His Unwanted Bride ~Editing~

Chapter Forty Seven: Alex

I pulled Clarissa from the seat in back and placed her on the floor. She happily  swung her bag to her side to make it easier to carry.

I closed the car door and we walked to Tabitha's side. I opened her door and helped her out. "What if your father hates me, I've never really spoken to him before," she mumbled.

"He will love you, just as my mother does," I replied. Together, we walked into the hotel and up the center staircase.

Clarissa's face shone in bewilderment as we made our way into the grand hall where the seating for the hotel's restaurant sat. "Thea Roula," she called out excitedly, the moment she saw my mother. Clarissa released my hand and ran into her arms. "I missed you."

"I missed you too Koukla," she smiled hugging Clarissa tighter.

"Hello," Tabitha smiled nervously.

"Ela, ela," she smiled ushering us over to the table where my father sat.

I pulled out the chair for Clarissa and she sat, then I did the same for Tabitha. "Hello, Mr. Laventis, it is a pleasure to see you again," she smiled nervously.

"Please, we are family now, there is no need for such formality," my father smiled. "Call me Baba, or Vasili is alright as well," He smiled.

"Thank you," Tabitha smiled and her body relaxed.

We all ordered our food while my parents told stories of my youth. Mostly embarrassing ones.

"And now he runs the family business," my father laughed and I couldn't help chuckling.

Tabitha and Clarissa seemed to be having the time of her life.

"Thea Roula, can I ask you something?" Clarissa whispered to my mother. She nodded and leaned down to hear her better. I couldn't hear what Clarissa said, but I thought back to our conversation earlier. My mother's eyes grew wide and she smiled.

"Yes Koukla, yes, of course!" she exclaimed, happy tears, forming in her eyes.

"What is wrong with you?" My father asked my mother playfully.

"Well, I'm happy, because this little one wants to call me Yiaka," she smiled.

"Then she can call me Papou as well," my father replied puffing out his chest playfully making Tabitha and I laugh.

The rest of the dinner went smoothly and before long, it was time to head upstairs, I'd planned some time for swimming, but it seemed that Clarissa was exhausted. We could always swim tomorrow.

I looked down at my phone for the first time that night "Both rooms painted, will assemble everything tomorrow," read a text message from Nikki.

I could hardly wait until my girls saw their suprise. I hoped they loved it. We said goodnight to my parents, each of them hugging Tabitha tightly as I held a tired Clarissa in my arms. Then we made our way to the elevator and stepped inside.

"Remember the last time we were in an elevator together?" Tabitha laughed darkly. "I was a mess."

"That wasn't your fault. It wasn't all bad," I spoke. "That was the first time you let me hold you in my arms."

"Ew," Clarissa spoke in my arms, making it clear she hadn't quite fallen asleep yet.

Tabitha and I both chuckled.

We stepped out of the elevator and I carried Clarissa to the guest room on the other side of the suite. We walked past the living room, kitchenette, guest bath, and indoor pool. I sat her down on her bed, her suitcase laying open on the little table by the closet. "I'll be in our room," I smiled as I left Tabitha to get Clarissa changed into her pajamas.

I walked back across the penthouse, to the master suite on the other side. I turned on the water in the private hot tub, letting it get warm. I rolled up my sleeves to test the water. When I turned around, Tabitha was standing in the doorway staring at me.