41
Beckett
I finish up a meeting with our design team and go in search of Dragana.
It’s Friday afternoon, and Selah went out to do some errands, and Edison is at camp. Helen has been back in New York for the past week, and we have worked out a schedule where she doesn’t need to come here as often. I know the transition back to our main office has made her happier, and I also know that she feels like she can be more productive there.
I find Dragana out in the back garden picking weeds between some flower beds, using the kneeling pad that I bought for her. I’ve noticed over the past few months how much happier she is being here than she was in New York. She says the outdoor space reminds her of her grandparents country home she used to spend time on when she was a little girl.
I have a feeling that the conversation I’m about to have with her will go over pretty well.
“You know, the owners landscaping team will take care of that when they come next week,” I say, stopping next to her as she dusts dirt off of her gloved hands.
She looks up at me, shielding her eyes from the sun, even though she has on a huge sun hat. “They don’t do a good enough job in these flower beds. They focus on grass and bushes,” she grumbles.
I reach down to help her stand up and she waves me away, getting up on her own. “I’m very able-bodied, you see. Don’t insult me, mladicu. You will regret it,” she warns, pointing her spade at me.
I smile at her empty threat, walking alongside her as she continues to look over the garden. “I wouldn’t imagine insulting you. I just was trying to be helpful like you taught me to be,” I insist.
We stop next to a patch of sunflowers, and she puts down her kneeling pad again. “I’d like to take Selah out to dinner tonight. Just the two of us, if that would work for you?” I ask.
She gives me a mischievous smile, “Hot date, huh? You better take her somewhere very nice if you are going to use my babysitting services.”
“Of course I will. What kind of a lame boyfriend do you think I am?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at her.
She chuckles, “Good. Because I didn’t raise you to be anything less than a generous, gentleman. Now, what is your real question? Because I know that’s not what you really need to ask.”
I let out a breath, pausing and looking down at her. “How would you feel about moving to Upwood full-time, Gana?”
She pats my arm, letting out a hearty laugh that makes me smile. “I was already planning on it! I was just waiting to see if you and Edison were going to join me too,” she teases.
I lean down and give her a hug, feeling a flood of relief run through me. I love Selah dearly, and I love and want to do what’s best for Edison, but I don’t know how I would have managed to make this happen if Dragana didn’t agree too.
It was hard enough knowing I was leaving my best friend, much less having to leave the woman who has been a mother to me.
“Thank you,” I mumble, letting her go.
She nods, “Of course, duso. I’m proud of you for finally looking beyond work and finding happiness,” she responds, her expression turning serious. “Your father struggled with that after losing your mother, and I never wanted that for your life. So don’t worry, I’ll be here for you. Just like I always am. I just have one request, and it’s a serious one.”
I square my shoulders, ready to give her whatever she asks for, “Anything.”
She points her spade at me, “In the next house you buy us here, I want a bigger walk-in closet.”
◆◆◆
Selah bites into her chocolate cake, and I watch her intently. She closes her eyes, making a humming sound that goes straight to my cock as she licks her luscious lips.
Her brown eyes open and she smiles over at me, pausing her chewing when she sees the feral expression on my face.
“Beck? Are you ok?” she asks timidly.
I clear my throat, adjusting myself in my dress slacks. “I’m fine, angel. I’m just glad to see that you’re enjoying your dessert,” I respond gruffly.
She flutters her eyelashes at me, pushing the plate across the table, but I shake my head, “You finish it, sweetheart. Thank you,” I say, taking a sip of my wine.
She pulls the plate back, and I wait for her to finish, looking around the restaurant while she eats.
Stoney Lodge is the closest thing to fine dining there is in Upwood. It has a bit of rustic charm to it, with its wood beamed vaulted ceilings, and stone fireplaces set throughout the restaurant. I can imagine in the winter it must be a very romantic atmosphere with all of them lit up throughout the dining room.
