Stanton Bliss(37)

“Total cocksucker.” I smirk.

For the first time today I see a trace of a smile cross Jarvis’ lips.

Adrian shrugs happily and starts pulling the clothing from the bags, spreading them out on the lounge. He puts the suits with the shirts, then lays out the belts and ties to wear with each outfit.

“So, tomorrow, for work, wear this suit here.” He gestures to it. “And this shirt, these shoes and this tie.” He puts his hand on his chin in thought. “Did we get enough socks?”

Jarvis’ face drops and he fiddles with his hands nervously.

I frown. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know how to do a tie,” he whispers softly.

I swear, I can feel Adrian’s heart melt across the floor.

Adrian and my eyes meet. “That’s ok.” He smiles gently.

Adrian and I immediately get the ties out of the bags and start tying them around our necks. We loosen them enough to get them off and lay them out for him. I look at my watch. Shit, I’ve got to go.

“I…” I hesitate, not wanting to leave this kid alone. “I have to go. I’m picking up my wife and we are moving into our new apartment tonight.”

Jarvis nods.

Murph’s eyes glance between Jarvis and me. “You know what? I think I’m going to hang around here with Jarvis for a while and make him some dinner.”



I smile at my wife. She’s been to Hell and back, yet here she stands, looking up at me with love in her eyes.

“Are you ready to go to our new home, Mrs. Stanton?”

She smiles as she wraps her arms around me. “I am, my beautiful Lamborghini.”

The apartment was ready to move into two weeks ago, but Natasha insisted on finishing her diary entries while we were at the hotel. She said she didn’t want to go back there once we begin to move forward.

She has cried for the last two weeks, recounting the painful memories, but, hopefully, tonight will be a new start for us.

The apartment I have found is small – tiny, actually – but luxurious and cosy, which were Natasha’s only prerequisites. She didn’t want any part of finding the apartment, saying she trusted me to hold our future in my hands. Fifteen minutes later, we arrive, and I lead her by the hand up to our floor.

I have specifically asked that no security are with us when we enter. I want some time alone.

We approach the door and I bend down and pick her up like a bride in a rush. She giggles loudly.

“Are you carrying me over the threshold?”

“I am.”

“I love you,” she whispers as she kisses me gently.

“I love you, too.” I smile into her lips.

I frown as I feel the tectonic plates of our world move into place. Maybe sometimes you have to experience dark to appreciate the light. Maybe I was meant to go to Prison to meet Jarvis. Maybe… no, positively, I am going to spend each day of the rest of my life adoring the woman I love and being the person she makes me.

I hand the key over to her. Natasha tries to open the door and we struggle and laugh as I bend to hold her at doorknob height.

When we open the door, Natasha’s attention flies around and she gasps.

“Joshua,” she whispers.

Thank f*ck Cameron did his job.

I gently place her down with another kiss, her lips lingering on mine. “I f*cking love you.” She giggles as she puts both of her hands over her mouth in shock before she looks around.

The apartment is adorned with fresh flowers and the air is filled with their scent.

“Oh, Joshua,” she cries. “Flowers, so many flowers.”

I smile and drag her through the apartment by the hand. I do love this place. There are two small bedrooms on the lower floor, but I have turned one into an office, and the other one is for Didge when she wants to stay. The kitchen is small and timber with a little round table for two that sits in the corner. The apartment is decorated with antiques, lined with dark wooden floors, all of which are decorated with large, rich coloured rugs. Natasha walks around in awe wearing a huge smile on her face. “It is perfect. Absolutely perfect,” she gasps.

“Like me?” I smirk. I did good finding this place.

Natasha smiles broadly. “Yes, like you.” She kisses me, her tongue sweeping slowly through my mouth.

Natasha’s eyes drift to the staircase, which sits to the left of the kitchen.

“What’s up there?” she asks as she starts to drag me up the steps.

“Oh my God,” she whispers when we get to the top.

It’s the main bedroom, a loft above the living area. No less than two hundred candles flicker.

Natasha tears up and looks to me.

“I never gave you a wedding night,” I whisper.

She frowns as she looks around once more. “Yes, you did.”

I shake my head as emotion fills me. “No, we f*cked on our wedding night.” I take her lips in mine. “Tonight, we make love.”

She smiles softly.

Oh. I nearly forgot! I go to the wardrobe and retrieve the small package wrapped in white paper and a gold bow, handing it over.

“What’s this?” she asks.

“My wedding present.”

She kisses me tenderly. “You are my present,” she whispers.

“Open it.”