Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
Jim
Titus Hawk was one of the few men I could sit across from without feeling like I was wasting my time. That was the only reason I agreed to this meeting on a day I preferred to spend only with Avery and the girls.
Rather than feeling guilty about having to review the Palisades project before Titus left for Madrid, I arranged for us to take a helicopter to make up for missing out on a ride in one of the luxurious party buses.
I knew Avery would enjoy the short flight and seeing my version of the North Pole that Karen had created from the same vantage point as if she had arrived in Santa’s sleigh.
So, everything would fall into place, even if I had last-minute business to attend to before my North Pole party in the San Bernardino mountains.
I glanced at my Rolex, knowing that Alastair should arrive with all three of my girls within the next five minutes at my private helipad, where all of the company’s private helicopters were stored and managed by my flight staff and crews.
Titus and I were wrapping up in my office on the top floors.
The L.A. skyline stretched behind him like molten glass as the sun dipped low, setting early as always during the winter months.
The Palisades resort project glowed on the wall screen, its modern lines slicing into the Pacific like a cinematic statement piece.
“Permits are nearly finalized on the additions we came up with two weeks ago,” Titus said, flipping his tablet toward me. “New construction on those additions will start mid-January. You’ll have your first-look tour before spring.”
I nodded, scanning the numbers. “Palisades is certainly a beast, but you’ve built empires on worse odds.” I glanced up at him, “You’ll make the average person believe they can afford the good champagne.”
He smirked. “Spoken like a man who’s tired of hearing about my resorts that don’t include prices for the average middle-class family.”
“Spoken like a man impressed that you’re skilled at following my vision,” I said. “That all aside, I’m happy to see you make this work, not just for the wealthy, but for anyone who wishes to indulge themselves in the same lavish environment without having to mortgage their homes to do so.”
Titus leaned back, studying me. “Listen to you and your bragging about your visions.”
“Not bragging. It’s exactly why you chose to enter into business with me, good friend,” I smirked. “You preferred my vision as something unique and more of a challenge than anything. However, it’s your vision that’s bringing this to life.”
“Really? Because lately, it’s been James Mitchell and his visions that people are talking about when they mention you," he chuckled. “Good grief, man. You’ve managed to go viral twice this month over these visions. First, the dead tree rescue debacle, and then losing your wife. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone posts about your company party scheduled for tonight, either. ”
“That makes two of us,” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure I’ll be trending by the time the event starts.”
Titus laughed again, “You replicating the North Pole in the San Bernardino mountains? Dios mio, I’m pretty sure that you’ll be trending under #SantaMitchell soon enough.”
I exhaled through a laugh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Yeah, well, none of this shit was exactly on my Q4 objectives list.”
“Maybe not, but it’s entertaining,” he said, shaking his head. “Tell me you’re writing all these off as marketing expenses.”
“Of course I am,” I said. “My accountant has a special column labeled Avery’s Christmas Circus.”
Titus laughed, deep and genuine. “Only you would turn a domestic rivalry into a tax deduction.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Only because I can’t relate, hermano,” he said, setting his tablet aside. “Bachelor life doesn’t come with holiday wars or a wife hijacking my company events.”
“Exactly,” I said, leaning back. “You wouldn’t understand the thrill of this kind of nonsense.
The looks on my girls’ faces when they saw my venue last night, or even them making me and Avery Christmas waffles for breakfast?
” I smiled at his expression that couldn’t figure out my happiness and fulfillment if he tried.
“Or the way Avery pretends she’s not impressed, but lately?
The woman has shown me she’s beyond impressed with everything. ”
“Is that so?” he smirked.
I nodded, “That is so, and that, good friend, is the good stuff. That’s the payoff.”
He studied me for a long moment, eyes narrowing in that way Titus did when he actually respected you. “So, I take it your previous bachelor years are no longer missed?”
“No.” I shook my head, internally shuddering at the thought of life before my girls. “Before Avery, life was all about acquisitions, headlines, and sinful distractions to fill a void I didn’t realize existed before her. Now, it’s complete, wholesome, and I wouldn’t trade a second of it.”
Titus grinned. “You’re a sentimental bastard, Mitchell.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
“Well, I am familiar with the void you mention, but rather than trying to fill it, I prefer to keep my mistresses at a safe distance and use them only when necessary.
“You say that now,” Jim smirked, “but it is only because you’re buried in business transactions that you find yourself comfortable in your lonely, lavish life.”
“Call it whatever you want,” Titus chuckled, “but I assure you…loneliness is the last word I’d use to describe how I’m living life.”
“Right,” I laughed and stood. “So, will you and this week’s mistress be at tonight’s event?”
Titus stood and buttoned his suit jacket.
“I hate to say it, but I’ll be missing the festivities.
My brothers and I are flying to Madrid tomorrow.
In addition to meeting with my usual local lady, I’ll be in meetings, finalizing open deals, and most likely indulging in some brotherly-family chaos aboard my yacht. ”
“That’s a shame,” I said. “I had a seat saved with a plus-one for you next to a life-size nutcracker.”
