by Lewis, L. K.
There is silence between us for a moment before my father says, “Drake…you’re fired. No one tells me how to run my company, not even you. Like I said, I’m in control and you either do what I tell you or get the hell out. Good luck raising your bastard child when you’re unemployed,” he says, and the line goes dead.
I have to admit, I was not expecting that. I think when the shock of my dad firing me wears off, I’ll be able to put a new plan in motion, but right now I’m caught in an emotional purgatory, feeling varying waves of anger, shock, numbness and fear flow through me. I really thought my plan would work and my father would see just how much thought and effort I put into the future of his company. When considering how our conversation might play out, I did consider the fact that he might fire me, but I figured that would be because of my relationship with Morgan. He’ll realize soon enough that he can’t continue working with the companies over here that he’s under contract with if I’m not here, and hopefully offer me my job back. If not, I’m not too worried, this time I have backups in place
Knowing there was a chance that I may never be made CEO of Baylor Industries, I made sure to strengthen my relationships with the people we collaborate with so that I’ll always have options. I even had some great offers to work together with some of our competitors should I ever choose to go out on my own. I was so pissed at myself three months ago when my only option after getting caught breaking the rules with Morgan was to basically become my father’s bitch that I vowed to never find myself in that place again. Having nothing to do but work and make great business moves over the past three months is going to finally pay off as I knew it would. I make a few calls and put some plans into place before I go back to Morgan to talk to her about my now lack of employment.
Morgan
After a long soak in the tub, I eat more for breakfast than I have in ages. Perhaps the anxious pit in my stomach that now seems to have vanished has made room for an appetite. With a full belly and nothing to do, I allow my ever present exhaustion to claim me, and I crawl back into bed for a little while.
About an hour later the sound of my phone ringing wakes me and I glance around the hotel room and note that Drake has not yet returned from his conversation with his father. Not wanting to disturb my peaceful morning, Drake left after breakfast arrived to use one of the conference rooms to make his call. I assume Drake is calling to let me know he’ll be back shortly but as I pick up my phone to answer, I see that it’s Amanda.
“Happy New Year!” I exclaim with as much enthusiasm as my body can muster.
“You already said that last night.”
“I know, but as you so dutifully pointed out, I called you before midnight so now I’m officially wishing you a Happy New Year,” I explain.
“Well same to you, bestie. Now enough of the small talk, spill!”
“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you everything, but not until you tell me that you and Garrett are okay. I know he had to reveal some heavy stuff last night and it’s not totally okay that he kept us both in the dark, but your man was only looking out for Drake and me so I’m not pissed and I hope you aren’t either,” I say.
“Of course we’re okay. Did you not hear him tell you that he is completely in love with me? Morgie, that was the first time he has ever said that. He told me he was waiting until midnight to tell me he’s in love with me but got caught up in the moment and blurted it out. Plus you’re right, he was trying to be a good friend. He was kind of caught between a rock and a hard place and only did what he thought was best so who can really fault him for that, right? Plus, did I mention he loves me?” Amanda beams.
“Yeah, I think you did once or twice,” I say with a shy giggle. “I’m so happy for you, Amanda, you deserve to start the year with this happiness.”
“What about you, Morgan? Did you start your New Year…happy?”
“I think it’s safe to say I started the New Year off elated,” I say. “Drake and I have a lot to figure out while moving forward but we are moving forward. We’ve both gone through a lot these past three months, it seems more like a lifetime. He’s coming home with me and we are going to figure everything out together so that’s a great start.”
“What about Adrian? Where does he fit into the equation?”
“I guess he really doesn’t. It turns out he lied to me about not telling Drake Sr. about us. He and I were never going to be a couple again, and we both knew that. I never stopped loving Drake while we were apart and Adrian knew that. He wished me well and left for home this morning.”
“Are you still going to work for him though? Isn’t that going to be a little awkward for you both?” Amanda asks.
“No, I don’t think so. Like I said, Drake and I have a lot to figure out together. I’m going to stay here with him and help to pack his things in Zurich before we fly back to the States together. For once in my life I don’t feel anxious about moving forward with my career. Now that Drake is back I feel a new sort of serene stillness inside of me like everything will be okay. I think for once in my life I’m not going to worry about a perfect future and instead focus on my almost perfect present.”
“Oh, Morgan, I’m so happy for you. Promise me we can go on a double date when you get home?”
“Of course, except this time no bowling alley dates. No offence to Garrett but I want my man to take me out for a night of fun in public!” I say, and we both get a good laugh in while promising to catch up when I get home.
Shortly after I hang up with Amanda, Drake walks into the bedroom and has a seat on the bed next to me. I have a hard time figuring out his mood and which direction the conversation with his father went.
“Hey, is everything okay?” I ask.
A genuine smile crosses Drake’s face he slides his hand in my robe to rub my belly. “Things are a little strained with my father at this moment, but don’t worry, my love, everything will be okay, I promise you that,” he says.
“What do you mean everything will be okay? How are things strained?” I ask.
“My dad fired me.”
