Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-One

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-One
Alana 

Ezra and I are sitting in the restaurant, waiting for everyone to arrive. We came a little early to prepare ourselves. I am sure everyone will be happy with the news, but I still can’t help but be nervous. They will all be confused when they see each other and wonder why we want everyone together. 

“Alana, can I talk to you about something while we wait?” Ezra asks and places his hand over mine. 

“Yes, of course. What is on your mind?” I have no idea what he wants to discuss, but the serious look on his face tells me it is important. 

“I think I want to buy some properties in Scotland and LA and turn them into affordable housing for struggling families, ones with a low income and single parents. Renting and buying are so expensive these days, and no one should need to struggle and worry about having a roof over their heads. But not only housing, I want to make sure all the tenants have access to food if they struggle to buy it,” he says softly. 

In this second, I think I have just fallen in love with him all over again. “I think it is an amazing idea, Ezra. No one should have to struggle with a home or food. How many are you talking about, and what can I do to help?” 

“I am not sure. I thought maybe at least a few apartment buildings in both places to start with, and go from there. I still need to work out all the details, but I wanted to share the idea with you. It won’t be until after Finlay comes, of course, because you and Finlay are my focus right now.” He smiles. 

“It sounds like a great plan, my love. We can work it all out. You are an incredible man, Ezra,” I gush and kiss him softly. 

“Yes. I am going to ask my parents if they want to be a part of it too.” 

I reach in and stroke his cheek. He closes his eyes and moves into my touch. “I am sure they will want to help. If more people were like you in this world, Ezra, it would be a better place.” 

“I am who I am now because of you, Alana. You have made me a better man and helped heal the scars of my past. I wouldn’t be here without you, bright eyes,” he whispers, resting his forehead on mine. 

“No, you have always been a good man, Ezra. You just needed a little nudge. We have helped each other heal. I couldn’t imagine my life without you.” 

We have come a long way since the first day we met. Now we are planning our wedding, waiting for our firstborn to come, and are more than ready to live our lives together. 

“You really are the piece of me that was missing, Alana.” 

“You too, my love.” 

We share one last kiss, but pull apart when someone clears their throat. We look up and see Lucy and Jenny standing there, smiling. 

“Shall we come back?” Jenny laughs. 

“No, you are fine, sorry.” Ezra chuckles. 

We stand to greet them. “Oh my God, look at your bump,” Lucy beams. 

“Yes, I swear I am bigger every single morning I wake up.” I laugh. 

We share hugs before sitting down. 

“Oh, yeah. Lucy, this is Jenny, Ezra’s sister. Jenny, this is Lucy, my best friend,” I introduce them. 

“Yes, we met when we came in and asked where the table was.” Jenny smiles. 

Angelina and Derick arrived. I finally know Ezra’s dad’s name after he told me at the hospital to call him Derick. Once everyone has said their hellos, they order champagne for the table and water for me. Ezra and I decided we would share the news before we ordered food. Once everyone has their drinks, we look at each other and nod. Ezra takes my hand in his. 

“I am sure you are all wondering why we asked everyone here at one time,” he says.

“Yes!” everyone choruses. 

“Alana and I are getting married in less than three months.” Ezra’s pitch in his voice is a little higher than usual due to excitement. 

“What? Really? Where?” Angelina exclaims, her entire face lightening up. 

“In Scotland, at our house. We are going to get married in our backyard. It will be small, but it is what we both want. We want to marry before Finlay arrives,” I answer.

“And we want you all to come to Scotland for it. We have enough room at our home. There will be food and drinks,” Ezra adds. 

“Yes! I will be there!” Lucy squeals. 

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Jenny grins. 

All eyes are soon on Ezra’s parents. “Please tell us you will come. It wouldn’t be the same doing it without you both there,” I say softly. 

“Of course we will be there,” Angelina gushes, and Derick nods in agreement. 

“Great! We are eager to share our special day with you all.” My words come out in more of a whimper, and tears start to run down my cheeks. Happy tears, of course. 

“Alana, sweetie, are you okay?” Angelina asks, concerned. 

“Yes, never been better. Sorry, hormones. These are happy tears.” I wipe them away and rest my head on Ezra’s shoulder. We share our plans with everyone and tell them the exact date. I am so glad everyone is thrilled with the news. 


The evening has been going well. The food is incredible. We were talking about the wedding and Finlay. Ezra’s parents and sister have taken some time to get to know Lucy. It is a great thing to watch everyone getting along. 

