Forever After (Unrestrained 5)

“Drake says he’ll miss you, too. He said you’re his only father.”

“I’ll miss him," my father replied. "But I expect the three of you to come and stay for a good long time once we find a place.”

“Okay, Daddy,” I said and smiled to myself, trying to accept it, wiping moisture off my cheeks. “Thanks for calling.”

“Give Drake a hug for Elaine and me and give that pretty baby of yours a kiss for me.”

“I will,” I said and ended the call.

I turned to Drake after I put my phone down. “I don’t want them to go.”

“Of course you don’t,” he said and pulled me into his arms. “We can always go for a visit.”

I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder, my tears running down my cheeks once more. I squeezed Drake more tightly, glad that he was so willing to accommodate my desire to be close to my father.

Together, we watched Sophie bounce away in her Jolly Jumper.

When Sophie was finally drifting off for a nap in the afternoon, I felt Drake’s eyes on me, waiting to see if I was still interested in a nap with him as well, but I felt too sad to make love. My newfound happiness that Drake was cleared of suspicion was dampened by the news my father would be leaving Manhattan.

I kept thinking how lonely and isolated I’d be with my father and Elaine out in Monterey. Heath and I were never close, and he was always off in Haiti or somewhere else involved in charity work, so we didn’t get together much. Besides, his kids were in school, and I was afraid that they’d bring their sniffles and sickness to Sophie. I felt anxious about her health, given she was a preemie and had been born so early. She’d had her shots, but she was still vulnerable to the flu. I wanted to keep her as healthy as possible so I was reluctant to invite Heath and his family over for dinner.

After I put Sophie in her crib, Drake came up behind me and put his arms around me, but I shrugged him off and made an excuse about being too tired.

I felt bad, especially given how much good news we’d received, and said maybe I’d feel like it later that night.

Drake was disappointed but understanding.

He was so understanding of everything. Sometimes, I felt as if I didn’t deserve him.

“I’m sorry,” I said and squeezed his arm. “I’m a bit down because of the news about Dad.”

“I know,” Drake said and pulled me into his arms, squeezing me firmly. He rocked me back and forth. “I’ll miss him and Elaine. But I completely agree that he should live in Monterey. He needs to be somewhere warm. It’ll be good for them both.”

“You’re right," I said and sighed, and of course, tears sprung to my eyes. “I’m being selfish.”

“You love him, and he’s been so sick this year,” Drake said and bent down, kissing me on the mouth warmly. “It’s totally understandable.”

We hugged once more and I stood there in Drake’s arms, so thankful that I had found him. With him, I could admit anything and he understood and accepted.

“I love you,” I said, my voice choking with emotion.

“I love you,” he said, his own voice husky.

"I'm sorry," I said, pushing him away softly. "I'm too upset."

"It's okay," Drake said softly. "Maybe we can go and stay there for a few months. Neither of us have anything to do except look after Sophie. With Chris and Maureen getting back together and moving back to California, we'd all be in the same state at least. I could travel up to Silicon Valley to see Liam. We could spend time on the beach with your father and Elaine."

I glanced at him, our eyes meeting. "Do you really mean that? What about the Foundation and the Corporation?"

"They'll still be here," Drake said with a sigh. "Besides, I've had to take a year off. Now that I'm cleared of any suspicion, I hope that things will get back to normal, but it'll take a while. My reputation is still hurt because of my past, but at least people don't have to worry that I'm a murderer."

I nodded and smiled. "I'd love to go to California if you're willing."

He nodded “Let’s go and watch the news. Who can say what they’ll report next about the case? Even I’m excited.”

He smiled down at me and I realized he truly didn’t mind waiting until later, when I felt more like making love.

We walked arm in arm down the stairs to the living room where the news was still playing, showing images of the white tent where Richardson’s body was found and the caption Billionaire Financier’s Killer Arrested.