Chapter 73
Asher did not want to cooperate with the outfit Jasmine tried to put on him.
“I told you, he’s a free spirit, just like his mom. He’s never going to agree to pants and a button up shirt,” Nick chuckled.
“But he’d look so cute!”
“He’s just going to ruin it with cupcakes later. It doesn’t matter.”
She sighed in defeat. “You’re right. But if anyone tries to judge me for not properly dressing him, you better fall on the sword for me.”
He bowed dramatically. “Always, my peach.”
They laughed and kissed each other quickly. “Speaking of cupcakes, they should be cool enough to decorate.”
“Alright, I’ll take the little monster here outside for a bit, so you can concentrate.”
She walked out of the cottage and into the field of wildflowers. They’d set up a small patio area that her and Asher sat down at.
Her father had passed within a week of Asher’s birth. Susan didn’t even show her face at the funeral.
He’d left the company to Jasmine with the explicit instructions to do with it what “would make her the happiest.” So she finally took Nick up on his offer and sold the company to him, who then in turn sold the old antebellum house at a tidy profit but kept the cottage. It was one final gift from her dad, or that’s how she saw it. And Nick was more than happy to spend their vacations there in the rolling colorful hills. He said something about it being warmer than South Dakota this time of year.
Jasmine handed Asher a piece of a tangerine, his favorite food, for now at least.
The last year had been so chaotic in a beautiful way. Nick took a step back from actively running Whitlock Inc, instead leaving it more in the board’s hands. It was a much easier decision when Caleb left the company for a better offer that Nick may or may not have orchestrated.
Nick still hadn’t talked to his father and neither had Astrid. The wound was too fresh, too deep for them to forgive his transgression so easily. Jasmine didn’t know what it was about parent’s thinking they knew best, but she knew her and Nick would be different. Whatever Asher wanted out of his life, he was free to choose it.
A car far too expensive to be driving on a dirt road emerged from the tree line and drove up and parked next to the house. Astrid stepped out.
“Why do you have to have a vacation house where it’s so hot?” she complained, then made a beeline for Asher, picked him up. “Hi, baby boy! How’s my favorite nephew today?”
He babbled a bunch of nonsense at her, then tried to tug her hair.
“He’s still working on his words. How have you been?”
She made kissy faces at Asher. “Exhausted. I just keep getting contracts. I’m going to have to hire someone soon to handle the workload.”
“Oh no, success, what a terrible thing,” Jasmine joked.
Astrid left Whitlock and started her own company as a business consultant, gaining some prominent clients off the bat thanks to a very proud brother. Her cockiness had gotten worse, but she turned into a teddy bear around her nephew.
Several other cars emerged. “Are all of you going to show up early?”
“Yup. More time for Asher.”
Jasmine shook her head and poked her head inside. “Company’s here,” she warned Nick.
“Good thing I’m finishing up.”
One by one, their closest friends and family arrived to celebrate their son’s first birthday.
Natalie almost tackled her to the ground, and Morgan had to drag her off.
“It’s been too long! I deserve as much attention as I want,” Natalie pouted.
“It’s been a week,” Jasmine replied.
“See, too long.”
Jasmine ignored her pleas and turned her attention to Morgan. “How are things going on your end?”
“Good. I’m finally making progress on reestablishing my reputation. It’s not settled yet, but I think I finally found an investor for Rise Finance. If they follow through, I’ll be able to launch next year.”
“That’s amazing! I told you it would happen if you kept at it. If you need any help, let me know.”
“Stop trying to help everyone and enjoy your kid’s birthday.”
“You can keep helping me. I like my penthouse,” Natalie said with a grin.
She smiled and all three of them hugged tightly.
Merrick and Andrea strolled up. “We’re not late right?”
“No, you’re all early actually.”
“Listen, I will take any excuse to get out of class early,” her sister said. “I’m so bored with this intro to writing course.”
“I thought you were loving it?”
“I love the classes related to my major, not whatever BS classes the university requires. I want to be an architect, not a writer.”
Jasmine threw an arm around her shoulder. “But it’ll be worth it in the end. It always is.”
“Have you heard from Gerard lately?”
She pulled out her phone and opened her photos from the man, showing them to Andrea. Beautiful photos of Tokyo and sandy beaches made them both smile.
“He deserves the best vacation ever.”
“No argument here.”
“Do you guys have beer?” Merrick asked.
She nodded “Head inside, I’m sure Nick would be more than happy to have one with you.”
Nick emerged in the doorway. “After cupcakes. They will never be as good as they are right now.”
“Doubtful, but if you say so.” Jasmine grinned and stood on her toes to kiss him. “Alright, who’s ready to have a party for a kid who won’t remember it?”
They all cheered.
It was everything Jasmine ever wanted.