Holden Sterling: The Sterling Brothers Billionaire Saga BWWM Book 1

Episode 93: Final Epilogue (Love Against All Odds Part 3)

Holden's POV-Eriola's Parents house

We arrived at the apartment building where Eriola's parents lived. She seemed on edge, knowing that this was the place her husband had been killed. But I could tell she was more concerned about seeing her father, who wasn't known for being easy-going. I put my arm around her, trying to comfort her as we the elevator took us up to her parents apartment.

After what felt like an eternity, the elevator dinged and the door slid open to reveal the floor where their apartment was located. We all stepped off the elevator and followed Eriola and I to their front door. Latoria kindly held onto Anya for us, and we were grateful for her help. As a group, we wanted to show Eriola that we were there to support her through anything.

I raised my hand to knock on the door, and we waited eagerly for someone to answer. Eriola's father, Darryl, opened the door with his usual stern expression, but it softened when he saw his granddaughter in Latoria's arms. "Eriola!" He exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. The tension in the air dissipated as he pulled his daughter into a warm embrace. We were all taken aback by this display of affection, even Eriola seemed surprised.

But then she burst into tears, as if her heart had been waiting for this moment. Her father held her tightly, showing her the love she had been longing for. After what felt like an eternity, they pulled away from each other and Darryl gestured for us to come inside.

We all entered and he showed us to the spacious living room. As we sat down in silence, unsure of what to say, Eriola finally spoke up. "Dad, how have you been? It's so great to see you," she said.

"I've been good, sweet pea. You look beautiful," he replied with a smile. It was clear that he was just as nervous as Eriola.

"I'm doing well, and as you can see we are expecting a baby," Eriola beamed, placing a hand on her growing belly.

"Well I am overjoyed for you both. Where is my grand baby Anya?" Darryl asked eagerly.

Latoria got up and placed Anya into her grandfather's arms, who couldn't stop smiling at his granddaughter. Tears glistened in his eyes and we couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden change in him. "There's my little pumpkin," he said, showering Anya with kisses on her cheeks. "So Holden, are you treating my sweet pea right?" he turned to me.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes sir, I am. You don't have to worry about a thing. She is the love of my life," I reassured him.

Eriola's father's smile widened, revealing his pearly whites and a gold tooth that I hadn't noticed before. But then again, he hadn't smiled during our first encounter.

"Dad, where is mom?" Eriola asked, breaking the sweet moment.

Just as he was about to respond, her mother emerged from the kitchen. "Here I am, sweetie," she said with a warm smile. Eriola stood up and embraced her mother tightly, and it was such a joyful sight. We all sat down and talked as if we were old friends, even my brothers Alexander and Nicholas and their girlfriends joined in on the conversations.

"Dad, would you walk me down the aisle at our wedding in two weeks? We're here in New York - to pick out my dress and Holden's suit. And I was hoping you could go with Holden today to choose his suit," Eriola asked her father, seeming almost vulnerable for a moment.

I relaxed into the comfort of the couch as I observed the exchange between Eriola and her father. Her eyes were pleading, full of expectation and hope. She desperately wanted him to agree to walking her down the aisle on her special day

"I'd be honored, sweet pea," Darryl replied, his voice choked with emotion. His eyes glistened with tears again; emotion ran high among this family.

"Good," Eriola responded, glancing over at me. Her hopeful gaze met mine, and I had to force myself to keep my expression indifferent.