“Tragic,” he said dryly. “Send me pictures. I’ll need proof of this circus of yours.”
“I’m sure you could just check what’s trending on social media and see for yourself what you’re missing out on,” I chuckled.
“I’m sure I’ll regret missing your party while scrolling online as a Spaniard beauty lay in my arms on Christmas morning,” he taunted.
A vibration rumbled through the glass windows behind me, followed by the low rhythmic chop of blades.
Titus arched a brow. “And even though he pretends to be a simple family man at Christmas with his wife and daughters, the man is about to make the same entrance I would make at any of my grand-scale events. Minus the candy canes, of course.”
“Avery will clearly realize she’s lost this little planning war when she sees my venue, flying in like she's riding in on Santa’s sleigh to the North Pole itself.”
“You’ve lost your damn mind,” Titus clapped me on the shoulder as we left the office and headed toward the elevators. “Enjoy your celebrations,” he said, taking the elevator down to where his driver awaited, and I took the rooftop elevators to where my family had just landed.
The moment I stepped onto the rooftop helipad, the city seemed to hold its breath. The sunset now poured like molten gold across the glass towers, and my helicopter sat waiting like a sleek, black jewel—polished, quiet, and utterly unapologetic.
It wasn’t a standard chopper. This one had been custom-fitted when I ordered it—an ACH160 executive conversion (for anyone who cared about helicopters), and it was trimmed in chestnut leather and brushed nickel.
Inside, a low couch stretched along one side of the cabin, with a built-in bar across from it, stocked with chilled champagne, eggnog for the girls, and crystal tumblers to enjoy all of it in.
Captain-style seats faced the back, giving the girls a perfect view of the skyline.
The cabin was pressurized and whisper-quiet, allowing us to talk at a normal volume, no headsets needed. It was nothing new for me to travel in a private helicopter like this; however, I appreciated the luxury even more, especially when my family was traveling with me in one of my choppers.
Especially tonight, when I wanted to hear everyone’s reactions as we flew up to my North Pole venue.
As I approached the chopper, I saw Avery seated on the couch, with Addy and Izzy tucked against her, their laughter muffled by the glass as the rotor blades spun. When the door opened, warm air and the faint scent of her perfume hit me like gravity.
“Good evening, Mr. Mitchell,” my pilot greeted me. “We’re set for the North Pole,” he said with a chuckle, playing along with the script I’m sure that Karen gave the flight department when I scheduled the chopper to fly us in tonight.
“Evening,” I smiled at him, then looked at the only things on the chopper I loved with all my heart.
“This is quite the upgrade from the luxury bus,” Avery said with a smirk, voice teasing over the roar outside. “I still assure you that your transportation to my event tomorrow will be much more thrilling.”
I stepped up and ducked inside, the noise falling away the second the door sealed. It was as if the chaos outside evaporated.
“I look forward to it,” I said with a grin. “Competitions aside, are you comfortable?”
“Very, and I’m happy you’re looking forward to it,” Avery shot me a wry look. “However, for you? It appears you kidnapped us in style. I’ll give you points for that.”
“Escorted,” I corrected, taking the seat across from her. “Though, should your use of the word kidnap be something I should take into consideration regarding event transportation?”
Avery rolled her eyes. “Not in the slightest,” she said, brushing off my comment.
“Dad, this is awesome,” Addy said, getting up with Izzy, and both girls sitting in the captain seats to enjoy the view.
“Can we have eggnog, too?”
“Of course,” I answered, “once we’re underway. There’s no better way to arrive at our version of the North Pole than with eggnog in hand, in awe of what we pulled off together.”
“Mom, you’re gonna die,” Addy said. “And that’s all I’m saying.”
Avery grinned and leaned into me after I sat next to her on the small sofa.
We may have laid down our swords in the party competition department, but I knew this wasn’t over until after her party tomorrow.
So, instead of focusing on our rivalry, I wanted to savor this moment with her and our girls before the joyful chaos of the event—and of my company partners and employees—pulled us apart for the night.
I used this moment to kiss her gently, letting the magic of the night ahead fully embrace me and my family.
I watched as the city gleamed through the windows like a string of diamonds below us as the pilot lifted off.
Now, we were underway, bringing everything full circle and proving to my wife that I was no Scrooge when it came to the holidays or showing appreciation for those at Mitchell and Associates.
I watched as Addy and Izzy pressed their faces to the glass, squealing at the shrinking skyline.
My breath caught when Avery’s smile softened as she watched them.
She was breathtaking, reminding me how grateful I was to no longer be a bachelor, rushing off to spend the holidays with a random mistress.
Enamored by her as always, I admired the way the console’s light gilded her hair and made her eyes sparkle, like the champagne I was about to pour.
She was everything my heart longed for whenever we were apart, and once again, I realized my love for her was more than a feeling—she made me whole.