Legally Bound (23 page)

“Bobby,” Paige whispered with wide eyes. “This is too much.”

“Nothing is too much for you,” he crooned enveloping her into his arms. “I thought of your face and the way it lights up when you smile and this was the only ring that could come anywhere near that brilliance. Still it pales in comparison.”

“Wait till Camille sees this, she is going to shit a brick,” Paige shook her head as she held her hand up.

Bobby laughed and kissed her forehead. Step two was complete. She said yes.

He knew he should be content but he couldn’t stop now. Especially now that she confirmed his hopes and dreams. She was carrying the next Mairettie. His chest swelled with the proud thought of having a son. He would be just as proud to have a little girl as beautiful as her mother. Yes, he had to keep going there was no stopping now.

Chapter Thirty Six

“I
think we should go find mom and dad. I can’t wait to tell them about the baby,” Bobby crooned as he helped Paige down off the horse in front of the deck. One of the staff members came out to take the horse as Bobby led Paige into the house.

“Babe, your mother already knows, she and Marie were there for moral support last night when I took the test,” Paige said sheepishly.

“Which means, dad probably knows,” Bobby laughed.

Walking through the house voices drafted toward them and Paige looked up at Bobby with her brows drew together. “I would know those voices anywhere,” Paige gasped and took off running toward the foyer.

Tears filled her eyes as the two familiar faces come into view. Today couldn’t be any more special and now almost everyone she loved was there to share it with her. Paige ran forward flinging her arms around the two people who she planned to call as soon as she got a moment.

“Mom, Dad, I can’t believe you’re here?” Paige gasped.

“Oh, look at my baby,” Davina, Paige’s mother cooed.

“Oh Mommy, I missed you so much,” Paige squeezed her mother tight.

“You look wonderful honey,” she replied as she held Paige at arm’s length. “You are positively glowing.”

“Come and let your father get a good look at you,” Peyton said with a broad smile on his handsome chocolate face.

“Daddy you are looking great as always,” Paige beamed.

Peyton began to laugh as he looked at Paige. I deep belly full out laugh. He glided a hand over Paige’s hair and laughed more heartily. “No matter how hard they try,” he looked at his wife and laughed some more. “You see this?”

“Oh… now that really is funny,” her mother threw her head back and laughed. “Some things will never change.”

“Okay…you want to tell me what’s so funny… mom,” Paige said as she looked between her parents with an amused smile.

“You’ll see for yourself,” her mother snickered.

Just when Paige opened her mouth to get a straight answer the front door swung open and another familiar face stepped through. Paige was in complete shock. Her twin sister had just stepped through the door with Camille. Instantly Paige got the joke.

She and her sister always tried to be different from each other and it never worked. Pamela was standing in the doorway with the same hair color and almost identical haircut. Which indeed was hilarious; because they hadn’t seen each other in so long it was impossible for them to have done this intentionally.

“Pam,” Paige squealed and ran for her sister pulling her into a tight embrace.

“Let me see, where’s the ring,” Pamela squealed back grabbing her hand and gasping as she took in the enormous ring. Camille squealed beside Paige and Pamela as she too took in the ring. The three were beaming as the excitement of the new engagement sunk in.

“Wait, you know? What are you guys doing here?” Paige asked as she looked around at everyone. James and Minnie were standing with her parents with big smiles on their faces.

“Your fiancé invited us here and he came to the villa to ask daddy’s for permission yesterday. I didn’t get to meet him, my flight was delayed I just got in before we came over,” Pamela explained.

“Hold on, Babe you had all this planned before this morning? I didn’t even think about how you manage to get a ring,” Paige turned to ask Bobby.

“I sort of brought the ring when you finally agreed to date me. I’ve had it since I got back from New York,” Bobby said sheepishly. “I had dad call your parents when I knew I wanted to go through with proposing here.”

Pamela suddenly took in her surroundings and everyone in the room. Her eyes flickered between Bobby and Paige and her mouth fell open. “No way,” Pam muttered. “You’re engage to a white guy, um, seriously? I heard about that French jerk but I knew that wouldn’t go far.” Pamela shook her head as if to clear. “This is so a Pamela Kemble move and not a Paige Kemble.”

