Chapter Twenty-Four
chapter twenty-four
RYDER
Eric
Please come back. Let’s talk about this like adults.
Eric
Are you really going to just cut off the entire family?
Gramps
I heard what happened. What hotel are you staying at?
I ignore the messages from my brother and text my grandfather back the name of the hotel we ended up at. A moment later, he messages back that he’ll see us soon.
I’d rather not get into this shit with him when all I want to do is enjoy my weekend with my girls, but my grandfather has always had my back, so I’m not going to push him away simply because his son is a dick.
“The girls are getting hungry,” Kira says, plopping her wet behind next to me on the lounge chair we rented for the day by the pool. “I was thinking lunch and then a nap.”
She shoots me a flirty wink, and I pull her into my arms while we watch the girls play at the splash pad. Since Addie isn’t a strong swimmer yet—although she’s learning—the splash pad is perfect for them to have fun and be safe.
“My grandfather is on his way over,” I tell her. “He’ll want to meet you, and he’s only seen Addie a few times. Once he gets here, we can go eat.”
“Daddy!” Addie yells, making me do a double take because did she just call me …
“I think she picked it up from me,” Kira says with a laugh. “I always refer to you as Daddy. She also called me Mommy earlier. Her vocabulary is increasing by the day.”
“Jesus,” I mutter, shaking my head. “As much as I like the idea of her growing up, I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
Addie calls me again, and Kira laughs.
“C’mon, Daddy . Better go play with your little girl before she’s too grown to want to play with you.”
I glare her way, and she cackles, skipping over to the girls. We play in the water for another few minutes until I spot my grandfather standing in the corner, watching us. He’s dressed casually in a collared shirt and khaki dress shorts with his Sperry leather boat shoes. He’s aged since the last time I saw him, and I hate the thought of him getting old. Once he’s gone, I’ll literally have no family left in my life, aside from Addie.
“Gramps!” I say, extending my hand to shake his since I’m too wet to give him a hug. “You got here quick.”
“Came right over when you texted me the name of the hotel,” he says. “I’m sorry about your dad, son. We warned him to behave, but he just couldn’t do it.”
“I’m done,” I tell him. “I’ve tried so many times, but this was the last straw. I’m almost forty years old, and I’ve spent my life wanting that man to accept me while knowing he never would unless I was following in his shadow. But I can’t do it anymore. I’ve fallen in love, and she’s been through hell, and I’m not going to expose her to people like my father.”
My grandfather smiles and nods. “Love, huh?”
“So fucking in love,” I admit with a laugh.
“Well, all right then, let’s have lunch so I can meet her.”
I call the girls over and introduce Kira to my grandfather, who insists she calls him Walter or Gramps. After we dry off and get the girls dressed, we get a table at the resort restaurant and have a nice lunch. Gramps spends the meal getting to know Kira and Violet while bonding with Addie. The entire time, I wonder why the hell my dad couldn’t be more like his father. All I ever wanted was a family to be a part of, and yet all he’s ever wanted was to be successful. He cares more about the fact that I chose to work for Kingston rather than Du Ponte.
“Your grandmother would’ve been proud of you,” Gramps says after lunch is over.
Kira insisted on taking the girls up to the room to lay them down for a nap while I walked my grandfather to the valet to say goodbye.
I wish we could’ve spent more time together, but he has to be at the Du Ponte Enterprises picnic since he still owns the company. He might’ve handed the reins over to my dad, but he’s still extremely active in the company. He had planned to retire, but then my grandmother passed away, and he didn’t know what to do with himself.
“I miss her,” I admit. “I miss spending the weekends and summers with you both, and I hate that Addie doesn’t have family in her life, like you and Gram.”
“I can’t replace your grandmother,” Gramps says, “but I’ve decided to retire … for real this time. I’m in my eighties, and I feel like all I’ve done in my life is work. I was thinking I could come visit. Rent a place near you and?—”
“Absolutely not.” I shake my head. “You’re the only damn family we have. I have a house that’s way too big with far too many rooms. You can stay with us.”
Gramps smiles and squeezes my shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Ryder. Keep loving hard and living your life how you see fit. Your dad will never change, and your brother won’t get his head out of your father’s ass long enough to think for himself. You deserve to be happy. Marry that woman and start your own family.”
Gramps pulls me into a hug and murmurs, “I’ll see you soon, my boy,” and then gets into his waiting vehicle.
