Isaac was already seated at a window table, with Zoe beside him in a high chair, when Eden walked in with Aiden.
"I was starting to think you'd stood me up," he said as he got up from his seat, gave her a quick hug and placed her son in the other high chair.
"Traffic was a nightmare," she smiled apologetically as she sat down and spent a few minutes browsing through the menu even though she knew she'd get a chai latte. She always ordered a chai latte.
"So, how did it go with the attorneys?" Isaac asked as he rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward.
"I was hoping you wouldn't ask," Eden said, her eyes lighting up when their waitress returned with their hot drinks.
"That bad, huh?" Isaac said when they were alone again.
"It was horrible," Eden nodded and watched Aiden babble away with Zoe for a while before she filled Isaac in on her crazy week.
He listened intently and drummed his fingers on the table, his eyes giving aJames and Steven were not happy with Liam's decision to head to Hayes & Jones. They would have preferred to have at least one uneventful day, and they tried to get him to change his mind about the visit, going on about the optics. "If the missus finds out, she won't be happy," James warned him. "You know Laura is a sore spot for her." Liam was well aware of this, and the last thing he wanted was to upset Eden. But he'd never rest until he figured out the source of the leak, and only his ex could give him answers. They spent the trip to the central business district in relative silence. He was about to send Eden a check-in text to find out how the visit with her parents had gone when his phone buzzed in his hand. It was Clara, and she didn't sound happy at all. "Aleksei Ivanov responded, Sir. He's happy to meet with you!" Liam had expected the bastard to give him a hard time. This was too easy, too quick. It could very well be a trap or—
It's been fifteen minutes since Liam summoned Mrs Stone to his study, and she was yet to grace him with her presence. He sighed and drummed his fingers on the cold glass surface, his irritation levels rising exponentially the longer he waited for her. He checked the time on his phone again. Five minutes, Liam promised himself. If the housekeeper didn't show up in five minutes, he would go out there and drag her by her hair if he had to. His patience, though, ran out not even a minute later, and he scooted out of his chair. "Dave!" He called out as he lingered in the doorway and scanned the empty hallway His butler appeared beside him like an apparition, almost frightening him to death with his quiet voice and unobtrusive movements. "Yes, Mr Anderson?" "Goodness, Dave!" Liam grumbled. "You've got to make some sound, you know. You can't just sneak up on people like that!" The older man laughed. "I'm sorry, Sir, I didn't mean to s
Eden woke up feeling completely rejuvenated and ready to spend the day doing absolutely nothing. Well, maybe not nothing. But binge-watching true crime shows with Brenda while Aiden built stuff with his toys sounded like a solid plan. Yes, serial killer shows, popcorn and a nice snuggly blanket—in that order—was her idea of a perfect Sunday. But then, a clean-shaven Liam with nothing but a white towel wrapped around his waist had to put the brakes on her plans and remind her now that she was cohabiting—a reality she hadn't fully processed yet—there were things she couldn't do anymore. Like wear comfy pyjama pants the whole day and gorge herself with potato chips until she slipped into a TV induced coma. "Morning, Princess," he smiled as he leaned over and kissed her on the lips. "You slept okay?" "Like the dead," Eden nodded. To show him how refreshed she felt, she sprung out of bed and yawned and stretched. "I can even run a marathon
"Good, you're still wearing the hat," Liam tapped the brim lightly before handing Brenda the plastic bag with their refreshments. "I don't want water. I want a cape," Eden turned up her nose at the bottle of sparkling water he'd opened for her. But no matter how long she stood there, with her arms crossed, refusing to budge until he got her a cape, Liam wouldn't. Instead, he made her take photos of him and Aiden, and a few included Brenda and his security team. Feeling left out, Eden asked at last, "What about one with me?" "Don't worry; we'll photoshop you in," Liam smirked. But James was happy to do the honours. He took tons of photos of the three of them. Most were fun and silly, but there were a few serious ones worthy of family portraits that Eden wanted to print and frame. "Where's our first stop?" Brenda asked as she took Aiden and placed him in the stroller. Liam checked the time and confirmed the dolphin show was about
"Can you please slow the fuck down?" Matthew shouted in the passenger seat, sweating buckets as he held on to the grab handle for dear life. Liam, though, didn't even notice his palpable fear. His mind was drowning in a million questions as he raced through the streets. He knew Matthew would get a speeding ticket or two because of his reckless driving. But he didn't care; his only concern was getting to the emergency room. "Yeah, dude, you're gonna get us killed if you don't chill!" Julian, grabbing on tight to Matthew's headrest, voiced his fears from the backseat. "Can you both shut the fuck up?" Liam screamed at the brothers when he briefly lost Cassandra's Jeep. "I need to think!" But he couldn't think, not when his mind was swimming with questions, and raw terror still gripped his heart. His son was out of danger, thanks to Eden's nerves of steel and her uncanny ability to remain level headed in a crisis. But, Liam's heart was still in pi
Aiden was out like a light even before they left the dispensary, but Liam refused to put him in his car seat, insisting on holding him for the entire ride home. "You know he'll be okay, right?" Eden assured him for the millionth time. Liam nodded just as many times. "I know. I just want to hold him and never let him go. And when we get home, I want to hold you, too." "That sounds nice," Eden sighed dreamily and rested her head on his shoulder. "I can do with some holding right now. I was so afraid." "Me too," he admitted. "I don't think I've ever been so terrified in my life, and from now on, I don't want anyone near Aiden. I'm getting him a sterilised bubble like the one from that Bubble Boy movie." Eden chuckled. "He can't live in a bubble. He needs human contact." "Either that or I die before I'm thirty. You choose, Princess.""That's an unfair choice," she mumbled through her very loud yawn. "Guess it's settled then.
