Chapter 56: Chapter 56
Annabelle's POV
I was at peace that everything fell into place so well. I was apprehensive about the signing process since I didn't go through all the documents given my frame of mind. Thankfully, Stefan helped me through it all and handled it with expertise. I would have been lost without him. It might have taken longer without him. With him looking after all my finances, I felt relieved.
Another wish of mine surprisingly came true. I had wanted to meet Margaret and my siblings again before I left for New York. With the hectic schedule, I didn't expect it to be possible but thankfully, they came at the last minute to visit me. I was overwhelmed by the way Stefan went out of his way to help them out. He didn't need to yet he did and it made me extremely happy that I finally found a soul mate in him.
"Where are you so lost, Rosy?" asked Stefan as our car sped away towards the airport. I gave him a warm smile. He was so observant of me. Nothing escaped his attention.
"I was thinking how nicely everything fell into place just like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. I was quite apprehensive about everything today," I admitted truthfully.
"I know! I thought that it would take longer and we would miss our flight," said Stefan with a smile of relief.
"I'm so relieved that Margaret took the help that you offered. I was actually hesitant about offering her any monetary help," I told him. The way he diplomatically handled the situation was really impressive.
"She needed it. It seemed as if they hadn't eaten a proper meal for days. They were so hungry and their clothes were torn as well. I would have to ensure that your grandfather's mansion is sold as soon as possible. That way we could shift them to New York faster," said Stefan.
"Hmm, but it would be difficult to find prospective buyers at such short notice," I told him. Stefan shook his head.
"It might be a little difficult but it's not impossible since gran knows many families there having lived there all her life. We will find someone or the other," said Stefan. "First we would need to evaluate the worth of the mansion and then fix a price. Have you signed the property transfer papers?" asked Stefan.
"Yes," I answered him.
"Then since Margaret is the new owner, she has to sign the paperwork when we sell it. Do you wish to extract anything from the house? Something might be of importance?" asked Stefan. I nodded.
"Yes. There are a lot of things that belonged to my mom, my Pops as well as my dad. Memories that I would love to bring back with me before I sold it off. I think Margaret can also take a look if she wanted some of the stuff from there," I said. Stefan nodded.
"We'll fix a date when all of us can go there and take a look. What do you say?" asked Stefan. I was on cloud nine, bursting with excitement.
"You think we could go back there? I also wanted to close down the dance institute formally and move it here. I would have to go anyway," I said. Stefan nodded.
"I'll talk to gran and once we fix up a prospective buyer, we'll visit Princeton for a few days to wrap up all the work at once," said Stefan. We reached the airport and for the next two hours, we were busy with the check-in formalities. Finally, we boarded the flight. A strange sense of peace enveloped my senses at the thought that I was going home. Home with Stefan.
I had expected to wander off alone to New Jersey after signing the papers and then mend my broken heart there but instead, I'm all happy and overwhelmed, sitting beside Stefan with my head on his shoulders, going home to my little baby girl as well as my family. A family that loved me despite everything.
"Are you excited? I can hear your heart beating rapidly from here," teased Stefan.
"Really? And I can hear yours," I answered tartly. Stefan laughed, making the grumpy person next to him scowl at us.
"My heart isn't beating because we're finally going home to my family. It's beating because finally, it can do what it wanted to do for a long-time," he leaned in to whisper into my ear. My eyes widened at his creepy answer yet I couldn't stop myself from asking him.
"What exactly is that?" I gave him a brief glance. He winked at me and leaned closer.
"I'd been wanting a quickie before we left for the airport but then your family arrived and now all I want to do is reach home as fast as this airplane can carry us and then rush to our bedroom. And then I can be the caveman that I already am," he said with a grin. I giggled at his description.
"But before that, we have to meet a family and answer their trillion questions and beg for forgiveness. Have you forgotten that part?" I reminded him with a grin. He groaned.
"I know, right? I haven't informed anyone that we're on our way except Tristan. Hopefully, everyone will be busy with their own lives to pay us any attention," hoped Stefan. I gaped at him. High hopes!
"Why did you have to tell Tristan? Do you think he can keep anything related to us in his tummy? He must have broadcasted it to the whole locality, my dance institute, everywhere. You can expect everyone to stand in a queue waiting to welcome us back," I said with an eye roll. Stefan looked horrified at my description.
"You're right. I'll go crazy if that happens," said Stefan. "I should have brought my helicopter and landed on the terrace instead. That way I could have whisked you into the bedroom easily," he said and I laughed.
"Since you told Tristan, you would find him and everyone else on the terrace then. You know you can't escape him," I pointed out. Stefan sighed. What was done couldn't be undone so we might as well, face it.
"But I want to meet Arielle and hug her tight in my arms. I need to apologize to her for breaking my promise to her," I admitted. Stefan caught my hand and squeezed it to give me comfort. The thought of Arielle upset me too much. My eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"It's okay, Rosy. She'll forgive you, she loves you too much not to," he said to comfort me. It worked, his soothing voice, and the way he slowly stroked the back of my hand made me calm down. I knew that he was right. I was Arielle's mom and she wouldn't hold a grudge against me for long.
"I'll make it up to her," I promised.
"I know you will," said Stefan. I leaned my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, a feeling of bliss enveloping my mind. Thank God I had him. I wouldn't have survived without Stefan. I shuddered at the thought of what would have been my state if Stefan wouldn't have pursued me.
"Stefan, will gran forgive me?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes, of course, everyone will forgive you. Don't fret so much. Sleep if it helps you to calm down," he advised. I nodded and closed my eyes. Stefan's warmth and the steady rise and fall of his chest, his hot breath fanning my face, and his intoxicating smell, all lulled me soon into a peaceful sleep. It was quite some time later that Stefan woke me up gently.
"We're about to land. Fix your seat belt," he instructed me. I did as asked and looked around. It was a sunny afternoon and I was on my way home. My mood suddenly improved and I felt happy when the airplane touched down and came to a halt. The next few minutes went by in a rush and we finally were on our way home from the airport. Tristan had already called Stefan twice to confirm that we had arrived. Stefan had the feeling that the whole family was there at his house, waiting to welcome them.
"It's okay Stefan. They're our family. We can always spend time with each other after dealing with them," I tried to pacify him.
"Yeah, now you're on their side. I understand," he said, with a small smile on his lips. I too smiled back.
"I'm more on your side. It's you who doesn't realize it," I admitted. He raised an eyebrow to look at me with disbelief
"Really? Then I'm challenging you. Try to follow me to my bedroom without answering them much," he said, challenging me. My jaws dropped to the floor.
"How can I do that? It's impossible!" I pointed out. He shrugged.
"Then it's proved that you're more on their side," he shrugged.
"Okay, challenge accepted, Mr. Stefan Henderson. I'll prove it to you," I swore, making his eyes glitter with excitement.