Chapter 12
Ella
Nick looks almost comical as he seats himself on our tiny sofa. His legs are so long that his knees jut upward slightly, and he’s so broad and big that the two-seater seems made for one. The handsome man looks uncomfortable, too, and for good reason because I haven’t exactly been all smiles.
“Can I get you some hot chocolate?” I ask in a perfunctory manner. “I’m sorry, but it’s all we have. Well, that and some warm milk.”
Nick manages a grin and is so devastatingly gorgeous that my heart flutters in my chest.
“Sure,” he says easily. “I’d love a mug.”
I pause with Marty in my arms because where am I going to put my son? But then on a whim, I dump him into Nick’s arms, and a huge smile wreaths the man’s features as the child reaches forward to tweak his father’s nose.
“Marty, hands down!” I mock-scold.
“No, it’s okay,” Nick laughs, gazing at his son with joy. “Hey Marty, do you remember me? I’m your dad.”
The words wrench at my heart, so I spin on one foot before disappearing into the kitchen. Once I’m shielded by the wall, I lean against the counter, my heart racing. Get a hold of yourself, the voice in my head scolds. This is just a holiday drive by, Ella. Don’t get your hopes up.
Of course, my subconscious is right and I straighten my shoulders while hardening my heart.
Nick is a billionaire with every resource at his fingertips, and he chose to stay in New York while Marty and I left.
He could have followed us here, or he could have come to visit more often, but instead, we do occasional Facetimes where Marty barely seems to recognize his dad.
Exactly, the voice in my head whispers. If you were more of a priority to the CEO, you’d know it. But you’re not.
With that, my mouth flattens into a line as I stir the hot chocolate. Then, I bring the mug out to the billionaire with what I hope is a neutral look.
“Could you put it down right there?” Nick asks while trying to duck Marty’s sticky baby fingers on his face. “Thanks, babe.”
“I’m not your babe,” I say immediately, my tone sharp. “And while we’re at it, why are you here?”
Nick doesn’t miss a beat.
“I brought presents,” he said, nodding to the stack on the table. “And I’d like to see my son. Isn’t that enough?”
I decide to go in for the kill immediately.
“Yes, but what about your other son?” I fire back. “Hollister, I think his name is. I saw in the news that you and Hadassah welcomed him around the same time I gave birth to Marty.”
“Right, we did,” Nick says in a slow voice, still juggling our squirmy son in his arms. “I’m here to talk to you about that too.”
“Oh, no need,” I say in a careless tone even though my heart’s beating a drum in my chest. “Congratulations, by the way. A child is a blessing.”
But Nick won’t put it down. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small bit of chocolate, and sure enough, Marty goes wild. Immediately, our baby is giggling happily while gnawing at the sweet, distracted by the delight.
“He’s not supposed to have sugar,” I say in a cold voice. “I’m trying not to get him addicted.”
“Okay,” Nick says, unruffled. “But just a little bit won’t kill him. I’m his father, so I get a say too.”
“No, you don’t!” I immediately retort, my cheeks flushing with anger. “I’ve been here raising our son alone, and I’m the one who calls the shots! You can’t just fly in out of nowhere, and expect to make decisions about how I feed Marty. He’s my son,” I say in a fierce tone.
Nick nods slowly, his expression serious.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to criticize you, Ella, or even sound like I was criticizing you.
I agree. The fewer sweets a child consumes, the better.
You’ve done a great job with Marty, and he’s obviously happy, healthy, and loves his mama.
But I think we both know that this conversation isn’t about what Marty eats or doesn’t eat. ”
“Then what is it about?” I snap angrily.
“It’s Christmas Eve, for crying out loud.
Spit it out and then get out,” I rage, almost crying with anger now.
It’s not just anger directed at Nick, though.
It’s also anger directed at myself for feeling how I feel.
For the storm of emotions racing through my form at the sight of the handsome billionaire sitting on my couch with our son in his arms. My heart convulses and then a painful shudder almost tears it apart because I want us to be a family so badly, and yet there are so many obstacles in the way.
But Nick doesn’t take offense at my unhinged answer. Instead, he nods slowly while looking at Marty before shifting his gaze to me. The azure of his eyes is so searing that I feel seen, everywhere. This is a man that gets me, and it’s not fair that we’re in this situation.
But Nick takes a deep breath then, and surprises me.
“What would you say, Ella, if I moved out here? I want to be with you, and I want to be with Marty. I think it’s clear that I need to make the next move, and that’s relocating to Minnesota.”
I gasp, my jaw dropping, because this is not what I expected.
“You’re going to move?” I whisper hoarsely. “But what about your job?”
“It’s fine,” he shrugs. “Rocket X is mostly remote, so they don’t need me at corporate.
Hell, our launches are happening in Texas these days, so New York’s not even home anymore.
But I want to see more of my son, and I want to see more of you, and that means moving here because it’s clear you won’t relocate. ”
“No, I won’t,” I say vehemently, shaking my head so that tendrils of blonde hair come loose from my bun. “This is where I grew up, and this is where I’m going to raise my son. I feel at home, here in Lakeview, and I like it too. It’s great for children.”
“It is,” Nick agrees in an even tone. “Marty gets tons of fresh air, and he’s healthy and happy,” he says, jiggling our child.
The movement makes my son look up at his father with glee before letting out a stream of gibberish, and my heart melts despite myself.
Marty will always have me tied around his little finger, and he’s not even one yet.
It seems that Nick feels the same because he glances with adoration at the small boy before turning to look at me, his blue gaze fierce and possessive.
