship, love, and support for each other through thick and thin. And I reconfirmed my love for Isla because there was no other person I would want to share this recognition with, and then of course with my sister and my parents.
“It’s because of all the love and support I got from all of you and my fans.” I choked up and rubbed a hand down my face. “I can’t believe I get to claim that title. It’s going international. Holy shit.”
“And your daughter will be right beside you.” Isla leaned in to me to get a better view of Matthew’s email.
“And you’ll be right beside Emma and me,” I said. I wanted her with me every step of the way, even in Emma’s life.
“You both got me,” she returned. “Always had.”
Chapter 33
Saturday
Josh
Jasmine nudged my shoulder to get my attention. “I’m so happy you’re with Isla and not Shelly. I never liked Shelly for you.”
Grinning, I said, “I’m happy for me too. So how about you? Anyone new in your life?” My eyes shifted to Emma in Mother’s arms. Emma, smiling and laughing, seemed to be enjoying all the attention from my relatives and my parents’ friends. Instead of having the party at a restaurant, my parents thought it best to have it in their backyard where everyone could enjoy themselves and be free to roam about.
Jasmine’s arm flew around my waist as she rested her chin on my shoulder. “Nope. I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Good,” I sputtered. “Don’t get involved until after college.” I picked up a glass of wine off a tray carried by one of many waiters my parents hired.
“Jesus, Josh. You sound more like a parent. Even Mom and Dad never made such ridiculous demands before.”
“That’s because I’m your older brother. I know what the college males’ minds are like.” I extended my hand and poked her head.
“Ouch.” She backed away. “Maybe you can introduce me to your cute model friends.”
I spun around to her. “Hell no. You’ll find the right person in due time.”
Jasmine puffed air out of her mouth. “I feel sorry for Emma.”
I snorted, eyeing my daughter in Father’s arms. My father’s smile told me he loved being a grandfather, especially when he’d kiss her forehead. “Well, yeah, you should be. I’m locking her inside as soon as she starts high school.”
“Josh,” Jasmine’s voice rose.
“What has Josh done now?” Isla appeared beside us, Olivia and Nathan followed suit with wine glasses in their hands.
“He’s being impossible,” Jasmine whined, her dark hair falling on one side of her face and her pouting lips poking out.
“What else is new?” Nathan smacked my back, causing me to spit out a part of my drink.
“Hey.” I glared at Nathan.
“Like father, like daughter.” My father stood in front of me with Emma in his arms, her designer pink dress stained with a blotch of yellow mush.
“Dada,” Emma cooed.
“What happened?” I inquired, trying not to sound upset. I wasn’t mad at my father but concerned for my daughter.
Dad looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. She was so fast. I couldn’t stop her. She grabbed a cracker with some sauce. She liked it at first, and then she just spit it out on her dress.”
“Don’t worry about it, Dad.” A loud cackle escaped my throat, and everyone did the same. I could imagine the horrified expression on my father’s face and Emma’s features twisting with her tongue pushing out the food the way I’d seen her do before. I laughed even harder. Dad’s shoulders slumped lower, and then he joined in the symphony of laughter as his worry lines eased. And then surprisingly, Emma started to laugh with us. She had no idea why, but it made us laugh more.
“Emma raised a lot of money for CCC.” Father gestured his head to where his friends gathered under the gazebo. Pink and white balloons decorated around it.
“CCC?” Nathan asked.
“Children’s Cancer Center,” I explained. “Emma has everything she needs. We asked our guests to donate to that charity instead of giving Emma a gift.”
“Oh. We didn’t get that information.” Olivia narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously.
I rubbed the back of my neck. I didn’t want Olivia and Nathan to think I didn’t tell them because they couldn’t afford the donation. There was no specific amount requested anyway. They had already done enough. I didn’t want to ask for more. “I. Um. Sorry. You already gave Emma a gift, and my invitation was through word of mouth.”
“Fine. Sexiest Dad Alive,” Olivia punched those words at me.
I dipped my head down for a second, letting the wave of shyness leave me. The title made me feel grateful but at the same time uncomfortable.
Dad winked. “Your mom says I’m the sexiest dad alive to her.”
Jasmine’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes filled with amusement. “Gross, Dad.”
Laughter rang in the air, and it felt good to have my dad and my friends enjoy each other’s company.
“I think Emma needs a diaper change. May I?” Isla asked my dad. When he agreed, she scooped her into her arms. “You did a poo-poo. Come on Olivia, you can help me change her.” Leave it to Isla to rescue me.
“I’m coming too,” Jasmine announced, and skidded along.
“Come on Nathan. You need to learn.” Olivia tugged Nathan, leaving my father and me alone.
