Will Chicago in late fall was as cold, gray, and wet as ever. I st epped out of the car and into a fine, persistent drizzle that immediately found its way down the back of my collar. If I hadn’t grown up here, I wasn’t sure if I would have been able to adjust to life in England as easily as I had, but as things were, it had been a pretty smooth process. The tropical honeymoon we’d just gotten back from hadn’t hurt either. Eliza and I had finally had a break together and it had been the perfect idea to go som eplace hot and humid before we faced down a long winter. Although I wasn’t opposed to spending every night curled up in front of the fire with her, buried under blankets and— Nope. Don’t go there. Not right now. Since I was making my way into W&S HQ for the first time since I’d essentially disappeared to go live in a castle, this didn’t feel like the right time to be thinking about all the things I wanted to do to my wife. Instead, I focused on the building. A place where I’d taken some of my first st eps and had never been away from for as long as it’d been this time. It was still familiar in a way I suspected it always would be. I didn’t miss it as much as I’d thought I might. My old office door was half open and I paused for a second before pushing it the rest of the way. Jesse’s things were all over. His organizational system looked suspiciously like chaos, with files and papers spread everywhere. A jacket was slung over the back of the chair that used to be mine. Strangely, I felt no itch to take it back or any sudden urges to reclaim the space. I just leaned against the doorframe, smiling as I realized that in retrospect, it’d never felt quite right that this office was mine. Being at the castle, however, did feel right. Between the estate, Eliza, the ongoing projects she’d been managing alone for years that I was now into up to my elbows, and the fact that apparently living in a historic building came with a never-ending list of things that needed attention, I wasn’t exactly bored in the English countryside. More than that, it felt like I was building something of my own there instead of just being a cog in a corporate machine that could take me or leave me. Sure, the estate itself was centuries old, but Eliza and I were always brainstorming new ways to make it better, more profitable, and to turn it into a legacy our kids could one day be proud of. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Jesse speaking up from behind me. “Breaking and entering?”
“Visiting.” I glanced back at him, pushing away from the doorframe and finally walking into the office. He st epped inside after me, grinning. He shut the door and strode around my desk—his desk—to sit down behind it. “It’s kind of weird seeing you back here.” “It’s kind of weird being back here,” I r eplied, going over to the floor- to-ceiling windows instead of taking the chair across from the desk. “Even weirder that this view used to be my life.” He chuckled. “Are you having buyer’s remorse already?” “No way. I like it there. I was actually just thinking about how I thought I’d miss this place more, but I just don’t.” “How are things?” he asked. “It sounds like it’s going well if you don’t even miss us.” I laughed. “I didn’t say I didn’t miss you all. I said I didn’t miss this place. There’s a difference. Things really are good, though.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.” He studied me for a second, like he was checking for cracks in my story. “England is treating you well, then?” “Y ep. It turns out I enjoy rain a lot more when it’s attached to a castle.” He huffed out a quiet laugh. “That’s good to know. I’ve been wondering if you were going to change your mind now that winter is coming.” “Well, it’s not Game of Thrones. We’ll be fine. So you can tick that off of your list of things to worry about. How about you?” I asked. “Enjoying your new life as me?” “It’s terrifying,” he said. “I don’t know how you did this every day.” I shrugged. “Get your coffee from the place down the street instead of the breakroom and you should survive.” “Thanks for the tip.” “No problem.” A brief, comfortable silence settled between us before I turned to face him again. “How are you doing with all of it, though? Are you having buyer’s remorse yet?” “Nah. I’ve still got a lot to learn and it’s going to take a while, but I’m getting there. At least, I think I am.” I nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.” He glanced at me with one eyebrow arched. “You sound very confident about that.” “I am,” I said simply. “It’s not like anyone just walks in here and automatically knows what they’re doing. It took Alex ages to figure it out. Nate was a wreck for months. I was still kind of finding my feet even when I left, if I’m being honest.”
