Chapter Eight

Parker's POV

I sighed dropping the papers back on my desk. It was just a bit after my lunch break and finished reading over a contract that I had to get my father to sign. I had our business attorneys to read over it, but I also read it myself wanting to make sure there were no loopholes. It was clear. 

As far as I knew, I had nothing else on my agenda for the day. It's been a week full of heavy business meetings, and today was my first break from it all. Wanting to make sure, I rang in Kasey, my PA,  into my office.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked standing in her business attire with my planner in her hand. I remembered hiring her because of her looks at first but was just in luck that she also had the brains. Surprisingly, I hadn't made any moves on her for the past two years she has worked with me. 

"What's on my agenda for the day?" I asked leaning in my seat closing my eyes. 

"Nothing sir. Would you like to make an appointment for today or accept any?"

"No, no. I have a dinner with my parents tonight. I don't want anything interfering during those hours."

"I'll make sure of it."

"You're free to head home," I said standing up and putting on my suit jacket. "I plan on coming home early today. By the way, the dress is on its way to my home right?"

"Yes sir," Kasey smiled and left the room. "Good day, Mr. Parker."

I gathered up my things and nodded to a few people on my out of the building. My new red Italian sports car I bought for myself, as a wedding gift to me, was pulled up by the valet in front of the building. 

"Here you go, Mr. Jenkins," the driver greeted me getting out of my car. "Have a nice day."

"Likewise," I nodded and slipped in. 

In less than a few minutes, I was already pulling up into the new home I shared with Eleanor and her kids. There were quite a few cars parked in our four car garage.There were three of my beloved sports cars and a friendly family SUV for Eleanor's sons and herself. I thought it would be more convenient if she wanted to go out with the kids rather than having to call up our limo.

I locked my car behind me, already smelling the fresh baked pastries that Eleanor must have made. I followed voices into the kitchen to find my wife and Augusto bickering.

"I told you for the last time Augusto, you are a chef," Eleanor's strong-willed voice carried out, "not a baker. I will bake these biscuits if you don't mind."

"But I was paid to cook for you!" His desperate voice rang out. "Mister Parker would be very angry with me if I didn't do anything!"

I leaned against the doorway watching the two with amusement in my eyes.

"Augusto, I will talk to him and tell him this is my idea and that none of this is your fault."

"Oh mio dio!" Augusto threw up his hands in the air and took off his chef hat. "I will let you this time, Miss Eleanor. Just this once!" Then he stormed out and that was when I made my entrance.

The corners of Eleanor's mouth quirked up into a satisfied and triumphant smile before pulling out the pan with the steam still coming from the delectable-looking biscuits. "Those look delicious."

Eleanor stood up straight in a surprise. "Oh, Parker. You gave me a fright!" I smiled coming closer to her and wounding my arms across her tiny waist trapping her between me and the counter. I felt her shiver against my chest. "Wh-what are you doing home so early?"

"I had no plans for the day except the dinner with my parents."

"Right, that. It must have slipped my mind," Eleanor said stepping out of my arms and off to the side. "I'm sorry."

"We still have plenty of time to get ready for it," I told her popping a cooled biscuit into my mouth. "Where are your sons?" I'd gotten pretty close with them over the past week. They were still a bit uncomfortable around me without Eleanor, but the three of us were warming up to each other. 

"Peyton's taking his nap, and Luke's at the theater room watching a movie," she replied unconsciously tucking a stray hair behind her ear not looking at me. "Are they good?"

"Hmm?" I asked my gaze stuck on her. 

"The biscuits," she smiled.

"Oh yes," I said taking another and biting into it. "Scrumptious." I said with my mouth full.

Eleanor laughed and slapped me on the arm. "Manners, Parker." 

I only grinned and kissed her on her forehead. Eleanor's been getting very comfortable as my wife. Well, not entirely in public. Just around the house. We hadn't made any public appearances yet as a couple. I was letting her get ready for it. My wife blushed a light hue of red and turned around with her back to me. She was placing the biscuits into a nice arrangement on another plate.

"Ah well. I should go and take a shower and rest before tonight."

"Okay," she said softly and continued on with her doings.