The lunch was going well until it wasn't. And the topic that sparked all the strife, or at least Eden's discontent, was the mysterious engagement party she didn't even know about until Holly brought it up when she asked about the guest list and invitations. Willow, too, wanted to know if they'd set the date and whether she and Liam planned to wear matching outfits on their big day. So while Liam's sisters babbled on and planned her entire engagement party in between mouthfuls of pasta primavera and red wine, Eden's anxiety crept up to such unhealthy levels she mentally muted them. Sure, her mother had said something about a summer wedding, and when Liam mentioned losing his inheritance if she didn't marry him in six months, she'd thought he was joking. But now, with all these plans being made on the fly, it was becoming more apparent the joke was on her, and the wedding she hasn't agreed to is a go. Eden placed her fork and napkin carefully be
After their shower, Liam stopped by the nursery to check on Aiden. As usual, his son had kicked off his blanket, but his plushy was still firmly at his side, his tiny hand wrapped around the toy's arm. He leaned over the crib and kissed him on the forehead, and Aiden opened his eyes and smiled so briefly. "Dad?" He sighed sleepily. "Yes, baby," Liam smiled back as he covered him up with his blanket. "Nemo sleeping?" Aiden mumbled before he closed his eyes again, and he was out like a light. "Yes, he is. And you should, too. Sleep tight, Kool-Aid," he murmured as he kissed him again and dimmed the light before he left the nursery, a regretful look in his eyes. He's barely spent time with his son, and the next few weeks weren't going to be easy either once he got entangled with the Ivanovs. But he didn't want to be that guy, the one who never had time for his kid, and for that not to happen, a lot would have to change, starting with his
[Six Months Later]... After months of preparations, Eden's weeklong exhibition at Fugue was a smashing success. She even managed to sell two of her paintings. But with all the smiling and pandering she had done to Rock Castle's uber-rich, she would not have expected anything less. So when Saturday rolled around, the only thing she wanted to do was to crash on the couch and put up her feet. Not a lot for a girl to ask. But she wasn't destined to enjoy the little things in life. Having tried every trick in the book to get her to give up her spot on the couch and leave the house with him, Liam finally let the cat out of the bag. Her friends had tasked him with the sacred job of dropping her off at Heat for a surprise baby shower. Eden didn't want to go anywhere, but she would never hear the end of it if she didn't show up. So she threw on a pair of black leggings—the only thing in her closet that still fit her— and Liam's denim
As Liam watched Eden slowly make her way to him, he was overcome with emotion. The whole day he had tried to keep it together, and he had lost track of the number of times his cousins had had to stop him from running to her guest suite to see her. And now that she was here, and they were so close to the start of their next chapter, hard as he tried to blink away his tears, Liam couldn't. He choked back a sob, unable to believe how lucky he was. He had never seen that many brides before, but Eden took the number one spot from the few that he had. She looked incredible in her dress, a vision of grace and elegance and beauty, exactly how he imagined a real-life princess would look. But then again, she was his Princess, his hell, his paradise, and her slow progress down the aisle wasn't working for him. He crossed the room in few quick strides, and in a heartbeat, he had her in his embrace as he kissed her fiercely, much to everyone's surprise and cheers.