“Seriously?” I nodded. “Yeah, man. It’s a multi-billion-dollar, multi-national company that we’re only one division of. Just the organogram used to give me nightmares.” “What the fuck is an organogram?” my twin asked, nose wrinkling. “You’ll figure it out.” “Yeah, maybe.” He inhaled a de ep breath through his nostrils, but at least some of the tension was easing from his features. He refocused on me. “So what are you really doing here? I doubt you came all the way to Chicago just to check in with me.” “Mostly, I’m here because I had some loose ends to tie up, but there is also something else I wanted to tell you. In person.” His eyebrows lifted slightly. “That sounds ominous.” “It’s not,” I said. “Well, actually, it might be. It d epends on how you feel about babies.” His face contorted in confusion “Babies? Are you opening up a foster care center or something, because I’m not qualified to—” I couldn’t stop the smile that cr ept onto my lips. “Relax, dude. I’m not about to ask you to open up the townhouse to a charity. Eliza’s pregnant.” For a long second, he just stared at me. Then he broke into a giant grin. “No way.” “Way.” He laughed, immediately getting up and coming over to give me a hug. “That was fast.” “Neither of us wanted to wait,” I confessed as he thudded me on the back. “Part of it was that they need an heir, but we’re also both just ready, you know? We wanted to start trying and—” “I don’t need the details, bro. I know how babies are made.” He laughed. “Just, I mean, wow. Do you know what it is yet? I know there’s some pressure on Eliza for a boy.” “No, not yet,” I said. “It’s too early.” “But you’re—” “Thrilled,” I said without hesitation. “Completely, overwhelmingly thrilled. Whatever it is, I’ll be happy.” He gave me one last thump before he let go, still grinning. “Congratulations, man. Really.” “Thanks.” I paused for a beat, finally going to sit down when he went back to his chair. “I just wanted to say thank you. I’m not sure where we would’ve been if you hadn’t st epped aside and checked that contract again.” He looked back at me, that same steady gaze I’d caught from him before now fixed on me once again. “You did me a favor, man. Lots of favors, actually. I just happen to be good at reading the fine print.”
“Either way, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.” He smiled. “Any time, man. Any time.” We sat there for another few minutes, catching up before I sighed when I caught the time on the clock above the door. “Shit, I need to get going. I have a meeting with the lawyers.” “Some things never change,” he said dryly. “Try not to sign anything life altering this time without having me look it over, okay?” I chuckled. “No promises, but I ripped them a new one for missing it. I doubt they’re going to be making any more mistakes like that anytime soon.” He smirked. “We’ll see.” Both of us stood up and headed for the door, but when we reached it, I paused to glance back at the office just one more time. I used to think this life was everything, but it was so easy to leave it behind again when I left after saying goodbye that I knew de ep down I’d made the right decision. Jesse seemed to be settling in well. According to Nate, the transition from me to him had been relatively painless. All things considered, it really felt like this was the way things were always meant to play out. My meeting with the lawyers took longer than I’d wanted it to, but on my way back to the hotel where I was staying, I still made one more stop. Alex and Jane had invited me to stay with them when he’d found out I was coming, but I’d declined. They were new parents. It had just felt like I would be intruding, but I did have the code for his penthouse since he’d sent it to me just in case. I let myself in, immediately registering the faint scent of coffee and something vaguely baby-related in the air. Powder, maybe? But I wasn’t an expert. Yet. “Hello?” I called, still somehow managing to ke ep my voice muted just in case the baby was sle eping. I didn’t even know if it was necessary. My voice had just kind of done it of its own accord. God, I have a lot to learn. “In here,” Alex’s r eplied from the living room, his own voice completely normal. I sighed and k ept walking, stopping short as soon as they came into view. Alex was sitting on the couch with one arm carefully supporting baby Cameron, making it look so easy, it was like he’d been doing this his entire life. “This feels illegal,” I said quietly. “Is he supposed to be that tiny?” Alex looked up and smiled. “Why on God’s green earth would it feel illegal?”