“Isla is great with Emma,” Dad said, as we both watched them pass the pool.
“Yes, she is. I’m so lucky she’s mine.” And I couldn’t believe I said those words. I cringed. “I mean …”
Dad caught on to my embarrassment, and he tugged the corner of his lips. “Yes. You did get lucky. A woman who is wrong for you will break you and take you down with her. But a woman who is right for you will lift you up, help you soar, and give you strength and purpose for life. It’s why I disapproved of Shelly, not because she has a different background, but because I saw her slowly eating you up. It killed me to see it happen, and it killed me even more when I couldn’t do anything to help you.”
I choked up. “I know that now. Sometimes parents have to let their children make their own mistakes,” I added, thinking of Emma. As she grew, she would make her own mistakes. It would hurt me to watch them unfold, just as my father had to watch me fall and get sucked in.
“It will be hard to watch. All you can do is raise them the best you can, hope they’ll make good judgments, and when they fall, be there for them,” Dad added.
“And only when Emma has a child of her own will she understand the unconditional love parents have for their children.” I pressed my lips together. Those words were more for my dad, to let him know that I understood him.
My father rounded his shoulder and cocked an eyebrow at me. “Don’t take what I’m about to say in the wrong way, but Emma won’t love you as much as you love her. And you won’t love me as much as I love you. It’s just the way it is. The relationship between parents and their children is a complicated one. Of course each family is different. But nothing can compare to a parent’s love. We will do anything for our children, even if it means giving up our lives.”
I soaked in his words because I would have never understood before Emma. “I understand that now,” I said with reverence.
My father raised his hand to my mother, pointing to an empty wine bottle in her hand. “Well, son, I think that’s my cue to get more wine. Make sure to bring Emma more often to visit us. I was too busy with work when you were growing up, and I regret not spending enough time with you. I would like to make it up to you by being a better grandfather.” With that, I watched him walk to my mom with his shoulders back, confident, purposeful. The wonderful man I’d come to respect and understand. Better late than never
.
Chapter 34
Two weeks later.
Isla
“She’s a natural,” I cooed, moving about the kitchen. “You want something to drink, hun?” After I placed the kettle on the stove on low, I reached for the mug, all the while Emma anchored on my hip.
Josh shoved his hands inside his pockets and rocked on his heels, seemingly thinking about something. “No, thank you, babe. Do you think Emma is wearing the right outfit?”
I looked at my phone to check the time. “Matthew said simple and pink, right?”
“Yeah, he did.” He reassured himself by checking his messages on the phone.
I glanced at Emma sporting a Knight Fashion baby pink onesie. When Josh was announced the Sexiest Dad Alive, Knight Fashion decided to expand to a children’s line.
“I think Emma looks perfect.” I smiled. “I think Matthew was going for the simple look, the everyday wear.”
“Maybe?”
The door chimed, breaking our conversation.
Josh squared his shoulders, shoving his phone inside his back pocket. “I’ll get the door.
“Do you know who the photographer is?” I asked, watching Josh rush over. I didn’t need his answer. The voice greeting Josh let me know. Oh what joy!
“Tom. Welcome.”
Feet shuffled to the dining area.
“Isla, hello.” Tom nodded once and disregarded Emma in my arms.
“Tom.” I nodded once back and smiled at his crew trailed behind him. My face flushed, recalling that night at the beach house. Tom and his crew went to the living area, moving furniture and setting things up.
A white background covered where the sofa used to be. The crew set up lights on the left and right of the photo area. A table was set in front of the mantel with mysterious-looking camera equipment.
“Ready?” Tom chirped.
“Just a second.” Josh gathered Emma from my arms and stood in the middle of the background.
Tom looked through the lenses, and then he adjusted something on the camera. “This should be simple and fast if Emma cooperates. Does she know what to do?”
I rolled my eyes at Josh from Tom’s question. Seriously?
Josh chuckled and said to Emma, “You behave now. This is your moment, too. You’re my little girl, and the whole world will know.”
“Dada,” Em said in her cute voice. I melted every time she spoke.
“That’s right. I’m your dada. Let’s show Tom how professional you are.” Josh winked at me, and I felt that wink slide into my panties.
After five minutes, Em started to get restless, and Tom seemed impatient, too. Standing beside Tom, I started to clap and call Emma. She looked right at me, giving Tom a perfect shot.
“Do that again, Isla,” Tom said with more patience.
“Emma. Right here, Emma.” Clap! Clap! Clap! And then I gave her my goofy face, more like Josh’s signature goofy face, and both of them laughed and smiled in union.
“Perfect.” Tom clicked away. “Emma, you’re a natural. You’re going to be a star.”
