Epilogue
Ten months later.
Cora wasn’t sure what to do.
They had settled into a comfortable routine.
They had breakfast as a family. Henry dropped off the boys at school.
He went to the gym with Ben and Kitty before coming home to care for Adam while Cora either had a late morning or early afternoon class.
She was working part-time on finishing her degree, inspired by Adrianna.
Then she would go pick up Nick and Oliver from school.
The boys did their chores and homework while she and Henry made dinner.
After, Nick and Oliver had the evening for fun in the pool, riding their bicycles, or video gaming.
The day ended with her and Henry watching television together, her hand in his as she leaned against him.
It was a good routine. It was a comfortable routine. Cora was happy and didn't want to push her luck.
However, she was also starting to get a little frustrated.
Susan Hythe was part of the problem. The woman had set her sights on Henry and was being very open about the fact she thought he was handsome, rich, and eligible.
It was rather true, dryly reflected Cora . Just the other day she had watched Henry and the boys in the pool while feeding Adam inside. Henry had gained weight back, was healthy, tanned, and other than the scars from the surgery, looked handsome and perfect.
He made her heart skip a beat lately. She could blame it on the dark hair and blue eyes with his easy smile, but Cora knew it was the way he simply was a good friend and partner. Henry helped however he could, without complaint. Plus, he was wonderful to cuddle up with while watching television.
Cora shouldn’t be worried about Susan or any of the other single women at Livingston Academy. She wasn’t worried. She knew Henry loved her.
Yet she couldn’t help be a little jealous when they were at Oliver’s soccer match and Susan leaned over, touching Henry’s arm and chatted to him.
Okay, maybe she was a lot jealous, thought Cora. She could admit that to herself. Henry was hers. She didn’t want to share him. It didn’t help that she learned from Kelly that Susan had once tried to dig her talons into Dillon a couple years ago when he was single.
Susan seemed to have a thing for Ramesly men.
As a result, Cora was more aware of Henry than ever before. It made things a little awkward.
Plus it was made worse by the session she had with her therapist this morning. Basically the woman had smiled, told Cora her feelings were natural, and that she should take the next step with Henry.
What exactly was the next step?
Cora had wondered about that all day.
Her therapist had told her she would know what action to take at the appropriate moment. Cora didn’t know why she was paying the woman when she only gave cryptic answers.
Adam was in his pack and play , holding himself in a standing position as he threw toys over the edge. He giggled before finding another toy to throw, hoping to get Cora’s attention.
Cora and Henry were clearing boxes out of the storage room in the basement.
Cora had decided to commandeer the space for a home office.
Her fall schedule with the college meant it was important for her to have a quiet space to study and work on her classes.
Henry had volunteered to help while Nick and Oliver were away overnight for a couple of birthday parties.
“Do you want the desk near the window for natural light or against this wall?” questioned Henry as he finished putting the last bolt into the office chair she had ordered.
While they could technically have afforded to hire someone to put the furniture together, Cora was still a bit in budget mode. Henry had simply looked at the boxes of parts and said it would be fun.
She was relieved he didn’t even think to argue with her. Henry just took things in stride and good humor. Which is why she loved him more and more each day.
“The window,” she decided, opening another box. She bit her lip as she saw what was inside. She slowly lifted the item out of the box.
“Hey, is that Hoot?” asked Henry.
Cora looked at the large plush owl toy in her arms. She had a sentimental smile. “It is.”
“That toy cost me fifty bucks to win. I can’t believe you kept him,” replied Henry as he came to stand beside Cora. “That was a good day.”
“It was,” murmured Cora in agreement. She had taken Henry to the local fall fair.
His upbringing with Mary and Oliver had never included such mundane fun and Cora had been determined that he should experience one of her childhood joys.
As a result, Henry had been determined to win her a prize, resulting in Hoot the owl who had graced her dorm room.
She had been unable to part with the plush animal.
“We should do that with Nick and Oliver. Go to a fair. They would love it,” suggested Henry.
Cora nodded in agreement, hugging Hoot to her.
Henry put a hand to her back, gently touching her. “Cora, is there something wrong? You have been pretty tense since your therapy session this morning. Is there something I can help with?”
Cora took a deep breath. She needed some courage. Turning to Henry, she wrapped an arm around his waist, leaning against him, breathing in his now familiar scent as Henry hugged her in return.
“You know you can tell me anything. Or we could just stay just as we are for a little longer. Your choice,” whispered Henry as he slowly rubbed her back in a comforting circle.
Part of Cora wanted to stay in the safety of the moment. Yet that wouldn’t change things in the direction she wanted, she decided. She wanted a change, even as it would take her out of her comfort zone.
“I think we need to change things,” ventured Cora.
“What kind of things?” questioned Henry.
Cora gathered her courage. “I want to be able to kiss you and hold your hand whenever I choose to.”
“You already can. You know that,” murmured Henry without any judgment.
“I want you to be able to do that with me as well,” decided Cora.
“Even in front of the boys? Or just in private? I would like to be clear on your boundaries,” stated Henry.
“In private and slowly in front of the boys. Maybe in front of family after,” mentioned Cora. She pressed herself a little more firmly against Henry, drawing strength from him.
“If we do that, people are going to think we are dating. Are you okay with that?” gently wondered Henry.
Cora nodded. “But I don’t want any fancy dates. No going out to expensive restaurants or going places where we have to dress up in uncomfortable clothes.”
“How about walks and picnics? We could dress up for the theater. I know you love to go watch plays,” offered Henry.
“I will make an exception for going to a theater,” agreed Cora. “I like the other ideas.”
Henry thought for a moment. “What if we both came up with some date ideas and run them past each other? We can compromise or veto anything either of us is too uncomfortable with.”
“I like that idea,” replied Cora with a smile. She leaned back a little to look at Henry. He was her dear friend and she loved him. While she hadn’t wanted to say it before, she felt ready now. “I love you.”
Henry returned her smile as he lifted a hand to caress her cheek. “And I love you.”
Cora reached up as Henry lowered his head. It was a sweet kiss full of promise for their future together.
In Search of the Billionaire’s Heir
… coming 2025