Billionaire Husband (12 page)

“That was an interesting interview, Shaun.”

He reached into his jacket, and pulled out the documents that Bruce had sent over to him. They were from his lawyer who had gone through the binding business contract.

“I know it was you who made sure the world knew the truth about my relationship with Addie,” he said. “It was a big mistake.”

“Son,” his father said.

“No. I’m done, and so are you four.” He handed the document to Addie’s father, who opened it up, and started reading the highlighted document. Shaun had made sure that his lawyer highlighted what he needed.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“When we were talking about a joint corporation, I had my lawyer make sure that you or my father could not try to take it away from me. I am the main boss, I own the entire corporation, and I also handle your lifestyle. You are earning nothing, and haven’t been for a long time.” Shaun laughed. “You know, when we started talking about our two families coming together, and having a dominant business, I thought it was a ridiculous idea. It wasn’t, but I also made sure that no matter what, you two couldn’t take it away from me, or from Addie.” He turned toward his mother. “What you did, it broke multiple terms of our agreement, and congratulations, the money they paid you for your story, will now be your retirement fund. Addie and I, we’re going to be happy without you, and you’re not going to ever get the chance to hurt us again.”

“You little shit. Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?” his mother said.

“I’m talking to four strangers. You’re all strangers. Parents are supposed to love their children, but you guys don’t love me or Addie. We’ve found love with each other, and that is the way it is going to stay.”

“You’re going to ruin us?” his father asked.

“You ruined yourselves when greed got the better of you.”

“I will make sure the whole world knows what you’ve done.”

“Go ahead. Tell all what an evil mother you were, how you refused to have more children because of your figure. Why don’t you tell my father how every time his back was turned, you told me I was a waste of space, and I ruined your life? Tell the whole world what an unfeeling bitch you are. While you’re doing that, I’ll be with my wife, surrounded by the love none of you could give me.” Shaun burst out laughing. “I won. I really did win the moment Addie agreed to be mine.”

Once he started laughing, he couldn’t stop. Walking toward the door, he was still laughing when he arrived back at her home. He waved to the press, and made his way inside to find Addie in the kitchen, baking.

Folding his arms across his chest, he raised a brow. She had baked over twenty-four muffins, a batch of cookies, and he saw one pan of brownies.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Baking helps to relax me, and when I’m stressed, this is what I do.” She looked toward him, and he saw some flour on her cheek and forehead. Her blonde hair was pulled away from her face, and she just looked so damn beautiful.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

“Tell me what happened,” she said.

“Our family is no longer going to hurt us. They won’t have the power to do it.” He told her what he’d done, and Addie bit her lip.

“Do you think that was sensible?”

“Yes. I do.”

“It seems cold.”

“That’s why I run the business.” He took her chocolate covered finger, and sucked it. “Um, I love chocolate.”

“I love you, Shaun.”

“I love you, too.”

He gripped the back of her neck and took possession of her lips. She opened to him, and he deepened the kiss. He was about to get her naked, when her apartment door was opened.

“Addie, I couldn’t wait ‘til tomorrow,” Darla said, storming into the apartment.

Shaun gripped Addie’s hip as they turned toward Darla.

“What time did you get in?” Addie asked.

“A couple of hours ago. I did my interview, and it’s going to go live later tonight.”

“Do you want to watch it?”

“What? Me on the television, you’ve got to be kidding me, right? I’m the one usually behind the camera, and I’ll stay in my place.”

Shaun laughed. “Did you talk with Dean?”

“Yes. He’s on his way back. I think he caught the flight after mine. I’m not sure.” Darla grabbed a muffin and stuffed a huge chunk into her mouth. “Wow, these are so good. New recipe?”

“Yes, I used a little coffee. Did it work?”

“Yes, it did. It’s so damn good.”

“Are you rushing away again on vacation?”

“No, you’ve not got a chance. The last time I left you alone this chaos ensued.” Darla grabbed the remote and turned on the television. The screen lit up, and Darla coughed. Dean was on the news station.

