The Auction House Deal: Bought by A Billionaire
Chapter 169: Brotherly Visit: Hannah
The next day started out just as the last. Shower, breakfast, and work.
Part of me was starting to feel a little bit of guilt again, since it was as though I was keeping Roman from his own definition of normal. And after all, he couldn’t exactly effectively run his company from home.
That one day I had gone to work with him made me all too aware of how busy he really was. Calling into his meetings wouldn’t have the same effect as being there.
Still, he was a grown man, and if he wanted to work from home, I wasn’t in the position to tell him otherwise.
Even after just a couple days in the house, I was feeling that same sort of stir-craziness I had before. While I knew that we had guards and I could likely go out if I needed to, I didn’t want to. It was still too new, and the thought alone gave me chills of anxiety. I hoped that, in a few days, things would feel better and I could at least go out if I needed to.
Right then, though, I was paralyzed by fear.
It wasn’t necessarily the case that the day passed without event.
It was right after lunch that Edward and Freddy stopped by.
They were a sight for sore eyes in their business suits and slicked-back hair. We piled into one of the family rooms, Roman joining us.
"It’s good to see you’re alright," Freddy began.
"I’m not," I answered again, honestly. "But I will be. It takes more than a couple days to get over something like that."
"You’re right, sorry," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I meant more like... physically. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt."
"Me too," I nodded.
"Lori told us about the gala," Edward chimed in. "Expect us to be there."
"She booked one of my favorite artists, and I plan to walk away with whatever piece they are donating," Freddy grinned.
"Thanks, guys, that means a lot to me," I smiled.
And it really did. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my older brothers would have ever given a d*mn about a charity I tried to start, especially with the focus being on women. Let alone the fact they were even there in that moment, lending me their support after something so troubling.
Things really were changing, and I had hope for the Macalester family.
"Is there anything you need?" Freddy asked. "I mean, I know Roman is more than capable of providing you anything you want or need," he muttered, shooting Roman a shy look. "Just want to make sure there isn’t anything more that we could be doing."
"Being here is more than enough," I smiled.
"Do you guys have any evening plans?" Roman questioned.
The two brothers looked between one another and then turned back to Roman and shook their heads.
"How about you guys stay a while? We could have a movie night. We can provide dinner."
"That sounds like a great idea!" Edward smiled.
"I’ll give Lori a call and see if she would like to join," Freddy stated before jumping up and stepping out into the hallway.
My eyes were glowing. A movie night? We had never done that as a family. My heart was swelling with joy.
I couldn’t believe that, despite the craziness happening around us, that there was still progress being made. In the charity, the gala, and most importantly, my family. My brothers, for the first time in their lives, were rallying around me in a time of need. I was speechless with how much that meant to me.
Soon, Freddy walked back in with a smile.
"She’ll be joining us in a couple hours. Lauren will be attending too, Rome, so you aren’t completely outnumbered."
"Don’t forget Hannah is a Thaddeus now," he smirked.
They all shared a laugh, and we settled in.
My eyes peered up to Roman. "Do you have to work?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Nothing is pressing today that I know of. I’ll keep my ringer on, but I’m all yours," he explained and kissed the top of my head.
Wow, I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited for what was to come.
In the matter of the next two hours, my brothers, Roman, and I compiled a list of movies to choose from, a grand list of movie snacks, and ordered far too many pizzas from Roman’s favorite pizza place—which happened to be Edward’s, as well. The two guys bickered with Freddy about the true best pizza place in town, and I just sat back and soaked it all in.
Nothing had ever felt so blissfully normal than that day. I was loving it. I hoped to remember that day forever.
By the time Lori and Lauren were walking in, the massive coffee table was completely stocked with pizza, snacks, candy, beer, and sodas. And, Freddy and Ed stood at the head of the table, fighting over the roommate. I shot Lori a brilliant smile as she walked in.
"What’s going on here?" she asked with a chuckle.
"Freddy wants to watch action and Edward wants to watch comedy," I giggled.
"Oh really?" she snickered, curling into the spot next to me. We gladly shared one of the large, luxury blankets that Roman had on hand. "Boys, are you willing to behave and settle this maturely?"
"He’s picked every little thing that’s played in the house for a month," Freddy huffed.
"You act as though you don’t have a room with a TV!" Edward replied.
"So you OWN our media room, then?" Freddy snorted.
"Well, I did pick out the couch."
Without another word, Lori casted a streaming service to the TV from her phone. "Good news, I win," she snickered.
The boys turned to her with a gaped face and then looked at the TV. Lori, in spectacular fashion, picked out a romantic comedy.
The men looked as though they were ready to fight the decision, when I chimed in, "Oh, great. I’ve been wanting to see this one."
Their shoulders both slumped, and they slapped one another’s arms as they moved to the other couch. Lori and I shot one another a cheeky look.
My heart was filled with a sort of giddiness that I had only ever thought people had when with their siblings. It was all such subtle fun, but it all meant the world to me. It was something I had wanted since I was a little girl.
We all settled in and watched the movies. My head leaned on Roman’s shoulder.
The movie was only okay, but Freddy’s and Edward’s commentary made it hilarious. I never knew they had such funny sides to their personality. By thirty minutes in, Lauren and Lori were joining in on making fun of the movie. It had us all in stitches for the length of the entire film.
We all quickly got full on our banquet of junk food and beer by the time we were queuing the next movie. Freddy got his choice in action movie, as we all knew it was going to picked to shreds and laughed at throughout.
As the movie began, I turned back to Roman and smiled up at him. Leaning up, I gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
His eyes burned into mine with curiosity.
"Thank you for suggesting this," I whispered.
He brushed his fingers through my hair and kissed my forehead. "Of course. I’m so glad you’re having a good time. I think we all needed this."
Curling into his side, I prepared myself for another movie with everyone, knowing it was going to be a riot. My sides and cheeks were hurting from how much we had laughed through the first. I was so content and happy, the drama going on out in the world all completely melted into the background.
For that evening, there was only that room and everyone in it. We were safe, we were fed, and we were happy. There was nothing else I could ask for.
I hoped nights like that could be a normal occurrence. I think it would serve us well when it came to rebuilding our relationships with our brothers. If this was how they really were, when not under the control of my father, I could see things fast tracking to the closeness and trust that we had all been wanting for one another.
There was still a bit of reservation in my heart, especially because of their request for money months back. However, I was feeling more and more optimistic as the night went on.
And, just as before, I knew that I had Roman to thank for it. A night like that hadn’t been on my mind. I don’t think I would have even considered it. Having such a casual setting, rather than the family dinners with fancy food and a formal dining room, it brought walls down.
Roman was so brilliant and caring. I knew, sitting in that room with my siblings, husband, and cousin, I was one of the luckiest people in the world. Not because of, but in spite of all that was happening outside of those walls.