Falling for the Billionaire

17

The noise of three generations of Andrades was not as overwhelming as Jake remembered it being, especially not since it included a dash of Corisis and even some Waltons. The rehearsal dinner was certainly not a high society event, but it was filled with laughter and plenty of children.

Colby bounced happily on Jake's knee while the main course was being served. Other families might have sent the children to another room to eat, but the Andrades merely extended their table and their hearts to include all in what could only be described as a feast.

Lil was seated next to him, happily chatting about babies with one of Stephan's cousins.

Victor Andrade stood at the head of the table and the room fell silent. "It is my great pleasure to open my home–well, the Andrade home–" His brother raised a glass of wine to him with a tolerant smile. "...to our new family. Some people become family through blood. Some people through marriage. Others find their way into your life and your heart through friendship. Raise a glass to all of our family tonight...those who share our name and those who we have come to care deeply for. There is no greater fortune than to be surrounded by so much love. Dominic and Abby, may your life and your table always be as full as it is tonight."

Dominic raised his glass and drank to the toast. Everyone followed suit. Abby used her napkin to wipe away tears that were running freely down her cheeks.

Jake looked to his left and saw his parents watching him quietly. He lifted the child on his lap and held her out toward his father. "Dad, do you want to hold her?"

His father took her into his arms as if she were the most fragile of creatures. "So, this will be our first grandchild?"

Jake's heart swelled. "Yes. Lil had the biological father sign off his rights before she was born. I'm going to adopt her the same day I marry Lil."

His mother took her from her husband and hugged her. "Jim, it looks like we're going to have to start believing in Santa Claus."

His father turned and looked at his son and said, "We will, Jake. This time we will. I could even write an algorithm to prove how he could make it around the world in one night."

Colby reached out and pulled on her future grandfather's nose. He laughed, "This one is going to be trouble, Jake."

Jake smiled and glanced at Lil. "Just like her mom."

Lil turned around when she heard Jake's voice. "What are you talking about?"

Jake put his arm around Lil and said, "How every life needs a little chaos."

"Wait, I'm the chaos? You'll pay for that!"

He laughed. He didn't mind the way she doled out punishment.

In fact, he rather liked it.

His father asked, "Jake, whatever happened to Jeremy? We haven't seen him in days."

"It seems that his makeover is going to take longer than we thought. The consultant we hired thought it would go faster if he was on site for a while."

Lil laughed. "Sounds serious. He's that determined to get Alethea?"

Jake nodded solemnly. "Men will do all sorts of crazy things for women. He did give me a gift, though, before he left."

Lil cocked her head to the side.

Jake took out his phone and said, "He hacked into a certain news station's files and made a ring tone for me. Now whenever you call me, I hear this."

Lil's voice played clearly from his phone when he pressed a button. "Of course I find Jake Walton sexy, who wouldn't?"

Lil slapped his shoulder. "Out of that whole interview, that's all you heard, wasn't it?"

Jake nodded with a huge smile on his face.

He played it again and held the phone out of her reach when she grabbed for it. "It's all that mattered."