Chapter 8 - The First Family Morning
Six months later, the Holay house no longer felt like a fortress.
It felt like a home.
Lennox's toys were everywhere.
Tavlin's books sat on tables Mercer had once used only for business.
Julian complained about being forced to attend family breakfasts.
James learned how to make pancakes.
And Mercer discovered that being a father required more patience than running a billion-dollar corporation.
One morning, Lennox woke at six.
He ran into the bedroom.
“Dada!”
Mercer opened one eye.
“What?”
“Up!”
Mercer groaned.
“It's six.”
“Up!”
Tavlin laughed from beneath the blankets.
“You created this.”
“I did not.”
“You taught him 'up.'”
Mercer sat.
Lennox climbed onto his chest.
“Truck.”
“You want the truck?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Outside.”
Mercer looked at Tavlin.
She shrugged.
“You're the billionaire.”
He sighed.
“Apparently that means nothing at six in the morning.”
They took Lennox outside.
He pushed his little toy truck through the grass.
Mercer followed.
Tavlin watched from the porch.
She had never imagined this.
Not after the night she disappeared.
Not after she believed Mercer hated her.
Now she watched him kneel in the grass and help their son fix a toy wheel.
He looked happy.
Truly happy.
Mercer turned toward her.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
“More than okay.”
He smiled.
Then his phone rang.
A business emergency.
He looked at the screen.
Declined it.
Tavlin raised an eyebrow.
“That could be important.”
He shrugged.
“So is this.”
He looked at Lennox.
“And you.”
She smiled.
“Who are you?”
“Apparently a father.”
“Good answer.”
He crossed the lawn.
“I was thinking.”
“That is dangerous.”
“We should get married.”
Tavlin froze.
“What?”
Mercer laughed nervously.
“I had a better speech prepared.”
“You don't get to casually propose while our child is covered in grass.”
“He likes grass.”
“He eats grass.”
“Then perhaps not.”
She laughed.
He took her hand.
“I mean it.”
She looked into his eyes.
“You once couldn't even trust me.”
“I know.”
“And now?”
“Now I'd trust you with my life.”
She smiled.
“That's a big statement.”
“I know.”
“And what if I say no?”
“I'll ask again.”
She laughed.
“How many times?”
“Until you're eighty.”
“You'd be eighty too.”
“I'll be stubborn.”
“You already are.”
Lennox ran between them.
“Dada!”
Mercer picked him up.
Tavlin smiled.
“Okay.”
Mercer stopped.
“Okay?”
“Yes.”
“To what?”
“To marrying the man who was too stubborn to read the truth.”
He laughed.
“That's me.”
She kissed him.
Lennox clapped.
“Dada!”
May you like
Mercer grinned.
“Apparently he approves.”
