Undressed By His Arrogance

When they arrived at the Orchard estate, Jasper was already waiting, tail wagging furiously, his nose twitching. The golden retriever bounded toward her, tongue lolling in pure excitement, and Ivy laughed, crouching down to greet him. "You little terror," she said, running her hands through his fur. "I missed you too, you silly boy."

Reese chuckled at the reunion. He was already grabbing the suitcases from the trunk, careful to maneuver around Jasper’s jumping and spinning. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"I am never leaving you ever again," Ivy whispered to the retriever as Jasper pressed his broad, golden head into her chest.

"I’m going to make you some tea while you catch up with Jasper," Winn said, already halfway turned toward the house.

"You are such a good dog, aren’t you?" she said, cupping his face between her hands. He leaned into her touch. "Liz is coming home soon. I’m sure you both will be the best of friends. Will you take care of her for me, hmm?" Jasper responded with a low, earnest whuff, tail wagging harder.

Reese came back out then. "I’ll take him off your hands, Mrs Kane," he said. "Mr Kane is waiting for you."

Mrs Kane. The title sent a shiver through her. Ivy ruffled Jasper’s fur one last time, pressing her forehead briefly to his. "Be good," she murmured, then rose to her feet.

Jasper padded after her immediately.

"Jasper!" Reese called, his voice sharp, edged with authority. "Stay!"

The dog skidded to a stop, whining softly. Ivy paused, heart tugging painfully at the sound. She turned and mouthed a small, apologetic "I’m sorry,". Jasper sat, ears drooping, but he stayed.

Inside, the kitchen was warm and expansive. Winn had already set a mug in front of one of the small breakfast table chairs. He poured himself a celebratory brandy.

"Thank you," Ivy said, sinking into the chair. The mug warmed her hands instantly. As she took a breath, it hit her all at once. This wasn’t a guest chair. This wasn’t a borrowed moment. This was her place. Her kitchen. Her home.

She looked around slowly, taking it in. Mistress of Orchard Ville. The thought was dizzying. Nothing would move in this house without her approval now. Because she belonged here, because her presence mattered.

It suddenly seemed overwhelming. Her grandpa’s face rose unbidden in her mind—stubborn, sharp-eyed, forever pretending he didn’t need anyone. He was there, and she was here. Who would make sure he ate? Who would stand over him while he complained and tried to dodge his medication?

The man would fake sleep, fake ignorance, fake deafness—anything to escape those pills.

She didn’t even notice when the tears came. One moment she was breathing, the next her vision blurred. Mrs Kane. Finally. She had leapt into it on faith, on love, on adrenaline. Only now was her mind racing to catch up with her heart.

"Babe?" Winn called softly from behind her.

"Yeah?" Ivy answered quickly, swiping at her cheeks. "Yeah."

"You don’t like the tea? Do you want something else?" His gaze flicked to the untouched cup, already reading far more than she’d meant to show.

"No... no, it’s fine. Just too hot," she said, offering a weak smile.

Winn reached out, placing the back of his hand against the mug. His brow lifted slowly. "It’s warm," he said gently. Then, softer, "What’s wrong, love?"

"Nothing," she said automatically. "I’m just being a baby."

He pulled out the chair beside her and sat. His hand slid over hers. "I like that version of you too," he said, squeezing lightly. "Come on. Lay it on me."

"I’m just... overwhelmed," she admitted. "It’s all dawning on me so fast. The wedding, the house, the title, the baby." She let out a shaky breath. "I mean, after the wedding comes the marriage. The real one. The day-to-day one." She laughed weakly. "What if we end up hating each other? What if I’m a terrible wife? Or—or a bad mother? What if you’re an asshole?"

That finally earned a reaction. Winn barked out a short laugh, shaking his head. "That ship has sailed, sweetheart. I am definitely an asshole."

She shot him a reprimanding look even as her lips threatened to betray her by curving upward.

"I’m sorry," he said. "Look... I have always been an asshole." He paused, then added thoughtfully, "It is literally one of the first names you ever called me. Pretty sure it was right after arrogant."

She huffed despite herself.

"And yet," he went on, "you still love me. Assholery and all. Which says far more about you than it does about me." His eyes softened then, losing the sharp edge of humor. "And yes, there’s going to be a learning curve. New roles, new titles, new tiny human who will one day rule our lives."

Ivy groaned quietly.

"But sweetie," he continued, "we aren’t alone. You have a family that genuinely cares about you. Honestly, it still shocks me sometimes. Do you think Sam wouldn’t hobble over here with his cane in a heartbeat if he heard you needed a break from Liz?" He snorted.

She laughed, a real one this time.

"And my mum?" Winn shook his head. "She’d have the kids on a plane to Paris or Milan or some absurdly expensive winter destination before you could even finish the sentence I’m tired."

Ivy finally smiled fully now, the image vivid and oddly comforting.

"And you’re forgetting one very important fact," he added, quieter, eyes holding hers.

"What’s that?" Ivy asked.

"We love each other. We have each other." He squeezed her hand gently. "It’s my job to make you look good being a wife and a mother—stand beside you, back you up, take the hits when you’re tired—and it’s your job to make me look good being a husband and a father."

"But with time," he finished, "we’ll get used to it. We’ll screw up, we’ll argue, we’ll probably threaten each other with murder at least once a week." His lips curved. "But we’ll figure it out. Together."