“Oh my god, Drake, I’m so sorry,” I gasp. I’m not sure what to say to that so I throw my arms around him in a comforting hug. “I haven’t put in my notice at Thompson yet, I was waiting until you and I figure everything out. Like I said last night, I’m doing really well there right now so we will be fine,” I add nervously.
Drake grabs both of my hands in his, lifting them both to his mouth so he can kiss each knuckle before answering me. “Like I said last night, my love, I’m not worried about money, I’m financially set. I receive a very large quarterly bonus from Baylor along with my salary and have various trust funds that I re-invested and am now living off of the interest. I’ve also banked every paycheck from Baylor since I’ve been here and have a lot of fluid cash. Also, when my birthday comes around again in June, I’ll finally have access to my mother’s estate and life insurance. She left everything to me and it’s worth millions. So when I say you can stay home for a while if you aren’t up to working, it’s totally fine. I just want to support you and your needs,” Drake says.
“I want to do that for you as well, that’s why we make such a great team. So now that you’re unemployed and I have yet to decide what my next move will be, have you thought about what you want to do?” I ask.
“I have put a few long-term plans into place already, but in the short-term I think you and I should head back to Zurich, pack up my things and go home. I’ve been away from you and our life together for too long. I know we have a lot to work through and we both can’t easily forget what these last few months have been like for either of us, but I have something to talk about with you,” Drake says as he hands me a piece of paper.
“What is this?” I ask before opening it.
“I emailed you back. Just once. My heart was broken at the thought of you moving on with Adrian. I didn’t send this email of course, although it took every ounce of willpower not to. I just want you to have an idea of wh
at life has been like without you and how it can be now that I have you back,” he says as I begin to read.
Drake waits patiently while I read and re-read the email. He catches the tear that drifts down my cheek and leaves a kiss in its place. Once I’ve absorbed his words fully I look into his eyes, but am completely speechless.
“Thank you for never giving up hope,” he says.
“I really thought we were over, but I would have never moved on. Adrian tried his damnedest to get me to move on with him and I’m sorry for ever entertaining the idea, but you have my heart, Drake. It belongs to you and no one else.”
Drake kisses me softly in a silent acceptance that whatever had happened between Adrian is now locked safely in the past.
“Like I said in the email, that wasn’t a proposal but a promise. We have discussed our dreams for a future together and now that one of our dreams is becoming a reality,” he says softly as he again reaches into my robe and rests his hand on my belly, a sweet gesture that I’m starting to love almost as much as when he kisses me at the base of my neck just above my collar bone, “I think we should continue to progress into our future together. Now that we can finally let the cat out of the bag about us and the baby, I’d like to change my boyfriend-not-boyfriend status,” he says with a smile.
“Oh really, what did you have in mind?” I ask.
“For now, I was thinking of dropping the not-boyfriend and simply being your boyfriend. Well, live-in boyfriend, to be exact. I’d like you to move into my house with me when we get home. Let’s create a home together. We can re-decorate if you’d like, and create a nursery for the baby. We can always sell it and find a new home for a new beginning if you’d rather do that. I just want hold you in my arms every night forever,” Drake says, and I do my best to hide my disappointment that he didn’t say husband, or at least fiancé.
“Of course I’ll move in with you. I never sleep as well alone as I do in your arms,” I say.
“Morgan,” Drake says as he grasps my chin with his index finger and thumb, lifting my face to meet his gaze. “The boyfriend title is just temporary. I’ve been waiting since the day I met you to make you my wife. It’ll happen sooner than later I promise,” Drake says as if he’s read my mind.
“I love you, Drake,” I say as I place my hand over the one he has placed on my belly. “I’m just glad we get our second chance at forever.”
Chapter 18
Drake
“Hey, man, happy New Year! How did everything go with Morgan?” Garrett asks as he answers my call.
“It went better than I could have hoped. Thank you for talking to her. She was out in the cold freezing when you were on the phone with her and I was running all over like a madman with her sweater and coat looking for her.”
“Well for her health’s sake at least I’m glad you found her.”
“Yeah, me too,” I say, thinking about what could have happened to her and the baby if she was out in the cold much longer, but of course I can’t tell Garrett about the baby yet. Morgan wants to wait to tell her parents and Amanda until we get home and can tell them together in person.
“So what’s up?” Garrett asks.
“Oh yeah, sorry I got lost in my thoughts for a second. I wanted to call and ask you for yet another favor. I’m going to owe you for a lifetime by the time I get back.”
“No worries. What can I do for you?”
“I need you to go to my house and get something for me. In the bottom right drawer in my office desk, all the way in the back, is a blue velvet box. I need you to overnight it to Zurich please. It’s going to cost a fortune to do that so I’ll send you some cash when I get back to my apartment.”
“Velvet box, huh? Planning on popping the question this soon?” Garrett teases.
“Yes. I don’t want to wait. You can’t tell Amanda though. You know how those two are together. She’ll get excited and let it slip.”
“I won’t, your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks. Are things okay with you and Amanda? I hope your helping me didn’t cause any trouble.”
“We’re good. She was pissed for about a second but then she realized I was only trying to do the right thing. Plus I finally told her that I’m in love with her so all was easily forgotten,” he says.
