Chapter 62

Their last stop was a formal wear store to find a dress for the reception. And much to their surprise, Maggie found a dress right away.

She came out of the dressing room wearing a black dress made of a stretchy material that had a subtle sparkle to it.

The dress hugged her body and stopped just at the knee. It went high on her neck but was cut low on her back, showing off her skin.

Maggie wasn’t sure how, but it made her look elegant and sexy even with her baby bump. And when Bethany brought over a pair of sexy black heels with an ankle strap, Maggie was sold.

“You look perfect!” Liza squealed.

“And the shoes!” Bethany sighed. “I love them!”

“So do I! I know Liam will love them too,” Maggie said with a cheeky grin.

Liza pretended to vomit as Bethany blushed and looked away. She laughed and went back to change into her clothes. She paid and they all drove back to the house for a late family dinner.

Liam was so happy to see Maggie and his family getting closer. He had a silly grin on his face most of the night.

Elizabeth noticed when they had gone out in June that her youngest child was still a little on edge. He was nervous about them liking Maggie.

The entire family hated Tessa, but if Liam was happy, then they could learn to live with her. But he never seemed at ease together.

No one was surprised when he called off the engagement, and Tess returned to England.

Liam had confided to Henry about what had happened. He went through a period of sleeping with anything that looked at him for a few years before he snapped out of it.

But when he met Maggie, he became the man he was before all this happened. Elizabeth was more than thrilled with having her son back.

And when they announced they were having a baby, she saw the sparkle in his eye gleam that much more. All her children were happy and in love!

Elizabeth shook her head to clear the painful memories as she heard her husband clear his throat. “Well, your mother and I have some news—”

“You’re going to have a baby!” Henry exclaimed.

“Henry!” Elizabeth yelled in shock.

The rest of the table snickered at the exchange.

“Not quite, son,” Charlie said with a roll of his eyes. “As I was saying, we have some news for you all. We have decided that it is time for us to retire from the firm.

“We would like to enjoy our grandchildren and do some more traveling. We have been blessed with a long and successful career, and now it’s time to relax.”

“Mom, Dad, that’s great! Congratulations!” Liza applauded. “When will this start?”

“The first of the year. The board of directors will pick a new head for the London branch. I also have some news on your requests for transfers. Nathanial called me yesterday and confirmed…”

“Well, Charlie? What did they say?” William asked eagerly.

Everyone else leaned in and took a collective breath as Charlie let the suspense build.

“Darling, just tell them!” Beth scolded.

“Well, pack your bags! You are all moving to Florida!”

There was jumping and squealing as everyone hugged and cried in happiness.

“And because of that, your father and I are moving too! We can’t be thousands of miles away from our grandchildren!”

Maggie all but jumped into Beth’s arms and let the tears flow. “I’m so happy that you will be close!”

“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Beth whispered back and squeezed her harder.

Anne brought in champagne for everyone to celebrate, along with a glass of sparkling juice for Maggie.

“What about the house and Anne?” Liza asked.

“Well, your father and I talked, and we will keep the house for a while and have Richard Hillman keep an eye on it, and then make a decision later in the year. But as far as Anne is concerned…”

“I am going to live with my niece in County Waterford. She has a nice little cottage that I can putter in. Charlie and Beth asked me to come with them, but you know how I feel about flying.”

Everyone was quiet as the thought finally hit them that this would be the last party that they all would be at in their childhood home.

Maggie couldn’t travel after October, so they wouldn’t be back for Christmas. Liam went and took Anne in a massive bear hug.

“Don’t start that nonsense with me, your mom has been teaching me how to use the laptop. You can send me pictures and videos so I can see your little ones grow up. Don’t worry about me, okay?”

The children nodded as they each took a hug. Maggie knew leaving was going to be so bittersweet for Liam and the whole family.

Charlie went and pulled out the pudding that Anne had made and served everyone as they sat back down to finish their meal.

After the tea and coffee had been finished, Henry, Bethany, Liza, and William all said their farewells. They would be back the next day to help set up the party.

As Maggie and Liam lay tangled together naked after a fantastic round of lovemaking, he whispered, “I can’t believe that I shagged you in my childhood room!”

Maggie giggled as she kissed his neck. “Was it all you dreamed it would be?”

“And so much more!” he exclaimed. “Everyone is going to love you tomorrow!”

“I hope so…,” she replied as he drifted off.