Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34

ZAYN

W atching Marigold weave her way into my family's hearts was one of the most satisfying things I had witnessed. I saw their initial hesitation melt away as she spoke, charming them with her honesty and genuineness.

I felt a twinge of guilt knowing this was all bullshit. She wasn't really the woman I was madly in love with. I wasn't going to truly marry her. She was not going to be a part of the family.

For some reason, that thought bummed me out.

"Son, a word." My father stepped in front of me.

I looked over at Marigold. I didn't want to abandon her, but she was in a serious conversation with Zara and Diana. Whatever they were talking about had them all very animated. It made me smile to see her settling in. We were an eclectic bunch with lots of strong personalities, but she was holding her own just fine.

"Sure," I said, following my father into the backyard. I couldn't help but notice the new castle in the yard, lit up with pink and purple lights. "I like the new addition."

He nodded. "We're not above spoiling the grandkids to get them to visit. It's a grandpa's right."

I wasn't sure what to expect from this conversation, but I knew it wouldn't be anything casual. My dad saw too much. He could see right through us most of the time.

We walked a few paces away from the house, the soft glow of the exterior lights casting long shadows on the manicured lawn. I tried to keep my nerves in check, but I could feel my father's scrutiny piercing through me.

"Zayn, I need to talk to you about Marigold. She seems like a sweet girl, but this is so not like you. It's all very unexpected. Is she pregnant?"

Just like Dad, getting right to the heart of the problem. No pretense. No small talk.

I almost laughed. "Dad, no. She's not pregnant. Marigold is… she's special."

His eyebrows arched skeptically. "Special? This isn't like you, son. You don't just jump into something like this."

"You met her," I said with a shrug. "She's worth jumping in with."

He looked even more skeptical. "I'm wondering if you're using her as a way to cover up something else. I've seen it before. People look for quick fixes when they're dealing with other issues."

I bristled at his words, but as I absorbed them, I had to admit there was a grain of truth in his observation. He wasn't wrong in questioning my motives. I'd been impulsive, and this relationship with Marigold wasn't exactly planned. But admitting that it was a sham wasn't something I was prepared to do, not even to my father.

Hudson and Hayes were sworn to secrecy, and I had to trust they would keep their mouths shut. If my father knew this thing with Marigold and me wasn't exactly legit, he would end it. He would demand I end it so that she didn't get hurt.

And I couldn't afford to do that.

I took a deep breath, digging deep for the right amount of sincerity. "Look, it was impulsive, and maybe it doesn't make sense to everyone. But it feels right. If it falls apart?—"

I hesitated, knowing that my father was waiting for me to finish the thought.

"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it," I concluded, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

His gaze softened a fraction, though the skepticism remained. "Alright. I'll take your word for it. But be careful, Zayn. I know what it's like to have someone after you for your money. You need to make sure this isn't that."

I nodded, understanding the weight of his caution. "I assure you, it's not about the money. Marigold isn't here for that. There is zero doubt in my mind about that."

It was true. We had a business arrangement. She wasn't trying to access the family fortune.

"Good. As long as we're clear on that," he said, slapping me on the back in a show of support. "I have warned all of you from the moment you started walking that your name and money puts you at a bit of a disadvantage in matters of love."

"And I have taken all of your advice to heart," I said. "If you talk to Marigold, you'll see the money isn't her thing. She isn't in this for the fame and fortune."

He nodded, as if he was digesting the information and trying to decide if he was buying it or not. "Have you heard the rumor about me buying an engagement ring for Kathy?" he asked, deftly changing the subject.

I smiled. "I did."

"I'm planning to propose to her on Thanksgiving. I want to do it surrounded by the whole family."

The shift in topic was a welcome relief. "That sounds like a great idea. She'll definitely say yes."

"You don't have any reservations? Complaints? This is the time to say it. I don't want a bunch of drama on the day I propose."

"Dad, I have no problems with that," I said. "When it's right, it's right."

"That's good to hear, Zayn. I appreciate it."

"We all just want you to be happy," I said. "And obviously we like Kathy. It's a little weird that our cousins will be our stepbrothers, but there's very little about this family that's normal. We're all old enough to get it. Love is love. And you loved her first."

"I loved your mother," he said. "I loved her with all my heart."

"I know," I said softly.

He smiled at me then, a sad but genuine smile. "You have so much of her in you, Zayn," he said. "Never be afraid to love like she did. Just make sure you do it right."

I knew my parents loved each other, but I also knew you never forgot your first love. I never had a first love, so I couldn't say I truly understood that phrase, but I believed it. A few of my brothers had an issue with my father getting back with Kathy, but I wasn't one of them. I wanted my father to be happy and I loved Kathy. She was a good woman. She made my father happy. They weren't getting any younger. If being together made them happy, then good for them.

Everyone deserved a little happiness in this big cold world.

"I'm not afraid of love," I confessed eventually.

He chuckled. "I think all of you have been afraid of it. All of you have gone into love kicking and screaming."