I eyed my n ephew like he might explode. “He’s tiny. It just kind of feels like there should be a grownup in the room with us.” “Tiny is generally how babies start,” he said, fighting a laugh. “Makes it easier on the mother. And I hate to break it to you, but we are the grownups in the room.” I crouched when I reached them, peering at Cameron who blinked up at me with the vague confusion of someone who hadn’t asked for it but had somehow been dropped into the chaos of being a Westwood anyway. “Hi,” I said. “I’m your uncle. I have no idea how to be one of those, but we’ll figure it out, okay? I’ve got your back, buddy. That’s all you need to know right now.” “Don’t worry, you’ll fit right in,” Nate said from the armchair in the corner. “None of us have any clue what we’re doing, even though we are, apparently, the grownups in the room.” I glanced over, honestly not even having noticed him before for how focused I’d been on the incredibly small human in my other brother’s arms. “Hey, man. You were my next stop.” He smirked. “Glad to save you the trouble.” I straightened back up, shoving my hands into my pockets so I didn’t accidentally knock the child out of his father’s arms somehow. I couldn’t stop staring at him, though. “He seems real calm. That’s cool, right? He didn’t take after you or Jane after all.” Alex chuckled but rolled his eyes. “Thanks, but I wouldn’t be so sure of that. We’re in the honeymoon phase.” I snorted. “There’s a honeymoon phase for babies?” He shrugged. “That’s what they tell me.” Nate leaned forward. “How’s married life treating you?” “Good,” I said honestly, taking a quick look around to make sure I hadn’t missed anyone else sitting in a corner. “Speaking of which, where are your wives?” “Jane is upstairs having a nap,” Nate volunteered. “Kate is...” “Heavily pregnant,” Alex finished for him. “Nathaniel here is hiding out until she stops being mad at him for looking at another woman in the dream she had last night.” I winced. “Wow, so that’s what I have to look forward to. Good to know.” Alex’s eyes widened. “What did you just say?” My stomach dropped. “Fuck. I wasn’t thinking.” Nate blinked hard. “Already?” I sighed, but the cat was out of the bag now. There was no putting it back in. “For the record, I was going to find a more eloquent way to tell you, but yes. Already.”
Nate laughed. “Wow. Congratulations.” “Thanks.” “That’s amazing news, man,” Alex said happily. “When is she due?” “Next summer,” I said. “We don’t know if it’s a boy yet, so James wanted us to ke ep it under wraps for now, but I do have Eliza’s permission to tell the family.” Nate leaned back, his head shaking like he couldn’t quite believe this was happening. “That’s big news, bro.” “You’re one to talk,” I pointed out. “You’ve got a daughter on the way.” “She’ll be here before I know it,” he said proudly, though slight terror flickered across his face when he glanced at Cameron again. I chuckled under my breath. “Yeah, good luck with that.” He grinned at me. “Same to you.” We shared a look that was equal parts understanding, joy, and impending doom. Meanwhile, as we fell silent, all just absorbing that our family was growing so damn fast, the TV murmured in the background. I’d tuned it out until I caught a familiar lands cape on the screen in my periphery. “Hey,” I said. “Check it out. It’s a commercial for a show they’ve been filming at the estate.” Swe eping shots followed of the grounds, the gardens, and the lake. Alex followed my gaze. “That must be weird.” “Very,” I agreed. “It’s already started feeling like home to me, but then, to see it like that...” “Is it a good weird, though?” Nate asked. I nodded without skipping a beat. “Yeah. Definitely.” Alex waved me into a chair. “Have you got time for a drink with us before you head out? I know you said you have an early flight tomorrow.” “Wow, that’s really in and out.” Nate winked at me. “It seems like you’re doing everything fast these days.” I groaned. “Not everything, but what can I say? I’m efficient. Don’t be jealous.” He laughed. I dropped onto the couch and had a beer with them before saying my goodbyes. By the time I got back to the hotel, I was exhausted but happy. It had been good to see them. Our family was generally close knit. Being so far away from them and not seeing them every day anymore had definitely been the biggest challenge about living so far away. I grabbed a quick shower and then climbed into bed, reaching for my phone without even thinking about it.