“So you’re okay with me moving here?” he asks.
“You’re not moving in with us,” I immediately retort. “This is our home, so you’ll have to find another place to stay.”
Nick nods thoughtfully.
“Yes, I thought you’d say that, and it’s fine because actually, I already own property in town. Remember how we met, sweetheart? Well, I ended up buying Lakeview Manor, so I thought I’d move in there. Worked out, didn’t it?”
My heart begins pounding in my chest.
“What?” I squeak. “You bought Lakeview Manor?”
Nick grins.
“Yeah, I was really impressed when I took a tour, so I decided to purchase the estate. It’s a good investment,” he says, “but it’s not just for investment purposes because now, I’ve decided to move in myself.”
My eyes go wide because I’ve always loved that property like it was my own, and my pulse races. Calm down, the voice in my head warns. Nick is coming to town, but it doesn’t really matter where he stays. It’s his willingness to build a family that counts.
But it’s as if the billionaire can read my mind because he nods slowly.
“I want to be a family, Ella. I’m not saying that you have to be my girlfriend or my wife, but I’d like us to spend more time together.
I’m not saying you have to move into Lakeview either.
You and Marty are clearly happy at the cottage, and I’m not looking to disrupt this idyll.
I just want us all to be happy, together if possible.
I want more time with you, and more time with the baby. ”
I stare at the billionaire.
Girlfriend? Wife? How did we get here? I’m so overwhelmed that my head spins.
“I’m confused,” I say in a low tone. “I don’t understand how just yesterday, you were living in New York and Facetiming with Marty sporadically. And now, you want to move out to Minnesota and play house? Be a full time daddy? How did this all come about?”
To his credit, Nick looks a little uncomfortable.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” he confesses.
“After you left, I figured my life would go back to the way it was. But it didn’t.
The apartment was quiet and depressing, when it never was before, and I realized that it was you who made the difference.
I missed you, and I missed your presence in my life, and in my bed.
I craved you Ella, and the hunger grew so intense that I’ve decided to relocate. Because of you.”
I stare at him.
“You couldn’t tell me this over Facetime?”
“No, I couldn’t,” he says in a determined voice.
“The realization hit like a ton of rocks, and once I resurfaced, I wanted to come out immediately. For Christmas, to spend the holiday with you and the baby. I didn’t want to miss out on being a father to Marty, and maybe for something to develop between us. ”
I continue to stare at him, my heart thrumming.
“But what about Hadassah?” I ask. “And your other son, Hollister? They’re your family too.”
“They are my family, but in a different way,” he says in an even tone. “Again, I’ve never been in a relationship with Hadassah. She’s an intelligent and kind woman, and a great mother to Hollister, but that’s all there is between us.”
“Except she’s your employee too.”
“Right, and I was getting to that,” Nick says in a slow tone.
“Hadassah works at Rocket X, and she’s chosen to relocate to Texas with Hollister.
She’s an incredible engineer, and she wants to be there as we launch new rockets into the stratosphere.
Of course, I’ve supported her move, and I Facetime with Hollister on a regular basis. ”
“So you’re not moving to Texas to be with them.”
“No, I’m not,” Nick says. “I’m moving here to be with you, Ella. I want a relationship with you, and I want it to be a romantic one,” he clarifies forcefully. “I want to be a hands-on father to our son, and maybe even to have more children together, if you’re willing.”
My heart explodes then because this is too much news in one sitting.
“I don’t know,” I say in a slow tone. “There’s been a lot of hurt, anxiety, and a lot of change in the air all at once, Nick. Can I have some time to think about it?”
The billionaire looks disappointed, but then he cocks his head and smiles at me.
“Of course,” he says quietly. “I wasn’t expecting you to do a turnabout with so little warning. You can have as long as you like, Ells. I’ll be at Lakeview Manor, and—”
But that’s when I drop all pretense of being hard-to-get because I’ve missed Nick for so long, and so much, that this is the answer to my dreams. He’s reappeared in my life like Prince Charming with the missing slipper, and suddenly, my ballgown really is a ballgown, and my chariot isn’t going to turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
With a cry, I launch myself at the billionaire, circling my arms around his neck and peppering him with kisses while sobbing at the same time.
“Yes,” I say through tearful gasps. “Yes, we should try for a relationship. I’ve missed you so much, Nick, and this is what I want too.”
He holds me close as best he can with one arm, while cradling our child with the other.
“I’m so glad, Ella,” he says in a deep, quivering voice.
“I was so afraid you’d say no, or give me the cold shoulder, or show total disinterest, which would have been the worst. I can’t promise that things will be perfect, but I want to try.
I love you, Ella, and I appreciate you so much for bringing our son into the world, and for struggling so hard on your own for such a long time.
But I’m here now, baby girl, and I want this to work. ”
“I love you too,” I say as tears pour down my cheeks. “And I’m not looking for perfection, Nick. I’m looking for happiness, joy, and family, and with you, I think it can really come true.”
With that, Nick seizes my mouth in a kiss, his blue eyes blazing as he claims me as his woman. I’m left breathless, my heart racing when Marty wails, unhappy that he’s not the center of attention. Our son grabs at my hair while also pounding against the solid chest of his father.
We break away for a moment, leaning our foreheads against each other as our baby demands our attention. Meanwhile, Nick smiles at me.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he whispers.
“And here’s to many more,” I whisper back. With that, the clouds part and a glorious future awaits because this is the best Christmas gift of all ... with my man and my son circled together in love.