The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Lorelai

POV

"I would do anything to keep my daughter-in-law safe."

Such simple words but said with such vehemence that I was immediately brought to tears. These damn pregnancy hormones were continuing to mess with my emotions and as I stared at Mr Grant, I could see Knox's facial expression as he stared at his father, his own expression dark and ominous. The men in my life were determined to protect me at all costs, even lan looked resolute, standing stiffly and nodding in agreement. What had I done to deserve these people, these wonderful people? I blinked back my tears as I glanced once more toward the front door, thankful to find that my parents were gone, even as I instinctively knew that they weren't done with me or my fiancée yet. They hadn't gotten what they wanted, and I knew they would be planning something else. "Now, is there something else you need to tell us?" Mr Grant said, looking pointedly between myself and Knox as I bit my lip in chagrin.

He knew. It was written all over his face and in the sparkling of his eyes. Had he guessed, or had we somehow managed to give ourselves away? The only one who looked confused was lan, who looked at Mr Grant in surprise. "Tell us what?" he asked blankly.

Sometimes I wondered how somebody as intelligent as lan could be so daft at other times. Knox smirked at his brother and his father, rubbing his hands together in glee, before grabbing my hand and nodding towards me. I sighed. "I guess that we can tell you now," I said a little tearfully, placing a careful hand on my stomach, which continued to lie flat for now "Knox and I are pregnant."noveldrama

Silence. lan looks like he's been hit by a truck. Mr Grant is overjoyed, a broad grin on his face as he rushes forward and shakes Knox's hand enthusiastically, before turning to me and hugging me tightly.

"I thought you must be, what with the vomiting and Knox letting slip earlier," he said, chuckling and stepping back "I couldn't be more pleased for both of you. Lorelai, you're like a daughter to me and Flair is going to be so excited," he said.

lan finally managed to recover his face, also proffering his hand to Knox and then myself. "Congratulations brother," he said, "and you Lorelai. I must admit, this was not something I thought would happen so quickly for you, but I'm over the moon to see you so happy", he added to Knox, who was grinning widely at him.

I felt apprehensive now. My stomach was beginning to settle, but I was disquieted and Mr Grant noticed. "What's the matter, Lorelai?" he asked.

I bit my lip. "If you were able to tell just by me being sick and Knox accidentally letting slip", I glanced meaningfully at my fiancée who had gone still. "Then do you suppose that my mother and father might have come to the same conclusion?"

Mr Grant sucked in a breath "It's possible. They don't strike me as being particularly unintelligent," he said shrewdly, "but it matters not. You're perfectly safe here in the mansion, and we'll increase security if that will put you more at ease" he suggested kindly. I appreciated his offer. Knox's face was scowling. "It would be better if we could find a way to run them off for good" he muttered as I looked down at my hands, ashamed of my lineage. "I don't trust the sneaky conniving bastards" he added.

"For now, let's focus on the wedding preparations" Mr Grant suggested, raising a brow and silently admonishing an indignant Knox "I know it seems old-fashioned," he said to me personally, "but I would like the two of you to be married before you give birth. It's traditional in our family, even if it doesn't quite make sense in this day and age."

"I understand," I told him, trying not to laugh at the blatant look that said, I told you so, on Knox's face, "and I am happy to go along with your wishes in that respect."

"Then how soon can you have the ceremony ready to be conducted?" Mr Grant asked blithely, taking everyone aback. "I think the sooner, the better. I think Lorelai needs the protection of our Grant's name and I would breathe easier knowing that you two are legally married before the baby arrives. I know you think a fancy wedding needs plenty of time to prepare, but Flair will help, and, honestly, the more intimate the ceremony, the nicer it is." "You would allow a smaller ceremony?" Knox asked in disbelief.

Even lan looked stunned by his father's admission.

"Yes, if it means that you two are husband and wife quicker. Do you have any objections to that, Knox?" his father demanded.

Knox shook his head. "No, of course not. I just want to marry the woman I love, how we go about it doesn't matter to me" he said, glancing at me with a smile on his face.