Paige laughed and hugged her sister again. “I missed you so much. I hope I get to spend some real time with you before you disappear again.”

“Your wish is my command. Before lover boy summoned the family, I was actually making plans to move to New York to be closer to you. I think I’m starting to miss you in my old age,” Pam teased.

“You’re kidding, you’re moving to New York,” Paige asked as she bounced in place. “You have to stay with me. I have plenty of room.”

“Um… Paige,” Bobby called as he furrowed his brows and bite his lip.

Paige turned to look at him with her eyes sparkling. He hated to ruin her excitement about her sister, but it was now or never. Everyone was here for a reason; it was just as well she know now. Paige watched him expectantly and Bobby stilled himself to find the words and the courage.

“Paige, I thought … well I was hoping. Since you said yes,” Bobby cleared his throat feeling awkward and more nervous than he has ever been. “Since all our family is here on the island. I sort of had mom plan our wedding hoping you would say yes. If you want something else then we can do that when we get back home, but I was hoping we could get married here, if that is okay with you?”

“Dear your mother and I have been on the phone none stop. Everything is ready all you have to do is say the word and we’ll be having a wedding in two days,” Minnie beamed.

Paige stood with her mouth open. Then she narrowed her eyes at Bobby and smirked. “Mr. Mairettie, what if I said no,” Paige asked and tilted her head.

“We would still be on the beach with me on my knees begging you to be my wife,” Bobby smirked back.

“You really don’t stop until you get what you want do you,” Paige laughed.

Bobby crossed the foyer to stand next to Paige and wrap his arms around her. “No, I really don’t,” he whispered in her ear.

“You did a good job Paige. He is hot as sin, has great taste and he can actually get you to give in,” Pamela chuckled. “You wouldn’t happen to have a twin would you?”

Bobby threw his head back and laughed. “No, I don’t and unfortunately the brothers I do have are all taken.”

“Aw… I’ll get over it. At least you’ll bring some good looks into the mix for my future nieces and nephews,” Pamela wiggled her eyebrows.

Bobby shifted his eyes away from Pamela and rubbed the back of his neck. Pamela’s mouth dropped open and she reached over to pinch Paige. “You’re pregnant,” she accused and narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Is that what all the rush is for?”

“Yes…no,” Paige sighed.

“You two must be twins she does that thing you do,” Bobby chuckled.

“What thing,” Pam and Paige said in unison causing everyone to laugh.

“Reading people,” Bobby smiled.

“So I’m right, you’re pregnant,” Pam grinned.

“I just confirmed the pregnancy yesterday and just told Bobby when he proposed. The baby has nothing to do with the wedding.”

“Does that mean there will be a wedding,” Bobby asked anxiously. “You didn’t really answer my question.”

Paige looked up into his eyes, biting her lip and nodded. Bobby released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and pulled her into a passionate kiss. He kissed Paige until she was breathless and clinging to his shirt to keep from melting in a puddle at his feet.

“We’re going to be grandparents and my baby is getting married,” Davina sobbed with tears of joy.

“This is a cause for celebration. Where is everyone,” James boomed into the room.

“I’m texting the boys now. It was so hard to keep this all from them this whole time,” Minnie chortled. “Nathaniel should be on his way back.”

“Wait you knew, you knew he was going to propose yesterday when I told you about the baby. That’s why you were so sure everything would be okay,” Paige mused and threw her head back. “Minnie, you are indeed something else.”

“I do what I must for my boys,” Minnie chimed happily.

“Ladies,” Bobby crooned as he held an arm out to each sister.

“Now don’t you go getting any ideas handsome. We don’t share well,” Pam teased as she took the offered arm.

“No worries, you may look just like the love of my life, but I would know her touch in the dark with a blindfold on. And it is the only touch I respond to,” Bobby said with a smile.

“I really like him, Sis. Um, blindfolds, Camille there may be hope for Paige after all. Finally, someone to get her to stop being a prude,” Pam snickered.

“I’m going to ignore that because I actually miss you,” Paige said and pressed her lips at her sister.

