Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 84

*Shelby*

“Yes,” I said urgently.

Michael slipped the gorgeous diamond ring onto my left hand. I couldn’t help but admire how it looked on my finger. Michael pulled me in for a k**s as tears streamed down my cheeks.

“I can’t believe any of this is real,” I whispered into his lips.

“I love you more than you could ever know. And you’ve made me the happiest man in the world,” Michael said, kissing me again.

“I love you too,” I said with a smile.

It was hard to believe that the night before, we’d spent yelling at each other, and now we were here. I got up, slipping Michael’s shirt over my naked body.

“Where are you going?” he said with a laugh.

“I thought I’d make us breakfast. If I’m going to be your wife, I figure I better start practicing now,” I said with a teasing grin.

I found my way back down the hallway and into the kitchen. Everything was still covered in plastic sheets. I opened the fridge, which unsurprisingly was lacking in much that I could make for breakfast. I settled on making toast, and I found a new coffee pot in one of the cupboards.

Michael followed me a few minutes later to the sound of the coffee pot running and the smell of cooking bread in the toaster.

“There isn’t much in the cupboards, so I’m doing my best with what I found,” I told him, and he pulled me in for another slow k**s.

“I think there are a few coffee mugs in one of the cupboards,” Michael said and started opening the cabinets.

“I decided to stay here for a while after the break-in at my penthouse. However, it’s been hard trying to make it feel homey with workers in and out every day. They’re almost done, though, and it should be livable, well livable to your standards, by the end of the week,” Michael said.

“Sometimes I think you forget just how small my apartment was in New York,” I said with a little laugh as the toast popped up from the toaster.

“That’s true. That place was tiny. But as my wife, I can promise you I’ll never make you want for anything. What’s mine is yours. You will have full access to all of my assets,” he said matter-of-factly.

I laughed at the insinuation, but I used the opportunity to bring something up that was worrying me.

“After we’re married, are you going to be okay with me pursuing my career? It’s just, I’ve put a lot of work into this. It’s never been in my plans to only be a housewife,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t take it the wrong way.

“Shelby, part of the reason I fell in love with you was because of your drive and determination to make something of yourself. I’m not looking for a housewife. All I want is for you to be happy, and I’ll support you in anything you put your mind to,” he said, finally replaceing the coffee mugs.

He poured us each a cup, and I felt my heart lift, but I couldn’t help but wonder just how different my life would be returning to Harvard with a ring on my finger. I tried hard not to think about the internship, which still stung me with disappointment. It was almost as if Michael was reading my mind because he brought it up just as I tried to push it out of my head.

“So Stewart Hastings offered you a position as an intern?” he asked.

“He did mention it while we were in Hawaii, but I just barely sent him my resume. I’m still waiting for an actual offer,” I said simply.

*Shelby*

“Yes,” I said urgently.

Michael slipped the gorgeous diamond ring onto my left hand. I couldn’t help but admire how it looked on my finger. Michael pulled me in for a k**s as tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Well, I can tell you this. I have worked with the man for years and know he’s a good man with a strong company. Stewart has mentioned several times how he was very impressed with you when you met him at dinner. It’d be a really good place for you to start,” Michael responded.

Michael’s words did make me feel better. I trusted that he knew enough about business to be a good judge of someone as a potential employer. We leaned over the counter across from each other and started eating our first breakfast as an engaged couple.

“I have to ask about that picture….” Michael trailed off.

I knew this conversation was coming. It sat like an elephant in the room.

“Jerrick and I went on a date. It was right after Lauren showed up at Harvard. I was angry at you and said yes. He’s a nice guy, but all we did was talk. It never went further than that. That picture was taken right before I headed back inside, avoiding his attempt at a good night k**s,” I said, slightly embarrassed.

“I would’ve understood if something had happened. But I have to be honest that it’s a relief to know that nothing did,” Michael said with a smile, and I was glad that was the end of the conversation.

I took a big sip of coffee before I could work up the nerve to ask him about Lauren.

“How soon are you planning on telling your daughter? I know you need to eventually; it’s just going to make things really awkward at school,” I mentioned.

