Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
ONE MONTH LATER
Henry
I’d barely spoken to my parents the past month. My father was home recovering, and when I’d stop by to see him to give him updates on the company, he would say maybe two words to me. My mother didn’t even acknowledge my presence. I knew they always held grudges. I’d seen it with other family members and with some of their old friends. But I never thought they would do that to their children in a million years.
I opened my eyes and noticed Ellie wasn’t in bed. Looking at the time on my phone, it was two a.m. I got up and walked into the hallway, where I saw the light filter from under the closed door of the room where she painted. When I opened the door, I found her sitting on her stool and softly stroking the canvas with her paintbrush. Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her and softly kissed her neck as she continued to paint. She set down her paintbrush and turned her body around so she was facing me.
“Why are you up?” I asked.
“I couldn’t sleep. It happens sometimes.” The corners of her mouth curved up into a beautiful smile. “Do you want to paint?”
“I don’t know how.” I smiled. “I can paint walls, but that’s about it.”
“I’ll help you.”
She got up from the stool and told me to sit down as she handed me the paintbrush.
“Dip the tip of the brush in the gray paint.”
From behind, she wrapped one arm around me, took my hand that was holding the brush, and lifted it to the canvas. Her hand guided mine as we made prominent waves amongst the blue color that was the sea.
“See. It’s easy,” she spoke.
I set the brush down, turned around, and faced her. She straddled me as her arms wrapped around my neck.
“I love you, Ellie,” I signed and spoke at the same time. “I’m so in love with you.” I placed my hand on her cheek.
It was the first time since we’d met that those words escaped my lips, and it finally felt so good to tell her.
“I love you, too, Henry.” She smiled as our lips met.
I still hadn’t told her about Kirsten. Ben and Frankie were on my ass every day, but I was too worried about what she’d think or that she wouldn’t want to see me anymore. Every day we spent together was magical, and I didn’t want to ruin things. It just never seemed like the right time. But I knew I had to do it soon because the longer I went without telling her, the worse it was going to be when I did.
Ellie
I walked Henry to the door and kissed him goodbye. He wrapped me in his arms and held me tight before walking out of my apartment. I went to the kitchen, poured myself a cup of coffee, and stared out my living room window while I sipped it and thought about Henry. Even though he’d just left, I already missed him. He was the perfect man, and he made me the happiest woman alive. I thought I was happy before I met him, but I was wrong. I didn’t think this type of happiness existed. My mom and James loved him already. We’d met them for dinner several times over the past month, and the three clicked instantly. On the other hand, Joni was happy for me but still skeptical. She felt things were moving too fast. I tried not to hold that against her because I knew she meant well.
“Henry told me he loved me last night,” I signed as I sat across from her in the café.
“Wow. Did you say it back?” she asked.
“Of course,” I signed as my brows furrowed.
“That’s great, Ellie. But….”
“Don’t, Joni,” I signed. “Just don’t. I’m so happy.”
“And I’m happy for you, but it’s only been a little over a month.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s been a week. When you meet the one, you know immediately.”
“Why haven’t you met his parents yet?” she asked.
“I don’t know. You know guys don’t bring a girl home to meet his parents until they’re sure. I’m sure I’ll meet them soon.”
“He’s already met us, including your mom and James. You’ve been out to dinner with them a few times already, and it just concerns me that you haven’t met his family yet.”
“I’ve met his sister,” I signed.
“Only because you ran into them at the hospital.”
“It seems as if you don’t like Henry.” My brows furrowed.
“It’s not that I don’t. I think he’s a nice guy who’s extremely wealthy. Usually, guys like that are hiding something or have skeletons in their closet. He’s too perfect, Ellie. That’s all I’m saying. Nobody is that perfect.”
I was getting irritated, and I needed to change the subject. So, I did. When we finished lunch, I gave her a hug goodbye and headed back to my apartment to get some painting done. I was all caught up with my work for my client's websites, and I needed to finish a painting I promised Frankie for his gallery.