“Garrett, that’s awesome. I’m happy for you, man. Maybe there will be an important question for you to ask in the near future as well!”
“Maybe not near future, but definitely future. I’m crazy about that girl. She’s got a lot of energy and a lot of sass, but she’s sweet as hell and way too good for me, I’d be crazy not to tie her down.”
“Oh I think I know how you feel. Listen, I’ve gotta run, thanks for sending the box. If you have any questions finding it give me a call.”
“You got it, Drake. I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Sounds good,” I say as I go to hang up, but then have a last second thought. “Oh, and Garrett?”
“Yes?”
“Insure that sucker before you send it. Its last appraisal value was fifteen grand.”
“Damn, that’s a lot of rock for Morgan’s dainty frame,” Garret laughs.
“I know, but she’ll love it. Talk to you later,” I say before hanging up.
I finish my phone conversation just in time to hear the shower faucet shut off. I couldn’t have timed that more perfectly. I wanted to get that taken care of while out of earshot of Morgan. I enter the bathroom just as Morgan grabs a towel and I take it from her and start dutifully drying her off.
“Such service at this hotel,” she teases.
“Well it is a Ritz Carlton after all,” I say with a smile, then grab a robe and wrap it around her as I draw her into my arms. “Are you ready to get going soon? No rush to check out, but the sooner we get out of here, the sooner I can pack my apartment and go home with you.”
“Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s get you home, mister,” Morgan says as she wraps her arms around my neck, drawing me down for a kiss.
“I called the airline for you and was able to change your departure date and even score a seat next to you on the flight.”
“That’s amazing! Flights are usually so overbooked around the holidays. You must have used your Drake Baylor charm on the ticket agent.”
“Whatever works to have you by my side, my love,” I say as I kiss her head and give her ass a little squeeze. “Why don’t you dry your hair and get dressed while I get our stuff packed. I’ll call down to the concierge and have the car ready and warm by the time we get downstairs.”
“Sounds good, I’ll be about twenty minutes,” Morgan says.
About a half an hour later I tip the valet guy and get on the road back to Zurich with Morgan. I start cataloging my apartment, hoping that I left everything in order and not too messy as I dashed out of there to make it to the rental car place before they closed on the 30th. I gave the housekeeper the holidays off so there won’t be a scrap of food in the place or clean sheets on the bed.
“What are you thinking about?” Morgan asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I’m just hoping that I left my apartment in order when I left. I gave the housekeeper some time off during the holidays and I would have made sure it was perfect if I knew I’d be so lucky as to have you come back with me.”
“I’m sure its fine, Drake,” She says, while reaching over to rest her hand on my leg.
“I’m afraid there isn’t a scrap of food in the place so we can stop on the way home for snack stuff and something for breakfast, but tonight I’m taking you to dinner.”
“You mean like a real date? I get to enjoy a lovely meal with a lovely man out in public? This trip keeps getting better and better!”
“Yes, a real date. Don’t worry, we aren’t going to a bowling alley. I’m going to take you to a nice restaurant where I can hold your hand and admire your beauty from across the table while enjoying time and a delicious dinner with you. You have no idea how much I�
��ve wanted to do this.”
“Me too. I’d go anywhere with you though Drake, I hope you know that.”
“I do know that. You and I have seen a lot of the world independently. I’m excited to explore it together as a family. It will be so cool to see the world and the places we’ve been through our child’s eyes, don’t you think?” I ask Morgan as tears brim her eyes.
“Yes, I’ve thought about that as well. I’m just so happy that you are so excited about our baby,” she says as she gives my leg a squeeze. I reach down and grasp her hand, raising it to my lips so I can kiss each knuckle as I set it back down on my leg, still holding on.
When we get back to my apartment Morgan’s eyes go wide as she takes it all in. “Drake, it’s a huge apartment,” she says as her eyes scan the open floor plan. I leave our luggage by the door since we won’t need to unpack, but take the few grocery bags filled with our favorite “chick food” snacks and breakfast stuff and walk into the kitchen area, setting them down on the island.
“It’s a company apartment. My dad stays here when he’s in town. Fortunately Gloria hasn’t decorated it yet like she did the office here. It looks just like my dad’s office in the States,” I say.
“Well I can see you’ve taken the liberty of decorating,” she says as she eyes the few pictures of her I had that I blew up and framed along with their smaller sized counterparts. “Is there a picture of me in every room in this place?”
“Quite possibly. And one on my desk in my office. I only grabbed a few pictures as I packed, so I didn’t exactly have a variety. I told you that you have never been far from my thoughts. I surrounded myself with pictures of you to help me to maintain my focus. Getting home to you is what has kept me going,” I say as I walk to her, pulling her arms around my neck as I lean down to kiss her.
“Drake, I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry your asshole father sent you away and then lied to me like he did. I really don’t know why he would have done something so drastic anyway. Yes, we broke the rules but he didn’t have to banish you. You had already proven your dedication to the company and your ability to run things in his absence. I just don’t get how he would do this to his own son.”
