“DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!” Sophia ran into Gael’s Place to see her father before Erica and Dave came to pick her up. Tonight was the first time we would both be away from her while she stayed with them.
In a fluid movement, Gael caught Sophia and spun her around while little giggles erupted from her before Gael gave her a kiss on the cheek. She had Gael’s brown eyes and my features. To me she was the perfect combination of what I imagined Daniel and Sophia to look like.
Holding her close, Gael said, “Hello, princess. Are you headed to Gramma and Grampa’s?”
“Yes! I a big girl now. I get to sleep there. All night!”
Inside I was a nervous wreck, but knew it was time. A week ago, we planned the sleepover and since then that was all Sophia had been able to talk about.
My in-laws were fantastic and understood why I hadn’t been ready to let her stay overnight yet. With all that happened with my parents, I wanted to be there for Sophia. But I understood the importance of family. It was a balance. Once or twice a week, they picked up Sophia to take her on grandparent/grandkid dates.
She loved it. They loved it. I loved it.
It was good for us to have some time apart to allow Sophia to blossom. Plus, I had enrolled Sophia in a mother’s day out program twice a week in the mornings to meet friends and learn other social aspects. That was when Gale and I spent uninterrupted time together.
All I wanted to do was provide for the family I never had. And I was happy—truly happy.
Gael looked over at me and smiled. That beautiful smile always brought a flutter to my heart.
He kissed Sophia again. “You are a big girl.”
“And a big stister.”
“Yes, you are princess.” Gael walked toward me and kissed me quickly on the lips. “I missed you this morning. Sorry I had to leave before you guys woke up.”
I leaned into him as he wrapped his free arm around me. The restaurant wasn’t open yet, but the place was in the process of being setup. Food prep had begun as the aroma drifted through the air. Maybe I would stay for lunch before I ran some errands.
At the entry I saw the sign of Gael shaking the Mayor’s hand last month. Sophia and I stood to the side while Gael received the reward for becoming the number one destination to eat in Georgia. Since then, business had quadrupled. And prior to that, business had been doing fantastic. “Did you get done what you needed?”
“Yes, the investors have agreed to all my stipulations. This restaurant would remain mine and not be connected. The franchises would have strict regulations on how they would be run.”
As a chef, Gael had officially achieved his dream. A month ago, an investor contacted Gael about franchising his restaurant. It had been a decision he’d agonized over, but essentially wanted … on his terms and standards. “Congratulations. We’ll have to celebrate later.”
“Party! Party! Party!” Sophia exclaimed.
I got a wink. “I can’t wait.”
The insinuations definitely brought desire to the surface. Maybe having Sophia stay the night at her grandparents would turn out to be a benefit after all.
“How’s our baby this morning?”
“We’re good. No morning sickness today. I think I’m through the worst of it.”
“Good.”
I was ten weeks pregnant. Gael became fiercely protective over me when I was pregnant. With Sophia, I barely convinced him it was okay for me to travel to New York for Amelia’s shower. I loved the sentiment, though, he had to be reminded from time to time I wasn’t made of glass.
The door chimed. Erica and Dave walked in. A little dimple formed on Sophia’s cheek as she smiled and scrambled out of this arms. “Gamma, Gampa.”
Her little legs found the floor and she ran into Erica’s arms. “Hey, sweet princess. Are you ready to stay the night?”
“Yes! Momma packed my bag. It’s in her car.”
Next she ran to Dave as Gael put his arms around my waist. Our little girl was growing up.
“Did you make cookies, Gampa?”
A chuckle left as he gave me a wink. “I sure did. I made all your favorites.”
I turned my focus to Erica as she walked up. “Thank you for watching Sophia tonight. She’s excited about her first sleepover. If you need anything, I’m a phone call away.”
In return I got a hug. “I don’t know if Dave or I are more excited about the sleepover. I’m glad she’s old enough, and hopefully you get some rest.”
About four months ago, we had decided to try for another child. We were blessed not having to wait. Honestly, I had expected it to take longer since I had been on birth control shortly after Sophia was born. Amelia was six months pregnant with her second. We planned on going up there for the shower next month. Sophia loved playing with Ashton.
“What are you guys doing with your free time?”
A slight blush crept on my face as I thought about our celebrating comment from earlier. “I don’t think we’ve planned that far ahead. I may try to work a nap in there. I forgot how tiring the first trimester can be.”
Chasing a three year old during the first trimester was exhausting, but I wouldn’t change a minute of it. I still worked some on web design, but devoted most of my time to being a wife and mother. It was my choice and I loved having the opportunity to be with Sophia so much.
A sweet smile spread across her face along with a knowing smile. “I can’t wait to meet this new addition.”
I chuckled and tucked an escaped blond hair behind my ear. “Me too.”
In response, Gael kissed my cheek. “Me three.”
Not having parents of my own, it was nice having Erica and Dave. They truly brought me into their family—I was like a daughter to them. And they fully embraced being grandparents.
Sophia ran up to me and wrapped her legs around my leg. “Bye bye, Momma.”
Squatting, I brought her into my arms. “Bye, sweetie. Have fun. I’m going to miss you.”