The place is a bit busy tonight since it is Friday, but we got a nice table tucked away in the corner. She’s wearing a lowcut, floral dress that kept my attention much more than the steak I ordered for dinner.
She sets down her spoon and I reach across the table and take her hand in mine.
“I want to talk to you about something angel, and before you start to worry, it’s nothing bad,” I assure her, seeing the nervous expression on her face.
“Ok. You can tell me, Beck, go on,” she responds.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want our future to be like. I know that I told you I wanted to make things work long distance. That we could visit each other, and you could even stay with Edison and I during your school breaks.”
She nods, “Yes, and I’m ok with that. I know it will be hard to be apart, but I want to make it work,” she says.
“I want to make it work too, angel. But I know that plan won’t be enough for us. The longer I’ve stayed here, the more I realize that I can’t be states away from you. Hell, I can barely stand having you 15 minutes away at your house while I’m working,” I explain, annoyance nagging me at the thought of it.
I lean forward, locking her eyes with mine, “We need more than that, Selah. And I want Edison to have a different life than I did growing up. I don’t want to spend 60 hours in my office while he spends most of his time with Dragana, or if we are lucky, having a few playdates around the city,” I say with a frown. “There’s a better solution that will make all of us happy. I want to move here and make Upwood our home full-time, angel.”
Her free hand fly’s up to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock, “B-Beck, what?! I mean how can that work? What about your business?”
I can tell she is excited, but worried that I am making a grand gesture that is going to ruin my life somehow. But I expected this, and I am ready to reassure her.
“I can telework just like I’ve been doing for months now, angel. I already went over all of the logistics with Bobby. Honestly, it’s time for me to let a little more of the day-to-day grind of my business go, and just focus on designing games and being in the office for major meetings, or events. That’s where my heart really is anyway,” I explain.
She lets out a deep breath, her hand shaking in mine. “I can’t believe this,” she mutters, almost to herself. “I didn’t think this was something you would really consider. I just-I hope you’re not doing this solely because of me. I know you have your entire life going for you in New York, and friends-,”
“Friend,” I correct her.
She twist her mouth at me, “Ok, friend . But one that is a brother to you. I want you all here more than anything, but I don’t want you to uproot your entire life just because of me,” she says.
I get up from my seat, and walk around the table, pulling out the seat next to her and turning it to face her. I take both of her hands in mine and continue.
“You say the word “ just ” like you’re some inconsequential part of my life that doesn’t matter, Selah,” I say. “You, Edison, Dragana, hell, even all of the friends I’ve made here, all matter so much to me. You’ve all made my life better in a way that I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. And Bobby understands that he will always be a part of my life. We will still see each other monthly, and talk every day regardless of where I live.”
“I’m certain this is what I want. I’m already working on selling my penthouse, and I’m going to get a brownstone for when we go back to spend time in New York. That will be more family friendly for us. We can buy a house here so we can get out of the rental, and I want all of us to live together.”
Her eyes glisten with tears, and she squeaks out a soft response, “All of us?”
“Yes, angel. You, Edi, Dragana, and me. All of us. And whoever we add to our family later on too,” I say, giving her a pointed look that leaves no need for further explanation.
She pushes forward off of her seat, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing me tight. “You are the most incredible man I’ve ever met, Beckett Kade. I love you so much.”
“I’m not even half as incredible as you are, my angel,” I whisper, kissing her on the head.
She pulls away and I use my thumbs to wipe her tears away. "I love you. I don’t want to be anywhere that you aren't. Not ever again,” I promise, meaning every word with my entire soul.
“I love you too, Beck. And I don’t ever want to be away from you either,” she agrees, smiling and wiping her cheeks.
I hug her again and signal our waiter for the check, ready to get her back home.
She is smiling and happy during our drive, and it makes me full of pride knowing I have helped her feel that way. I feel settled having her approval of my plans, but I know there is still one more step that I need to take before we can start our future.
And it’s not one I’m truly looking forward to.