Henry
“June, can you tell my sister I need to see her.”
“Of course, Henry. I’ll send her right in.”
A few seconds later, my office door opened, and Addison walked in.
“You wanted to see me?” She smiled.
“I want to show you something I bought for Ellie,” I spoke as I reached into my desk drawer, pulled out a blue box from Tiffany, and opened the lid.”
“Wow, Henry. That is beautiful. She’ll love it.” She grinned. “When are you going to give it to her?”
“I was thinking of giving it to her tonight. I’m taking her to dinner at Per Se, and then I arranged a horse and carriage ride through Central Park afterward.”
“Damn. I didn’t know you were such a romantic.” She smirked.
“Only the best for her.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
“She’s a lucky girl to have you. Lillian and Carlyle, not so much. What are you going to do? Never introduce her to them?”
“I will when the time is right and when they’ve had a chance to settle down.”
“Good luck with that. It’s already been a month.”
“You haven’t, by chance, heard anything around the house, have you?”
“I haven’t really been home much. Last night, I went into their bedroom to talk to Dad, and all he kept talking about was Abigail.”
“What was he saying?” I furrowed my brows.
“He was telling me stories about her and how if she was still alive, she’d be a doctor. And a damn good one.”
“She always wanted to help people,” I said.
“I got so sick of hearing about her that I told him if she were still alive, I wouldn’t be here. He looked at me and told me I was right.” Tears filled her eyes. “Ugh. I won’t let him do this to me.” She looked up at the ceiling.
It infuriated me how they treated her sometimes.
“What did you say?” I asked.
“Nothing. I walked out of the room, changed my clothes, and met my friend at the bar. There’s nothing a lot of alcohol can’t fix.”
I stood up from my chair, walked over, and gave her a hug.
“Don’t let them get to you.”
“I’ll never be good enough for them because I’m not her.”
“You are good enough. You’re my sister, and I love you.”
“Thanks. I love you too, big brother.” A soft smile graced her face as she broke our embrace.
After leaving the office, I quickly went home to change and headed to Ellie’s apartment. When the door opened, I stood there breathless at the beautiful woman smiling at me.
“You look incredible,” I signed with a smile.
“Thank you. You look very sexy yourself.” She reached up and kissed my lips as I stepped inside.
I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight, taking in the lavender scent of her hair.
“Are you ready to go?” I signed.
“I just have to grab my purse.”
I watched her walk away in a sexy black fitted dress with a deep V-neckline and thin straps complemented by a pair of black high heels. Just looking at her made my cock rise. After we finished eating, Christian drove up to where our horse and carriage were waiting for us. Ellie had no idea what I’d planned. She thought we were going back to my place for the night.
“Why are we here?” she asked as she looked out the passenger window.
I opened the door, held out my hand, and helped her out of the limo.
“Your horse and carriage await you, my queen,” I signed.
“Are you serious?” Her face lit up with excitement.
Taking her hand, we climbed in, and the coachman took us into Central Park. It was a warm, calm night, and the bright moon was nestled amongst the stars that twinkled like little pulses of light.
“I have something for you,” I signed. “Close your eyes.”
A smile graced her lips as she closed her eyes. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the Tiffany box and placed it in her hands. When she opened her eyes, she looked at the box and then up at me.
“Go on. Open it,” I signed.
Opening the lid, she placed her hand over her mouth when she saw the platinum open heart pendant encased in diamonds.
“Oh my God, Henry. It’s gorgeous,” she spoke as she ran her finger over the heart.
Taking the box from her, I removed the necklace and placed it around her neck.
“This is my heart, and I’m giving it to you,” I signed as I watched the tears fill her eyes. “You stole my heart, Ellie, and I have never been more in love with anyone as I am with you.”
“I love it so much, and I love you,” she signed as she spoke. “No one has ever given me anything like this, and I’m never taking it off. Thank you, Henry.” She placed her hand on my cheek as her lips met mine.