Chapter 1

ONE

Present

“Are you sure you can handle this, Dad?”

Amelia wrinkles her brows, waiting for me to reassure her since it’s five days she’ll be away from her children. If my memory serves correct, Charlotte was a mess the first time we left the girls for the same period of time. Several times on the drive to the airport, she asked if we could turn back because she didn’t think Ava would sleep at night. Also, she worried Amelia might have accidentally burned my parents’ house down.

“We’ve gone over this,” Will intervenes in a calming tone even though he’s trying to multi-task and type on his phone. “You’ll be too drunk on cocktails to even remember having children.”

A heavy sigh escapes Amelia as she narrows her eyes at Will.

“You’re not helping me calm down.”

“Amelia, how many times have we discussed this? You need to meet with a client. I need to meet with some clients,” he reminds her tactfully. “It’s business mixed with some pleasure. You won’t have time to worry about the kids because before you know it, you’ll be back on a flight to LA and dealing with a son who thinks Pennywise is real thanks to some idiot at preschool, and one who has a sudden fascination for using your lipstick all over our walls like he’s Picasso.”

I’m half-expecting Amelia to argue back since she is very much like Charlotte and must have the last word. As for Will, much like myself, you pick your battles. Women, specifically Charlotte and Amelia, are stubborn and refuse to back down just to prove a point.

Charlotte walks into the kitchen with one grandchild in her arms and another following behind her. Her chocolate brown hair falls perfectly to her collarbone, only to be tugged by Ava’s daughter, River.

She moves around the kitchen so effortlessly, unaffected by the baby touching her hair or our grandson, Archer, pleading for a cookie before bedtime.

Even though years have passed, if possible, Charlotte is more beautiful than when I made her my wife. Watching her with our grandchildren is just how I envisioned our life would be once our kids grew. But, of course, this is after I accepted my daughters would not join a nunnery and stay celibate.

“Millie, relax. You don’t see me all in fretful mother mode,” Ava says with a wide grin, unusually relaxed, given she’s known to panic at times.

Beside her, Austin shakes his head with a knowing smirk while taking River from Charlotte so Archer can get the attention he demands from his grandmother. Charlotte crouches to Archer’s level, talking to him quietly to which he nods with an endearing smile. Bets are Charlotte has negotiated one cookie, but he must eat all his dinner. Even with the kids, she knows how to negotiate so we don’t end up with kids running around on a sugar high.

“Perhaps, this is from the shots of tequila you drank before we came here to stop yourself from crying,” Austin casually mentions.

“I had something in my eye,” Ava drags, glancing in the opposite direction to Austin.

“Oh?” He muses, raising his eyes with delight. “Because it didn’t seem to bother you during your retelling of the time your mom left you for Adriana’s birthday in Cancun, then you cried so hard you puked on the living room floor.”

Charlotte shakes her head with a groan. “If ever I had mom guilt, that was the moment.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Ava chuckles softly, then moves closer to River to caress her cheek. “I know my babies are in the best hands this week.”

“Amelia, Ava,” I say gently. “It will be fine. We’ve had all the kids overnight. What are a few more days? Enjoy your trip with Addison and Masen.”

Ava’s eldest daughter, Emmy, climbs into my lap, abandoning her boy cousins, who are now yelling in the living room. Emmy curls up into my chest, placing her thumb in her mouth while playing with the buttons of my shirt.

“Look at the old fella,” Will goads with a broad smile. “He’ll be fine. He has everything ready for tomorrow’s big presentation and will sleep like a baby tonight.”

Charlotte shakes her head with annoyance since I promised to help and not be distracted by work. That was before I found out a sought-after hotel chain was going on the market in Singapore because of an upcoming divorce proceeding.

“Speaking of this presentation, where are your numbers?” I question Will.

“Sitting in your inbox,” he informs smugly. “Drop the ball already? Might need to send you to the old folks’ home.”

Not many people in my life can get away with this talk, but Will Romano is damn lucky he’s my son-in-law and a brilliant man in the boardroom. Even before his relationship with Amelia, I knew this kid had talent. He’s an innovator, a dying breed since many are quick to label themselves this but fall short in the act.

“Nice dig, kid. Don’t call me in the old folks’ home when you need me to sign off on a deal because you can’t read Cantonese. I’ll be busy playing bingo with my wife.”

Ava claps her hands. “Okay, you two, enough smack talk. We need to go, or we’ll miss our flight.”

