All Chapters of Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Becca.We dressed in funereal black, standing at the head of a receiving line while family came to pay their respects at a wake at the compound. There would be another wake at the Cathedral, a full Catholic Mass, and then a procession to the mausoleum where the late Don Valentino would be buried.People had been bringing food for days. People of all walks of life who knew or felt indebted to or were associates with Don Valentino. I'd heard the kitchen staff say we had more food than we knew what to do with. James had told them if we had too much, to arrange with a local parish to distribute it to the poor.I stood at James's side. I wasn't his wife, but I was the mother of his child, and he'd decided my place at the funeral was right beside him. I did get a few curious looks, but I was holding Dahlia and James was holding Alessandro, and we looked every bit the family we were. So what if it wasn't conventional?Layla was standing quietly off to one side, also wearing black. She

Becca."Sofia's having dinner with us?" I repeated, watching as James tied a very smart tie around his neck."Yes. She's a guest. I thought it would be a good opportunity for her to meet and spend time with the family," James replied, flipping his collar back down and pulling on a jacket.I'd come into James's room, all ready to tell him off, only to see him putting on one of his sexiest suits. My little green monster began causing me to panic. Was he dressing up for her?"So, is this some kind of formal dinner?" I asked.James glanced over at me. "No. You can wear what you like.""Then why are you all dressed up?" I demanded."We remain in black for a mourning period of one year here, Becca. The funeral hasn't even happened yet. I'm just showing my respect," James said.Yeah, right. I stiffened my back and then started for the door. "I'll go change, then. And I'll have Giana add more black to my wardrobe. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner."Actually, I was more incen

Becca.I stood over the Pack 'n Play for what seemed like hours, watching Alessandro and Dahlia sleep. Layla had Alessandro packed. James and I were packed. Aside from the funeral tomorrow, we were ready to take the jet and go.I couldn't believe Chad was trying to get custody of our sweet Alessandro. I couldn't believe he had the gall. No, the BALLS. That lying, cheating, abusive PRICK. Even if he had been smacked around a little by James, it wasn't as though he wanted Alessandro.Now, his family was worried about their legacy. Now, Alessandro was suddenly good enough.I wanted to strangle the lot of them.The door to my suite opened, and I looked over to see James looking haggard."Did your lawyer recommend a family law attorney?" I asked, going over to him."He did. Turns out the Cartwrights are using the same firm," James sighed. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. "Sofia actually got in touch with someone. Apparently, a friend of hers was in a knock down

Becca.I walked out of the lawyer's office feeling as though I were floating somewhere outside myself. Everything just seemed so… surreal.James was carrying Alessandro. But then I had a sudden need to hold the child, as though physically having him in my arms could protect us all from having him taken away.Woodenly, I held out my arms for Alessandro."Becca… are you sure?" James asked.I nodded, and James carefully passed the one-year-old over. Alessandro blinked dark eyes up at me, completely unaware of the dangerous game that was going on around him. Unaware of the dangerous games that had been going on around him."James, I can't lose him," I whispered. "If the judge says I can keep him, but I have to go away from you… I will.""I know," James said without judgment. He put a hand at my back, but I pulled away."Everything's gone wrong, and every time it does, there you are right in the middle of it," I spoke sternly. "Why is it that you keep f*cking up my life? Our

Becca.I spent the next morning with Alessandro, taking him around the house and discovering all its nooks and crannies. It was an old house, but the renovations made it feel very modern. Most of the lights and appliances even worked with voice commands."Aren't you going to the neighbors' for lunch?" Layla's head popped into the nursery just as I was getting ready to change Alessandro. "I forgot!" I cried out, startling Alessandro. I smiled at him, and he smiled back, thankfully. "Can you get him?""Yes, go ahead." Layla stepped inside and took over while I rushed to the bedroom. James was there looking at himself in the mirror, turning from side to side while observing his clothes. He did this several times while I searched through my suitcase–-I hadn't even properly unpacked yet. "I've never seen you so worried about your appearance," I said, startling him."I don't know what the dress code is for these events." From what I surmised yesterday