“Miss you too.”
Without any hesitation, she ran back into Dave’s arms. Gael chased her for goodbye kisses. With another little squeeze, Erica comforted me with her words. “I know this is tough. She’s a phone call away and I’ll keep you posted with texts.”
Relief swept through me as I kept thinking all would be okay. I knew it was ridiculous to be this nervous. “Thank you. I know I shouldn’t be this uptight about it.”
With a good-bye hug, Erica said, “You are not being uptight. You’re being a fantastic mother. I love how much you love our son and our granddaughter. We couldn’t have asked for a better daughter.”
A couple of tears accumulated in my eye before I choked them back. “I know. It’s just the first night she’s spent away from both of us. It’s harder on me than it is her. I want her to have these memories with you guys.”
We all hugged good-bye one last time before they left through the front door. I let out a big sigh, glad I had been strong enough to go through with it. “You doing okay, sweetheart?”
“I think so. It’ll make it easier when the baby comes. It’s just …”
The pressure increased around my waist as Gael finished my sentence. “We love having her with us.”
He got me and felt the same way. On a whisper, I answered, “Yes, we do.”
It was true. We loved being a family. So many afternoons when Gael came home, we went to the beach to play in the sand or water. Sometimes we would take strolls and go on adventures in Oglethorpe Park. Sometimes we went down to the bay to blow bubbles while ships came and went. Every single moment we had together was treasured.
Once upon a time … we’d nearly lost each other.
Taking a deep breath, I turned in his arms as the front door to the restaurant dinged, signifying someone walking in. The wait staff was due to arrive any minute. The bell was turned off when the restaurant officially opened. “I’m going to run to pick up the dry cleaning. What time can you get off to come home?”
With a child, we too
k advantage of any alone time we could get.
“I’ll be home by—“
Not finishing his sentence Gael’s eyes peered over my head and widened in shock while his hands went rigid at my side. Glancing over my shoulder my blood ran cold too at the sight before me.
Harris.
The man who nearly ruined my life stood there holding a baby girl in pink not more than two to three months old. My eyes moved back to Gael who had a thunderous expression on his face while simultaneously moving me behind him.
In a cold voice I never heard Gael use, he said, “You are not welcome here. Ashlin is pregnant and you are not going to bring her more stress.”
A gentle smile spread on his face. Where was all the ice and hate I used to see? Something was different. Harris was not the same as he spoke, “Congratulations. I saw your little girl. Sophia, right?”
Gael stepped forward with his shoulders squared. “What do you want, Harris?”
Upon a little closer inspection, Harris was dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt. Not his normal depressing suits. Something was definitely up. The normal threatening vibe gone.
My hand touched Gael’s shoulder to calm him. I asked in a more welcoming voice, “What can we do for you, Harris?”
I held my breath waiting for his answer. It was hard not to have the memories assault me as I stood there staring at the man who nearly ruined my life. Only after blackmailing him had I been released.
He shifted the pink flowered diaper bag on his shoulder as the little baby blew spit bubbles, completely comfortable in his arms. Harris looked at ease. “I came to apologize. I know it’s been six years, but I’d like to speak to you both in private, if possible.”
Gael wasn’t budging. “Whose child is that?”
“Mine. This is Rachel.” A warm smile spread on his face as he bounced the baby up a little higher. A lopsided smile appeared on her face.
Was this really Harris?
Apprehension filled me from all he had put us through, but I wanted to hear him out. I asked, “Gael, can we use your office to talk? I think we should do this in private.”
Staff were pausing while folding napkins to watch the scene before us. We still had several employees from when Harris pulled his stunt with Gael’s Place.
Though I had every right to have Harris escorted off the premises, something told me I needed to hear him out. Gael watched me for a second before he grabbed my hand and led us to the office. The baby made little noises filling the silence.
The office door closed, encapsulating us all together. The baby reached for me and I couldn’t help but talk to her. “Why hello there, beautiful. You are such a sweet baby.” A toothless grin met me. “Yes, you are. How old are you?”
Harris cleared his throat and set the diaper bag down and continued bouncing her. “Three months. She seems to like the movement.”
“Sophia did too. Gael and I had to alternate bouncing her when our arms would get sore.”
Finally, Gael smiled at me for a brief second before he resumed his less-than-friendly stance with Harris.
My fingers touched the baby’s outreached hand.
“You seem happy. I’m glad. You deserve it.” The earnestness in Harris’s voice took me off guard.
The room grew awkward. I broke the short period of silence by getting us back on track. “What are you doing in Savannah?”
Taking a few steps, Harris sat in the chair while lightly bouncing the baby on his knee. We sat on the couch against the brick wall. “I’m here on my honeymoon.”
“You’re married?”
From time to time I saw updates on Harris in magazines in checkout lines. Normally, the lines read the same thing about him conquering another empire or being the most eligible bachelor. Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t seen anything for over a year. He had gone relatively quiet.
He nodded. “I am. I married Rachel’s mom. Her name is Christina. I kept the media out of our relationship. They don’t know about the baby. I stepped down as CEO last month and will only remain on the board. The announcement will come out in a month. It’s still confidential.”
