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Hallie

"How are you doing?" My dad asked.

"Nervous," I said.

He smiled. "Don't be. This is your night. This is the night that everyone will come to know you as my daughter. I couldn't be more proud and happy."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"Most importantly, your grandfather is here and he can't wait to meet you. So if you're up to it now, he's love to finally meet you before the whole world does," he said.

"He's here?"

He nodded. "Right outside the door. He gave me a huge sermon about not informing him right away of your existence. In my defence, I only just found out too and I just wanted to spend as much time with you as I can. He's still pretty angry at me for keeping you all to myself," my dad chuckled.

"Let's our his anger to rest then, hey, dad," I winked at him.

"I've said it before but I swear, I'll never get tired of hearing you call me, Dad."

"Me too," I admitted with a smile.

"Let me go get him, before he breaks the door down," he said making me chuckle.

Not a minute pass when my dad walked back in with an older version of himself. My dad is the splitting image of his dad. And well, so am I.

I chuckled nervously.

My grandad—it feels weird saying that—suddenly stopped on his tracks. "Dear lord. She looks just like your mother. My dear Lizzie."

"I am your grandad," he said.

"It's nice to finally meet you," I said, my voice shaking.

"I've lost hope that I'd ever have a grandchild and yet here you are," he said before wrapping me in his arms.

I hugged him right back as tears filled my eyes.

"Welcome to our family! It's been a long time coming," he said as he cupped my face and dropped a kiss on my forehead.

I looked at the two men in front of me and I can't be anything but thankful. I never thought I could ha e this and now. Here I am experiencing the love of a father and now... a grandfather. If only this threat in our lives didn't exist all would be perfect.

"We better get this show on the road. I can't wait for everyone to meet you," my dad said.

I nodded.

"Dad, I promise, I'll fill you in on everything you've missed, but tonight is Hallie's night."

My grandad nodded. "Indeed it is."

"Are you ready?" My dad asked.

"As I'll ever be," I replied.

Damien

"Will you stop fidgeting. You're making me more nervous," Dave said.

"I can't help it. I haven't seen her in weeks. Last time we spoke she asked me to give her space. I'm just not nervous about how she'll react when she sees me at her party."

"Don't worry, she's be so damn happy to see you," Dave said.

"You sound so sure," I said.

"I've seen the two of you together. Trust me she cares about you. More than she'd like to admit."

"I guess you know the feeling," I said.

He frowned. "We're not talking about me."

"That wasn't a denial," I pointed out.

"He's right," Nate added, which earned him a glare from Dave.

He's been in love with my sister for the longest time and god only knows what's stopping him from acting on it. He should know that we already consider him a part of our family and our parents love him like a son and they would be over the moon if they end up together seeing as Dave is one of the good guys. I mean yeah Katie's my baby sister and I've always been protective of her and the guy who sniffs around her, but if there's anyone I trust and who deserves my sister, it's Dave.

"We should focus on you and your love life. Not
Mine. Besides, we have work to do," he directed that to Nate.

Nate rolled his eyes.

"Katie's my baby sister and she deserves the best, Dave. You're god damn lucky the entire family knows you're the best for her. You're the only one who doesn't see it," I said. He was about to say something but I wasn't finished. "You're only hurting both of you by denying how you feel. Whatever it is that's holding you back from claiming your own happiness, you need to fix it and get the fuck over it, because I'm sick and tired of seeing my sister unhappy. And if I continue to see how unhappy and how much Katie's hurting I might just stop seeing you as the best and deserving of her."

Dave looked guilty himself. He knows he's hurting her. And damn it, he's hurting himself too. And he's family. I care about him too.

"And frankly, Dave. I hate seeing you unhappy too. You're family," I added before getting out of the car.

Hallie

This is it.

Marcus will finally know where I am. I'm hoping that our plan works and all of this will be over.

"First of, I want to thank everyone for coming here tonight," my dad started. "Tonight is a very special night. That is why I have gathered all my friends and family here for a very important announcement. As you all know, I was never blessed with either a wife or a child. I have always longed for a child of my own, but after all these years I never thought it would happen."

My eyes watered. I never thought this would happen either.