Eliza picked up on the second ring and I smiled at the sound of her voice, reminded of why I was okay with seeing so much less of my brothers. “Hello, husband.” “Hi, Mrs. Westwood,” I said quietly. “I miss you. How are you feeling?” “I’m okay. A little nauseated, but nothing I can’t handle,” she said lightly. “I can’t wait for you to get back, though. The castle feels different without you in it now.” My heart tripped over itself as I leaned back against my pillows and closed my eyes. “I’ll be home soon, baby.” “Not soon enough,” she murmured. “Next time, I’m going with you.” “That sounds good,” I said. “I know it’s only been a few days, but—” “It’s already too long?” I chuckled. “Yeah. For sure.” “Okay, well, come back to me,” she said. “I have a surprise for you when you get home.” “A naughty surprise or a baby-related surprise?” “Baby-related, but now that you mention it, maybe one of the other type as well.” A soft groan rumbled through me. “I’m hurrying home as early as I can, okay? I love you.” “I love you too,” she said like it was simplest, most natural thing in the world. The strangest thing was that these days, it was. Eliza and I had put all the drama behind us and we were building something incredible together. Something I honestly couldn’t wait to get back to.
Epilogue Eliza Ifound out very quickly that being heavily pregnant made something that used to be as simple as walking through a castle less casual and more strategic. Moving slowly down the corridor with one hand braced against the small of my back, I went in search of my husband. The Westwoods had arrived a few days ago, a few of the brothers, their wives, and Jesse. It’d been surprisingly comfortable having them here. A few months ago, that would have been unimaginable, but time—and a lot of difficult conversations—had done their work. Will and Jesse had taken those months to smooth over their relationship after everything that had happened, but now, they were thick as thieves again, meaning that Will had rarely been where I’d left him since his twin had arrived. I reached the private sitting room just as another wave of voices and laughter rose from within, and I smiled as I st epped into baby central. There were blankets and baskets, tiny clothes that made my heart do alarming things, and the two cutest babies in the world cooing on a playmat. Kate and Jane sat near the fir eplace, having turned this room into their base of operations and rarely leaving it. Kate grinned when she saw me. “There you are. We were just talking about you.” “That’s never a good sign,” I joked as I waddled into the room. “Were you talking about how very much I’ve come to resemble a whale?” “No.” Jane smiled. “We were wondering if you’ve chosen a name yet, but now that you’ve mentioned it, how are you feeling?” “Large, slightly betrayed by my own spine, and uncertain if my brain is even where I left it.” Kate laughed. “You might feel like a whale, but you don’t look like one. Promise.” As I started taking another st ep, I stopped moving, my eyebrows mashing together. Something suddenly felt off. There was a strange, sudden warmth between my legs, a shift de ep down inside. “Crap, did I just wet myself?” I blinked and looked down, realizing then that this hadn’t been a bladder control issue. “Oh.”
