“Perfectly stated.” I liked that summation.
“Comes with the territory. Proceed.”
“What I want to do is set up a prenuptial that covers all five of us, balances the assets in an equitable split, designating Frankie and any children she produces as the ultimate beneficiaries, but balanced so that if anyone in the group, myself included, decides on a split—everyone is taken care of.”
“That’s—that’s a tall order, Archie,” he said slowly. “You’re basically looking to pool the assets collectively, creating equal portions for each person, then if—one or two leave, no matter the circumstances, they are entitled to financial remuneration including stock shares and future profits?”
“I trust them, Dad. I trust their love for Frankie. I trust their love for me.” Sometimes, it floored me to say it aloud. “But I want us to all be equals. It’s important to me that no one feels like the power—financial or otherwise—is tilted against them. What I have, they get in equal partnership.”
“We’d have to get board approval if this involves your shares in the company, that’s—that’s a significant chunk that would then be split. Especially if you and Frankie pool those shares.”
“Can you sell it to them? I mean, you’re currently the majority stockholder.”
“Because you signed a power of attorney over the shares Dad left you to me.” The comment made me grin.
“He was always trying to get us to communicate and work together. We are, so his legacy is in good hands. Besides, you and I both know that ‘office life’ is not for me. That shit bores me to tears, even if I can play all those corporate games. You want to bring me in to scare the crap out of people with my wild, reckless ways—do it. But you love the wheeling and dealing. I don’t.”
“You’d be good at it,” he said, but there was acceptance in his voice.
“Just because I’m good at something doesn’t mean I want to do it. I like building things. You need me, and I’m there. Frankie needs me, and I’m there. Otherwise, I’m content to ignore the board and the shareholders and go build a better car or a better plane…”
“How is that going?”
“Not gonna jinx it,” I said, rolling my head from side to side. “But Jake’s definitely on to something, and if I can make the converter do what we want it to do, I think we’re going to revolutionize travel.”
“See, I hear that note of pure glee in your voice, and I want to head out to Brooklyn and poke around your shop.” He raised his hands. “Don’t get touchy cause I won’t. Dad was right, you want to build your legacy and you’re damn smart. So, we’ll just keep backing the winner.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Then he sighed. “Okay, have we talked to any attorneys about this prenuptial agreement?”
“Not yet. I’ve been working on the wording in my head. I haven’t even brought it up to Frankie yet. I thought about talking to her first, but I like bringing her a plan. We have many group decisions to make, and we’re all discussing those—this one—this one I want to have mapped out before I put it in front of her.”
“You want all the exits buttoned up, so she doesn’t worry about taking advantage.”
Exactly. “Dad, she’s never cared about the wealth. What she saw in me was never the money. Fuck, she used to give me hell for spending any on her. I’ve worn her down over the years, and this car is proof that she gets it. What is the good of money if you can’t spend it on the people you love?”
“True,” he said in a quiet voice. “I went to Connecticut a couple of weeks ago.”
Woah. “What?”
“It was my anniversary with Maddy,” he admitted. “I know it shouldn’t matter—”
“Dad, of course it matters. I didn’t like the woman, but it doesn’t mean I don’t get what she meant to you. I’m sorry you went up there alone.”
“Thank you, but it was something I needed to do.” He sighed. “My point is—Maddy cared about the money. She cared when she thought it was leverage and set out to prove everyone wrong on that she didn’t need it. Then she cared because she wanted the power back. The money—it was always there. I’m glad it’s not like that for you and Frankie. If she doesn’t like the prenup—if any of them don’t really, don’t make it about the money.”
That was food for thought. “I won’t do it and make it a done deal without discussing it with them. I just wanted to have a plan in place beforehand, a road map so they—and I for that matter—know it can be done and how.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything more. I mean, what was there to say. About fifteen minutes from the house, he scratched at his jaw.
“So—Frankie and any children she produces…”
“She’s not pregnant, Dad.”
“I wasn’t asking that.”
“We’re not planning on a pregnancy anytime soon.”
“Wasn’t going to ask that, either, smartass.”
I grinned. “Then what were you going to ask?”
“Hank has the inside track. He’s going to be a grandpa to any child of hers.”
“Yeah,” I said slowly.
“I want in on that deal too. How do we negotiate to make that happen?”
I opened my mouth then snapped it shut with a little click of my teeth. That was really not even on my radar for questions. “You know—pretty sure all you have to do is ask…”
“Good. Then consider this me asking. I’ll get a meeting on the books with Frankie…”
“Dad?”
“Let us finalize the marriage and graduation first. I’ll ensure you have a pre-contract lock on the grandpa status—unless you want granddad?”
He looked thoughtful. “I’ll concede the first call to Hank. Then I get my pick. The other dads can get in line.”
I did not laugh.
I didn’t.
“Seems reasonable.”
“Good.” He grinned. “I’ll make sure you have the pre-contracted agreement in your email on Monday.”
“You know what?” I laughed. “I’m good with that.”
“Excellent.” He rubbed his hands together. “Do we need to talk to the contractors about a future nursery or kids’ rooms? We should also look into the various pre-kindergarten programs. Some of them fill up—”
“Dad?”
“Too much?”
“A little, but thank you."
“You want us to focus on the future, well, I’m going for best grandfather. Jeremy already has the edge, so I’m gonna have to work extra hard.”
I don’t think I stopped laughing before we got to the house.
CHAPTER FIVE
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
FRANKIE
“I swear, if you don’t leave my shit alone,” Alec said with just enough menace to sound believable. “I am going to pound you.”