"I was wrong," he continued. "It wasn't until recently that I found out that I had fathered a child."

I heard the guests surprise.

"Yes. A child. A daughter. No longer a child, but a beautiful young woman. I couldn't believe it myself, but knowing the possibility that I could be a father brought me so much excitement and happiness. Then when I met her... one look at her and I knew. I knew she was mine. There was no doubt. The paternity test proved what I have already known. I have a daughter," his voice cracked. "So friends and family. It is my great honour and pleasure to introduce you to my daughter. Hallie Winston."

I took a deep breath and walked up the stage. All eyes were on me. Hands were clapping. I could feel and hear the pounding of my heart. I couldn't believe this was happening.

He held out his hand to me and I took it. The smile and joy in his face was undeniable.

"Friends and family. My daughter," he beamed as he encouraged me to say something.

"Good evening. I... I don't really know what to say... there are many moments that I still can't believe that the father I have always longed for and wish to meet is finally here in front of me. I guess I'm just really thankful," I looked at my dad and said. "Thank you for accepting me. PI have never known a father's love and I am only sorry that it took so long for us to find each other, but I know that we have a lot more years together. I love you, Dad."

"I love you," he replied and pulled me into his arms as cheers and claps rang around us.

Damien

"Are you okay?" Nate asked me as we watched the exchange between a father and daughter.

"I'm just so happy for her and also worried and scared. Now that she's come out publicly, we've made it easier for Marcus to find her. I know it's part of the plan, but I can't help but think of the worse."

"I understand. Don't worry. We'll be waiting for him. We're ready."

I nodded.

"Don't worry about tonight either. I have men all over the place. Security is as tight as it gets."

"I know. Thanks, Nate."

He smiled and clapped my back.

"Are you going to her?" He nodded towards Hallie.

I nodded. "But not yet."

I watched as Hallie moved around the crowd and was introduced to the guests. I haven't made my presence known. I've been successful staying out of her sight so far. She looks absolutely beautiful. She has captured everyone's attention and I could tell she was getting tired, but her smile never faltered.

"Just go to her," Dave said as he came to stand beside me.

"I don't know why I'm so fucking nervous," I admitted.

"You love her," he shrugged. "You don't have her. You have no claim, so you're scared she'll reject you."

"The stubborn woman. Sometimes, I just want to pick her up and stage her away and just make her admit that she wants to be with me too."

Dave chuckled. "I could see you doing that."

I snickered. "Yeah."

"Who knew falling in love is so damn hard."

"Tell me about it," he replied. "But seriously. Just go and talk to her. For sure, just knowing you're here tonight will help ease her nerves."

"Thanks, Dave."

"Anytime."

I walked towards her, but before I reached her, she turned and raised her head. Our eyes collided. I felt the pull and I couldn't tear my gaze away from her, as I watched her take a sharp breath. Her eyes widened in surprise and for a second her body froze in shock at seeing me. But then like a magnet being pulled towards each other, we moved. We walked towards each other and it seemed like everything around us disappeared. Like nothing and no one else existed but the two of us.

"Hi," I said, once she was standing right in front of me.

"Hi," she replied softly.

"I had to come."

She nodded.

"You look beautiful."

"Thanks."

"I..." she began, then stopped.

"May I have this dance?" For a moment I thought she was going to say no. She looked like she wanted to say no.

She bit her lip.

"Hallie..."

She nodded and placed her hand in mine. I smiled at her and led her to the dance floor.

As we danced, she looked everywhere but at me.

"How have you been?" I asked deciding to break the awkward silence.

"Okay. You?"

"Hopelessly missing you," I said. "You and the kids."

"They miss you too."

"Just them?"

She looked away. "I should go back and mingle," she said after a few moments. She tried to let go, but I tightened my hold on her.

"I'm not leaving until you talk to me tonight. I'll wait as long as I have to, but I'm not going anywhere," I said.

She frowned.

"Go ahead and talk your guests. Enjoy your night. I'll be here. Waiting," I said softly.

"Damien..."

"I'll wait," I said firmly.

She was about to walk away when I stopped her again. "Just so you know, before I leave you tonight, you're going to admit that you love me too," I winked before walking away.