An audible gasp left me in shock. This was not the man I remembered. In essence he was giving up control of his coveted empire.
Another soft chuckle left him as he gave me a smile I remembered from the time he hadn’t been jaded by the world. “I deserve the shock. I deserve all the mean things you’ve thought about me these last six years. I was wrong for what I did to you, Ashlin, before and after you met Gael. I’m sorry.” Words escaped me as Harris moved to look at Gael. “And I’m sorry to you, too, for what I did. I know that doesn’t fix it or make it better, but you deserve to hear it.”
“Wh-what happened to you?” It was rude the way I asked, but I had not expected this.
The baby threw her arms up and yelled. Expertly, Harris adjusted her. “Shh, my little pumpkin. It’s okay. Daddy’s fixing things.” He stood and patted the baby on the back. “After we last saw each other in New York, I grew more bitter. The only reason I didn’t come after you was the threat.”
A shudder ran through me thinking about Amelia being in the hospital. Gael took a step in front of me. “Harris …” The warning was clear in Gael’s voice.
“Gael, I’ve changed. A year ago I met Christina. She was only meant to be a one night stand. Then, she got pregnant. I wanted nothing to do with the baby. I offered to pay her off.” Harris’s eyes closed in anguish before they reopened. The idea bothered him. “She refused the payout. All Christina wanted was for her baby to have a loving father. No threats, but she was persistent. By some miracle she convinced me to go to doctor appointments. Then when Rachel was born my entire world changed. I fell in love with her, instantly, and realized I felt the same about Christina.”
A watery smile formed. “You found your happily ever after.”
I was glad for him. Everyone deserved a chance at happiness despite the actions of the past. Though I felt nothing for him romantically, Harris had been part of my life for quite some time. There had been happy times.
He gave Rachel a kiss on the head. “I did. For the honeymoon, Christina wanted to come to Savannah. She always wanted to come here to see the moss growing on the trees. In story books, it reminded her of a magical place.” Harris exhaled a deep breath before continuing, “I took it as a sign for me to make things right. The way I did things hadn’t felt right for a while, but I was too stubborn to admit it. I told Christina everything I did and she still loves me.”
He shrugged like it was unbelievable. Honestly, it was.
Gael watched me closely and I only imagined the thoughts going through his head. If Harris had been the person before me, I might not have ever left him and settled for something less than either of us deserved. Fate had truly had a hand in everything with how it pushed us. “Where is Christina?”
“At the spa. She never had a massage and I wanted to treat her. Rachel doesn’t sleep very well and we’ve decided not to hire a nanny. I want to raise my daughter and any other children we have myself. I won’t make the same mistakes my parents did.”
A smile spread across my face. “I’m happy for you, Harris. And your apology is accepted.”
“Really?” He was shocked.
“Yes. Everyone deserves another chance. I hope you live life to the fullest and enjoy every single minute. They grow up so fast. It’s hard to believe our little Sophia is three.”
Gael walked up to him to shake hands. “I wish you the best, Harris. It took a lot of courage to come here today. I appreciate it.”
Leaning over he picked up the diaper bag. “Thanks. Congratulations on the new baby. I can’t wait for Rachel to have a baby sister or brother.”
“Thank you. And on your new life as well. I’m happy for you, Harris.”
He gave me a gentle smile. “I know you are. That’s what makes you such a wonderful person.”
We smiled at each other as he walked out of the room. Maybe in the
future this apology would lead to a distant friendship. One never knew what the future held. Time would tell. As Sophia said in her journal … time moves on.
Gael wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. “I never expected that in a million years.”
“Me either. I’m still trying to process it all. I can’t believe that was the same Harris. He’s softer than I ever knew him.”
Introspectively, we stood there thinking about the past and the demons that had lurked there for years. In a matter of minutes, they disappeared, lifting the weight of worry that lingered in the back of our minds without us realizing it.
Gael turned me and kissed me. As we separated I said, “All of the suffering and stress was worth it, though, because it brought us together.”
PULLING UP TO the house, I sighed as I thought about our day. After Harris left, Gael and I had some lunch in his office as we talked about what happened. I’d researched him and he had all but disappeared off the grid. There was one picture of him and Christina, probably the night they conceived Rachel. She was gorgeous with her brunette hair and stunning green eyes. Together they looked like they were meant to be.
We would be leery, but I truly believed it was all behind us.
The branches from Daniel and Sophia’s tree swung as the wind picked up. I loved that tree. Every year, on our anniversary, we had a picnic under the tree to remember them and the journey that brought us together.
My phone vibrated with a text message from Gael.
Gael: Checking on you.
Me: Just pulling up to the house. Can’t wait for you to get home.
Gael: Me either! Love you.
Me: Love you, too.
I loved Gael to the depths of my soul. He was worried about me. Another text message came in. It was from Erica. Sophia was taking a nap in her bedroom at their house. Even though the rules were more lax at their house, they maintained the schedule I kept. While I was pregnant with Sophia, they sold their house in Hilton Head and moved into downtown Savannah near Aunt Leelyn’s house on Oglethorpe. Responding, I told Erica how much I loved the picture of Sophia she sent.
Predestined Hearts Page 35