Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Adalyn
The service was sad but beautiful. Now it was off to the mausoleum to pay our final respects. Roberto held his arm and escorted me out of the church.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “That Jenna sure knows how to grab people’s attention.”
“I’m fine.” I lightly smiled.
“After we leave the mausoleum, a luncheon is being held in the ballroom at the Infinity.”
“Good. That makes it easier to leave if I have to.”
He gave me a sympathetic smile as we drove to the cemetery. The worst was yet to come. Having to deal with Harrison and explain why I didn’t tell him I was pregnant would not be easy or taken lightly. He seemed furious at the church. I could tell by the harsh tone in his voice.
We pulled up to the mausoleum. Engraved in big letters above the door was the Grant name. Roberto helped me out of the limo, and Harrison turned and looked at me when we walked in together. Our eyes locked, and I wasn’t backing down. He broke our stare just as the priest walked in.
I went to my room to freshen up before going down to the luncheon. I needed to prep myself and take control of my emotions. It had been a sad and trying day already.
“Okay, little one. Are you ready to do this?”
I took in a deep breath and went down to the ballroom. As soon as I walked in, Bradley walked over to me.
“Adalyn, darling. It’s good to see you.” He smiled as he hugged me.
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. Grant.”
“Thank you. I know my mother is smiling down upon us and happy that you’re here. We’re all happy you came.”
“Thank you. I wouldn’t have missed it.”
“You’re carrying my grandchild?” He grinned.
“Yes. I am.” I placed my hands on my belly.
“Congratulations, my dear. I’m going to be a grandfather. What better news could one receive on a day like today.” He kissed my cheek. “Rest assured, that child will be taken care of for the rest of his or her life. Come sit with us.”
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Of course, it is.” He took my hand and placed it around his arm. “Harrison will not make a scene here. You belong with us, Adalyn. You’re family.”
I sighed as he led me to the Grant family table and pulled a chair out for me next to Jenna and across from Harrison. I had never been so uncomfortable in my life. I picked up my glass and took a sip of water.
“Adalyn, would you mind saying a few words about Mary? About how you came to know her?” Bradley asked.
“Yes, of course.”
Shit. What the hell did I just agree to?
“Thank you, my dear. Speeches will be made after we eat.”
The servers placed our plates filled with food in front of us, and we began to eat.
“So, how far along are you?” Jenna asked, and I could see Harrison anxiously waiting for my answer.
“Almost seventeen weeks.”
“Wow. That’s great. Did you have morning sickness at all? My sister was pregnant and sick for the first five months.”
“I did for the first twelve weeks. Every morning at six, eight, and nine like clockwork.”
“Do you know the sex of the baby yet? Are you going to find out?”
“Jenna, sweetheart, enough with the questions. Let the poor girl eat in peace,” Bradley said.
“I’ll find out next month when I go for my ultrasound.”
I looked at Harrison, and he quickly looked away.
After everyone was finished eating, Bradley went up to the podium and gave a speech about his mother. When he finished, he called up a few of her friends, including Mr. Clayton, and then he called my name. I took in a deep breath, placed my napkin on the table, and walked up to the podium.
“Good afternoon. My name is Adalyn Banks, and Mary Grant was my friend. I met Mary under some unusual circumstances, and even though I hadn’t known her as long as you all have, we quickly became very close. It all started when I was scuba diving in Antigua, and I found this beautiful ring nestled between two pieces of coral. When I read the inscription on the ring, my heart went out to the woman named Mary, to whom it belonged to. After I found the ring, a cloud of bad luck, so to speak, followed me. I had no choice but to either dispose of the ring or try to find its owner. I chose to try and find Mary. The ring led me to New York and to a custom jewelry shop where it was made for Mary many years ago. Unfortunately, I didn’t find what I was looking for, but I was fortunate enough to run into Harrison Grant, who told me after hearing my story that the ring belonged to his grandmother. Mary Grant was the kindest and most giving woman I’d ever met. I stayed in New York for a while and got to know her. She was an amazing woman who was filled with such positivity and love. She told me once that I was a blessing to her. But the truth is, she was truly a blessing to me, and I will dearly miss her. Thank you.”
While everyone clapped, I took my seat at the table.
“That was beautiful,” Athena spoke as she hugged me.
“Excuse me, Adalyn?” a woman tapped me on my shoulder.
“Yes?”
She set herself down in Jenna’s empty seat.
“My name is Carina Brooks, and they told me you were the magician behind the remodel of Harrison’s townhome. I was hoping we could chat later about the interior work for my penthouse over on Park Avenue.”
“I’m honored, Carina, but I’m not staying in New York. I have to get back to Seattle.”
“Oh poo.” She pouted. “I can totally make it worth your while to stay.”
“As much as I’d love to, I’m afraid I can’t.”
She let out a sigh. “Well, it was worth a try. Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Adalyn.”
“Nice to meet you too.” I smiled at her.
I was tired, so I grabbed my purse and told Athena I was going up to my room. I kicked off my boots, changed into a pair of sweatpants, and put on a tank top that was getting too tight between my boobs and my belly. I had just laid down when I heard a knock at the door. A sick feeling erupted in the pit of my belly.