✿ Aileen's POV

“Lee?”

I hear my name in the distance and groan a little.

“Lee? Lee.”

The sound of my name grows closer and I turn my face away. There's a soft chuckle and I feel my hair being brushed away from my face.

“Aileen youʼve gotta wake up. Weʼre here.”

And itʼs the last words that get me to open my eyes.

Oh.

“Are we landing? Did I seriously sleep through the rest of the flight?”

I blink away the blurriness and I see Reid looking down at me with a goofy smile on his face.

“Hey. Yes weʼre landing, and yes you slept through the rest of the flight” his smile widens before kissing my temple.

I pout a little.

“What are you smiling about?” I ask and start to sit up when heʼs quick to help me.

“Wow, this place has already started to reveal the secrets youʼve been holding back, Lee.”

“What secrets?”

“Youʼre a grump after a long nap on a plane.”

I roll my eyes and chuckle a little.

“Iʼll have you know I never nap on a plane, Armani. Today... today was a first.”

“And an always because itʼs you and me against the world” he takes both my hands and kisses the back of it.

I make a face, trying my hardest not to smile but failing miserably.

“Gross, Armani. And whereʼd you read that from? Pinterest?”

He gasps dramatically and presses a hand to his chest.

“You wound me, Aileen. And touché” he smiles, making me laugh. “Now cʼmon.”

I take his outstretched hand and he helps me up.

“Weʼre not going to have to go through paparazzi are we?”

“Nope,” he pops the 'p'. “I made sure of it.”

Reid leads me out of the plane and to a large black SUV.

“Are you nervous?” he whispers to me as I nuzzle into his side.

“About what? Iʼve met Portia Dalton, Armani. Nothing scares me anymore.”

Reid laughs.

“Well, thereʼs nothing to be scared about my grandmother. Sheʼs going to love you” he kisses my temple, “Youʼll see.”

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Reid's POV

I loved seeing the look on Aileen’s face as soon as the limo pulled up to the house. The building still looked the same, all turrets, and stone. Impressive on the first impression but was also big and drafty.

“I thought you said this was a ranch house?”

“It is” I nodded.

“Itʼs a freaking castle, Armani!” she whisper-yells, her eyes wide with wonder.

“Well yes, but literally, no. This is just for show and official business. The real ranch is behind the estate and so no. We do not  live in this building.”

I thought she’d feel more comfortable knowing we weren’t going to live in an oppressive stone monstrosity.

“Well... I think I changed my mind about not being nervous, Armani. This is all a little overwhelming,” she confesses, so I snuggle her in closer and kiss her temple.

“Thereʼs nothing to be nervous about. Youʼve already met the best... and worst of my family. And I promise, my grandmotherʼs going to love the hell out of you.”

She chuckles lightly and presses her face into my chest for a while. The limo pulls up to the steps and I lean over to Aileen.

“Okay, just breathe. Iʼve always got you” I grab her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.

“I can do this, I can do this,” she says to herself in a silent mantra.

“There’s nothing to do, Lee. You’re charming and beautiful. Be both and you’ll be fine” I lean in and give her a soft seductive kiss on those gloriously pouty lips. “And when things get really intense, just focus on my mother’s nose, but not too hard.”

And with that, the doorman opens my door and I get out and give my hand to my girl.

“Do I bow?” she asks under her breath.

“Oh right. No. Lying prostrate is much better.”

I see Aileen nodding slowly for a few seconds. Then she stops...

Ha.

Looks at me, and wacks my arm with her purse.

“Ow!” I laugh and rub my arm. “I'm sorry but I just couldnʼt pass up the opportunity.”

She rolls her eyes and slips her arm through mine, rubbing against where sheʼd hit with her purse with her other hand.

“Hey, just breathe. Itʼll be over before you know it” I whisper and she looks up at me before leaning in close. I meet her halfway and kiss her.

I feel her smile against my lips. And when we pull away, sheʼs grinning from ear to ear.

“What are you smiling about?” itʼs my turn to ask.

“Oh, nothing. Just that Iʼm going to need a lot of kisses to get me through tonight” she smiles.