I walked out of her sight and into the spacious living room. The new furniture Eleanor has ordered came in a few days ago. When everything was set into place, the place looked many times homier and family-friendly. The entire house looked more cozier and inviting rather than when it had the contemporary furnishings from before.

I walked by the theater room hearing a movie being played on and Luke's giggles of delight. I slightly smiled and continued on into the master bedroom. My mind being changed of taking a shower, I took off my suit and threw on my swimming shorts. 

It was a warm sunny day for the fall weather and decided to take advantage of it. I padded out into the enormous backyard with the glistening swimming pool. I had always been an avid swimmer since I was small, spending a majority of my childhood holidays swimming in the Mediterranean sea. I dove into the pool gracefully only to come back up with a visitor on the rims of the pool.

"Can I swim too?" Luke's tiny voice asked me looking shy and excited at the same time with his eyes wandering over the pool in amazement. He was already in his swim trunks even though they were put on backwards. He must've had dressed himself.

I gulped not knowing what to say. I didn't know if Eleanor would be too happy with letting her son swim with me It was obvious that she didn't trust me alone with them.

"Please Pa-Parker."

I swam over to him and smiled. "Does Eleanor know you're out here?"

He shook his tiny head looking guilty. "No. I changed by myself!" Luke boasted.

I laughed and opened my arms out for him to jump in. "Hop in buddy." He hesitated his hands turning into fists beside his body. "Come on. I won't let go of you, I promise."

"Momma said promise is a big word."

"Seven letters, not too big. I thought you wanted to swim with me?"

"I do."

"Then jump in buddy." A split second later, a body slammed into my chest, and I protectively wrapped my arms around Luke's already shivering body. "Not too bad, huh."

"I'm co-cold," he chattered placing his arms around my neck and snuggling closer to me.

"You'll get used to it if we moved around more," I suggested trying to pry him off of me so I could have some moving space.

"No!" He shouted bouncing back into my chest. "I'm going to drown!"

I chuckled. "I won't let go of you. You're going to freeze if we don't move around. I'll put you on my shoulder, how's that?"

He nodded, and I let him climb onto my shoulders. I went into a deeper end of the pool where my feet didn't touch the bottom and tread water. 

"Do you know how to swim?" 

"No. I never swimmed before," he said still having the incorrect grammar.

"Is that so? How about I show you how to swim. Is that alright with you buddy?"

"Yes!" 

For the next half an hour, I taught Luke how to swim. He couldn't do it by himself yet, but he was a fast learner. For someone who's turning four, he was doing great at his age. I had to admit, I had fun with this kid. He was a bundle of joy. I could see why everyone was instantly smitten with him and Peyton.

"Parker!" I heard Eleanor's distant desperate cry out inside the house. "Parker! Luke's missing!"

"Eleanor, over here!" I called out beckoning Luke to come back into my arms. He paddled slowly proud of himself for getting the hang of what I had taught him so far.

"Parker, oh gosh you have to help me!" Eleanor's voice came louder as she stepped out and walked over to the pool. "I can't find- Luke!" She rushed over to the side closest to us once she spotted her 'missing' son.

"Momma!" Luke squealed oblivious to his mother's worries.

"Oh, angel! You scared me!" 

"I'm sure Luke didn't mean any harm, ma cheríe," I murmured placing Luke beside his mom and pulling myself up.

"No you don't understand!" Eleanor cried out wrapping a dripping Luke into her arms. "I went to the theater room to find him gone!"

"Parker teach me how to swim, Momma," Luke told her enthusiastically walking over to me. He opened his arms out to me, and I willingly pulled him into my arms grinning in the process.

Eleanor's face turned to bewilderment. "Luke! Come here, my angel." 

Luke shook his head. "I want Parker!"

"Oh, my angel. Come to Momma. Parker probably wants to swim some more. No more swimming for today young man."

"No, I was going to head in too. I'll take Parker in and you can wake Peyton and wash him up. We have to get going in an hour to my parents. They live all the way on the other side."

"Parker, I can get both of them ready myself in no time." Her eyes momentarily locked on my bare chest before looking me in the eyes again. I successfully hid my smirk.

"I got him," I called over my shoulder and left Eleanor staring after us shock still etched on her face. Once I stepped inside, I settled Luke down, and he placed his hand in mine. "Where we going, buddy?" He pulled me down the stairs and into the other part of the house where my office was located and the rest of the bedrooms. 

