From Her Perspective (BWWM)✔️

XXIX

A/N:

Heyyyy........🫣😭

Okay, I didn't mean to go a month without updating this book. I started a new term at school and I've been working but I'm going to try to update more frequently and finish this book out since there are only a couple more chapters.

William Devereaux

Four months ago

I listened as my father chopped shallots while I sent my last email of the day.
"You do know we could've gone out to a restaurant or at least done this at my house where there's real food in my fridge," he says before tossing the salad. He walks to the oven and pulls out the croque monsieurs he made.
     "I haven't been hungry," I said quietly.
     "William," he called me sternly, making me look up to meet his eye. "You have not been yourself. You don't ever leave this apartment. You barely eat. You've lost weight. You look exhausted all the time. Stop punishing yourself already,"
     "I'm not punishing myself. I just..."
     "You really miss her," he said more to himself. "You should reach out to her. She loves you. She'll have you back,"
     "I hurt her enough. I'm fine, Dad," I said as I closed my laptop. I looked up to see his mouth twitch as he grasped the edge of the counter.
     "You called me Dad. You haven't called me that since you were seven,"
"Honestly, these past few months, it's finally felt like I had one," I admitted. He nodded slowly before sighing.
"I never knew how to do this," he paused as he waved between the two of us. "Your grandfather was a great husband to my mom, but he wasn't always the most loving father. He was always there financially but emotionally—let's just say it was easier talking to a brick wall,"
     "I didn't know that. Grandpa was always there after Mom died,"
     "He got better with age. I think after he lost Mom, he realized how important family was, but by then, I thought it was too late to try to force a bond,"
     "Let's hope that's not the case then, Dad,"

Present

     I watched as Ella straightened her shirt before checking her hair in the mirror next to the door.
     "You look perfect, Ella. Come," I said as I grabbed her hand before opening the door. My sister immediately beamed at the both of us before throwing herself in my arms.
     "Aww, look at you guys! It's so good to see you again, Auriella," she said before hugging Ella.
     "It's great seeing you too. How's Charlotte and Sophie?"
"They're amazing. I have to bring them with me next time. I was just so excited when William called that I immediately told Daddy so we could come meet the baby,"
"You know, it would've been nice to get a call that I was a grandfather again," my father said. I felt Ella tense beside me. My father noticed and let out a breath.
"It's nice to see you, Auriella," he greeted her as Emma looked at the artwork on the wall.
"Is it?"
"Ella," I huffed.
"No, it's okay. I deserve it. I haven't been the nicest to you,"
"The nicest? In the six years since you and I have met, this is the first time you've said my actual name. You ruined everything between Billy and me. You went out of your way to make me feel small and insignificant," She spat. Emma looked between the two of us before looking at our dad.
"I'm sorry for making you feel that way. I won't even try to make excuses for myself. I would like to build a relationship with you considering you're the love of my son's life and the mother of his child. I would like to be in you and my grandson's lives,"
     Before we could respond, Jamison walked in holding Theo who lit up when he saw us. Emma gasped as she beamed at him.
"This is my brother, Jamison and this is Theo. Jamie, this is Billy's sister and father, Emma and Charles," Ella said. Jamison immediately glared at my father. No doubt already hating him based on what he's heard from Ella. You can't really blame him.
"It's nice to meet you, Jamison," Emma said politely before turning to Ella. "Oh, can I please hold him?" she asked with the biggest smile.
"Of course, you can. You're his Aunt," she said before Jamison hesitantly handed Theo over. In the one month I've known him, I've seen how wary he is of strangers. Whenever we step into a store or even the art studio, he instinctively steps in front of Ella and Theo. A week ago, Ella accidentally dropped a glass bowl in the kitchen causing it to shatter, he immediately ran into the room, ready to leap into action.
"Oh, you're so precious. I can't believe I'm finally an aunt," my sister beamed at her nephew. She's had constant baby fever ever since she had my niece and I know how happy she is that a new baby has joined our family.
"You and me both," Ella laughed.
"Billy says you had a cryptic pregnancy. That sounds so scary,"
"It was. I never had any inkling that I was even pregnant, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me," she said as she stroked Theo's hair. He made a wet babbling noise as he looked up at Emma.
"You've done a great job with him. He looks like a very happy baby, Auriella," Dad said as he grinned at Theo who smiled at the older man. I'm still not used to my father's smile. I've rarely seen it in my lifetime. His green eyes sparkled as he looked at his grandson. Emma looked over at us for permission to which Ella nodded. She turned to Dad and nodded towards Theo.
"You should hold him, Dad," I said. He looked at Ella who nodded. I leaned down to kiss her forehead. I know that this visit has been a lot for her. She still has unresolved issues with my father, but she's willing to try for me. Emma handed Theo to him before stepping towards us. He sat on the couch with him as Theo made wet babbling noises. I was shocked to hear my father respond in a higher-pitched voice.
     "Dad seems different," Emma says.
     "It's a little scary. He hasn't even complained about how small my house is or about me essentially hiding his Grandson from him in Norway,"
     "I think he's changed. He's been different this last year. He's kinder. He actually smiles instead of frowns when he sees me,"
     "I hope so. I always thought he didn't like visiting me and my family because I'm not really his kid or because I married a woman, but I think he just didn't know how to be a father in general," Emma said. Jamison and Ella immediately looked at each other before back at her.
     "He told you?", I asked quietly.
     "No, mom did before she died. I always wondered. I don't look anything like you two. She gave me my biological Dad's info but I immediately threw it in the fireplace. I already have a Dad. Did he tell you?" she asked as she turned to me.
     "Well, I kinda asked I guess. We were talking about Mom and he told me. He said he didn't care if he wasn't your biological father, he loves you just the same. He asked me not to say anything,"
     "He doesn't need to know I know. He's my Dad regardless," she smiled at him as he bounced Theo.
     "God, I had a whole plan to make him feel as unwelcomed as he's made me feel over the years but look at Theo's little face. Plus, I always wished Leo and I had grandparents around growing up after not having either of our parents. I want Theo to have that," Ella said before Jamison and Emma went to sit on the couch with Dad and Theo.
    "You are incredible," I told her before pulling her into me and placing a kiss on the bridge of her nose and then her lips. "Thank you,"
     "For what?" she asked.
     "For our son. For giving this relationship another chance. For giving me another chance. You're allowing my father to be in our lives and I know that's hard for you. Thank you for trying for me," I said.
     "You don't have to thank me, Billy. If you believe he's changed and want him here, then I trust you,"
     "I love you so much, Ella," I said before kissing her again.
"I love you too,"
"Marry me," I whispered.
"You've already asked me again," she chuckled.
"No, I mean...your brother, Cleo, and Miles are visiting again in a few days. My family is here now. Let's get married while everyone's here,"
"You want to plan an entire wedding in a couple of days?"
"I do," I smirked at her as she stared at me in shock.