As I walk back to the room, I see several more texts from my brother and dad and know I need to do as Gramps said, so I do something I should’ve done years ago. I send a text to my dad, letting him know that I’m done and to not contact me anymore. And then one to my brother, telling him that as much as I would love to have a relationship with him, I can’t have our father in my life anymore. If he wants to get to know me, I’m here, but until then, I need to focus on my family while he focuses on his political future.
Dad sends back a text, telling me I’m being ridiculous, so I block him, and my brother texts that once the election is over, he’ll reach out so we can talk. I roll my eyes and don’t bother responding.
When I get up to our suite, Kira has changed into dry clothes and is lounging on the couch, watching a show.
She glances up at me and smiles softly. “Your grandfather is a good man.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agree. “He said something today that made me think. He said I deserve to be happy. To marry you and start my own family.”
I pull her into my lap, and she straddles my thighs as she wraps her arms around my neck.
“That’s exactly what I plan to do, baby. And I know I should wait. Hell, you’re still legally married to another man. But I can’t.”
I palm her backside and carry her into our room and set her on the edge of the bed. Then, I go to my suitcase and pull out the ring box I packed.
“I’ve been carrying this with me everywhere in case the perfect moment arose,” I tell her. “But I’ve realized that there will never be a perfect moment, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”
I get down on one knee and look up into her soulful blue eyes. “I need you to know how much I love you and that I want to spend the rest of our lives together. I know you can’t marry me until you’re divorced, but this ring symbolizes so much more than just marriage.”
I pop it open, and the diamond glitters in the light. “This ring symbolizes my commitment to you and your daughter. I love you both and want to spend my life taking care of you, the same way you take care of Addie and me. I want you to look at this ring on your finger and know that you’re loved unconditionally. That you have a family. You’re not alone anymore, and no matter what happens, you have me.”
“Ryder,” Kira breathes, swiping a tear from her cheek.
“I love you, and I want to make you mine in every way I can. Kira Miller, will you wear my ring and one day marry me?”
I barely finish before she’s nodding and jumping into my arms. I tumble back onto the floor, and she straddles my hips, landing on top of me, giggling with happiness.
“Yes, Ryder,” she says through her laughter. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I grab her left hand and push the ring onto her finger, taking a moment to admire it on her hand. “The sales associate said it’s a pear cut,” I tell her. “But when I saw it, all I could think of was that I wanted to put this ring on your finger and make you happy every day for the rest of your life. The ring reminded me of a teardrop, and I want this to be the only tear you wear.” I chuckle, hearing myself. “I know that sounds cheesy but?—”
“No,” Kira says. “It doesn’t sound cheesy at all. I love it, and I love what it represents. I spent many days trying to be tough for Violet, only to spend my nights crying … until I met you. I never knew love could feel this good, and I hope five, ten, hell, twenty years from now, it still feels like this.”
“It will,” I promise, sitting up on my elbows so our faces are close. “It will because we’ll work every day to make sure it does.”
I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck and pull her face down to mine. Our mouths fuse, and our tongues unite. I kiss her hard and deep, hoping to convey every emotion I feel for this woman, knowing nothing I do or say will be enough. That’s how much I love her.
Our clothes quickly come off, and then Kira is sinking onto my cock right here on the floor. We kiss while I massage her clit, and as she rides me with everything she has, I whisper against her lips how much I love her and can’t wait to marry her. And as I come deep inside her warmth, I remind her that I’m going to give her the entire fucking world. And unlike the asshole who lured her in with false promises, I mean it—starting with making sure she gets that goddamn divorce as soon as possible so she can put that entire fucked-up situation behind her.
“Guess what today is.” Violet skips into my office and grins.
“Um …” I put my finger on my chin and pretend to think hard. “Wednesday?”
“No, silly!” She giggles. “Today is?—”
“Your birthday!” I finish before she can. “How old are you now? Seventeen?”
“No!” She laughs again. “I’m five! And you know what that means? I get to go to school!”
“It does,” I agree.
I was supposed to work at the office today, but I took off to spend the day with Violet for her birthday. We’re planning a barbeque this weekend, but since today is her actual birthday, I wanted to be here to make it special.
“Mommy and Addie are still asleep.” She shrugs. “Guess we gotta celebrate my birthday without them.”
I chuckle and glance at the time. It’s only six in the morning. She must’ve woken up early, excited for her birthday.