I chuckle and playfully salute.

“Your wish is my command, my love.”

She laughs and I can feel her body becoming less tense.

“Letʼs go” I smile and lead her into the house.

But before we can make it inside any further, Clayton cuts into our way.

“I see you two have finally made it here” he frowns a little.

“About time” Maeve chips in with a frown when she spots Aileen first.

But the second she sees me the frown disappears and thereʼs her signature smile on her face.

“Uncle Reid!”

She makes a beeline for me but when I donʼt move or let go of Aileen, she quickly stops.

“Hey,” I feel Lee gently nudge my side, “Cʼmon. Itʼs been too long. Just let it go okay? Itʼs fine if she doesnʼt approve of me. Iʼm not bothered.”

I start to frown.

“You and me against the world, remember?” she adds and I try to get upset about how quickly my frown disappears but I canʼt.

I chuckle as Aileen lets go of me and gives me a gentle shove toward Maeve. I sigh and open my arms and Maeve almost immediately comes barreling into me. I wrap my arms around her as she squeezes into me.

“Iʼm really sorry Uncle Reid” I hear her say into my chest.

I kiss the top of her head and loosen my arms around her.

“Itʼs okay, Maeve.”

She lets go of me and smiles. Then looking around me she shoots a small wave at Aileen who wiggles her fingers at my niece in return.

“Hey, babe? Can I get the Wi-Fi password? I think someone just changed it” I hear Tylerʼs voice.

I tense and look up from my niece toward her approaching fiancé.

What the heck?!

Tyler Shaw looks up from his phone and pauses.

“Oh. Hello Uncle Reid” he smiles.

I cock my head and his smile fades.

“Err... I mean Mr. Dalton...”

I narrow my eyes.

“Sorry, sir...”

I take a step forward and I feel Aileenʼs fingers locking mine and holding me back. I look behind me and she has that look on her face.

“Nana said I could bring him,” Maeve says, stepping back from me and toward the boy who drank wine for a living.

“Well, I didnʼt approve,” I say, shooting daggers at the boy.

“Reid” Aileen tugs at my hand, “Stop it, will you?”

I look down at her and sigh, standing back.

“Maeve, itʼs okay. And Tyler, heʼs not going to do anything to you, I promise” Lee says with a smile.

My niece looks at me and I exhale and smile at her. I see relief wash over her and she smiles back and hurries to give me a quick hug before turning around and pulling her fiancé away.

“Must you scare the poor kid, Armani?” Aileen whispers to me.

“What? I donʼt approve” I whisper back.

Clayton clears his throat and we turn to look at him.

“Hello, Lee. Looking gorgeous as ever” he smiles her way.

I frown a little.

“Whereʼs everyone Clay?”

“Well, your fatherʼs in his study and my auntʼs—”

“Freaking out over whether Gammyʼs going to like her gift or not which warms my heart” Asha cuts in, pausing briefly beside Clayton before making a beeline toward Aileen to wrap her in a hug. “I am so glad youʼre here now. How was your flight? You okay?”

And Aileen and I canʼt help but laugh.

“It was good, Asha. And Iʼm okay. Reid made sure of it” Aileen smiles my way.

I return her smile and Asha makes a sound.

“Oh, you two are so adorable.”

I roll my eyes and they land on Clayton who has a frown on his face.

“Is it okay if I steal her away, Ben? She must be exhausted and we need to get ready for dinner.”

“Yeah, okay,” I say, finally looking away from my cousin. “Iʼll see you soon okay?” I say to my fiancée and give her a small kiss.

She looks between Clayton and me and lets Asha pull her away. As soon as theyʼre out of sight I turn on him.

“What is your problem?” I frown.

“Woah there, Ben,” he says with a little chuckle, his hands raised slightly. He lowers them soon after and pins me with a look. “And I could ask you the same question. Did you have to get that way with the boy?”

“Not the point but I donʼt approve of my niece marrying that kid.”

“Well, Iʼm sorry Ben but thatʼs not your decision to make. Maeveʼs my niece too and I happen to like the boy. He makes her happy and thatʼs what is important.”