“I think we can hold off until more plans are in place. However, in regard to Lauren, it’s best just to ignore her. I know a lot of it’s my fault, but she’s just a spoiled kid who still thinks she needs to get everything she wants. She gets bored easily. It’s horrible for me to say, but I don’t imagine her sticking it out at Harvard for long,” Michael said, taking a bite of toast.

“That’s true. I’ll do my best to just ignore the little comments. One thing, however, is non-negotiable; I don’t want her to refer to me as mom,” I said with a slight shake as though I could get rid of the gross feeling of the thought.

Michael let out a deep belly laugh, and I found myself joining in. It really was an absurd and awkward situation to be in with one of your old friends. I was glad that Michael found the humor in it too.

I looked down at the ring on my finger, admiring it in this lighting and how it sent little dancing sparkles all over the room.

“Do you like it?” Michael asked me.

“It’s gorgeous. I love it,” I said with a smile.

“The two sapphires on each side reminded me of the color of the ocean in that cove with the dolphins. Once that image was in my head, I knew that ring was the one,” Michael said.

I smiled at the thoughtfulness and effort that he put into picking out the perfect ring for me.

“I’m a little worried about wearing it until we get everything with Blaine figured out,” I said honestly.

“With the FBI and my security team looking for him, hopefully, it won’t be long before he’s back behind bars. I understand your concern, though, and maybe until everything gets worked out, we’ll keep the ring in my safety deposit box at the bank. I’ll leave it up to you,” Michael said, placing his hand over the top of mine and giving it a slight squeeze.

“I think that’s a good idea, but I’d like to wear it for the rest of the day. Maybe then I’ll actually be able to believe that this is all real and not just a dream,” I said, leaning over the counter to k**s him again.

“I think that’s a good idea, but I’d like to wear it for the rest of the day. Maybe then I’ll actually be able to believe that this is all real and not just a dream,” I said, leaning over the counter to k**s him again.

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? But I’m really excited about our future together,” Michael said in response.

“What do you envision our future looking like?” I asked, leaning on my elbows on the counter.

“I see us living here, both of us working and replaceing fulfillment in our careers. We could spend our vacations all over the world seeing as much as we wanted together,” Michael said.

“This is something we’ve never talked about before, but maybe we should’ve before now,” I said, a little hesitant. “Do you want to have kids?”

“I could see us having a few,” Michael said with a smile that faded slowly as he watched my face. “Are kids something you see in our future?”

“I’ve honestly never pictured myself as a mother. Kids have never been part of my plan,” I answered.

“All I need to be happy is you, Shelby,” Michael said sincerely.

I couldn’t help but feel guilty as I thought about how Michael threw himself into being Lauren’s father without a second thought. Part of me wondered if he really would be happy without having kids, but the engagement high quickly pushed the thought out of my mind.

“Thank you for breakfast. I wish I could spend the rest of the day with you, but unfortunately, I have a few things at the office that have to be done today,” Michael said.

“Oh, that’s okay. I understand none of this was really planned anyway,” I said with a smile.

“You could come with me if you want,” Michael offered.

I knew if I went with him I would spend the day sitting in his office waiting for him to get off of calls or out of meetings.

“I think I’ll just stay here for the day. I’d love to look around the townhouse more and maybe explore the area a little bit,” I said.

“That sounds great. If you see any changes you want to make, we can talk about them tonight. My meetings might run a little late, but maybe this weekend we could go do some furniture shopping. This place feels pretty empty, but I want you to make it feel like it’s your home because soon it will be,” Michael said.

“If we did have kids, you wouldn’t be able to work so many late nights,” I teased.

He flashed me a warm smile and leaned over to k**s me before going upstairs to shower and get ready for work.

I spent the afternoon exploring the house and yard. I made mental notes of small things I’d like to change to make the space really feel like it was mine. After a few hours, I wandered down the street to explore the area, and I happened across a cute hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. I wandered inside, to the delight of my senses at the overwhelming coffee smell that filled the air.

As I waited in line, a familiar voice called out to me. I turned and was surprised to see a man standing behind me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.