As everyone chats, something catches my attention, or should I say, someone. No, it can’t be. I stare for a moment to see if I am seeing things, but realize I wasn’t. 

“Is that Bella?” I blurt out. She isn’t here dining; she seems to be working. At the mention of her name, all eyes are on me. 

“Bella? Where?” Ezra asks. 

“Over there, serving one of the tables. Why is she working here or at all? I thought she had her parents’ money.” The surprise in my voice isn’t hard to miss. 

“Not anymore, she doesn’t,” Jenny answers the question, and she sounds pleased when she does. 

“I had enough of her lies and threats, then, after what she did to Ezra with Cora, I used the information from my PI’s and showed it to her parents. Once they found out about all the horrible things she had done, they cut her off. She was not happy and tried to ruin her parents’ marriage with lies of an affair, but she finally realized she just had to accept her fate. Now, she works and lives with Cora’s father,” Derrick answers.

It was about time karma got her, though. I only hope she and her boyfriend have enough to care for Cora. I hate Bella, but I wouldn’t wish anything bad on Cora. She didn’t do anything wrong. With any luck, becoming a mother has changed Bella for the better, but with someone like her, you never know. I don’t think she has noticed we are here. She looks so different; she isn’t as glammed up in the way I am used to seeing her.

Bella turns away from the table she is serving and spots us. Her entire face changes to panic. She quickly swings around to leave, but when she does, she crashes into someone, and she and everything she is holding fall to the floor. Some people laugh, others shake their heads in disgust, but no person tries to help her. I know that feeling well.

I sigh. “I will be back in a minute.”

Ezra looks at me, confused. “Where are you going?” 

“To see if she is okay.” I stand from the table and head in her direction. Yes, the woman has put me and Ezra through hell, but I have been in her position more than once, and I know how much of a horrible feeling it is. 

“Bella,” I say softly.

Her head shoots up, and she glares at me. “What? Have you come over here to laugh at me?” she snarls.

“No. I wanted to make sure you are okay.” I keep my tone calm because I don’t want to argue with her or meet her attitude. I am done with all that drama. 

“Why would you do that?” She seems genuinely surprised by my words.

“Because I know how it feels. I have been where you are. Are you hurt?” 

“No. I am fine.” 

I would kneel down and help, but I wouldn’t get back up. Bella picked up what she dropped before standing.

“Do you really expect me to believe you came over here to make sure I was okay?” 

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “Yes, because it is the truth. Bella, I am done being your enemy. The past is the past, and I am over living in it. Is this how you really want to continue to act? Where has being a horrible person gotten you? You have a daughter now, and she will look up to you, her entire life. Do you want to watch her treat people the same way you do?” I wasn’t saying all of this to be cruel. 

Bella looks at the floor. “No, I don’t want my daughter to copy my behaviour.” 

“Then don’t show her it. It isn’t too late to change. Yes, you lost a lot, but at least now your daughter can watch you make a life for yourself without having to depend on other people,” I reply.

“I am trying,” she whispers. 

“That is all you can do. How is Cora? Is she doing okay?” 

“Yes, she is thriving.” Bella smiles, a real smile, one I don’t think I have ever seen before, as she talks about her.

“Good, I am happy to hear that. I hope everything works out for you, Bella.” I smile.

She nods, and I do the same. I turn to head back to the table.

“Alana,” she calls after me.

I face her. “Yeah?” 

“Thank you. Congratulations to you and Ezra.” She seems genuine when she says it.

“Thank you,” I reply before I walk away. I really hope she is trying to change for Cora and her own sake.

When I arrive back at the table, all eyes are on me. Everyone has the same look of confusion on their faces. I take my seat next to Ezra. 

“Why did you do that?” he asks. 

“Because I am done with the drama and the past. I want to move on from it all. It was time to call a truce because it wasn’t doing anyone any favours. No, I will never forgive her for what she put you through. What she put everyone through, but we can’t change the past. We have our future to look forward to.” 

Ezra smiles. “You are incredible. Do you know that, bright eyes? Not many people would have done what you just did after everything she put you through. It just shows how huge your heart is, and it makes me love you more, if that is even possible.” 

“It was the right thing to do,” I reply. 

He nods and reaches in to kiss me softly. No one says another thing about it. All I want to think about is the life we have right now and the one we have ahead of us.