“Did your water just break?” Kate asked, eyes wide. “Yes,” I said numbly. “I think it did.” Jane was already on her feet, racing toward me. “Here, honey. Lean on me. It’s going to be fine.” I stared at the floor, then looked back at them. “I have at least three more weeks to go.” Kate stood up and took my other arm, gently leading me to the door. “Not anymore you don’t.” “We’re not in London,” I said, because it felt important to share that information. “We were supposed to be in London when this happened.” “No, you’re not in London, but you do have a perfectly capable clinic in the village, remember? Will said so at dinner last night.” I blinked again, my brain still trying to catch up to my body. The baby seemed to have decided to make some executive decisions without consulting me and I honestly felt dumbstruck. “Okay,” I said slowly when I finally managed to speak again. “Okay, that’s fine. Has anyone seen Will?” A few hours later, the world seemed soft around the edges when I woke. For a second, I didn’t move, just lying there and letting the haze lift slowly, the events of the past few hours filtering back in piece by piece. There had been rain, a light, summer drizzle that’d felt so good against my overheated skin when they’d led me to the car. Pain. Will’s voice, steady in my ear, his hands holding mine. Breathing exercises, exc ept these hadn’t only been exercises. My eyes finally drifted open when it occurred to me that they hadn’t only been exercises. Moonlight was spilling in through the window, pale and soft against the walls of the cozy, normally quiet village clinic. It sure hadn’t been quiet today, though. Almost all the Westwoods had relocated here when they’d learned the baby was on the way. There were only two Westwoods I wanted right now, though. “Will?” My voice came out as more of a croak as I looked around wildly, but only for a moment before I saw him standing near the bassinet. He was moving carefully, like everything in the world had narrowed down to this one, fragile moment as he lifted our son into his arms. He smiled as he turned toward me. “Welcome back, Mommy. Good nap?” Seeing them together made the strangest thing happen to my chest, like it was expanding into a different dimension altogether. My gaze sw ept across Will’s features until
it came to a rest on the angelic, gorgeous face of my son. Bennet Westwood Roderick. One day, the Seventh Earl of Roderick, but right now, he was just ours, a tiny, perfect piece of both of us. Will crossed the room carefully with the baby. “Say hi to Mommy, little one.” “Hi,” I murmured, my voice still a little sle epy. “How is he doing?” He sat on the edge of the bed, settling Bennet gently in his arms before leaning in to press a kiss to my forehead. “He’s doing so well, baby. There’s still a few minutes before he needs another feed, so you can go back to sle ep if you want. I’ll wake you.” A soft laugh came out of me. “Thanks, I feel like I got hit by a carriage.” He brushed his thumb lightly against my cheek, his shoulders finally starting to relax after what had turned into an insane day. “That seems reasonable, but you did it, Eliza. You were so amazing.” “We did it,” I corrected. He smiled, glancing down at our son again. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess we did.” A soft knock sounded at the door and we both looked up. Will quietly called, “Come in.” Jesse appeared in the doorway, lingering for a second like he wasn’t entirely sure he belonged here. It was such a stark contrast to the version of him I’d first met, the brash, untouchable confidence and sharp edges, that I almost didn’t recognize him these days. He held a small bouquet of flowers in one hand. “Hey, guys. How’s everyone doing?” “Hey,” Will said, waving him in. “What’re you just standing there for? Come meet your n ephew.” He st epped inside slowly, his gaze flicking between us before settling on the baby in Will’s arms. “I didn’t come earlier because I thought I’d just get in the way. Plus, I haven’t really been able to breathe all day and I figured that was a bad sign in a medical setting.” Will smirked. “Yeah, you might’ve given the docs quite a scare, but you’re here now and they’re both fine. We’re all fine. I promise.” “You wouldn’t have been in the way,” I assured him gently. “Are you breathing okay now, though?” Jesse nodded and took another st ep forward, moving slowly until he was standing beside the bed, looking down at his n ephew for the first time. Something shifted in him as he stared at the baby. I swore, I saw it happen, clear as day.
