Chapter One:

Jasper Whitlock's POV

Looking at the sight before me, I am nothing but blessed. It has been a hard road to get here with several people lost along the way. Some way before their time.

And as much as I hate that my dear brother, Peter, had to die, I am grateful that his sweet and caring widow, Kate, decided to stay and marry me.

She could have gone back to her father's house. She could have married someone else.

Yet, she chose to stay here and be with me.

It took her a year to get to the point where we were okay being around each other without her crying. She hated my brother was dead and missing out on their daughter, Elise, growing up. She was three months old when he died.

I had always loved the thought of Kate. She was the kind of woman that any man would be proud to call his wife. Takes care of him and his needs; takes care of the children and the house. Even if it means that her man takes care of his needs with another woman.

Which is the real reason for me to agree to marry her. I needed a proper wife, and she fits the bill to a T. I even have a few women on the side, and that does not seem to bother her.

Normally, the house is pristine at all times, even with a two-year-old running around. But things are slowly starting to get a bit messy now that she is pregnant and due any day.

Elise's toys are more likely to be on the playroom floor than before.

Potty training probably was not helping since Elise is a stubborn child. She is definitely a Whitlock.

Plus, we needed her family to still be here and involved with business. Because Kate and Elise are the heirs to the Izzi family business. Which I eventually will be in control of, if I am married to her. They are a very powerful family.

Dinner time and after is the best part of my day. I do everything I can to not work from six o'clock to eight o'clock. That is family time. Time that I need to make amends for the life that I have before me.

My father insists on it so Elise can have some sort of family and we can keep Kate's father, Stephen, happy. A happy Stephen Izzi is a good thing.

Tonight, Kate seems uncomfortable. I don't like that she is uncomfortable, but being that she is nearly nine months pregnant, it is to be expected.

She did not want to find out what we were having, and it pisses me off. I need a son. If she does not have a son, I am going to have to find another woman to give me one.

Maybe a divorce would be best. Once that baby is here.

She is wearing a beautiful three-quarter sleeve blue dress with pink flowers all over that hits nearly to the floor tonight that shows off her pregnant belly and makes her look more sexy than should be legal. Then again, this woman makes those ugly hospital gowns look nice.

Elise is wearing a dress similar to Kate's but opposite. The dress is pink while her flowers are blue. It hits above the ankles. Her blonde hair is in braids on each side of her face. Her green eyes are shining with happiness and pride. Green eyes that come from somewhere on Kate and Stephen's side.

I really don't want to deal with this acting like a family thing. No matter if it is in the best interest of a child that is not mine and if I had my way, would not be here.

I have too much shit to do tonight.

Including one of my side pieces. Not sure which one yet.

But I have a game to play. Perfect husband and perfect family.

It really makes me sick to my stomach. A few more weeks until I am able to find out if Kate is carrying my son or not.

If she is not, she and her children will be gone.

Elise is cute. I am sure that she would make me a ton of money in the market. Kate would too. Come to think of it, so would the baby.

I will ponder this later.

I kiss her check as she sits down next to me. Both of our fathers are sitting at each head of the table. My father on my right and hers on the left. Elise is sitting next to my father-in-law. She demanded that I sit next to her mama. Like I could say no to that.

The dinner table looks nearly perfect. Kate is trying to teach Elise to set the table. So it looks off.

My cousin, Alistair, and one of Stephen's Godsons, Garrett Andrews, comes to the table. Alistair comes behind Kate and kisses her cheek, his blue eyes twinkling with joy as he makes his way over to Elise. He wraps his scarf around Elise and says something to her, which makes her giggle. He goes to sit next to Father.

His blond hair is long enough to hang in his eyes, but it does not look messy. His navy blue pinstripe suit was on as always, worn like he was walking into a photoshoot. He is wearing a scarf which eventually will end up around Elise's neck, it always does. I do not understand why he does this, knowing he will probably need a new one because she gets them all dirty when she eats with them on. This is her favorite thing about her "Uncle Al."

Garrett, on the other hand, pisses me off. Everything about him screams he is in love with Kate. The way he looks at her when he thinks that nobody is looking. Always there to give her a hand when she needs help. His hair is a dark brown and has that messy look going for it. I have no idea how Stephen stands it. Brown eyes look her over like she is a prize to be won. Like he is undressing her. It really pisses me off. Because she acts differently when he is around.

Like she is his. Like she loves him and is only with me because she has to be.

Today, Garrett is wearing a black pinstripe suit with a light pink shirt and a blue, green, pink, and purple swirled tie. I know Elise and Kate got him for his birthday. Which happened to also be Father's Day this past year. He looks like a pussy with it but doesn't care. No matter how many times I tell him not to wear it, he does. Stephen tells me to drop it. Garrett likes to make Elise and Kate happy, and that is a sure-fire way to do it. I can't win.