“Um, aren’t you forgetting about the other happy couple?” Amelia reminds Ava.

“They’re probably having sex… ” Ava blurts out, “ …since Masen flew back from San Antonio a few hours ago.”

I bow my head, clenching my teeth, trying to remind myself of my girls being adults now. Yet, no matter how hard I try, the state of unrest is engrained into me. My chest tightens as Charlotte pats my shoulder with a soft laugh.

“Oh shit, sorry Dad,” Ava mumbles only to continue, “… but true story.”

The door opens, saving me from a stroke. What perfect timing since it’s Masen and Addison joining us. I bury Ava’s inappropriate references to focus on them with a welcoming smile. It’s only been a few months since they moved to San Francisco, but I miss seeing Addison since she’s no longer a short drive away.

“Hey, everyone,” they greet in unison.

Around the room, Masen and Addison hug everyone until they reach where I’m sitting, prompting me to stand from the chair.

Placing Emmy down, I stand tall, admiring how grown-up and mature Addison has become. Of all the girls, she’s been the easiest, and perhaps it’s because she’s lived a simple life without unnecessary drama. The relationship with Masen is not something I’m against since I’ve known the kid since he was born. I’m just hoping they take the time to focus on their careers before starting a family. Masen has already taken over the CEO position at Lantern Publishing, and Addison just started a new job while finishing her degree at the same time.

Addison wraps her arms around my waist, laying her face against my chest as I kiss the top of her head. Inside my arms, she’s still my little girl.

“I’ve missed you, kid.”

“I know. I’ve missed you too,” she murmurs, pulling away slowly. “I’m still waiting for you to come visit. You’d love the view from our apartment. It’s very Lex Edwards.”

I chuckle softly. “And exactly what does that mean?”

“A view of the Bay Bridge located in the heart of the historic Financial District.”

Unable to hold back my smile, I caress her cheek with the back of my hand. “You know me better than I know myself. Once you return, I’m sure your mother and I can make some time to visit.”

Ava calls attention to the time, prompting everyone to say their goodbyes and leave for the airport.

As suspected, Amelia cries while hugging her boys. They hug her tight, asking her if she has happy tears, to which she nods with a smile. Her youngest son, Alexander, named after me, of course, is only four months old and too young to understand what is happening.

Ava, who previously was relaxed, suddenly appears anxious. Austin is quick to notice, rubbing her lower back as her face turns white like she’s about to be sick. He asks her if she needs to use the bathroom, but she shakes her head and straightens her shoulders. They both kiss their daughters, then each one of them says goodbye to Charlotte and me.

“Are you sure you can handle this, Dad?” Amelia asks again.

“Yes, Amelia.”

Will scratches his chin. “Don’t let me down in tomorrow’s presentation. I might accidentally ask the Chairman in Cantonese if he enjoys his wife in the hotel again.”

“Oh my god, you asked that?” Amelia cringes.

“I was meant to ask if he and his wife enjoyed spending time using the hotel’s facilities. As Lex said, Cantonese is not my strongest skill.”

“No, it isn’t,” I agree, then continue, “… let me lead tomorrow. You will know your cues.”

“Are we ready?” Masen asks, checking the time. “The traffic on the 405 is a nightmare at this time.”

“The 405 is a nightmare all the time,” Addison corrects him.

“Your father and I will be fine, I promise,” Charlotte reassures them. “Now, have fun, enjoy your child-free time, and we’ll FaceTime once you’re settled, okay?”

Masen opens the door, prompting everyone to follow him. Since he doesn’t have kids, his patience wears thin waiting for everyone to say their goodbyes. The drivers are outside, waiting to load their suitcases since they need two cars to get to the airport.

With Charlotte beside me, we wave goodbye to the kids, but just before Ava climbs in, she stops with her hand resting on the door.

“No sex with Mom while the kids are awake. Control yourself, Dad.”

And just like that, Ava knows exactly how to make a moment memorable. Beside me, Charlotte laughs, knocking into my side with her elbow. “Did you hear that? We have rules.”

The door closes, then the driver toots his horn as they drive down the driveway.

I nod with a smirk, turning to face Charlotte as I stare into her beautiful brown eyes. No words need to pass between us because everything we have, everything we are, can be felt with just one weighted gaze.

But then I remember the rules.

I don’t obey rules, not when it interferes with me devouring my wife’s body. My thumb grazes her bottom lip as she releases a sigh.

“And rules were made to broken, sweetheart.”