"I suppose there is some truth to that," I admitted, chuckling ruefully.

"I know it's hard for you to believe, but back in my day, I was a lot like all of you," he said with a laugh. "And then I met Kathy. I wasn't ready. Art saw what a good woman she was, and he moved right in. Not that it stopped him from spreading his seed far and wide. But still."

"Do you regret not marrying her when you had the chance?" I asked.

"No. Not at all. Like I said, I loved your mother. I wouldn't have all of you. Life works out the way it's supposed to. We can't always see it when we're in the daily grind, but it always ends up the way it was meant to be."

I stared out at the yard littered with an elaborate climbing toy only found in parks along with swings, a playhouse, and the new castle. I had a feeling my father was referring to his life now. Combining our family with Kathy's extensive one had certainly earned him quite the brood. Buying Christmas gifts was going to be a bitch.

"Zayn, I never want you to feel like you have to settle. To fall into something that feels right but isn't."

"I'm not settling, Dad. Marigold is a good woman. Trust me, talk to her. Get to know her. You'll like her."

He smiled. "I talked to her. She's nice. I'm just saying to listen to your gut. It often knows what your brain is too scared to admit."

When we returned inside, the scene was a lively one. The kids were bouncing off the walls, their energy a stark contrast to the serious conversation we'd just had. We all moved to the dining room. The table was piled high with an amazing assortment of food. Kathy and some of her daughters-in-law had outdone themselves.

Everyone gathered around the table. I found myself seated next to Hayes on one side with Marigold on my other. She seemed to be more relaxed than when we had shown up.

"All good?" I asked as I leaned over.

She smiled. "All good."

The conversation around the table was light and playful. Kameron stood up at one point, raising his glass in a toast. "I just want to say how impressed I am with the work we're doing with the nonprofit. The dedication and effort everyone puts in—it's truly inspiring."

Hudson leaned over and kissed Diana. She whispered something in his ear, causing him to smile, clearly touched by her words. I watched them with a mix of admiration and introspection. Seeing their affection for each other made me realize how much I wanted that for myself. Hudson deserved every ounce of happiness he found with Diana. I didn't think there was another person on this whole damn planet that could have helped him through his addiction and stand strong beside him through his recovery.

Diana was the right person at the right time for Hudson. My entire family owed her a debt. She saved our brother when we had failed.

I glanced at Marigold. She reached under the table and squeezed my hand in a gesture of solidarity. It was a small, intimate moment, but it meant a lot to me. Having her there, supporting me, felt both foreign and exhilarating. I wasn't used to being one of the coupled brothers. I was one of the single ones.

I supposed technically, I still was, but it sure felt like Marigold was an ally at my side, bolstering me with her affection for me.

The atmosphere was relaxed throughout dinner. I could tell Marigold was starting to feel more at ease with my family. After all, they were mostly normal.

As the meal came to an end, the kids were ushered into the in-house theater room to watch a movie in their pajamas. The adults gathered in the living room for some games and drinks.

Marigold and I joined in a Rummoli game, and to my surprise, she was a natural. She cleaned house, winning round after round.

"Maybe I should invite you to one of my poker nights," Dad said with a laugh. "You've got a talent for these games."

Marigold laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "I'd love to, but I might need to practice a bit more first."

The playful banter and camaraderie made me realize how well Marigold was fitting in. I knew the night would go well, but I hadn't anticipated it would be this smooth. The ease with which she connected with my family was a pleasant surprise. If this wasn't a fake engagement, she would be a great real fiancée.

As the evening wound down, Hudson stood up. "I think it's time for us to call it a night," he said, yawning. "This old man needs his beauty sleep."

I nodded. "You got that right."

Everyone laughed.

Kameron and his wife, Zara, stood up as well. "We're heading out too," Kameron said.

One by one, the couples and their partners started to trickle out, until it was just me, Marigold, and my father and Kathy.

"We're going to head out as well," I said. I shook my father's hand and gave Kathy a hug. "Dinner was amazing as usual. Thank you. I can't wait for Thanksgiving."

My father smiled, knowing I was referring to his proposal. "Me neither."

Marigold stepped up and gave a warm yet slightly awkward hug to both Kathy and my father. "Thank you so much for having me," she said, her words genuine. "I really enjoyed myself."

"No need to thank us, dear. You're family now." His words were simple, but they held so much weight. I looked at Marigold, catching her eye.

She was smiling, but I could see the guilt. I felt the same way. I hated lying.

As we walked out to the waiting car, she took my hand, intertwining her fingers with mine. "Your family is lovely," she said.

"Thanks. Yeah, they're not so bad, once they loosened up." I bumped her shoulder with mine. "And you fit in amazingly."

She nodded. "Thanks."

The ride to her place was quiet. She was calm. It was a nice change from the tension of earlier.

When we arrived at her apartment, she turned to me with a warm smile. "Would you like to come up? We can have a nightcap or just unwind after the evening."

I met her gaze, my heart swelling with affection. "I'd love that."