We arrive at Jasper's penthouse before our travel partners. Amber and Rhys agreed to take a detour via my parents place to pick up a few things for me. Amber had rung mum and asked her to pack a few things for me. That way they can be at the house for as little as time as possible and mum will not to press them to stay for coffee and whatever killer cake she on stand- by. I will contact mum tomorrow and arrange a time to see her. I am looking forward to a mum hug.
Until Amber and Rhys arrive Jasper and I are happy to cuddle on his couch. I am enjoying the feeling of being close to this man after being away from him for a week I am blown away by how much my life has changed in the last three months. There have been some ugly bits but overall I am not unhappy with how everything has turned out. In this man's' arms I come to realise I am truly content and I haven't felt this way for a very long time. I have one thing to sort out and things will be perfect. I'm not sure how but this thing with father has to be sorted out somehow.
Amber and Rhys sent a text to say they will be her in five minutes so Jasper told David to let them straight up. We hear the elevator doors announce the arrival of our friends so rather than getting up off of the couch Jasper sings our "Doors open, come on in!"
Amber and Rhys enter the room with my luggage in their hands and rather sheepish looks on their faces. Something is not quite right and neither one of them are giving me eye contact. I look at Jaspers expression and turn towards the sheepish looking couple and I realise they are not alone. I gasp.
"Father what are you doing here?'
He rubs the back of his neck something he has always done when he is feeling nervous. I bite my lip and he rubs his neck. I am as mad as hell at him but I can't help but feel sorry for how stressed he is at the moment. I am surprised at how much older he looks since I saw him a week ago. He even looks like has lost a little weight and there is a vulnerability that I have never seen in him before. His eyes are pleading with me.
"Please don't be cross sweetie with your friends I begged them to bring me to you. Um do you think I could speak to you please? I know I don't deserve it but I just want the chance to fix this. "
A flash of fear crosses his face.
"You don't have to be alone with me. Everyone can stay. I...I... I don't mind. I just want to try and fix this........please Bella......I am begging."
The man in front of me doesn't look scary at all in fact he looks a little pathetic. What has happened in the last week to strip him of his arrogance? I indicate that everyone should take a seat. Jasper touches my knee searching my eyes to see if I really am ok with this. If I didn't the look he is giving me immediately puts any doubts I have to ease. This man will protect me. There is nothing for me to fear.
I turn to the group "I've forgotten my manners can I offer you something to eat or drink?
I can't help feeling a little relieved that they have all declined the offer. I want to get this over and done with. Taking a deep breath I look at my father.
"So what would you like to say Father?" I bite my lip my father isn't the only one with nerves. Jasper instantly notices and holds my hand calming my nerves.
"First thing I owe you is an apology Bella for hitting you that night. This isn't an excuse I just want you to understand how it came to pass. Travis and I had a horrible argument and I was hurt and angry . I started feeling sorry for myself and drank. It was a stupid thing to do and did nothing to improve my ugly mood. I felt like I was losing control of everything. Nobody respecting me. I now know I was feeling sorry for myself. I am not proud of what I did to you Bella. I had no right to say or do the things I did you that night. You have always been such a good girl. You have always done everything I have asked of you even agreeing to the arranged marriage! You just took it all in your stride even going that extra step to convince Jasper when wasn't on board! I am proud to call you my daughter. I see so much of me in you. Me of the early days anyway not what I have become. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, trust me I don't think I will be ever able to forgive myself so I get it. But if you could find it in your heart to at least try I would be truly grateful. I know I have broken the trust that we had and I know that I will need to work hard to earn it and I am willing to put in the work Bella if you would just give me a chance. Bella I am not asking, I am begging, I will do anything I can to make this up to you."
I sit there with my mouth opening and shutting like a gold fish gulping for air. In my whole life I have never heard or seen this man apologise for anything. He is genuinely remorseful and his vulnerability is tugging at my heart strings. The Bella of old would have rushed in and showered him with hugs and forgiveness. Too much has happened which has changed me. I am no longer such a push over. There is something he hasn't touched on; it isn't just about building a bridge with me. He has talked about the incident with Travis but he hasn't indicated what he is going to do to fix what he did to Travis. I find my voice.
"Father I know why you and Travis fought. I know what you did to him. Perhaps if it was just about me I could give you the forgiveness you have asked for today. But it's not just about me. What you did to Travis was unforgiveable. You can't help who you love and he has as much right to be happy as everyone else. I have always been the best choice for your succession plan but you have been too set in your ways to see that. Travis has been unhappy for a long time but you just didn't care the only thing you care about these days is the company. Instead you have put our whole family under ridiculous pressure because of you ridiculously outdated beliefs. When did you become so rigid? How on earth do you call what you are doing love? Travis just like me has the right to have a family and our children reach the time they can choose if they want to be a part of the company. Choose father, choose not dictated to. I hate to think what this is doing to mum, have you even given that any thought at all? She has been at your side through it all and now you are at the time of your lives where you can relax and enjoy the fruits of you labour you appear to be doing your damndest to blow it all apart!"
That felt good getting that off of my chest!
My father eyes fill with tears and the remorse he is feeling is etched deeply in his face. "I will do everything I can to fix this with your brother. You are right the way I treated him was unforgivable. I have lost sight of what is important but I promise you I will do everything in my power to fix this. I know my recent actions don't seem to ring true but I want us to be a family again. Losing you kids and your mother would be unbearable!"
