Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“Mom, I don’t know when we’re having kids.”
“You haven’t spoken about that either?” Ethan questioned.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Mom interrupted, “Beau told us you’re planning to have babies immediately.”
“He said that to you?”
“Yes, he was telling everyone that last night. He’s so excited to be a father. Can you imagine a little boy? Beau Prescott Hunter III. Oh! I’m so excited to be a grandma!”
I arched an eyebrow. “The third?”
“Beau’s the second. What else would you name your first son?”
“Maybe something that isn’t so much pressure to step into? Something that gives him more individuality perhaps?”
“You can do that with your second son, honey.”
“Second? We haven’t had one, and we’re already discussing the second baby?”
“Elizabeth, what is with the tone?”
Ethan didn’t say a word. His expression was neutral, and I couldn’t read him at all. I hated when he did that. It was always much easier for him to hide his emotions from me, and now it seemed like it was his superpower.
“I just feel as if my whole future is planned out for me, and I have no say in it.”
“That’s not true. You know we’ve always wanted what’s best for you, and you’re marrying a Hunter, darling. Things will be expected of you. I’m sure you know that.”
“Expected? Like that?”
She must have sensed my apprehension. “You know what? There’s no reason we need to discuss all this right now. This week is just about you and Beau’s love. Everything else will fall into place.”
Will it? What things will Beau expect? And why hasn’t he told me any of this?
“But, Ethan.” Mom wrapped her arm around his shoulders. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to have our girl move back home with us?”
“If that’s what Livvy wants.”
My heart fluttered. He always thought about my feelings, no matter what.
“You’re right,” Mom agreed. “But maybe you can persuade her.” She winked at him before she left to get the glam squad.
I fell back onto the bed. “She’s driving me insane, and it’s only the second day of this circus.”
“That’s an interesting word to describe what’s supposed to be the happiest week of your life.”
“You know what I mean, Ethan.”
“Do you know what you mean, Livvy?”
Do I?
“You better hurry up and get dressed. I saw your mother-in-law making her way over here earlier.”
I peered over at him. “How long have you been up?”
“A few hours. I had to get some work done.”
“Did you even sleep?”
“I don’t need much sleep these days.”
“All work and no play makes Ethan a dull boy. You said you could take the week off for me.”
He held his hands out in front of him. “And here I am.”
“Are you going to be sneak-working the entire time?”
“Not the entire time.”
“Ethan…”
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Livvy
“Don’t worry about me. I’m here for you regardless.”
I smiled wide. “And I’m so grateful for that. You’ll help me keep my sanity from my parents.”
“They just want what’s best for you.”
“You always agree with them.”
“I’m not agreeing. I’m simply stating a fact.”
“Yeah, but—”
“I wasn’t raised by my parents.” He’d never mentioned anything like that. I was rendered speechless when he spoke with conviction…
“I have a much different perspective on family than you.”
Feeling ballsy, I asked, “Have you seen or spoken to your father?”
“To hell with my father, Livvy.”
I frowned. “Is that a yes?”
He changed the subject. “Who’s in your bridal party?”
I reluctantly sighed, giving up. This was the only topic he would never discuss with me. Not once.
Instead of putting up a fight for more information, I smiled. Fully aware he knew I didn’t have many girlfriends to count on. “Two college friends and like five hundred cousins.”
He nodded, stepping back. “I’m going to let you get dressed. I’ll see you at breakfast. I’ll be the one cock at the table.”
I laughed, waving goodbye.
For the rest of the morning, I was thrown around like a rag doll. From one seat to another, I could barely keep up with the endless questions thrown my way from everyone.
“How many kids do you plan on having?”
“Where are you going to live?”
“What names have you decided for your kids?”
“Are you planning on private schools?”
“Do you know what religion you’ll be raising them?”
At one point, I swear the room began spinning, especially after I started trying on my wedding gowns.
“All of these are stunning,” I remarked. “How am I going to choose one?”
Mrs. Hunter replied, “I’m glad these impress you, Elizabeth.” She looked as glamorous as always, wearing a beige dress.
“Wow! I don’t even know what to say. This is so unreal. I’ve never been in anything like this,” I revealed, staring at myself wearing a Valentino mermaid gown in the floor-length mirror in front of me.
They turned the sitting room in the castle into my very own bridal shop. Gown after gown hung on racks across the room.
Every style.
Every fabric.
Every designer.
Nothing cost less than twenty thousand dollars. A few of the dresses were over a hundred.