Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Henry
“You look stunning,” I signed to Ellie as I walked into the bedroom.
“Thank you. So do you. A black tuxedo suits you well, Mr. Walker.”
Looking down, I noticed she was wearing the heart necklace I’d given her.
“I had it fixed, and I’m never taking it off.”
“I would have gotten that fixed for you.”
“I broke it, and it was my responsibility. Not yours.” She kissed my lips.
“I’m happy you did that because I bought you something,” I signed before walking over to my dresser and pulling a box from the drawer. “This is for you, sweetheart.”
With a smile on her face, she opened the lid and stared at the matching heart bracelet encased in diamonds.
“Oh, Henry. It’s gorgeous.”
“You like it?”
“I love it.”
“Let me put it on you.”
Removing the bracelet from the box, I placed it on her wrist.
“It looks beautiful on you,” I signed.
“Thank you so much.” She threw her arms around my neck.
“You’re welcome.” I kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to do this tonight.”
“I want to. I don’t care what your parents think of me. If they don’t like me, that’s their problem, not mine. I actually can’t wait to see the look on your mom’s face when she sees me.”
“According to Addison, she’ll be recording the whole thing. So, you can see it as many times as you’d like.” I smiled. “Shall we head out?” I held out my arm to her.
“We shall.” She smiled as she placed her arm around mine.
The moment we walked into the country club, Addison came running over and gave Ellie a hug.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” she signed.
“Thank you, Addison. You’re getting good at ASL.”
“Thanks. I’ve really been practicing.”
“Where are Mom and Dad?” I asked.
“Mingling around here somewhere. I’ve got my phone handy.” She grinned as she held it up.
Suddenly, a woman walked up to me. It was Gabby Hart. I’d recognized her from the picture my father showed me the other day.
“Henry?” She smiled. “I’m Gabby Hart.”
“Hi, Gabby. This is my girlfriend, Ellie Scott.”
Her smile fell flat as she looked Ellie up and down, and Ellie gave her a wave.
“I thought you were single. That’s what your father told me.”
“My father was dead wrong. I’m not single at all. I’m in a fully committed relationship with this beautiful woman.”
“Oh. Nice.” She gave a fake smile, turned on her heels and walked away.
“That was priceless!” Addison beamed with excitement. “Oh. Oh. Here come Mom and Dad. They must have seen you from across the room. Look at the looks on their faces.” She held up her phone.
“Henry, what is going on here?” my father asked. “Who is this woman?”
“That’s Ellie, Carlyle,” my mother said in a snide tone.
“But you told us?—”
“I lied, and I’m not sorry. But be my guest if you wish to cause a scene at your own party with all these influential people here.”
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you,” Ellie signed with a smile.
“Don’t do that here,” my mother scolded. “Henry, I swear to God.”
“It’s not nice to swear to God, Mother.” I smirked as I walked Ellie over to our table.
I pulled the chair out for her, and she sat down.
“I’m going to get some drinks. Make sure you stay with her. I don’t need our mother saying something,” I whispered to Addison.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got your back if she tries.”
As I was on my way up to the bar, my father grabbed my arm.
“What the hell is going on here?”
“Ellie forgave me, and we’re a couple again. She’s the only woman I want in my life, and if you don’t like it, too bad.”
“There will be grave consequences for this, son. Do you know how upset your mother is?”
“Good. She deserves to be for the way she treated Ellie.”
Suddenly, one of his friends walked over and took him away. After grabbing a couple of drinks, I headed back to the table.
“Any trouble?” I asked Addison.
“Nope. Mom won’t even come over here.”
“Well, she has to eventually for dinner. Are you okay?” I signed to Ellie.
“I’m fine, Henry. Stop worrying.”
Just as I was about to sit down, a family friend walked over.
“Henry, it’s good to see you,” Ken Cambridge spoke as he shook my hand.
“Hello, Ken. How are you?”
“I’m good. I heard about Kirsten,” he whispered in my ear. “Who would have thought.”
“It was a blessing in disguise.” I smiled.
“And who is this beautiful woman I saw you walk in with?”
“This is my girlfriend, Ellie Scott,” I signed. “Ellie, I’d like you to meet Ken Cambridge, a family friend.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Oh wow. You can speak.”
