My Dad's Rival

Not that we think anything could ever break us apart. We’re stronger than ever now. I’ve spent the last seven months learning to love, care for Wyatt in every way, and prepare how to be a mother to our unborn child. I’ve changed as a person, but only for the better. I’ve left all my old anxieties behind, and now I’m ready for this new chapter in my life.

I’ve built a foundation of trust with Wyatt. I hate that I lied to him at the start, but I will never do that again. I’m always honest with him, now, no matter how hard it is. Our honesty with one another is what keeps us strong.

I know my dad struggled to understand my love for Wyatt at first, but he tried because he knew it made me happy. After so many years of hating him, he was hardwired to disapprove. But while he was traveling, soul searching, and reconnecting with himself, he listened.

I’d call him every day and update him on my life, tell him how things were going with Wyatt and the baby. And with each passing day, he became more and more accepting.

Now, my dad and Wyatt are fast friends. There’s even been talk of them merging their companies, finding one common goal to share as a family. This marriage is almost like an old fashioned business deal, connecting us in the business world, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a marriage filled with love, hope, and happiness. And I know that no matter what, those feelings will never go away.

“Shall we?” Dad asks, offering me his arm. We’re waiting outside the church for the ceremony to begin. And as the music begins playing inside I smile to myself. Beyond those doors is my future, my life, my love. I’m probably going to cry the moment I see Wyatt standing at the altar, waiting for me, but that’s okay. I can be vulnerable around him. I can show my true self to him. He’s the only person in this world who really has an insight into the real me.

And that’s why he’s the perfect man for me, the perfect husband.

“Let’s do this,” I whisper.

The doors open and we walk in together.

My eyes immediately lock on Wyatt’s, and the moment is magical. Like the whole world slows down. Like the day we met when I first laid eyes on him in his office. But this time, we know one another. We’re drawn to each other for every reason, not just on an attraction level. I’m drawn to his kindness, his generosity, his loving nature, his sexual prowess. Everything about him makes me want him more. And that’s why getting up in front of all these people and declaring my love for him will be the easiest thing I ever have to do.

I glide toward him, the train of my white dress trailing behind me. I have one hand cupping my swollen stomach, where our baby has been growing for the last seven months. I don’t even mind that the baby has changed my shape, making my curves even more pronounced because it feels so beautiful to have our child with me as I walk toward the other biggest commitment of my life. Nothing is more sacred to me than the life of this baby and my life with Wyatt.

“I love you, sweetheart,” my dad tells me as we reach the altar. He kisses my cheek, and even though I know it’s hard for him to let me go, he does anyway. He’s come a long way from the man who wanted to control my life, to always keep me at his side. He’s learned to love me as an individual and not just as his daughter. And that’s why he can let me go, but he always knows I’ll come back to him.

He will always be my dad.

I smile at him before turning to Wyatt, I can tell he hasn’t taken his eyes off me since I walked inside the church. He groans under his breath at the sight of me up close, always so insatiable in his lust for me.

I know I’ll never quite tame the animal inside him. I’ll always leave him wanting more. But it’s because he loves me so much, not because I’m not enough. And that makes me feel even more special than words can say.

His eyes lock on mine and I smile.

This is it.

“Are you ready for this?” he growls with a glint in his eyes and I giggle.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

FOUR YEARS LATER…

Wyatt

“Daddy, look how high I can go!”

I smile proudly at my son as he swings himself on the playground, his feet kicking up in the air to give him momentum. Warren is the sweetest little kid, so desperate to be independent even at such a young age. I watch him in wonder, seeing all the similarities between him and his mom. He’s so much like Lucy, in looks, and in personality. I don’t see as much of myself in my boy, but that doesn’t matter to me. In fact, seeing how much he’s like Lucy makes me even happier.