"The thought of having another grandchild to spoil just makes my heart warm," Mr Grant said, staring at us both with a wistful look on his face. "Your mother would be proud of you, Knox, to see just how far you've come and what a beautiful woman you've chosen as your partner in life."

Silence. I felt a pang for Mr Grant, who was all alone. There were never any lady friends that he had over for company and I realized I knew very little about him, except that he was an exceptional father who was fiercely protective of his offspring. "I'm proud of you" he added solemnly, causing Knox to flush and bow his head.

"Let's get married within the next month" I spoke up, sensing Knox's melancholy mood, "right here", I proposed, gesturing at the mansion. "Here?" asked Mr Grant.

"In the garden," I said, considering it and nodding in satisfaction, "you can invite all your friends and relatives. It will be easier to cater, there's plenty of room, and it will make it easier to plan. We can have tables outside to eat at and set up a marquee if the weather looks like rain. It's so pretty out there, it's perfect for photos," I added, "and we don't have to go anywhere afterward because everybody is already there. It takes a lot of planning and endless preparation. Besides, this is my home now, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate it than to be married here."

Knox smiled, "I like it," he said and glanced at lan, chuckling, "You only have to come downstairs as my best man and put on a suit. It's perfect" he nodded.

Not only that, but Knox would be more comfortable in an environment he was familiar with, especially if there was going to be a crowd where he was expected to be social, I thought with inspiration. I didn't know why I hadn't thought of this before. Probably because I had been distracted with everything else going on.

"I want Flair and Rachel to be my bridesmaids" I murmured as Knox smiled at me. "As my sister-in-law, I think it's only right that she has a place at the wedding and Rachel is a very good friend."

"I should ask Grayson to be a groomsman so that we match in numbers," Knox said with a calculating expression. Trust Knox to think about numbers. I wouldn't love him any other way though, I thought, placing my hand over his. "There is one more thing I would like to ask," I said nervously. I knew that this might surprise the man I was about to ask, but there was nothing more to it. I had no other family members, no one else who would do it and I didn't want anyone else. Not for something as important and as momentous as this. Mr Grant had treated me like family and had never acted like I was below him or his sons. It seems that some sentences in this chapter require you to read the complete chapters on Jo bn i b.com in order to avoid an incomplete reading experience I envied the relationship he had with Knox and lan, wishing that I had the same in my life and yet, I knew, he would treat me well, like a daughter, no matter what my blood was, or my wealth. I took a deep breath and looked directly at the man responsible for changing my life in so many ways. "Mr Grant, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of walking me down the aisle?" I asked quietly.

As far as I was concerned, he was the only father figure I needed on my wedding day.

He looked on the verge of tears as he stared at me, his lower lip quivering. "My dear, I would be delighted to walk you down the aisle" he choked out, "it would be an absolute honor."

I knew he didn't get a chance to walk Flair down the aisle and I hoped she didn't mind that I had asked him for this favor. I had the feeling she would understand.

"Just don't trip on her dress" lan cracked, and his father swatted at him playfully, causing Knox to laugh out loud at them both, the moment of sadness lost.

I smiled as I watched the men begin to chat among themselves, my hand on my stomach. Family, I thought, smiling and sitting down, it wasn't always blood that made a family, but rather the people we chose to align ourselves with. I had the family unit I had always been looking for, it was right in front of my eyes. The father, the brother, the loving partner, even the sister. All of them, embraced me as part of their unit, acknowledging me and making me feel right at home. As a teenager, I would have killed to feel this way. As an adult, it was bittersweet.

I glanced down at my stomach. My child would never grow up wondering if she or he was loved. They would never have to cry themselves to sleep at night due to hunger or wonder if they needed to take a second job in order to help pay the bills. I would provide for this child and so would Knox. They would never have to feel like a burden because I would always make sure they would know just how loved and wanted they really were. My child would never have the same childhood I had, I vowed, glancing at the smiling men in front of me, and I would die before I let anybody lay a hand on them. If it came down to it, I would even kill if it meant protecting them or sacrificing myself in order to let them live. I already loved my child that much.