Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 60

*Shelby*

The apartment was too quiet as I packed my suitcase. Lin left early this morning to head home for Christmas. She was nervous about seeing her mom again, but I was glad she stopped putting it off.

I was still not sure what to pack, so I pulled out my phone to call Michael and ask him what to expect while I was spending Christmas with his family.

Just as I was getting ready to dial his number, Michael started calling me instead.

“Hey, I was just about to call you,” I said, answering the call with a smile on my face.

“Well, that is good timing. Have you finished packing yet?” Michael asked me.

“No, that was actually what I was calling you about. I’m still not sure what to pack because I’m not really sure what we will be doing. I need to hurry though; my train leaves in just a few hours.”

“There has been a change in plans; you won’t be taking the train. I am sending my driver, Lance, to pick you up. He should be there soon. As for what to pack, plan to dress for the cold. I actually have to go, but I will see you soon.”

“Oh, alright. See you soon,” I responded, more than a little confused by the sudden changes.

“I love you, Shelby.”

“I love you too,” I said, hanging up the phone.

I packed my suitcase full of sweaters, hats, and mittens. However, I did throw in a nice evening dress, just in case. Michael had a tendency to surprise me by taking me to a nice dinner, so I wanted to be prepared. Just as I finished watering the plants on my window seal, a honk sounded from the front of the building. I immediately recognized Michael’s driver Lance, waiting for me.

I grabbed my winter coat and pulled my suitcase behind me down to the car.

“Good afternoon, Miss Shelby. It is nice to see you again,” Lance said as he took my bag from me.

“It is nice to see you too, Lance. Any big holiday plans?” I asked him as I opened the door for myself.

Lance gave me a questioning glance as he noticed I had not waited for him to get my door for me. I just gave a small shrug and a smile as he let out a sigh. I still hadn’t gotten used to letting Michael’s employees do everything for me.

“I’m actually going to be spending Christmas with my girlfriend. It is the first time I’m meeting her family, so I’m a little nervous,” Lance said, then closed the trunk.

“Well, that makes two of us,” I joked, then slid into the back seat. Lance hurried from the back of the car to close my door for me.

I snacked on some cashews as Lance drove, but I was surprised to see him get off the regular route back to the city. He made a few turns and eventually pulled into a small and obviously private airport.

“What is going on?” I asked myself as Lance pulled up and stopped in front of one of Michael’s private jets.

Another of Michael’s cars had pulled in right behind us, and I was expecting to see Michael get out of it. Instead, an elegant older woman stepped out, wrapping a fur shawl around her shoulders. Lance opened the back door for me and offered his hand to help me out of the car. As soon as my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw the woman heading to me, a smile across her face.

“You must be Shelby. Michael has told me so much about you already, but I can’t wait to learn more for myself,” the woman said, linking her arm with mine.

“You must be Lucille. Michael has told me a lot about you as well,” I said, making the connection that this must be Michael’s favorite cousin.

Lucille started walking toward the private jet; her arm still linked with my own.

“I hope Michael has only told you nice things about me,” Lucille laughed.

“Well, I know you are his favorite cousin,” I said with a smile as we made our way up the stairs.

Lucille laughed again, the kind of laugh that was infectious. I could see why Lucille was Michael’s favorite cousin. I had just met her, and already, she had made me feel as though we were old friends. Lucille released my arm and took a seat in one of the large plush seats. I sat directly across from her.

“It is unfortunate that Michael is leaving from New York, but I guess that means I get you all to myself until we get to Vale.”

“Vale? We’re going… skiing for Christmas?” I asked.

“Oh, Damn! That was supposed to be a surprise,” Lucille said with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

I laughed, “Don’t worry, I can pretend like I didn’t know.”

“I can’t believe Michael is putting this all together. It honestly reminds me of when we were just kids. We would often spend our Christmas break in Vale, back when Michael’s parents were still around.”

“That sounds so nice,” I said, interested in hearing more about Michael’s childhood.