Shaun saw that it looked like he’d been accosted out of the airport.

“I just want to say that I’ve seen the news, and it’s all bullshit. Addison and Shaun are together. I’ve seen them together, and they’re beautiful together. Darla, she’s the woman who films the cooking videos, and they are two hard working women.”

The reporter kept asking him what he was doing, and where he was heading.

Shaun saw Darla paused with her muffin close to her mouth.

“I was in England chasing after my woman. Darla, if you’re watching this, stop running from me. I’m only going to keep on hunting.”

Darla turned off the remote, and stared at the two of them. “Did you two just see that?”

“I saw it, and I have to say, you’ve got to give him a chance, honey,” Addie said.

“He has to be a pain in the ass, doesn’t he?” Darla asked. “Now he’s gone and told the whole world what he’s going to do.”

“You may as well let him catch you.”

Shaun saw the uncertainty in Darla’s eyes. He understood her nerves.

Later that night, he joined Addie in bed, and held her close.

“Do you think everything is going to be okay?”

“Yes, I do. We’re together, and there’s no one going to take you away from me. Everything is going to be just perfect.” He leaned over, taking possession of her lips as he held her tightly against him. He loved her with all of his heart, and he knew everything was going to be okay.

Chapter Eleven

Three years later

Addison finished rolling out the pastry as her twin girls kept pressing on the pastry with their cutters. They were cutting out little disks, and she talked toward the camera that was pointed at her. It was Christmas in the Woodside country house, and she was filming her mince pie recipe. She had already made the sweet mincemeat recipe, and now she was finishing it off using her two girls to help her.

“Mommy, ‘is okay?”

Chloe held up a round circle, and Addison laughed. “Yes, honey.”

They moved on, and started to fill the pastry with the mincemeat, and Shaun came into view, holding his girls against him as she finished what she was saying, and placed them in the oven.

Darla shouted cut, and the cameraman turned off the device, and gave her a thumbs up.

“That was so damn good,” Darla said. “I mean this is going to be massive next year.”

Addison hadn’t wanted to film a Christmas episode unless it was Christmas. She wanted it to be the right season, and Paula had made sure she got her wish. Not only did she get to film several Christmas episodes for next year, she also got to film her next cookbook in advance as well.

“I hope so.” She placed a hand on her swollen stomach.

“How are you holding up?” Shaun asked.

“I’m doing okay. Your son is growing stronger every single day, and he’s making it hard for me to see my ankles.” She glanced down, and let out a breath when she did in fact see her ankles. “Look at those,” she said, laughing.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world to me.”

She smiled. “You know how to say the right things.”

“Good.”

He gripped the back of her neck, and pulled her in for a strong kiss. Three years they had been blissfully married.

After their parents tried to ruin their reputation, they had been under scrutiny by the press. It didn’t take long for them both to return to work, and Shaun could no longer be by her side even though he wanted to. She knew he hated leaving her behind, but it wasn’t something they could do anything about. Their work called, and she had already agreed to the book tour. For the first three months of their lives after the big reveal of the beginning of their marriage, most of the questions they received were about each other.

Addison’s cookery show deals had been taken from her, which she didn’t mind. It had taken a second successful cookbook, and for her videos to be one of the most popular on the internet before she was offered a cookery show again.

Paula negotiated hard, and made sure the company she finally went with, knew they shouldn’t have pulled out of the cookery show talks. Shaun had agreed to be present, and they had decided to move out of her apartment. They had bought a large house, especially as she had also fallen pregnant. The house was out in the country, and the views simply inspired Addison. She also had a mini vegetable garden out in the back, and she loved grabbing ingredients and just getting to work without any struggle.

Her first series was filmed as she was pregnant, and she took her viewers through the reveal of her twins, to the day that she was actually filming, and her waters broke. Her viewers were not allowed when she gave birth, but they also filmed her returning from the hospital with the two new loves in their lives. Shaun helped where he could, and when she was filming, Paula and Darla helped to keep them happy.

