Drake Forever (Unrestrained 7)

"Dave's going to set up a new foundation to do the same work, but without me attached in any way except as the main anonymous donor."

"Oh, Drake," she said and pressed her cheek against mine. "That bitch has ruined your life."

"It's not ruined," I protested. "I have you and Sophie. I have Liam. I have Ethan and Elaine. I have my new family."

"But you're a neurosurgeon. And you want to be a pediatric neurosurgeon. Doing robotic surgery. It's so not fair."

"Life isn't fair."

We sat together, her head on my shoulder, and I waited for her response.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

She didn't say anything for a moment.

"You don't want to go," I said and forced her to look in my eyes. "We won't go if you don't want to."

A tear fell down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. "I thought you'd want to stay because of Liam. And I hate to leave my father. He's so frail..."

"I know," I said. "I don't want to leave Liam or Ethan. But setting up a robotic neurosurgery unit at the pediatric hospital? Kate, that's what I've always wanted to do."

She didn't say anything, just sat there with tears running down her cheeks, her eyes on mine.

"I'll say no," I said, my heart heavy but I knew where my heart really lay. It was with her. I wanted her happiness.

"Are you sure?" she said, her voice so soft I could barely hear it. I knew she was torn. But I wanted to know how she really felt. I didn't want to get over to England and have her depressed.

"I can wait. There'll be another opportunity that'll come along down the road." I kissed her and she nodded, wiping her eyes.

"I wish it was here," she said. "Then there'd be no problem."

"I know. Now, let's just forget all about it. I'll text Michael tomorrow and turn down his offer."

"Okay. But I have to tell you that Lara already told me about Michael's offer."

"She did?"

Kate nodded. "She made me promise not to say anything until you told me yourself. She didn't want me to influence you or make you feel guilty."

"You two…" I said, feeling bad that I had talked to Lara before talking to Kate. I just knew Kate would be upset at even the thought of moving away and leaving Ethan behind.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away," I said and leaned closer. "I won't keep anything from you ever again."

"Neither will I."

We kissed and then we finally went to bed. I wrapped my arms around Kate, but we were both blue from having to face the decision. Part of me wished Michael had never made the offer, but he did and now, we'd have to just move on.

It would be hard but I would have to push it out of my mind and focus on my life with Kate and Sophie. And Liam.

It would be enough.

Kate

The weekend was difficult. I felt sad about Drake turning down the offer to go to Southampton, but at the same time, I had just started to feel back home again in Manhattan.

Of course, it was different this time -- the trial made it next to impossible for Drake to enjoy himself the way we used to. We couldn't just go out in public as easily because Drake inevitably got recognized and people would stare at us -- or worse.

But I was determined to make Drake as happy as I could, given he had made this decision for me.