I scoff.

“He drinks wine for a living, Clayton. What kind of life is he going to provide for Maeve? I sure as hell know itʼs not going to be a good one so heʼs probably after her money. I know people like him. I know his kind.”

Clayton pauses for a split second, then laughs.

“And yet you want the rest of us to believe Lee isnʼt?”

I frown.

“She isnʼt, Clayton. And back to what this conversation is about... I donʼt appreciate how you look at my fiancée like sheʼs a piece of meat.”

He bobs his head.

“Well, I donʼt buy that sheʼs really your fiancée, Ben. Iʼm trying but... I just canʼt. Everything is off between you two.”

“Well Iʼm sorry to disappoint you but she is, Clayton. Mine. Alone. And so if you value your life, youʼll not look at her like that, and youʼll stay very far away from her.”

“Why? Afraid Iʼll make her nervous and get her to let it slip that your relationship is a sham?” he chuckles. “If youʼve got nothing to hide the thereʼs no need to be warning me to stay away from her, right?”

I flex my jaw.

Heʼs not worth your time, Reid.

“Donʼt you have anything better to do, Clayton? Like following my father around and trying to make him notice you.”

His cocky smile disappears.

“Youʼve been doing that since we were kids and it hasnʼt yielded many results... scratch that, it hasnʼt yielded any results” I mock and reach for his necktie, “So why donʼt you focus your energy there and leave my fiancée and me the fuck alone, huh?” I adjust his necktie and straighten his lapel next. “And if you do, Iʼll put in a good word for you so youʼre not stuck struggling to get my leftovers for the rest of your life.”

Claytonʼs jaw tightens.

“So we good?” I pat down hard against his chest. “Excellent,” I say again and turn away, smirking at the look Iʼve left on Claytonʼs face.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

When I arrive at the ranch, Aileen is already all dolled up.

“Oh damn girl,” I say with a whistle. “All this for me?”

She turns to me and sheʼs frowning. I pause.

“What?”

“I donʼt even know why I was expecting this to be a normal ranch house when you said so.”

I chuckle.

“Thatʼs why you look upset?”

“Yes and no” she moves closer to me. “Where have you been?”

“Here and there” I smile down at her as she wraps her arms around me.

“What the hell does that mean?”

I laugh and lean down to kiss her.

“Clayton” I murmur against her lips and she immediately pulls away from me.

“What? What did he want?”

“Nothing. Just a little sibling squabble.”

“Youʼre sure.”

I nod.

“Iʼm sure” I smile and kiss her till she relaxes in my arms.

“How many rooms are in here?” she suddenly asks against my lips and I canʼt help the laugh that escapes me.

“Way to ruin our kiss” I tease. “And whyʼs that information important?”

“Just tell me” she playfully rolls her eyes.

“Like fifteen or seventeen I think.”

“Yep. American royalty.”

I chuckle.

“Would you like a tour?”

“Heck yeah. Oh but wait, you need to get changed. Dinner, remember?”

I smile.

“You wanna get me alone in our room with you in that dress?”

She smirks.

“Itʼll look better on the floor, you know?”

Twenty minutes later weʼre in and out and Iʼm ready to give Aileen a tour as soon as sheʼs done adjusting her girls into the dress.

Yeahhh...

I smile proudly and take Aileen’s arm when sheʼs done and walk her around the house. Her eyes widen with awe and wonder, and I feel the tickling of joy heat my insides.

She looks precious experiencing the ranch’s grandeur.

Everything was still the same. The ancient paintings on the walls were created by famous Greek and Roman painters that my grandfather had acquired during his many visits to Italy and Greece. The statues that adorn the corners of the large three-story stateroom and the heavy brocade tapestries covering the tall windows, block out a lot of the midday light, thus protecting the masterpieces, but also presenting a rather gloomy first impression.

Aileen, however, didn’t seem to mind.

“This place is incredible,” she says wandering around, finding her feet taking the lead as she nears one of the paintings of Aphrodite.

“Aphrodite, the goddess of sex, no wonder you like her,” I tease.