“They were some of my best memories as a child. Michael always took to skiing more than I did. He was a natural, just like most things he attempted. However, this year I won’t have my parents there pushing me to take skiing lessons for the entire trip. Now, I can relax at the spa the entire time, like I was meant to,” Lucille said, slipping the fur wrap off her shoulders and folding it in her lap.

“I may need to join you at the spa instead. I have only been skiing a handful of times, all when I was younger. All I can remember is you make your skis look like a pizza slice to slow down and french fries to go faster,” I said with a smile.

Lucille laughed again, “It sounds like you are just about as proficient as I am. I agree it might be safer for both of us to spend our trip at the spa or maybe just relaxing by the fire.”

“That sounds fantastic,” I agreed.

Silence passed between us as the jet took off. As soon as we were soaring through the sky, I asked the question that had been on my mind since Michael asked me to spend Christmas with him.

“You said your parents won’t be coming this year. Do you know who will be?” I slipped off my coat and set it on the seat next to me.

“I believe it is just going to be the three of us and Michael’s security team,” Lucille said, and I couldn’t help but relax a bit more.

This vacation would be a lot less stressful knowing that I had already met the one family member that would be spending Christmas with us, and I already knew I liked her.

“I can see that you are pleased with this news,” Lucille said, smiling. “I can only imagine how intimidating it must have felt, thinking you were meeting the entire Astor family. They overwhelm me, and I am one of them.”

“I have to admit I was a little bit nervous. I just wasn’t sure what to expect. Michael hasn’t told me much about his family, other than how he lost his father and found out his father had an illegitimate child.”

“Yes, both Michael’s father and his secret half-brother have caused him a lot of stress,” Lucille said with a sigh. “He hasn’t had a break from the stress since he found out Lauren is really his daughter. That girl can be a bit… abrasive.”

I nodded in agreement; I was really just relieved that Lauren would not be joining us for Christmas this year. She had been furious with me the last time we saw each other. I couldn’t even imagine Lauren’s reaction when she found out about Michael and me.

All I knew was I didn’t want to be anywhere near her when she found out.

“That is a very nice way to put it,” I said.

“Michael told me that you two were friends at one point,” Lucille said, waiting for me to provide more information.

“We were roommates while we were taking our general classes at NYU; we did form a friendship over the few semesters we lived together. I decided to continue with my education, but Lauren didn’t. We stayed in contact after that, but it was pretty minimal. I was really surprised when Lauren invited me to join her on a summer vacation on Michael’s yacht,” I explained.

Lucille smiled at that. “He told me that was how you two met. He said he didn’t believe you could possibly be Lauren’s friend because he actually enjoyed your company.”

“That is true. I didn’t really fit in with her friends, but luckily I met Michael while I was there, so that made the whole trip worth it.

“That doesn’t explain your relief at Lauren not joining us for Christmas. I saw the relief on your face when you found out she wasn’t coming,” Lucille said with a knowing raise of her eyebrow.

“Right before I left, Lauren and I got into a big fight because her fiance and I dated in the past. I tried not to make a big deal out of it, but Lauren was pretty upset when she found out.”

Lucille sighed, “That sounds like Lauren. Always playing the victim. You have nothing to worry about. She gets that from her mom, not Michael.”

“Oh, I already knew that,” I said with a chuckle. “I had the pleasure of meeting Marmie while I was there.”

“I am sorry for that. That is all I can say, or Michael will be upset with me,” she said with a wink.

I smiled at the comment, then tried to shift the conversation, “So, is your family close? You said before that you and Michael spent Christmas together as children.”

“We were very close at one point. Our grandparents would host us each Christmas. Michael and I would put on a little Christmas play every year for all of the adults. Michael hated it, but he did it just to make Grandma and Grandpa smile.

“They are gone now, and so are Michael’s parents. My parents aren’t in the best health, so they generally stay in warmer climates, enjoying retirement. Michael and I haven’t had a Christmas together in years. I’m glad that is changing.”

“Well, I am glad to be here for it,” I said, reaching over and grabbing Lucille’s hand.

“Who knows, maybe we will all be together again next year,” Lucille said.

The jet jostled a little as we touched down on the tarmac.

“I hope so,” I said, truly meaning it.