Fake Escape Pt 08

Epilogue

Bailey

I waited in the driveway for Dad, Mike, and Margret to arrive, though Killian took Sienna in so she didn't get chilly. Fall was settling in and with her previous sickness, I wasn't taking any risks at all. I pulled my cardigan more tightly around my shoulders and watched the sunset over the row of trees that boarded Killian's father's estate. It was beautiful, though I wished it could be summer forever.

Dad pulled up after a few minutes and climbed out. Mike and Margret arrived a few minutes later, and I gave them each a hug. They all had the same reaction to their first time seeing the Welch mansion that I had. All of them looked intimidated and overwhelmed, but I hooked an arm around Dad's arm and tried to put them at ease.

"You're going to love Mr. Welch. He's really down to Earth and personable." I led them toward the house as we chatted.

"Of course he has to be. He's a businessman. It doesn't make for good business if you're an old coot who can't schmooze people out of their money." Dad chuckled and I heard Mike snicker too but they would see how wrong they were.

"I think he ditched the idea of the barbeque and we're just doing dinner in. There is a chance of rain." I changed the subject because now that Killian and I were officially together I wasn't going to tolerate anyone talking down about him or his family.

"Oh, I bet the house is so nice. I wanted to see the gardens. Do you think they'll show me the gardens?" Leave it to Margret to not care a lick about the company as much as the decor and greenery.

I smiled at her over my shoulder as we stepped over the threshold into the main entryway and said, "I'm sure Kill will show you the gardens." It had been two weeks since the hospital stay and slowly, little by little, I had been moving things over to Kilian's new apartment. His father knew I was moving in with him but Dad and Mike didn't. Tonight would be a bit of a surprise in that aspect, but hopefully they were supportive.

"Welcome, welcome," Mara, the maid, said. I'd gotten to know her a little better as she came to Killian's to help clean while I was unpacking. She was a sweet woman whose husband had died while working for Mr. Welch and he was caring for her now. I thought it was special that Kill's dad was a romantic like that and I hoped she appreciated how special these two men were.

They weren't the typical heartless billionaire that only cared about money. Both of them had compassion and class and both of them would be excellent male role models for my little girl.

"This way," Mara said, leading us toward the informal dining room. I convinced Killian to have his dad host us in the least flashy room of the house. Everything was marble and granite and I knew my family would think it was overkill, just like I had. Now I didn't judge the way they spent their money because I knew them. I'd still have given more to charity and lived more simply but it wasn't my choice to make.

"Hey," Killian said, standing to his feet when we entered. He cradled Sienna in one arm like a little football and walked over to shake hands. "So glad you guys could come..." He nodded upward with his head and me and my family followed him deeper into the dining room. Mr. Welch stood from his place at the head of the small table and smiled.

"Hello, everyone. Welcome to my home."

I walked up and gave him a peck on the cheek before taking Sienna from Killian. Then I turned and said, "Mr. Welch, this is my father, Howard, and his brother, Mike. And this is my Aunt Margret."

Mr. Welch shook each of their hands before gesturing to the table. "Make yourself at home. We have quite the reason to celebrate, don't we?" He found his place at the head of the table while Dad gave me a confused look.

"Dad, Uncle Mike, Aunt Margret, Killian and I have some things to tell you." I smiled broadly and bounced Sienna a little and she smiled at me.

Everyone cautiously took their seats and before I could continue, Killian started our announcement. "Mr. Matthews, Sergeant Matthews, I know that both of you have had concerns about me in the beginning and I want to thank you for giving me a chance to prove myself." He rested his hand in the small of my back. "Bailey and I have some news for you."

He pecked me on the cheek and I continued for him. "We've decided to move in together. Killian got a great two-bedroom condo with more space in a great neighborhood right on the coast. It's close to a great new daycare--don't worry, Aunt Margret. You can still babysit a few days a week if you want. But it will give us more space for all of Sienna's needs as she grows up."

Dad looked surprised by that, and Mike was still as stern as ever. Aunt Margret sat with her same consistent smile listening to our announcement.

"And don't worry." Killian looked at his dad with pride. "I'm working for Dad by managing one of his businesses for him. He's paying me a salary and I am doing this on my own." His hand started rubbing my lower back. That was our announcement but the look on his face said he had more. I shook my head a bit confused, and he said, "I'm going back to school. It'll be hard with a family now and while running my business but I'm going to do night school. A degree in psychology. I want to help people."

The grin on his face was matched by the one on his father's as Mr. Welch stood and gave Killian a hug complete with a slap on the back. "I'm proud of you, son." The man gripped Killian's face in his hands and patted a cheek then nodded. "So proud of you."

He was right. We had so much to celebrate today.

Killian and I were happy, both of us for the first time in a long time, or maybe ever. And we were both looking forward to what the future held for us. I hoped one day it was a proposal and a dream wedding, but I wasn't going to put the cart before the horse. I'd already gotten a few things in my life out of order, like falling in love without even really dating Kill. I had the rest of my life to do things whatever way they came to me.

And I couldn't wait...