"I want to show you my room!" He smiled pulling me faster and into what I presumed was his bedroom. There wasn't much in it. When I was his age, my room was scattered with toys. Although his was fairly clean, small action figures in one corner of the room.

"Are these your only toys?" I asked bending over and picking them up.  They were superhero figurines from the Marvel comics. He only had a few though.

"Yeah," he replied carelessly plopping down on his bed wetting it in the process. "Momma said Peyton and I had to share. She got these for us last Christmas!" 

"Luke, I'm sure Parker doesn't want to know that," I looked up to see Eleanor standing in the doorway looking rather embarrassed. "Get off the bed, angel. You're getting it wet."

"You have great taste," I mentioned smiling down at the toys.

"Ah, well. The boys have been asking for it constantly last Christmas. You can go on and get some rest, Parker. I can get Luke ready." I was about to protest before she continued on. "They're my kids, rich boy. I'll handle them."

"Very well," I let out and left the room.

"Parker! What the hell is this?" I heard my wife's displeased voice from inside my closet.

I walked out in the process of fixing my tie into our vast bedroom. Eleanor stood in front of the bed with a stupefied expression on her face. "It is the dress you will be wearing for the night."

Eleanor snapped her head to look at me the dress in her hands. "I can't wear that. It costs more than all of my wardrobe!"

"Ma cheríe," I said finishing my tie, "it is better you wear that to impress my father. He's very hard to please. Don't you want to make a good expression?" I asked coming closer to her until we were only  a breath apart. She was silent for a moment thinking it through. I cupped her chin in my hand tilting her head upwards mine. "Do you?" Even though I could care less whether she impressed my father or not, I had to make her look presentable at the least.

I leaned down about to kiss her soft lips before she turned her head and walked past me into her closet. "I could have done with one of the many gowns you've bought me." 

I sighed. Eleanor was a handful at times. Well, as long as she doesn't wear jeans and a shirt. I slipped on my shoes and went out of our bedroom and out into the living room. I found Peyton and Luke sitting down on the couch waiting patiently. 

"Parker!" Luke squealed and ran over to me.

"Hey buddy," I smiled picking him up. "Aren't you dressed up nicely?"

"Momma said we were going somewhere special," he informed me. "So she dressed me up in my best clothes."

"Luke!" We turned our heads to see Peyton chirp out to his big brother. 

"That's Peyton. He's my little brother," Luke said climbing down on me. 

"Where's your sweater, bud?" I asked him bending down to his level. "It's going to get cold outside."

He shyly pointed to the plaid sweater laying down on the couch. I grabbed it and tried placing it over his head. "Mum put on!" 

"You want mummy to put it on for you?" I guessed and he nodded.

We heard a door open and close, and it could only be Eleanor. Wow, she got ready fast. I stood up with her kids on my side.

"Parker?"

"In here," I yelled out and saw her ascend up the stairs and into the room. 

The sight of her caught my breath. Her blonde waves cascaded down her shoulders and back. She expertly did her make up to a more natural look, which made her blue eyes pop out even more. Those were my favorite features of her.

My eyes trailed down her body. She was wearing the dress I ordered and laid out for her. The one that she fussed over. It accentuated her figure even more if that was even possible. The sequined bodice was tight around her, and the sheer white skirt flowed down in a high-low form. Kasey was right. It would look good on her. 

"You look beautiful, ma cheríe," I murmured kissing her hand softly. 

"Thank you," Eleanor blushed. "I guess you look okay."

"Just okay?" I raised an eyebrow. 

"Come on Parker, we're going to be late," Eleanor stated putting on Peyton's sweater and her coat on. 

"This is where you grew up?" Eleanor asked in awe as we pulled up into the long windy driveway. 

I nodded. "Yep. Half the year anyways. The other half during school holidays, we'd spend it in my Agatha's summer house in France along the sea." 

"Agatha was French?" She asked me, and I caught her gaze through my peripheral vision.

"Yep. She was French and that's how I'm fluent in English and French. I guess my parents wanted me to  live the best of both worlds," I joked.

"Please tell me you don't say that line often," she laughed. "That's the most terrible reference to Hannah Montana."

