Bella laughed. “You know we will.”
The waitress came by to get our drink orders. I politely declined the wine list and asked for waters for Nicole and myself. She gave me a funny look but didn’t say anything.
“Did you get the living situation figured out?” Adrian asked.
I nodded. “Yes. We just signed the papers for a house near Nicole’s mother. We move in on Monday.”
Adrian shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re moving away.”
“It’s for the best,” I said with a shrug. “Nicole needs to reconnect with her mother, and I’m not about to stay here while she does that.”
“I think it’s very romantic,” Bella said with a bright smile.
“So do I,” Nicole said. “I think a fresh start will be good for both of us.”
“Any more trouble from your brother?” Adrian asked in a serious tone.
“No. I mean, there have been a few messages, but I ignore them.”
“Good. You have a new life and a new family.” Bella gave a firm nod. “Speaking of, how are you feeling?” she asked Nicole.
“Good, really good,” Nicole said. “I’m officially sixteen weeks pregnant. We’re going to get an ultrasound in a couple weeks and get a peek at our little one.”
Bella didn’t stop smiling. “That is awesome. Are you going to find out the sex?”
“She doesn’t want to, but I do,” I said.
“I want it to be a surprise,” Nicole argued.
I rolled my eyes. “The pregnancy was a surprise. One surprise a year.”
She scoffed. “We’ll see. I might change my mind, but for now, I like not knowing.”
“I don’t blame you,” Bella said. “I think I’m going to wait to find out as well.”
I heard Nicole gasp. I immediately put my hand on her back. “Are you okay?” I asked, suddenly worried.
Her eyes were wide. “Did you hear what she said?” she squealed.
I looked at Bella, then Adrian. They were both grinning like fools. I shook my head. “I don’t know. What did I miss?”
I felt like I was missing something huge. They all had huge smiles on their faces, and Adrian looked like his head was going to explode.
“She’s pregnant!” Nicole said with a smile.
I looked at Bella, my mouth hanging open. “What? Are you serious?”
Bella nodded. “I am.”
“How far?” Nicole blurted out the words.
“Eight weeks.”
I looked at Adrian, who looked like he’d just won the entire world in a lottery. “Congratulations. Looks like we’re going to do this fatherhood journey together.”
He nodded. “Looks that way.”
“Our kids are going to grow up together,” Nicole cooed.
No one pointed out the fact our children were going to live on different continents. Nicole and I hadn’t talked a lot about the future, but I knew she wanted to be home in America, and I was okay with that. I wanted to be with her, and I didn’t mind leaving Crete and the memories behind.
“Do you have morning sickness?” Nicole asked.
Bella shook her head. “Not a lot, and I hope it stays that way.”
“I was lucky and only had it a few times. I hope it goes the same for you.”
We chatted a bit more about our unborn children before Adrian and I quietly separated ourselves from the women’s conversation and talked about the business.
“Are you sure you’re going to be able to handle things without me?” I asked him, feeling a little guilty for leaving the home office.
“You can do just as much from behind your computer there that you did here,” he said easily. “You’ll be able to have meetings with clients in America and hopefully expand our operations.”
“I won’t be working as much,” I reminded him.
He nodded. “I think I might be taking a step back as well. I’m going to start looking internally to see if we have someone ready to step up and take on some more responsibility.”
“Good plan. You need to spend time with your family, as do I. We made our money, and the company is in a good position. It’s time for us to focus on living instead of just making money.”
“I agree. Bella does too.”
I smiled, looking at my friend and taking a rapid trip down memory lane. “We’ve come a long way together.”
“Yes, we have,” he said. “I’m looking forward to this next chapter of our lives. I do hope you’ll stay in touch, and don’t just say it.”
“I’m still working,” I told him. “I’m still with the company. Of course, I’ll stay in touch.”
He nodded before returning to his meal. There was a sense of closure, like we had come full circle. We’d been a couple of headstrong, cocky kids when we’d started this adventure together, and now, I felt like we were men, real men.
The four of us walked out of the restaurant together. “Take care of him,” Adrian said to Nicole. “He’s my brother.”
Nicole smiled. “I will. We’ll see you guys soon. You have to come for a visit. Come in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. I’ve never personally seen it, but my mother says it is absolutely gorgeous.”
“I’d like that,” Bella said, smiling. “Adrian could use a break from all the sun and sand.”
There were more hugs all around and a few tears before Nicole and I climbed into the back of the waiting car. The next stop was Alena’s apartment. I knew it was going to be incredibly hard on Nicole. All I could do was offer her comfort.
“I’ll wait here,” I told her.
She smiled and nodded. “It won’t be long. We’ve both agreed it isn’t a real goodbye.”
“Take your time,” I said.
She got out of the car and headed upstairs. I looked around, thinking back to the first day I’d come to her place. It all felt like it had happened years ago. We’d both changed and grown so much since those first days together, and now we were embarking on a life-changing experience.