Side note, as father of the brat, I got a present I know Kate picked. But it was much nicer than Garrett's. Mine was a sensible light blue shirt and multi blue-colored striped tie.

"I am sorry we are late. Boss, we need to talk when dinner is over," he says to me, before turning to Elise. "I heard that Elise really wants her dessert tonight." Elise laughs and Garrett gives her a smile back. "Did you help your mama set the table, sweetheart?"

"Yes, Unca Rett! Big gul hap Mama!" Elise looks proudly at the table she helped set. "Unca Rett! My tie!" She tries to grab his tie, and he laughs with her.

"Your tie? Your tie? I thought that you gave it to me! My silly Princess!" Garrett says as he tickles her. Until Kate stops him.

"Now, Rett, you know that you aren't supposed to tickle Elise at the table. Silly man." Kate says with a smile to Elise while rolling her eyes at Garrett.

"Sorry, Kay. You did a great job, Princess. Did you help Mama cook too? Everything looks amazing." Garrett smiles at Elise as I look at them.

"She did an amazing job getting the items we needed for the Romano chicken with lemon garlic pasta. She picked the sides: broccoli, apple, cucumber, and a cranberry salad." Kate says with pride.

"Everything looks perfect, my beautiful birds. Let us pray and eat!" Stephen says.

"Did you get us a wine to go with it?" My father asks.

He's right! Kate forgot our drinks!

Kate is so gracious and starts to get up.

"I did, Nonno. I knew I forgot something! Please forgive my pregnant brain! I got a chardonnay that I hope will pair well with the meal. Let me know if you like it and I will get it again." She replies as she goes to get it.

"Kay, sit down! I will get it for you. You can't reach the glasses anyways." Garrett gets up, and she goes to sit down.

"Thank you, Rett. The wine is in the wine fridge," Kate says.

I look at my father, and he just shakes his head. Wine is poured for everyone but Elise and Kate. They have sparkling grape juice instead.

We say our prayers and start to eat. Garrett helps Elise with her food.

"My little Angel and Darlin', you outdid yourselves tonight. I don't know about anyone else, but this is one of the best meals I have ever had!" I need both my girls to think I appreciate them. At least for a few more days.

"Big gul hap Mama! Tank you, Jay." Elise says.

She doesn't call me her father. Which is fine with me. She's not mine. She really should call me Uncle Jasper. But let's see if she stays in my life long term.

The rest of the men give their thanks and eat their food with more gusto than normal.

Everyone is having a good time. Great food. Great wine.

I look over at my father, and he seems fatigued. Alistair notices and looks concerned.

"Uncle Marcus, are you alright? You look tired."

"Honestly, I have been chasing Little Miss this afternoon and didn't realize how exhausted I was. After dessert, I think I will go to bed early."

I nod and Kate looks concerned.

"Nonno, do you need my help? Let me get dessert right now!"

She gets up and takes a few of the dirty plates with her. Alistair and I both get up and to assist her with dishes. Unfortunately, I feel a bit dizzy and feel the need to sit down. Something is not right. I look over at Alistair and he seems to feel it too.

"Darlin', leave the dishes. I will get them after dessert." I tell her with a smile, trying to push through it.

"You deserve a break. You cooked an amazing dinner!" Alistair responds.

Elise laughs and asks for dessert.

The room is still spinning when she brings out dessert. Rum cake for the adults and rice crispy treats for Elise and Kate.

Damn. This is amazing!

"You outdid yourself, my girls! This is amazing!" Stephen tells them with pride. "You will be a great baker and chef someday, Princess. Just like your mama!"

Giggles from Kate and Elise are contagious. And if I did not have a headache, this would be a great night.

"Mama haper! Mama haper!" Elise agrees.

I look at my wife and smile. Or I think it was a smile. Kate looks worried.

"Everything alright, Jasper? Pa Marcus? Is something wrong?" Kate sounds worried.

She stands up and comes to feel my forehead and then my father's. "Neither of you feel warm. Maybe the wine was stronger than you think, especially with the rum cake."

I laugh at her comment, but that makes my head hurt worse. I grimace and that makes Kate laugh.

"I will get you some Tylenol and water. Take them, please."

I nod at her and take the meds she gives me.

She gives my father his pills that are heart healthy, but gives Alistair, Stephen, and I different ones.

"Thank you… my Darlin'. You… take excellent care… of us. I'm… blessed to have you… as my… wife." I say with a slur.

Kate chuckles again as I try to get up, but I couldn't. Kate makes a phone call and a few minutes later, two men come and help me to my bed.

My head hurts, but I was able to go to sleep. Not a good sleep. But it was sleep.