5. Chapter Five | Theo
Chapter five
“Lady Smith-Harrington, are you planning to join me for breakfast today, or will I just have to see you at dinner?” I call up the stairs as I hear Gigi’s footsteps pitter-patter down the hall and scamper down the stairwell.
“Daddy, this morning it’s actually Princess Gigi,” she emphatically proclaims with a deep curtsy.
She has accessorized her outfit with a hot pink crown, which I recognize from her Halloween costume last year.
“But yes, my fair knight, ‘tis my pleasure and delight to join you for us to dine together this lovely morning.” She suddenly has a British accent and is trying so hard to keep a straight face. I bow as I apologize for the confusion, and that’s enough to make her bust out in giggles.
“We need to be in the car and out the door in twenty minutes, and I just finished the waffles. Do you want apple or orange juice, Princess?”
“Apple, please, kind sir.”
I pour her a glass before grabbing the plate of sliced fruit from the counter and add it to the spread on the kitchen island.
We have a formal dining room, but unless we’re hosting my family or company, almost all of our meals are eaten right here—just the two of us.
I never would have imagined at forty-seven years old that my days would be filled with princesses and tea parties, but I also wouldn’t change anything about my life.
Well, I might add someone to it, but finding the right partner has been harder than figuring out how the hell to do a Dutch braid, which apparently, is not the same as a French braid .
I check my watch and see we’re okay on time.
I’m fortunate to have a lot of flexibility with my job and a great team that supports the day-to-day needs of the firm.
I’m not above using the perks that come with being a named partner, and also one of the legacy partners at Smith and Harrington.
But I like taking my daughter to school whenever possible.
Smith and Harrington was founded by my great-grandfather and his best friend.
Two generations later, my father, Henry Theodore Harrington, and my mother, Millicent Gwendolyn Smith, were the first generation of Smiths and Harringtons to also unite in marriage.
People assume when I introduce myself as Theodore Smith-Harrington that I’m giving them my full name, but my middle name is actually Ares, like the Greek god of war.
Our grandparents loved to tell the story of how Henry and Millie hoped at least one of their children would become a powerful litigator in their own right—and between my sister and me, we have more than fulfilled that dream.
The firm has grown over the years and now has over eighty attorneys, and more support staff than I can count, so when we expanded into Forrest Falls almost six years ago, I was more than happy to volunteer to lead the smaller office.
Our headquarters location in Nashville is managed by a team of named partners, including multiple cousins of mine, and of course, my parents, even though they rarely practice these days.
I was thrilled when my little sister decided to join me in Forrest Falls and help run our smaller team of fifteen attorneys here in town.
I liked the idea of raising Gigi in a smaller community, and we still spend plenty of time in Nashville.
Our brother Van lives in London, but thankfully, technology allows him to be active in Gigi’s life, even across the pond.
“What’s your special today, kiddo?” I take a big drink of my coffee, something I never knew I would need until I became a single parent but now is a requirement for me to function daily.
“We have art today, and we are starting a new sculpting unit that I’m so excited about! Then after school, we have a tea date, my fair knight.”
“It would be my honor, Princess Gigi.” She has been talking about the sculpting unit for weeks and I bet the upstairs playroom will soon be transformed into an art studio as well if Gigi gets into it like I suspect she will.
I’d rather try to sculpt something than learn how to knit.
My sister Pippa gifted Gigi a knitting kit for Christmas in part because my daughter likes arts and crafts, and in part as a subtle dig at my domestic skills because Pippa knew Gigi would ask me to do it with her.
It was not my finest skill demonstration—even though I did try—we both ended up laughing at how terrible at it I was.
My project looked more like a giant knot than anything else, and nowhere near the scarf I was allegedly working on.
Overall, I think I do pretty well for a single dad, but it’s also a bit of a joke that I try to be a homemaker sometimes.
I went through one brief phase of making sourdough bread and my siblings won’t let me live it down.
Gigi finishes her breakfast and runs up the stairs to brush her teeth before we head out for school drop-off.
My house manager will be arriving soon, but I don’t like to leave a large mess for Gloria.
I know I grew up with a silver—okay, platinum—spoon, but our parents still taught my siblings and me the importance of treating staff members with respect.
After I finish putting the plates in the sink, my phone vibrates with a text from my sister.
I slide on my reading glasses as I unlock my phone.
Pippa
Hey. What time are you in today?
Me
In the next 15-20 minutes. Just about to take Gigi to school. What’s up?
Pippa
Perfect. You aren’t going to want to miss my 9 AM.
Me
Nothing is on my schedule. Who is it?
Pippa
New client, but you’ll see when you get in.
My eyebrows scrunch in confusion. Pippa and I are usually pretty straight forward with each other and her acting all secretive is strange.
Me
Why are you being weird?
Pippa
Not weird. Just excited. You’ll see, promise it’s good. See you soon!
I double-check my email but there isn’t anything related to Pippa’s appointment. What the hell is my sister up to now? I thought she had outgrown her mischievous bullshit stage in her twenties. I’m not waiting fifteen minutes to solve this so I call the main line of the office.
“Good morning, Smith and Harrington. This is Susan, how may I help you?” Our reception manager answers on the second ring.
“Hey there, Susan, it’s Theo. How are you?” I smile and try to infuse my voice with every ounce of Harrington charm. I’m not above playing that card to get what I want.
“Hi, Theo. I’m well, but no, you can knock off the Prince Charming act. I can’t reveal anything about your sister’s appointment. She already spoke to me and said to expect your call.”
Damn it.
“If she knew I was going to call you then I’m worried that she and I may spend too much time together.
But come on, you like me, Susan. Why’s she making a big deal about this?
Who’s the new client?” I plead with her, and if I thought she would go for it, I wouldn’t be above bribery to get the information I need.
Unfortunately, we only hire the best and she can’t be bought.
“No sir, you can find out for yourself when you come in. Oh, and your sister asked that I inform you she’s already notified all staff not to assist you in your discovery efforts.
” Pippa is such a ball-busting buzz kill—but she’s a brilliant one.
I just don’t like when she uses her strategic powers against me.
I can’t help but laugh at her thoroughness.
“I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same. Fine, tell her I’ll find out when I get there. But I’m disappointed in you, Susan.” I try to sound serious to sell my guilt trip.
“No, you aren’t, sir.” Susan doesn’t even consider taking the bait.
“Nah, you’re right.” I laugh because she is right. “See you soon, and this better live up to the hype when I get in.”
“Without saying too much, sir, I think your sister is right about this one. See you soon, and please drive safe and tell Gigi to have a wonderful day at school.” We disconnect and I gather my things to drive to the office and solve this mystery.
Who the hell is our new client?