Josh and I exchanged glances at Tom’s words, showing more patience and also talking to Emma, making her give him more attention.
Tom was perfect for the job, but he wasn’t perfect working with babies. However, he was the best, or Matthew wouldn’t have sent him.
“I got what I need. Emma did a great job.” Tom unhooked the camera strap. His crew took the cue and started to pack up.
“Thank you, Tom,” Josh said, setting Emma down. She excitedly wobbled to her toys. She walked steadier but sometimes would fall flat on the floor.
After Tom and his crew left, Josh sat between Emma and me and handed me a box.
“For you,” he said.
“For me?” I furrowed my brow in confusion. “Why?”
“Open it and you’ll see.”
I squeezed my lips together, and as I slowly peeled the paper off, I wondered why he had given me a gift. When I opened the box, I pulled out a small statue of a gold Eiffel Tower.
“It’s beautiful, Josh. Thank you. But why? Did you see it and want to get it for me?”
Josh scooted next to me, his bluish-green eyes sparkling. “I won’t see Emma next weekend since I had her this weekend. So I thought I might take you to Paris. I’ve already made the reservations and booked the flights.”
“Josh. I don’t know what to say.” My eyes gazed back at the statue I had placed back neatly tucked inside a cushion.
“Say, yes. Our last getaway together didn’t go as planned.” He arched his eyebrows.
I cowered and shrugged. Though technically I had left him, I knew he didn’t blame it all on me. “What if I said no?” I challenged, narrowing my eyes at him.
Josh’s lips curled wickedly, his eyes promising punishment. Then his fingers wiggled. “You can’t say no. I won’t let you,” he began and then started to tickle me.
I laughed uncontrollable, pushing away from him. “Josh. Josh. Josh.”
“Say, yes. Say, yes, Isla.” His fingers were unrelenting.
When I collapsed to the floor from laughing so hard, Josh straddled me and pinned my arms over my head. “Say, yes. Say, yes, Isla.”
“No, no, no.” I laughed and my body wiggled.
Emma suddenly flopped her body over my chest, and like a punch to the gut, air escaped in a hard gasp.
“Oh my gosh. She’s getting heavy,” I croaked.
“Sorry.” Josh helped me to sit up. “Are you okay?”
Before I could answer, Emma tried to climb on me saying, “Isa. Isa. Isa.”
Oh my heart. I drowned in her preciousness. “She said my name, Josh,” I whispered, my hand clasping my mouth, and my eyes pooled with tears. “Did you hear her?”
“Yes. I did. She’s so smart. Come on. It’s time to go.” Josh picked up Emma off the floor and gave me a hand to pull me up. “Off to your brother’s house, or we’ll be late.”
I checked the time on the cable box. “We’ll be early.”
“I want to get your mom some flowers and your sister-in-law too. I don’t think Ivan and Jeff would appreciate flowers, so I bought them expensive wine they would enjoy, and I also got your nieces Star Wars Legos. I’m meeting your family for the first time. I have to make a good impression.”
“You’re amazing, Josh.” I leaned in and kissed his lips. “I’m glad I took you back.”
Josh’s eyebrows twitched. “I’m more than glad you did.”
As we packed up to head to my brother’s house, I watched Josh shove diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and Emma’s toys into her traveling bag. Emma was so lucky to have such a caring, wonderful father who would do anything for her, and I was lucky to have such an amazing boyfriend.
I couldn’t wait to introduce Josh and Em to my side of the family, and I couldn’t wait for us to grow together as a family. Someday, Josh and I would get married and have kids of our own, and Em would have siblings. Nothing in life was perfect, but together we were perfect … our perfect.
Life isn’t a fairytale. Sometimes you have to fight for happily ever after. And sometimes you just have to let go. But sometimes in the end, happily ever after finds you again.
Dedication
I can’t express enough to all my readers how much your support means to me.
To my friend Alexandrea Weis, you are my bestie, my rock, and everything to me.
Special thanks to Lisa at The Rock Stars of Romance and Amber Garcia (PA)
Enormous thanks to my angel team. I’m very humbled by your support and friendship: Amber Garcia, DawnMarie Carpintero, Ashley Cestra, Julie Barnard, Angela Parker, Diana Lopez, Jennifer Garrison Trevino, Cindy Hoing-Fong, Elvira Natour Porter, Pam Merashoff Beach, and Susan Roberts McIntyre.
Books by Mary Ting/M. Clarke (NA) (Sold World Wide)
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Something Forever (Book 3)
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Twas the Knight Before Christmas
Sexiest Man Alive
Sexiest Couple Alive
Sexiest Dad Alive
My Clarity
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From Gods
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International Bestselling, Award-Winning, Author Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel in the Crossroads Saga happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and she became inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great.
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