Page 104 of Love Beyond the Illusion
I love that sound.
Epilogue
Jack
Six Months Later
I fell in love with Piper in a little over a month, and to many people, that doesn’t seem like long enough to be unequivocally in love with another person, but it happened. Our love story didn’t start as most do, but that speaks to the type of people we are.
Sitting in my father’s old office, which I’ve officially taken over, I glance through the conjoined doors and into the bright, airy office, now home to countless vibrant green plants. I make eye contact with the beautiful, petite woman with a barely noticeable baby bump standing by the bay window while talking on the phone. I lean back in my chair with my elbow firmly on the armrest and my chin comfortably placed in the palm of my hand. Staring at my wife has become my favorite pastime.
Since I ran into Piper at the airport in Phoenix, we haven’t spent a day apart. She notified the airline and was back up with me within a week. We still couldn’t move into our new house for another three weeks, so we continued to stay comfortably at our villa, barely able to leave the bedroom. Those first three days together were a blur. I couldn’t get enough of everything about her.
I tried to talk Piper out of resigning from the airline, but she insisted that the winery is a family business and that she wanted to be fully involved with her being a Bradley. To say that my mother was thrilled would be an understatement. She practically fell out of her chair when we told her that Piper would be joining me full-time—and then again when we said to her that Piper was pregnant.
A month after she moved here, my mom took a permanent step back from the winery. Piper was able to slip into her new role seamlessly. Together, they redesigned my mother’s old office. The earthy tones and natural light look more like her anyway.
Piper catches me staring while she’s on the phone and playfully sticks her tongue out. That’s my wife. She has eagerly and naturally fallen into the position of Director of Human Resources, and I could not be prouder. The staff has not only welcomed me back but her as well. I stare at her as she paces the room until she eventually ends the call.
“That was Bailey.” She beams, walking into my office from hers. “She said that she and Mason would rather stay with us than in a hotel.”
“That’s great. They’ll be here a few days before Lina and Avery, right?” I ask.
Piper moves around the back of the desk, shifting herself between my bent legs. She smiles and lowers to sit on my knee. “Yes. I’m so excited to see them. We went from seeing each other every week to me not seeing them in over four months.”
We decided to buy her high-rise in Scottsdale since the owners were looking to start liquidating some of the properties they own. It was impeccable timing, as it would have hit the market once her lease was up in January. The look on her face was pure joy when she knew it was hers. For now, she’s decided to keep her furniture there—maybe she’s still a bit sentimental about it.
My hands automatically find the tiny baby bump I’ve become completely obsessed with. I lightly caress her stomach. “I know.”
She’s only four months along and we finally told everyone this last week.
“Mason and Bailey arrive on Wednesday, and then Avery and Lina come on Friday evening,” she says, looping an arm around my neck. “I’m so excited to show everyone around this beautiful place.”
“It will be nice seeing them. Mason wants a crash course in winemaking, and Rob is looking forward to getting some free help.” I laugh.
“I think Bailey and I are going shopping that morning. Then, we have a spa day planned that afternoon.”
“I’m glad you’re getting to spend time with them. And it will be our first time entertaining guests at the new house.”
“I know. I’m looking forward to it,” she says, leaning into me.
I sweep the loose hair away from in front of her face. “How’s your morning sickness today?”
She grimaces and sits a little straighter on my lap. “The ginger candies that your mom suggested have helped a little. But water and saltine crackers seem to work the best.”
“Whatever you need, my love.” I kiss her sweet lips. She’s had rough morning or all-day sickness the last couple of weeks.
“Thank you,” she whispers into my mouth.
“I know I said this morning in the shower that I think the baby is a boy, but I’m leaning toward a girl now.”
“We’ll find out next week, right?”
“Yes. I’m so excited to start decorating the nursery,” she says.
“Me too.”
“Well, hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley,” Erin, Piper’s new assistant, greets us as she enters my office from Piper’s.