The uncertainty didn’t disappear, but it eased, giving way to something that looked a lot like awe. “Oh. Wow. He’s real.” I smiled when he leaned in slightly, like he was afraid to get too close. “Go on, Jesse. You won’t hurt him. Babies are more resilient than they seem.” “He’s...” Jesse trailed off, shaking his head as he blinked rapidly. “Wow. Just wow.” Will chuckled. “Right?” For a few moments, I just watched them together. This side of Jesse, the softer side, was rare, but ever since he and Will had been growing closer again, I felt honored to get to see it more and more often. Their bond truly was something even I treasured. “How does it feel?” he asked, glancing at Will. “Being a father.” Will looked down at Bennet, his expression so openly marveling that I felt my heart squeeze. “It’s almost as good as being a husband.” I let out a quiet laugh and Jesse snorted, but there was a warmth to him now that I never thought I’d see. He leaned down, giving Will’s shoulder a brief, slightly awkward hug. Then he turned to me but didn’t lean in. “I’ll hug you when you’re up and about again, but congratulations.” “Thank you,” I said. Will motioned Jesse into a chair beside the bed. “Sit down. Why are you just standing there?” Jesse blinked hard. “What?” “Sit,” Will r epeated. “You’re holding him.” Jesse froze as suddenly as if he’d turned into a statue. “I, no, uh. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t know how and I just wanted to say hi. I—” “You’re sitting,” Will said calmly. “I’m not...” He trailed off again. “What if I drop him?” “You won’t.” “How do you know?” “Because I’m right here and I won’t let you.” Jesse hesitated, but only for another moment before he slowly sat down. Will carefully placed Bennet into Jesse’s arms, guiding him just enough to make sure he didn’t immediately panic. “There,” Will said. “See? Not so bad.” Jesse stared down at the baby like he’d just been handed something priceless, which he had, but I wouldn’t have thought he’d be so affected by it. He exhaled shakily, his gaze never lifting away from our son’s. “This is a terrible idea, guys. Seriously.” “It’s not.” I smiled, watching the way his shoulders slowly, almost imperc eptibly, began to relax. “You’ve got this, Jess. You’re his godfather. One of these days, you’re even going to have to change a nappy.”
As he laughed, it looked like his grip was steadying, something in him starting to give. He and Will, in certain ways, were so much alike that in moments like these, it made me feel like I understood him better than most. I realized then, as I watched him, that this moment might matter more than any of us fully comprehended. Jesse finally looked back up at his brother. “What’s his full name? I mean, how does that work with him being the heir and all?” Will glanced at me, his hand finding mine above the blanket. He gave it a small squeeze and I nodded, answering his unspoken question. Yes, I think we’re ready. He nodded and turned to face Jesse again. “Bennet is actually one of his middle names.” Jesse frowned. “So what’s his first name? Earl?” “Jesse.” Will’s mouth curved. “Yeah?” “No, that’s the answer to your question. His name is Jesse Bennet. Jesse Bennet Westwood Roderick. Technically, he’s Viscount Roderick, if we’re being formal about it.” For an extended minute, Jesse just stared at him, then at me, then let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “You’re joking.” “We’re not,” I said softly. “If it hadn’t been for you, he might not have been here, but more than that, you’re important to us, Jesse. A part of this little family of ours. We wanted to honor that.” He shook his head, still laughing, but I didn’t miss the tears glinting in his eyes. “Wow.” He looked down at the baby, Jesse Bennet, and my chest suddenly started aching as I saw the longing that crossed his features. It was like a door had just cracked open, allowing us to see something that it seemed like he was only realizing himself for the first time right now. I leaned into Will slightly, my fingers threading through his as I wondered if it was possible that Jesse could be next—perhaps even willingly this time. *** Want more of Will and Eliza’s story? Download this Extended Epilogue today!! Get your copy HERE!! *** Want more of Ali Parker? Check out Bancroft Brothers! Go read book 1 in the Bancroft series, My Last Love Affair!
Get Married. Have a child. These are the only two rules to get my inheritance. Neither of which I want. My billionaire life doesn’t play well with either idea. But no one asked me. My father’s company is up for grabs, and whichever of my brothers makes it to the finish line first wins. In no time, I’ve found the perfect woman to play my fake fiancée while I figure things out. Beautiful. Smart. Strong. Everything I crave in a relationship and more. But there’s a problem. She’s got a past I can’t ignore. Not with just anyone. With my younger brother. To top it all off, she gets pregnant. And the one person she doesn’t tell? Me. Get your book HERE!