“I think your mom would be very sad if we celebrated your birthday without her, but since they’re asleep, what do you say we go to the doughnut shop and pick out your favorites for your birthday? And while we’re there, we can get some for them as well.”
“Yes!” Violet cheers.
After leaving a note for Kira, in case she wakes up while we’re gone, we take off to the doughnut shop in town. The entire way, Violet talks about how excited she is for school.
Since Kira gave me the green light to get her enrolled in the private school nearby, I’m planning on contacting them this week. The wait list is over two years long, but it’s nothing my last name, along with a generous donation, won’t take care of.
I used to be ashamed to use my last name, thinking it meant I accepted the shit my father had pulled, but then Gramps reminded me that my last name was his before it was my father’s and I deserved to use it just as much as my brother and father. I don’t use it often, but for Violet to attend the best school in our area, you can bet your ass I will.
When we arrive downtown, I find a parking spot and then take Violet’s hand in mine and walk us over to the doughnut shop. While we’re walking and she’s talking, something strange comes over me. I glance around, feeling like we’re being watched, but when I don’t see anyone, I chalk it up to paranoia.
It’s been five days since Brian was given the divorce papers, and we haven’t heard anything yet. He has thirty days to respond, and I wouldn’t put it past him to wait until the last second to do so. I have an ace up my sleeve that will force his hand, but I’m holding on to it until it’s needed.
We’re standing in the long line that wraps around the corner when Violet moves closer to me and stops talking. I glance down at her, and she looks nervous. My paternal instincts kick in, and I move her to the other side of me.
“You okay?” I murmur so only she can hear me.
“I think I saw Brian,” she whispers, her eyes wide with fear.
Normally, I’d assume she saw someone like him, but since Kira filed for divorce and he knows the major city we live near, I wouldn’t put it past him to find out exactly where she lives. I was hoping it would be harder for him to find them, but when you have money, you can make shit happen. I know that firsthand. Which is exactly why I hired security for the girls. Because I’m not taking any chances.
“Come here.”
I lift her into my arms, and she holds on to my neck like it’s a lifeline while I glance around, trying to find him. I’ve only seen a few pictures of him, but I made it a point to memorize what he looked like to be on the safe side.
“Do you still see him?” I ask a few minutes later.
Violet lifts her head and looks around, then shakes it.
Hopefully, she was wrong, and it wasn’t him that she saw, but I’m not taking a chance. So, until we’re inside, I carry her, and only once we’re in front of the counter do I put her down so she can pick out her doughnuts. We go with a dozen, plus chocolate milk for her and Addie, and once I’ve paid, we take our goodies home.
When we step inside, Kira is standing in the foyer with Addie on her hip and tons of balloons and presents waiting for Violet—and all thoughts of Brian are pushed aside.
“Are these all for me?” Violet shrieks.
“Yep,” Kira says, smiling at her daughter and then at me.
Last night, I insisted on picking up balloons for today. We talked about putting them in her room for when she woke up, but she woke up too early.
“Can I open the presents?” Violet asks.
“How about we eat breakfast first?” I suggest, knowing Kira will need coffee. “Then presents.”
“Okay! Addie, look what I got us.” Violet shows Addie her chocolate milk, and she squeals in delight.
We eat our breakfast, and then Violet opens her presents. Kira bought her a new bike that she’s been wanting as well as a cute vanity for her to put on her play makeup. She also got her some cute clothes and a couple of dolls.
When she gets to the last present, Kira eyes me in confusion since I didn’t tell her that I was buying Violet anything. The present says it’s from the both of us though because I don’t want Violet to think her mom wasn’t part of it.
“Oh my God!” Violet yells, tearing the paper. “It’s an iPad!” Violet drops the box on the table and runs over to give her mom a hug. “Thank you, Mommy! This is the best present ever.” Once she’s hugged her, she comes my way and wraps her arms around me. “This is the best birthday ever.”
I clean up Addie’s sticky fingers while Kira helps Violet open the box. When she asks if it works like Kira’s phone, I let them know that I’ve added it to my plan so it has data and can be used anywhere. It’s an iPad mini, so it’s the perfect size for her little hands.
Kira shoots me a look of awe and disbelief, and I simply shrug. I warned her that I planned to spoil them, and I meant it. Violet might not be my blood, but just like Kira, she’s mine to take care of. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.