Page 88 of Power Play
My beginning and my end.
Epilogue
Garrett
Iwipe my sweaty palms against my suit. Lacey grabs one of my large hands in one of her small ones and squeezes it tight, ignoring how clammy they are.
We're in Mom's lawyer's office. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows are tinted just enough to let warm, natural light soothe the space without being glaring. Lacey is sitting next to me, just in front of the large desk, while Scott and Ben stand against one bare wall, the dual stroller between them. My father and his lawyer take up the other two guest chairs.
I can feel Dad's glare burning a hole in the back of my head.
"Do you have the paperwork?"
"Yessir," I say in a rush, handing him the folder I had prepared with shaking fingers this morning. Lacey had reminded me that this would work, that everything would be okay, and even when I was still anxious, she dropped to her knees and sucked my soul out of my dick to distract me.
I fucking love this woman.
Jenkins, esquire, looks over our marriage certificate and birth certificates for both babies. He sets the papers down before turning his attention to Lacey. While his gaze isn't unfriendly, the urge to leap in front of her to protect her is strong.
"And you, Mrs. Jones. You enter this marriage willfully, of your own regard?"
Lacey squeezes my hand before looking at me. I'm scared to look at her, but when I do she has a soft, adoring smile on her face and my chest implodes.
"Yes, I do. Garrett is an amazing man and I'm honored to call him my husband."
"And these babies are his?"
Sour churns in my stomach. Yes? No? Maybe? I know the will didn't require a DNA test, but what if Father changed it? What if they do a DNA test and neither of the girls is mine? My heart rate spikes and I get light headed.
Until Lacey squeezes my hand again, and wraps her foot around my ankle. "They are."
And with two low, stern, sincere words I know she means it. There isn't a limit on how many people can love and parent a child. Those are my little girls, DNA or not.
He sets the papers down with a finality, before reaching into his desk and pulling out another folder. He slides it across the desk to me.
"Then the conditions of the will have been met. Here is a cashier's check for the amount your mother left in the will."
"We contest the will," Dad's lawyer says.
"On what grounds?" Jenkins replies.
"That he paid her off, or it's a marriage of convenience, or something!" Dad shouts, standing like using his height will intimidate the older man.
"And you have proof of this?" Jenkins narrows his eyes at my dad, frowning deeply.
Dad bristles before murmuring something about finding proof and storming out, his lawyer hot on his heels.
I open the folder with shaky hands. Seven point five million dollars. I sigh out a breath of relief. I had no idea how much this was weighing on me until it was finally done. I swallow past cloying emotion and look at Lacey. My beautiful, brave Lacey. I can't help it. I lean forward and kiss her. It's chaste, for the most part, but it's an appetizer for what I promise to give her later. I'll worship her tonight, and every night for the rest of our lives for this gift she's given me.
And it's not only the inheritance, but our beautiful daughters, and my new family.
We shake hands with the esquire and say our goodbyes.
Scott and Ben are chatting quietly between them when Lacey wraps an arm around my waist, beaming up at me with pride.
"I can't thank you enough..." I start before almost bumping into my father.
"You may think you've won today, but I promise you, that money is mine. I'll prove this was all a scam, that those babies aren't even yours, and you'll have to hand that money back over. This isn't the end." He growls into my face.