It was less than five minutes before Nicole got back into the car. I had the box of tissues at the ready and handed them to her, only then realizing there were no tears. “You’re not crying,” I said, more than a little surprised.
“No, I’m not.”
“Why aren’t you crying?” I asked.
“Because I’ll see Alena soon,” she answered.
“We’re coming back?”
She shook her head. “Nope, she’s coming to me. She probably would have stayed in the US much longer if it hadn’t been for her needing to rescue me. She’s anxious to get back and see the country.”
“Good, that makes me happy.”
“Now, it’s time to see Cade,” she said.
I slowly nodded. “He’s at his shop.”
“Perfect,” she exclaimed. “While you two are saying your goodbyes, I can feast on gelato!”
I laughed, leaning over to give her a kiss. “Yes, you can.”
Cade was none too happy when we walked through the door. He grumpily dished up gelato for Nicole, glaring at me the entire time. I couldn’t help but smile. Nicole took her gelato and found a table to stuff her face, as she put it, while Cade and I stepped outside.
“I hate you,” he grumbled.
“You know I love you, man,” I told him with a grin.
“Why America?”
“Because that’s where she lives,” I pointed out.
“She lived here,” he pouted. “She can keep living here.”
“You can always come and visit,” I said. “We’ll keep in touch. I have to do this. I don’t know what the future holds, but this feels right. She’s my world, and I’m not going to risk losing her because I can’t pack a bag and move. I need this.”
“Fine, but this sucks.”
I slapped him on the shoulder before pulling him in for a bear hug. “You’re going to be fine. Stick to that diet. The next time I see you, I expect to see big results.”
“Whatever. It d
oesn’t matter now anyway. I won’t have a wingman.”
“You don’t need one. I’ve got to get going, but promise me you’ll call if you need anything.”
He nodded. “I will. Good luck over there, and I hope you and Nicole have a good, happy life.”
“We will.”
Nicole and I were back in the car, all of our goodbyes said. It was heavy on my heart, but it felt right. Change was good. I had to embrace it and make it work.
“Rand?” Nicole asked in a quiet voice.
“Yes, baby?”
“At the restaurant earlier, you don’t have to abstain from alcohol on my account,” she said. “I trust you.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t want you to ever worry I’ll be like your father. I can only imagine how terrifying and traumatic that was for you.”
“It was, but I know you’re not him, and don’t think I’m going to be a teetotaler after this baby is born. We can still have a few drinks.”
“Fine,” I told her. “After the baby is born, we’ll get your mom to babysit and we’ll go out for a couple drinks, but I want you to tell me if it’s making you uneasy. I love you, and I never want you to even have the tiniest bit of fear I will not be good to you or our child.”
“Thank you. I know you will be.”
It wasn’t long before we were boarding the plane. Nicole insisted I sit next to the window. As the plane began to make its steady climb into the sky, I stared down at the city below. It was probably going to be the last time I saw Crete for quite a while.
Greece was my past. Selling my house and leaving was bittersweet. I would absolutely miss home, but I expected to have a happy life in the US with Nicole. Leaving my family behind proverbially and literally was exactly what I needed to heal my soul. I hoped with the space between me and the tragedy that had taken place in my home country, I could learn to forgive myself. Nicole’s words, not mine.
I was hoping she was right. I wanted to be a whole man when my child came into the world. I didn’t want to have that feeling of inadequacy. I had to be strong for my family.
I would be strong for them.
Epilogue
Nicole
One year later
I slowly rocked back and forth, my baby girl cradled in my arms as I watched her sleep. It was the most precious thing in the world. I loved to hold her and rock her and didn’t pay any attention to the ridiculous advice I was going to spoil her. I wanted to spoil her. She was a precious, innocent child, and spoiling her was my job. Although her daddy certainly seemed to think it was his job.
I spent so much time in the nursery, Rand had moved in another rocking chair. We often spent hours in the nursery, taking turns rocking her or just watching her sleep in her crib while we talked about our day. I liked being near her. I couldn’t imagine ever leaving her.
Having Cara brought me a new understanding for my mother’s plight and what she must have gone through after I was born. I felt like I could lift a car and slay a thousand men to protect my child. She had told me she sacrificed her body more than once to protect me from my father’s violent tantrums that often involved throwing things. I knew I would have done the same.
How she managed to leave me still boggled my mind. I was not that strong. I would have never been able to stay away and would probably have gotten myself and my child killed. There were still plenty of moments I was angry with her, but I was working through it, slowly but surely, with Rand by my side.
“She’s asleep?” Rand asked in a low voice, walking into the nursery.
I nodded. “She is.”
He sat down in the chair beside mine and reached out, gently stroking her jet-black hair that was still baby fine but coming in thicker every day.
“She’s so beautiful,” he whispered.
I smiled, loving how much he loved her. “How was your conference call?” I asked.
He smirked. “Apparently, the company is doing very well without me there. I’m trying not to take it personally, but it certainly feels personal.”
“I’m sure they miss you,” I said. “Is Adrian back to work yet?”