“She’s not just the goddess of sex, Armnai. She does other stuff.” Her snarling face is adorable.

“Like give people babies and boners?” I can’t help myself.

“You’re terrible,” she chides.

“Yeah, but you love me” I chuckle and join her by the painting, my arms going around her from behind her where I stand.

Aileen leans back into me and she snorts out a laugh when she feels my boner pressing into her back.

“Oh, you werenʼt kidding huh?”

“I donʼt joke when it comes to you,” I say, sounding more serious than I planned.

She tilts her head back and looks up at me.

“I donʼt joke when it comes to you too” she whispers and I bring my face down to kiss her her.

I feel my dick stirring in my pants and if not for the fact that we werenʼt alone here, Iʼd take her again.

“There you two are” I hear Ellen just as weʼre pulling away before tearing each otherʼs clothes. “Cʼmon, everyoneʼs already at the table. Just waiting for Grams. And Lee you look gorgeous” she smiles.

“Thank you, Ellen. You look equally amazing too” she smiles.

“Thank you. Now cʼmon. I saved you seats away from my aunt.”

I chuckle and we follow her into the dining room where everyone is seated except my parents and grandmother. Aileen catches sight of the lantern lights and gasps, clutching my arm. I smile and nod.

“I know. Cami would love these in her room.”

She looks up at me and chuckles.

“You remember.”

“Our first date? Of course, I remember.”

Aileen laughs and it warms my heart.

“God, this place is out of this world. The paintings, the lights... cherubs...?” she gestures to the ceiling, “... Camari aside, my family would never wanna leave.”

“Too bad because thatʼs never going to happen” my mother cuts in, immediately silencing the chatter going around the table.

The maids who were giggling with Asha and Ellen all straighten their backs at her sight and scurry off. I sigh.

“Mother” I greet, looking around for my father.

“Whereʼs Dad—”

“Your family is never going to come here” she cuts me off and shoots directly for Aileen.

Oh God.

“Youʼre not marrying my son. I donʼt care what heʼs told you, but Iʼm telling you that youʼre not good enough for him. Youʼre never going to belong in this family. Youʼre not wanted here. So donʼt even start thinking of getting comfortable because no one wants you here.”

I clench my fist

“Mom—!”

“Oh, but I do want her here, Annabelle. And all this is just for her.”

The only person who calls my mother by her middle name.

Everyone turns in her direction.

“So if she says she doesnʼt like something...” she snaps her finger, “... itʼs gone. Like it never existed. So please Annabelle. Sheʼs my special guest. And you know how I feel about my guests and first impressions.”

I see my mother flinch but still hold her head high. My father, who walked in with his mother whispers something to her and moves to my motherʼs side. I immediately swoop in to get rid of the silence.

“Grandma” I smile.

She tears her eyes away from my parents and her stern look immediately disappears.

“Oh my sweet boy” she grins and opens her arms out to me.

I give Aileenʼs hand a quick reassuring squeeze before moving to hug my grandmother. The shawl she has around her drapes around my shoulders along with her arms when I bend into the hug, and I breathe in the scent of her.

As a child, I’d wrap myself in the soft yarn whenever I needed comfort and my mother wasn’t available for a hug.
Being enveloped in it now brought a surge of emotion and nostalgia to the surface.

“I missed you so much,” I say, squeezing her tightly, not sure if I was giving or receiving the comfort this time.

Probably a little bit of both.

“I missed you more, sweet boy” she chuckles, letting me go so I can straighten. “Look how much youʼve grown” she smiles, caressing my face, “I still remember when you were no taller than my hip."

I take her hand.

“Howʼve you been?” I ask her. “We heard about the accident. Are you—”

“Oh, Pierre likes to exaggerate. I missed a step thatʼs all. Iʼm as fit as a fiddle. And for how Iʼve been, well Iʼve been having a ball, sweetheart,” she says, jovially, always the social butterfly, “There have been luncheons and galas galore. I havenʼt had the time to venture out there to see you all.”

“Busy as ever then?” I ask.

She shakes a perfectly manicured finger at me.

