way, she said, “That’s a given.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
When he said nothing else, but looked down at her with an expression that seemed to see into her soul, Maddie prompted, “And?”
“I promise to continue to grow AIH, leaving our children a legacy worthy of both my family and yours.”
It was a promise meant more for and to himself and their future children, but she didn’t dismiss it is as unimportant. Not after he pointed out her own dreams required money just like his did, if not on the same scale. “All of our children?”
“Yes.” His brow furrowed. “Why would I distinguish?”
He could be one of those men who considered their eldest their only important child, or only their sons. But she knew he wasn’t.
Her concerns were a lot more unpredictable.
“I am willing to have two children with you, but I want more and they will be adopted.” This wasn’t a deal breaker for her.
Not if she could have her school, but it was something she desperately wanted to do. Be open to the possibility of bringing children into her life that they could offer a family, not just support, encouragement and help.
Vik’s brows drew together in thought, not a frown. “You want to adopt?”
“Yes.”
“Babies or children?” he asked.
“Does it matter?”
“No.”
Happy with that answer and the speed of it, she offered, “Most likely children.”
“All right.”
“That’s it? You agree?” Shock coursed through her.
“I assume we will make any decisions in regard to bringing more children into our lives—both those born to us and adopted by us—together.”
“Of course, but you’re open to it?”
“Nothing would delight Misha and Ana more than a house full of grandchildren to spoil.”
“There are a lot of bedrooms in Parean Hall.” Which was her acquiescence to living there as a married couple.
His satisfied smile said he recognized that as well. “I do not anticipate filling them all with children, but have no objections to our family inhabiting half of them.”
It was a ten-bedroom mansion.
Could it really be this easy? “You’ll put that in the prenup?”
“If you insist, but I assure you it is not necessary.” He placed the antique Russian keepsake against her palm. “Any promises I make you here will not be broken.”
“So long as it is within your power.”
“Yes.” His tone and expression implied Viktor Beck considered very little outside his power and influence.
“And you will be a father to our children, not just the man with that title.” He wasn’t the only one with memories of neglect after the death of a mother.
Hers might not have been to her physical needs, but Jeremy Archer had let Maddie starve emotionally.
“I cannot promise to make every Little League game or sit-in your daughters organize, but I will make our children a priority.”
“My daughters?”
“Mine will be too busy trying to take over the corporate world for social activism.”
Tickled, she laughed like she hadn’t with him in too long, but grew serious again quickly enough. “I won’t have my child forced into dedicating his or her life to AIH. That has to be a personal decision.”
“Agreed.” But clearly Vik had no problem believing his children would be as dedicated to AIH as he was.
Who knew? Maddie herself might have wanted a career in AIH, at least in some capacity, if she’d had a different relationship with her father.
“I think we will have to accept that our children will be influenced by both of us,” she told him.
“I can think of much worse things.”
“I’m glad you said so,” she replied cheekily, secretly touched by his sincerity.
“Open the box,” Vik instructed.
“Are you done making promises?”
“Any other commitment I make to you would fall under the three I’ve already made.”
“Three?”
“Fidelity. Dedication. Family.”
Inexplicable emotion clogged her throat, but he was right. He’d promised the things that mattered most to her. With a few words he’d committed to building a family with her and all that entailed.
She took the lid off the box, incapable of hiding the way her fingers trembled.
Inside, nestled in a bed of black silk, were two rings. One she recognized as a traditionally inspired Russian three-strand wedding band. Each diamond-encrusted ring interwoven with the others was a different shade of gold: yellow, white and rose.
It was beautiful, but not ostentatious. Perfect for her. Beside it rested a diamond engagement ring set in the pink-tinted gold that would sit flush against the curved wedding band when he put it on her hand.
She didn’t ask how he knew the rose tint that used to be known as Russian gold was her favorite. Vik was scary like that.
She didn’t ask if she would be able to wear the ring beside the wedding ring after they were married. She could see the curve in the band that would make that possible.
He’d melded the traditions of his homeland with that of his grandparents and taken her own preferences into consideration. It was so Vik. She might not still be in love with him, but it was no wonder she’d never been able to accept a substitute.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, the moment feeling unexpectedly profound.
“As is the woman it was designed for.”
“You didn’t have this designed for me.” He couldn’t possibly have.
This kind of custom work wasn’t done in a few hours.
He cupped her hands with his own. “You will have to accept that my plans for the future have included you for much longer than you considered me in the same regard.”
“I sincerely doubt that.” He’d been it for her since she’d had her first real thought about boys and girls and how their lives came together.
Even when she hadn’t realized she was still comparing every man to Viktor Beck. Darn Romi being right all these years anyway.
He shook his head. “You had a schoolgirl crush, but have not thought of me in that way for six years.”
So, he wasn’t all-knowing. “That shows how much you know. Romi always says I hold other men up to your example and they pale in comparison.”
“And what do you say?”
“I always denied it.”
“See, I told you.”
“I’ve begun to realize she might have been right.” No other man had a chance with Maddie.
Not Perry, not anyone.
Vik’s expression dismissed her words as an exaggeration.
“I never forgot you.” He’d been too deeply embedded in her psyche, if not her heart.
Maddie had honestly believed her issues with trust had prevented intimacy with another