Rand chuckled. “He’s going into the office once a week but chooses to work from home. I guess Bella has officially retired until Tori is eighteen.”
“Bella is ready for another baby already,” I said with a laugh. “If she waits until they are all eighteen, I think she can officially retire for good.”
“Time will tell,” he said. “Is your mom coming by today?”
I nodded. “She said she has a new piece she wants to show me. I’m excited to see it. Alena is going to be meeting her here as well. She wants to check it out. The last piece she sold for my mom at her new shop was a hit.”
“The butterfly?” he asked.
I nodded, knowing he hadn’t seen the appeal of a bunch of old scrap cans being turned into something that resembled a four-foot butterfly, but it had been beautiful in a very unique way. “Yes, the butterfly. Alena’s shop is all about the unique and hard to find. I think my mom just might become a millionaire with Alena’s marketing skills and her artistic talent.”
“Your mom has changed,” Rand pointed out.
“How so?” I asked.
He shrugged. “She seems more confident, sure of herself. You being here and the two of you getting another chance to have a relationship has had a very positive impact on her. She told me that was the inspiration behind that butterfly thing. I didn’t see it, but I understood what she was trying to say.”
I smiled and nodded. “This has been a very positive experience for all of us. She went on a date the other night.”
“What? No kidding? You didn’t tell me.”
“Sorry,” I said. “She didn’t want anyone to know, but she did, and she had fun. I think she’s finally forgiving herself and open to the idea of finding happiness again. Coming here was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I don’t think I would have ever really been able to move on with my life and been able to really feel true happiness if I would have had to carry around all that drama from my childhood. It’s been very cathartic.”
“All of us have healed,” he said solemnly.
I knew he was talking about his own struggles. He had changed in the past year. He was calmer and happier and seemed to be settled. I liked that we had helped each other. It was as if the universe knew exactly what we needed and found a way to put us together. Alec had changed the lives of several people, and he would never know it.
“Did Adrian say if they were going to come for a visit soon?” I asked.
“They’re planning it, but I’m not sure they’re ready to travel with the baby just yet.”
I put out my bottom lip. “I really want to meet her. I hope they come soon.”
“There’s something else I wanted to tell you,” he said.
I could hear the hesitance in his voice. I trusted him and knew it couldn’t be anything too terrible, but it still put me on edge. Things had been going so well for us, part of me kept thinking it was only a matter of time before the little bubble of happiness we’d created was burst.
His family had certainly been working overtime to do just that. I would never understand how they could feel such animosity toward their son, but then again, my father had treated me much the same way. My mom was the only grandparent our daughter would ever know. It seemed a little unfair to her, but I had a feeling my mom would more than make up for Cara’s lack of grandparents.
“What is it?” I asked, steeling myself for bad news.
“I gave them the estate,” he said on a breath.
“You gave your family Alec’s estate?” I whisper-shouted, unable to hide my surprise.
He nodded. “I did. I don’t want that hanging over my head. I had some of his favorite pieces of art put into storage for us to retrieve, but the rest they can have. Demokritos isn’t going to let it go. They can have the estate and do whatever makes them happy. I don’t need it. It’s the closure I need. I�
�m sick of the harassment and the constant attempt to put the stupid thing into litigation. They hate me, and they will not stop until they think they’ve destroyed me. I don’t want that hanging over us.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right though. I hate that they are such assholes.” I mouthed the last word.
He chuckled. “Me too, but it’s over. They will probably have it all sold off within a month. I hate to think of his things being auctioned off to the highest bidder, but he wouldn’t have wanted me to keep fighting and wasting energy on this.”
I sighed, a little sad to know that piece of our history was gone, but it was the right thing to do. His brother had been a nuisance. “You’re a good man. You took the high road, and I couldn’t be prouder of you. I hope they get whatever it was they were looking for and leave you alone. You are a bigger man than I would be.”
“Thank you. He has no reason to call me ever again. It’s done. I have accepted the fact I don’t have a family, and I’m okay with it. I have my own family, and that’s where I choose to focus my energy. Our life together is far more valuable than anything in that house. They choose to be bitter and angry. I’m done feeling like that,” he said vehemently.
“Good. You have nothing to feel guilty about. I know I’ve said it many times, but their guilt is what is eating at them. It’s what makes them lash out at you. That’s their choice to be miserable. You are doing the right thing.”
“Thank you. I’m trying to be a better man. I want to be a better man for you and her.” He looked down at the sleeping baby in my arms.
“And you do it so well,” I said, patting his hand.
“We have a good life here. I love our life, which brings me to the other thing I need to talk to you about.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re certainly full of news today,” I teased.
He rose up from his chair and dropped to his knees in front of me. I assumed he was going to dote on Cara, but instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. I looked at it, realized what it was, and felt the butterflies in my stomach.
“Nicole, you’re the best thing in my life—well, second best next to my daughter,” he said with a wink.
My Favorite Mistake Page 24