“Now, now, Ben, youʼre never busy when youʼre doing what makes you happy.”

“Uh-huh. Iʼll believe that,” I tell her, happily.

She angles her face and looks at me.

“You seem happy,” she remarks.

“Aren't I always?” I ask, pretending to be offended.

“Oh, you smile that mischievous smile of yours, darling boy, but I really wondered whether you were actually happy ever since you grew up,” she says, “But looking at you now, you seem immensely content.”

“I am, Gammy,” I say, with a happy sigh.

She eyes me, then takes a glance around me at Aileen.

“Sheʼs really special, isnʼt she?” she asks me in a whisper and I look at her quizzically. “Donʼt give me that look. I know of you and your escapades with various women, Reid Benjamin. But none of them would have caused this, I believe.”

I chuckle.

“Why do you think my happiness has come from a woman?” I ask, glancing at Aileen who looks like sheʼs trying not to breathe too hard, “I could be happy on my own” I turn to my grandmother.

“Oh, yes, yes, you could,” she agrees, “But there's a happiness that comes with being loved, Ben. With being in love.”

“Youʼd know,” I roll my eyes, with a smile.

“I would know, Ben. Iʼve been alive for a very long time,” she says and then becomes quiet for a while before gesturing toward Aileen. “Arenʼt you going to introduce me to the woman whoʼs been making my grandson so happy?”

I chuckle and kiss her cheek before holding my hand out to Aileen. She gives me a small smile as she takes it and I smile in return before turning to face my grandmother.

“Gammy, this is Aileen, my fiancée.” Then I turn to Lee, kiss the back of her hand, and look at my grandmother, “Lee, this is my grandma, Antoinette.”

Aileen smiles.

“Hi. Itʼs nice to meet you Maʼam.”

My grandmother chuckles and shakes her head.

“Pierre failed to mention youʼre this beautiful.”

“Oh wait till you see her in pink” I grin, earning a playful nudge from Aileen.

My grandmother smiles and squeezes Aileenʼs hands.

“Itʼs very nice to meet you too, dearie. Now cʼmon. Letʼs go eat. I hope you like escargot and I wanna know everything about you.”

“Oh well, I...”

“Sorry weʼre late!” her Indian accent interrupts Aileen.

“We couldnʼt get any Danish pastries for Mom” a voice identical to my dadʼs follows.

I whip my head around and Maeve is already running towards the couple. I grin.

“About time, Micha” my father speaks up, moving over to hug his brother.

“Oh wow, Tia. You look incredible in that dress” Ashaʼs mom gushes over my mother.

“Thank you, Zenia. And I absolutely adore your sari. Itʼs so good to see you” my mother smiles and hugs her.

“What do I have to do to get a hug from my own daughter?” my uncle moves over to kiss the top of Ashaʼs head.

“Hi Daddy,” she says in the perfect good girl voice.

“Oh!” my aunt exclaims when she spots me. “Is that our boy?!”

“It is” I hear my mother laugh a little before returning to her scowl when Aileen shifts beside my grandmother.

I smile as my aunt and uncle approach me.

“Hello, Uncle Mick. Aunt Zenia” I greet, taking turns to hug them.

“You look great, kiddo,” my aunt says when she lets go of me. “I canʼt believe—”

“And you must be Aileen” my uncle cuts her off, smiling brightly at my fiancée. “My daughter has told us so much about you.”

I look at Asha who smirks and wiggles her fingers in a wave at me.

“Hi, yes. Itʼs nice to meet you, Mr. Dalton—”

“Oh please. Mr. Daltonʼs my brother. Call me Mick.”

I smile.

“Ooh look at you” my aunt teases, giving me a gentle nudge to my side.

“What?” I chuckle.

“Sheʼs so pretty” she whispers and I nod.

“Inside and out.”

Aunt Zenia giggles.

“And hey, for the record kiddo...?”

I turn to her.

“Iʼm so glad you got rid of that Anika girl.”

I nod again, smiling over at how my grandmother and uncle are gushing over Aileen.

“Yep. Me too.”

Thank you for reading!
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~the_atticwriter