I inhaled a sharp breath as I could feel the anger rise.
“I-T’-S – V – E- R- Y?—”
“You can talk normal, Ken. She can read lips.
“My apologies. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Ellie signed.
Ken hooked his arm around me and turned his head so Ellie couldn’t read his lips.
“It must be difficult to communicate.”
“Not at all. You know I’m proficient in sign language. We communicate better than most hearing couples.”
“Right. Perhaps you do. It was good to see you, Henry.” He patted my back and walked away.
“What’s wrong?” Ellie asked.
“Nothing, sweetheart,” I signed as I sat down.
“Parent alert!” Addison said and pulled out her phone.
“Put that thing away,” I said, and Ellie laughed.
My parents walked over to the table and took their seats across from us. Silence filled the table until Ellie decided to speak.
“Congratulations, Mr. Walker, for being honored as Businessman of the Year,” she said.
He looked at her, turned his head so she couldn’t see his lips, and thanked her. That was a dick move on his part, and it pissed me off.
“You know damn well she can’t read your lips when you’re not looking at her,” I said as I signed it.
“Henry, it’s okay,” Ellie said. “Mrs. Walker, your dress is beautiful. What designer is it?”
“No one you would know,” she replied.
“It’s Francesca DeMage,” Addison signed, and my mother glared at her.
“Since when do you know sign language?” she asked her.
“Since Henry taught me,” she signed without speaking. “In fact, I think this is the way I’m always going to talk to you.”
“The hell you are!” my mother voiced loudly. Thank God the music was loud enough so nobody around us could hear.
“Lillian,” my father placed his hand on her arm. “Settle down. It’s not worth it. Not here.”
“You’re being a bitch, and you need to stop,” Addison signed, and I chuckled.
“Carlyle!”
“For God's sake, Addison. Knock it off already.”
She smiled as she picked up her glass of champagne.
Ellie
We made it through dinner without any more verbal attacks. They were as awful as Henry said they were.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the ladies’ room,” I said as I stood up.
“I can go with you,” Henry signed.
“Don’t be silly. I’ll be right back.” I smiled.
Lillian walked in when I was finished and standing at the sink washing my hands.
“How could you forgive Henry after what he’s done to you?” she signed.
“People make mistakes, and they deserve a second chance, Mrs. Walker.”
“You’re a weak woman if you think that. There is no way I’m going to stand here and allow my son to date someone like you,” she signed.
“He’s thirty years old. I don’t think you have a say.”
“Oh, I do. You are not the right woman for him. I’ll give you anything you want to walk away right now. Name your price.”
“I know you don’t like me because I’m deaf. But let me tell you something, lady. I am more fulfilled in my life being deaf than you’ll ever be. I love Henry, and he loves me. Deal with it.” I stormed out of the bathroom and went back to the table.
“Is something wrong?” Henry signed the moment I sat down.
“No. Nothing.” I smiled as I took hold of his hand.
After Carlyle was awarded the Businessman of the Year award, he gave his speech, and he and Lillian mingled with the guests. They made sure to stay as far away from us as possible.
“A slow song just came on. Would you like to dance with me?” Henry signed with a smile and held out his hand.”
“I would love to.”
He led me to the dance floor, and we swayed back and forth.
“I love you,” his lips spoke.
“I love you too.” I smiled. “People are staring at us.”
“Let them. They know a good thing when they see it.” He gave me a wink. “The song just ended, and I think it’s time we leave. I’ve had enough of this place,” he signed.
“Good idea.”
We walked back to the table, and I grabbed my purse.
“Oh my God, if you’re leaving, so am I. You can’t leave me alone with them,” Addison spoke.
“Hi.” A handsome young man smiled as he approached Addison. “I’m Jack. I’ve been wanting to introduce myself to you all night.”
“Well, aren’t you handsome. I’m Addison.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman. I saw you signing. You know sign language?”
“I’m learning. My brother’s girlfriend is deaf.” She pointed to me.
“My brother is deaf,” he signed to me.”
“How old is he?” I asked.
“Seventeen. He’s getting ready to go off to NYU in the Fall.”
“Come on, Jack, let’s get to know each other.” Addison smiled as she placed her arm around his.
“I thought you were leaving with us,” Henry said.
“I changed my mind.” She grinned as the two of them walked away.