She didn’t want a nanny as she’d grown up with a nanny, and hated every second of it. Her family would be normal without a nanny. Some families may love having a nanny, but she didn’t.

Dean was also part of her life. Darla and Dean were happily married, and glancing over at her friend, she saw her friend was also swollen with child. They were expecting their first child together.

“They look happy,” Shaun said.

“They do. We know what they’re going through as we were there for them as well.”

“I love you, baby.”

Shaun placed his hand on her stomach at the same time as Chloe did, and their daughter squealed. “Mommy’s tum-tum kick.”

Laughing, Addison caught her daughter up in her arms, and blew little raspberries on her cheek.

“Those pies smell so damn amazing, and I want one when they come out,” Dean said.

“You know you can, after me,” Shaun said.

Even after all this time, Shaun was possessive of her food.

“Damn, you’re a hard ass. So what else do we have to film?” Dean asked.

“I’ve got to serve the mince pies, and then I’ve got a handful of ideas for gifts. Christmas day, I’m going to be filming doing the main dinner.”

“I can’t wait. We’re staying right?” Dean asked.

“We’re staying here,” Darla said. “I’m the one who keeps the cameramen in line.”

Addison handed Chloe over to Dean so that she could finish gathering up some ingredients, and weighing most of them out before filming would continue. Her life was perfect, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Shaun moved by her side, and started to help her, and she smiled up at him.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asked.

“I was just thinking about what happens later tonight.”

“Is my woman getting horny?” He whispered the words against her ear so only she heard.

“Yes, and I need you. I will always need you.”

****

Three months later

Shaun paced outside of the hospital at the same time as Dean did. They were pacing opposite each other, and every now and then they stared at each other. He should be in the room with his woman, but Addie had told him to wait with his girls. Glancing over at his daughters, he saw they were still asleep on the chairs where he’d placed them twenty minutes ago.

He should have hired a nanny or something so he could have been with his woman.

“Why wouldn’t she want me with her?” Dean asked. “I should be in there with her.”

“I don’t know.”

Darla had refused to let Dean into the room, and told him to stay out and help Shaun with the two girls. Neither of them was happy to be held back from the women they loved.

“I’m going to spank Darla’s ass when she’s well again.”

They went back to their pacing, and Shaun was losing his mind.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Paula said, rushing into the room.

Shaun was confused. “What are you doing here?” he asked. Paula had become part of their family over the last three years. She stayed with them over Christmas, and had dived right in, helping out with the episode that Addie had wanted to be perfect and filmed with family love.

“Darla called me and said you needed me to take care of the twins. I was in a meeting, and I only just got out. I’m so sorry. Go and be with your women. You’re about to become fathers again.”

She ushered them away, and Shaun didn’t question her again.

He rushed towards his wife’s room, and as he entered, the sound of a scream filled the air. Going to his wife’s side, he held Addie’s hand as she collapsed against the bed exhausted.

“You’ve got to push one more time. Come on, Addison, you can do this,” the doctor said.

Addie took a deep breath, and he kissed her temple.

“I’ve got you, honey. Squeeze my hand, and hold me.”

“Who’s looking after the twins?”

“Paula. You need me right now, and there’s nowhere else I want to be than here with you, giving birth to our son. Come on, push one more time.”

She sat up again, and he helped her. Locking their fingers together, he urged, and squeezed her hand. “Come on, baby, push for me.”

Addie pushed, screamed, and cried out as their son was finally with them. His screams filled the whole room, and the nurses took him, wrapped him up in a blanket, and brought him over to them.

Kissing Addie’s hair, he stared at the little screaming bundle.

“Shaun, we have a son.”

“We have a son.” He held his woman as Addie reached for their boy. She moved a little of the blanket out of the way, and he saw his son, reaching out.