Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
I forgot how powerful these hands were. They feel good.
It feels like we’re a happy little family. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I’m glad that Lucas got to experience this, even if it is just for one night. I’m glad I got to experience it too. It’s a night I’ll never forget.
We grab our clothes and rush to the elevators in our underwear, still soaking wet. We all giggle to each other when the elevator doors open and the elderly couple inside gives us a shocked look.
They push into the corner as we crowd inside and ride the elevator up to the top floor.
Harris’ room is amazing. It’s a two-bedroom suite with a bar and a stunning view of Kansas City. The food is already arranged on the table. We quickly dry off with the bathroom towels and sit down to eat.
Harris orders the latest Ninja Turtles movie on the giant TV and we all smile and laugh as we watch it while eating the burgers and fries. When we get to dessert, we bring the massive pieces of chocolate cake into the big bed and eat it all warm in the blankets while watching the movie.
Harris and I keep meeting eyes over Lucas’ head. It feels so special. It feels so… right.
I hope this is a night that changes everything.
Lucas falls asleep about halfway through the movie and halfway through his cake.
I take the plate away from him and wipe the chocolate from his mouth.
“We should get going,” I say sadly. It’s well after midnight.
“I was hoping you two could stay,” Harris whispers as he strokes Lucas’ wild hair. “We can have breakfast together… And we can put him to bed and talk.”
I swallow hard as I look at the colors from the TV flashing on my baby’s sleeping face. He looks so peaceful.
“I don’t want you two driving through the city in the dark.”
It is very comfy in here. Lucas is already asleep…
And I do want to know what he has to say, even if I’m scared to find out.
“Okay,” I whisper as I look at him. “I’ll stay.”
He lets out a breath of relief and lovingly takes my hand. “Thank you.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Fiona
Ifeel like I’m on a first date as I watch Harris walking over with two drinks. He’s wearing jeans and the same white button-up shirt, but it’s untucked and the sleeves are rolled up his thick tattooed forearms. He’s looking so good.
“Thank you,” I say as he hands me the drink. “What is it?”
“A Manhattan,” he says as he sits in the chair beside me. “Ever have one?”
“Can’t say that I have,” I answer before taking a sip. “It’s delicious, thank you.”
We smile at each other and then I turn to the spectacular view of the city with the millions of lights sprawled out in front of us. I wonder if there’s a light out there with a new couple behind it looking back at us. I wonder if they’ll work things out or go on their separate ways.
“Lucas is adorable,” Harris says as he smiles to himself. “You did a good job, Fiona.”
“Harris, I…” I have so much I want to tell him. I just don’t have the words. “I wanted to tell you so many times, really I did. I was just so scared.”
“Of what?”
“That you would take him away from me.”
I feel tears flood my eyes as he looks at me. “I would never do that,” he whispers. “A child needs his mother. But I understand why you’d be concerned.”
“You do?”
He nods. “I would have been afraid too.”
“I think I let my parents get in my ear too much,” I tell him. “They had me frightened of a long custody battle. I knew I wouldn’t have been able to compete with a multi-millionaire’s team of lawyers.”
“You can put all of those fears to rest,” he says softly as he takes my hand. “Lucas belongs by your side. I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you. You did the best you could and you did incredible, Fiona. He’s amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking a breath of relief. I was so worried. Even today, I was worried. Lucas is my world. I can’t bear to lose him.
“But,” he says and my stomach sinks, “a son also belongs by his father’s side.”
I swallow hard as I look at him. “What do you have in mind?”
Does he want him for the summers, or the weekends, or god forbid, half of the time? I’m starting to realize that Lucas will need his father more and more as he grows older. He will need a proper male role model as he becomes a teenager and then a young man. I would hate to lose him even for a day, but if it’s for his benefit, I’ll let him go.