They all enter the common area and Bobby set off for the bar as his father unveiled a bottle of brandy. Minnie had champagne on the way. Paige, Pam, and their mother seat on the sofa together cooing over the ring and Paige’s still flat tummy. Camille sat her lithe body on the floor before them so she wasn’t left out.

Peyton had joined his friend James for a toast to their children before everyone else joined in. Ellen and Sam were the first to arrive with Jess. They had gone for a little family walk and were on their way back to hand the baby over to the sitter. Marcus rushed in next while looking down at his phone.

“Is everything okay,” Marcus asked as he walked in the patio doors.

“Everything is wonderful, Son. Come have a drink with Mr. Kemble and me,” James crooned.

“O-kay,” Marcus smiled.

“Hey Mr. Kemble, nice to see you again,” Sam said as he strolled over.

“Please Sam, Peyton, you can call me Peyton, Son. You are looking very well and your little one is just adorable,” Paige’s father greeted. “It’s good to see you again as well as you, Marcus. My wife and I are sorry we didn’t get to come to your engagement party we had a prior engagement.”

“No worries Sir, that gorgeous daughter of yours came and represented your family very well,” Marcus smiled. “Someone help me though. I haven’t sipped my drink yet but I swear I’m seeing double.”

Bobby threw his head back and laughed. “That’s Paige’s twin Pamela, they’re identical,” Bobby said with a knowing smile. He hadn’t missed that Pam was as beautiful as her sister and he was sure his brothers wouldn’t either no matter if they were attached.

“You’re kidding,” Marcus chuckled. “Wow, I didn’t think you could duplicate that kind of hot.”

“Watch it Marcus, you’re talking about the mother of my child,” Bobby said with a huge grin on his face.

Sam choked on his drink. “Wait, so it’s official,” Sam choked and gasped.

“Ah, here’s Marie. We have some announcements to make, where is Julia?” James boomed with a grand smile.

“I think we can start without her,” Marcus said dryly.

“Is everything well, Son,” James asked. “Is something going on?” 

“Nothing to ruin time with my family, she’ll come around when she is ready,” Marcus shrugged.

Bobby gave his brother an understanding nod. It was clear to everyone that something was going on with the two of them. Julia looked panicked most the time and Marcus just looked lost, or like he was somewhere else. Bobby had put it off on Marcus wanting to be back at the office, but something was telling him now that something else was going on.

“I have champagne for everyone,” Minnie chirped as the servers entered the room with trays of champagne and platters of hors d'oeuvres. Everyone was handed a glass and Minnie gave Paige the glass she had made just for her, giving her a knowing wink. “It’s just a little cider.”

“Hey everyone, am I missing something,” Julia chirped as she entered the room just in time.

“No dear, come grab a glass we are just getting started,” Minnie smiled.

Paige noticed the way Marcus tensed for a moment before Julia reached his side. Julia stood beside him with worry etch on her face. Something was definitely wrong between the two of them.

“Paige,” Bobby called her over to his side. Paige tucked under Bobby’s arm and placed her hand on his chest. Marie, Julia and Ellen all gasped then squealed when they saw the ring on Paige’s finger. “I wish Nathan were back by now but he has known my intentions, so I guess he won’t be too upset with me. I invited the Kembles here to the island because it was my intention to ask for Paige’s hand. I also planned to talk her into marrying me before we all return home.

“I am proud to say that she has said yes on both accounts. However, she did start to tell me no until I was well briefed on all the details of your budding relationship.” Bobby looked down at Paige and beamed with pride as he squeezed her shoulder. “There is going to be a new Mairettie in the family. Paige is pregnant with our first baby. If everyone would raise their glasses I would like to toast to the new Mairetties of the family, my soon to be wife and our new baby. Salute!”

“Salute!” Everyone cheered together.

“Well finally, welcome to the family Princess,” Marcus beamed genuinely as he moved forward to hug Paige and pat his brother on the back. “Congratulation Bro.”

“Thank you,” Paige giggled.

“Nice work, big brother. My little one was getting lonely. I thought you’d never catch up,” Sam teased. “Congrats Paige, I guess Bobby will no longer be the hot shot Mairettie at the firm. You’ll be taking over that title.”