I was confused I said he should think about mum, I never said that she was going to leave him. What on earth is he on about?
"I never said she was leaving you I said you should think more about her!"
I have been such a fool "In twenty seven years of marriage your mother has provided unconditional love and support and asked nothing in return. She has had enough of my selfishness. Your mum has told me if I didn't fix this on my own this time she would divorce me and move to Greece with Travis!"
Go mum! I am impressed I didn't know she had it in her. I'm a little shocked and a lot impressed. It's about time she stood up to father. He has always been head of this family and mum has always been left with mending the fences he had broken. She would try to convince him to change his mind and when he wouldn't budge (the norm) she would support his decision. Shit just got real and he better listen to her or he risks losing everything,
I sigh "Ok father well this is a good start you. I appreciate how hard this has been for you and I appreciate your honesty. Go to Travis and speak to him next, grovel if you have to. I know eventually I will be able to forgive you but I'm not so sure about Travis you have hurt him badly. You need to work hard."
Hope shines from his eyes. "I know sweetheart. Thank you for hearing me out and giving me a chance to make this better."
I stand up walking over to him pulling him into a hug. I know my father isn't the most affection or emotional man but he is my father and I love him flaws and all. I hope for all our sakes he can fix this with Travis not just for Travis but for the sake of the whole family. He returns my hug maybe things are going to be a lot different.
"Travis is staying at the Stamford Grand Hotel. Why don't you go speak to him? I will make sure he is waiting for you at the bar. Don't stuff this up! This could be your only chance to fix this. Ask him to send for Kosta. I want to meet the man that stole my brother's heart."
I pull back so I can search his face. This is so hard for him but I also see a determination to make this work. Perhaps the thought of losing mum has scared him enough to make some major changes. For everyone's' sake I hope this works. He nods his head and kisses me on the forehead.
"Thank you my Bella girl your brother is right. You will make the most amazing CEO"
I smile "About that I have a few conditions before I will accept the role. That's not important right now we can talk about that later. Meet me in Jasper's office tomorrow at 11am you will need to bring Uncle Will so we can discuss my conditions."
"Fair enough Bella. I will go to your brother now and I will see you tomorrow at 11am. I love you sweetheart and I am truly sorry."
As we approach the door he pulls me in for one last hug.
"I love you too Father. I know you can make this right."
I walk back into the lounge room feeling a great deal lighter and more optimistic about the situation in our family. Jasper stands pulling me into a hug.
"I am proud of you Baby." he smiles at me.
"Thank you. Now I need a drink. What do you guys say?"
They all nod their heads in agreement.
Amber speaks up "So Bella how are you feeling about all this? No pressure but if you are up to I have the paperwork printed out for your guys marriage license. I wouldn't bring it up now but it says it can take up to a month to get one. How are we going to make that work?"
I pour a generous of scotch into four crystal glasses and hand them out.
"I'm ok. I think it was a good thing this all happened I see changes in my father that are long overdue. As for the marriage license issue I will speak to Uncle Will. If I remember correctly he has friends in the licensing office and maybe able to grease the wheels a bit so it happens quickly. So we are able to married on time. I am not stressed about that at this stage."
She smiles at me "Why didn't you tell your father that you and Jasper are engaged?"
I shrug "Not the right time. I will tell them tomorrow when they come to the office. I will ask mum and Auntie Eve to come as well so we can tell everyone at once."
Jasper pulls me into his side "Works for me."
Amber and Rhys make a move to leave promising to catch up with us later. I'm pretty sure they have some catching up of their own to do. They are perfect friends and are perfect for each other. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Thank you guys so much for being there for us through all this. You have no idea how much I appreciate everything you have done."
Amber looks like she is going to cry and my eyes fill with tears as well. She pulls me into a big hug.
"Of course Bella I will always be there for you. You are my sister and I love you completely."
I smile a watery smile "I love you too girl and I will always have your back!"
The guy's faces clearly amused by our PDA. It's now Rhys's turn as I wrap my arms around him not letting him go anywhere.
"Thank you as well. I know this must have been hard for you with Jasper being your best friend but you where there for me too and that means a lot to me. I won't ever forget it."
He quickly kisses my cheek "Of course Bella. I would always be there for you. Anyone who can turn my best friend into a love struck idiot is alright in my books. I always knew you guys would work it out eventually. You two are meant to be together."
My face flushes with happiness. How did I get to be so lucky? I have two great friends and an amazing man to call my own. This is what happiness looks like. I know everything will not only work out they will be better. As the elevator doors close on our dear friends I give Jasper a sly smile.
I stretch my arms skywards and cover a pretend yawn. "So are you ready for bed? I seem to be extremely tired all of the sudden." I look into those beautiful eyes and nibble my lip suggestively. His eyes darken and I am more than pleased with the intensity of his reaction. I tease my tongue over my lower lip. He lunges at me and throws me over his shoulder. I squeal with surprise and the surprises are not over as he slaps me on the ass.
"Your wish is my command, my love. I can't promise you a lot of sleep though."
I don't care about sleep! Who could shut their eyes when they have that amazing ass to watch as he walks me down the hall with me still over his should. Pushing the bedroom door open with his foot he drops me onto the bed. Tonight is going to be fun.