Wedding fever hit town as soon as the press release about Eden and Liam's impending nuptials went out. For days the announcement, posted on Anderson Logistics website and all the company's socials, was the number #1 trending topic on all social media platforms. The internet was in disbelief. Thousands of Liam's adoring fans couldn't accept that the day they had dreaded was finally upon them, and the Three-Month Prince was officially off the market. Well, almost off the market. Like most people who have an unhealthy obsession with their idols, they had to share their outrage and sadness with strangers on the internet. Overnight, Eden became the villainess, the woman who had ruined all their fantasies, and they couldn't understand why, out of all the beauties in the universe ready to fall at his feet, Liam would choose her. She had to have used some kind of witchcraft or love spell on him, they said. And when Sienna's exposé on t
Liam headed straight to his study as soon as they got home and spent almost an hour on the phone with his father. Like he'd expected, Clarke was against the meeting and even more disturbed when he brought up the idea of dropping the charges. "Are you insane?" His father barked on his end, and if they were in the same room, Liam knew he would have likely throttled him. "We almost lost you. You almost died! How can you even think about this?" "What other choice do I have, Dad? He's watching Eden. We're getting married in three weeks. I don't want to keep looking over my shoulder. What kind of life will that be for Eden and our children?" "James told you there's a way to handle this. Aleksei and his brother are dogs. They should be put down." "And what will that make us?" Liam asked sadly. "I didn't call to ask for your permission. I was simply informing you the meeting with Andrei is happening." He clicked off before his father could pus
The botanical gardens were in the northern part of Rock Castle, and on a good day, it would have taken them under ten minutes to get there from Van Holt Industries. But, it took them almost twice as long because, by the time they left the doctor's rooms, every man and his dog was out and about, running their morning errands. By the time they arrived, the place was almost packed to capacity. Everywhere they turned, they were greeted by people on their picnic blankets with their wicker baskets; others were on camping chairs under big shady umbrellas, already sipping beers and turning sausages and steaks on their braai stands even though it wasn't even 10:00 AM yet. "Look at this place," Eden murmured, her eyes flitting everywhere. "We can't let Aiden out of our sight. I don't want a repeat of the aquarium. What if Aleksei is here?" "He's in jail, remember?" Liam reminded her as he lifted her chin. "He can't hurt us." "But his brother is around—"
Liam never thought he'd survive two weeks in hospital. But he did. With lots of patience, tons of reports and proposals to keep him sane and an endless supply of meds to ease his pain. Before he knew it, the dreaded family fun day, months in the making, finally snuck upon them. However, Anderson Logistics' big day coincided with his hospital release and their first check-up with Dr Emily. Eden was highly strung, anxious out of her wits when she came to pick him up. "There's so much to do today," she wrung her hands as they watched James scoop Aiden up and grab Liam's travel bag. It was amazing how much stuff he had managed to collect over the past couple of weeks. His duffel bag was now heavier than it was when Eden first dropped it off. "Tell me what's wrong," Liam said as he wheeled himself around the room and paused in front of her. He didn't need the wheelchair now, but he found it very comfortable, way better than sitting on the stiff bed. "So, what's wrong?" he pulled her do
The thought of spending an indefinite amount of time in the hospital did not please Liam at all, so as soon as they returned to his ward after their brisk walk, he tried every trick in the book to get Eden to speak to the doctors and get them to discharge him. But she refused to do his dirty work, much to his dismay. He thought she would want him home as soon as possible. "Whose side are you on?" He glared at her. "Yours, of course. I don't want to take any chances, you know," she said as she helped him up on the bed. Their son was now sitting on the floor, craning his neck at the blank TV screen in the corner and sipping his boxed juice. Liam had never met a kid who loved TV as much as Aiden, and he wondered if it was normal. Maybe spending all that time with Brenda during the day wasn't such a good thing. Maybe he needed to start going to school to get his mind stimulated. "I'm someone's fiancée now, you know, and I need the groom pr
Later that evening, when Eden walked into Liam's ward with Aiden in her arms, she was surprised to find him clean-shaven and fully clothed in joggers, sneakers and a hoodie as if he was ready to go somewhere. "Dad!" Aiden shrieked with joy as soon as he saw his father rolling around the room in a wheelchair. Liam roared right back at him, his voice thundering through the room as he opened his arms. "Kool-Aid!" Eden set their son down, and he ran to his father. Liam scooped him up despite his visible agony but yelped out in pain when he tried to throw him up in the air. Eden was instantly at his side, worry dancing in her eyes, the travel bag in her hands falling at her feet with a dull thud. Aiden, too, look just as concerned. "I'm okay," Liam assured them, but the anguish on his face told a different story. "Why are you even out of bed?" Eden scolded him, much to Aiden's disapproval. "Mom, no!" He shook his hea
Eden looked up, startled out of her mind to see his eyes were open. "Liam!" She was instantly on her feet and kissing him on the lips as she sobbed so loud she thought she'd wake the patients in the neighbouring rooms. "Oh my God, it's true. You're awake! I was starting to think they lied." "If you keep crying, I might just pass out again!" He growled and patted the empty spot on the bed. "Come here!" She sank beside him, and he drew her closer and placed his hand on her tummy. "How's my little warrior?" Eden burst into tears again at his words. "You heard everything I said that night?" "Of course I did," he smiled tearfully as well. "I may have been dying, but I'm not deaf, you know." "And you're not angry?" "Why would I be angry?" Liam asked. "Because you just found out about Aiden and now—" "Now our family will be complete," he pulled her down, and she nestled in his arms, careful not to touch his wound. "I l