"Fair enough," I smiled parking the SUV behind my father's white Rolls-Royce. "Come on, I bet Agatha's dying to meet you."

I opened my door and also the back for the little ones. I wasn't expecting Luke to jump out and almost missed him by a second. "Whoa buddy. Next time give me a warning." 

"Sorry, Parker," the little one said and wrapped his arms around my neck. 

I waited for a few seconds for my wife to gather Peyton up and then walked up to the front door of the massive mansion. Without ringing the doorbell, I walked right on in being met by Agatha's loud demanding voice.

"Thomas! Get down here! Your son's due to arrive in just a few minutes!" 

I walked past the foyer and into the formal living room. "Actually, I'm already here Agatha." I greeted my stepmother with a big smile and opened my one free arm for a huge. 

Instead of giving me a hug like she usually does, she half-ran past me, and I turned around to see her wrap Eleanor into a hug. I met my wife's startled gaze which quickly turned into one of warmth and longing. 

"So you must be my son's beautiful wife!" Agatha declared after letting her go. 

"I am," she said blushing at the compliment, "and you must be Agatha. Parker's told me so much about you."

"Good things, I hope!" Agatha laughed her familiar, warm laughter. She was such a bubbly woman. "Now who are these adorable little boys?" She asked bending to her hand across Peyton's head who shyly backed up against his mom.

"I'm Luke!" Luke exclaimed from my arms. "I'm almost four!"

"Oh, are you now darling little boy?" Agatha switched her attention to the eldest of the brothers. "Parker, who are they?"

"They're Eleanor's kids."

Agatha's fun demeanor shut off for a bit giving Eleanor and I shocked looks. Then she quickly turned back into her regular self cooing over the boys.

"Well, Luke. It appears to be that I'm your grandmother," Agatha smiled warmly. "You guys must be starving. Nora! Get your boss down here and make sure the food's ready! Our guests are here!" Turning to us, she pushed us all into the dining room where I'd had all my Christmas dinners. 

After we all got settled down, we were in an uncomfortable silence waiting for my father to arrive. The only sounds were coming from Agatha asking Luke and Peyton questions. Eleanor also occasionally answering some questions. 

"Why didn't you tell me they didn't know about my kids?" Eleanor whispered to me. 

"It slipped my mind," I whispered back, "but hey, Agatha's really loving them."

Eleanor was still uncomfortable and kept on wringing her hands in her lap. I took the one nearest to me and intertwined it with my own. "Hey, stop worrying what they think. As long as Agatha loves you, you'll have no trouble winning my father over."

Eleanor gave me an unsure look and took her hand away from mine. 

"You sure about that, Parker?" I turned around in my seat to see my father walk in, his gaze studying Eleanor right beside me. 

I stood up, and Eleanor followed suit. "Hey pops. Nice to see you again. Father, meet my wife Eleanor."

"Good evening sir," Eleanor managed to let out without stuttering. She took out her right hand for a handshake. "It's very nice to finally meet you." 

My father only nodded and walked over to his place at the head of the table without bothering to shake her hand. Anger started to boil inside me for disrespecting my wife like that. Even though I didn't care what he though, he still had no right to disrespect her. "Father-"

"Hey, it's okay," Eleanor placed her hand on my upper arm. "Let's sit down."

Trying to keep my anger in, I sat back down beside Eleanor who looked calmer than me. 

"So, whose kids are those?" Dad asked piling mashed potatoes on his plate already. 

"Mine, sir. Luke and Peyton."

"Aren't they the cutest things, Thomas?" Agatha gushed helping Peyton with his food. She's already smitten with them! The kids warmed up to her faster than they have had with me.

"I'm betting these kids aren't yours, Parker," Dad continued.

"They aren't," I gritted out, "but I'm taking responsible for them." My own words surprised me. I didn't decide that I would be responsible for them until just a few seconds ago.

"What's your profession, Eleanor?" He asked her curiously the wheels in his head spinning getting ready to fire any question that would make her uncomfortable.

"Uh, currently I'm not working. I used to be a concierge at a hotel and a Starbucks barista. That was before I married Parker."

"Where are the kids' biological father?" 

"You don't have to answer that, Eleanor," I dropped my silverware on my plate, the