“That’s fine. You won’t get any argument from me.”
“Really?” His brow arched.
“Yes. I’m too tired to drive. Grayson, listen, I want you to come back with me. The city is where you belong. This place is amazing and the perfect summer home, but there’s nothing here for you.”
“What’s back in the city for me?”
“Ellie? Your company?”
“Harper, I’m not going back there. I can’t.”
“You can. You claim you’re a changed man. Then show me. That company is yours. It’s what you love.”
“There are other things I love more. That company destroyed me.”
“No, Grayson, your need for power and greed is what destroyed you.”
“We better get you and Ellie back to the city,” he spoke. “Just let me pack a few things first.”
Chapter 48
Grayson
I secured Ellie’s car seat in the back of my SUV and arranged for someone to pick up the rental car and return it. Harper sat in the back, never taking her eyes off our daughter. This reminded me of when I was a child. Sometimes on our way back from Montauk, my mother would sit in the backseat with me and she’d either read to me or we’d play silly games.
Harper told me I had Ellie, but she didn’t say I had her, and I would not push it. She was right. It was my need for power and greed that destroyed me. I wasn’t that man anymore. Damon once told me that there was more to life than a high-powered company and money, and he was right.
I pulled up to her apartment building, helped Harper out of the SUV and then grabbed Ellie’s car seat. Sammy held the door open with a wide grin across his face.
“Harper. Mr. Rhodes. It’s good to see you both. And who do we have here?”
“Sammy, I’d like you to meet Ellie Rae Rhodes.” Harper grinned.
“So, Mr. Rhodes, is her father?” he asked in confusion.
“Yes. It’s a long story, Sammy, but I am Ellie’s father.”
“That’s wonderful news. She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you, Sammy. One day I’ll tell you the story.” Harper grinned as we took the elevator up to her apartment.
“Oh, Sammy. There are some bags in the car. Can you get them for us and send them up?”
“Of course, Mr. Rhodes.” He nodded.
The moment we stepped inside her apartment, I set Ellie’s car seat on the table. She was sound asleep and looked like an absolute angel.
“I want to show you something,” Harper spoke as she took hold of my hand and led me to the nursery.
“Wow. Did you do all this?”
“I did. What do you think of the ceiling?”
“It’s perfect. A room that is truly fit for a princess.” I smiled.
“Can you watch her for me while I take a quick shower?” she asked.
“Yes, of course I will.”
Harper went into the bathroom and I unbuckled Ellie from her car seat, carefully picked her up and took her over to the couch.
“My darling princess. Once upon a time, there was this beautiful woman who wanted nothing more than a family of her own. One day, she set out to make that happen and after it did, she met a man. A man who at first didn’t want the same things she did. But the more time he spent with her, the more he fell in love with her. This woman was so beautiful and kind-hearted that anyone who met her instantly fell in love with her. She showed the man the beauty of true love. She melted his frozen heart and showed him there was so much more to life than just work. She brightened up his dismal days and brought the man to life. This beautiful woman was the most amazing person the man ever met. She’s your mom, and you are incredibly lucky to have her. I’ve never loved anyone in my life the way I love her and you, my beautiful daughter. My angel. I promise that I will protect you, guide you, and be there for you when you’re down. I will never be too busy for you. You have my word. The only thing that matters in my life, are you and your mother, and I pray that someday she will forgive me for what I’d done and the pain I caused her.”
Harper
I stood around the corner and listened to every word he said as tears filled my eyes. Even after everything that happened, I still loved him. I went into the bedroom and slipped into a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt.
“Hey,” Grayson spoke as he stepped inside. “Did you call Laurel and Charlotte to let them know you and Ellie are home?”
“Not yet.”
“I can go if you want,” he said.
I turned my head and looked at him.
“Can you stay a while longer?”
“I can stay for as long as you need me to. I do have to make a phone call, though.” He stepped out of the room.
I quietly followed him and listened as he called The Plaza Hotel and booked a suite. Why the hell was he doing that?
“Why did you book a suite at the hotel?” I asked.
He turned and looked at me as he placed his phone in his pocket.
“I rented out the penthouse for a year.”
“What?” I cocked my head at him. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I didn’t have any plans on coming back here, so there was no need to keep it.”
“Call the hotel and cancel your suite. You can stay with me until you find another permanent place. I’ll need help with Ellie and you’re her father, so it’s only right that you help me with her.”
“Harper—”
“Nope.” I put up my hand. “You’re staying here. You can sleep on the couch. Got it?”
“Yes. I got it. But I’m sure your friends won’t be happy about that.”
“I don’t give a shit. It’s none of their business. You’re Ellie’s father. If they don’t like it, then they don’t need to come over. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go blow dry my hair.”
One Week Later
Without Grayson knowing, I called his grandfather to come over so the two of them could talk and he could meet his great granddaughter. Laurel and Charlotte were shocked that I was letting Grayson stay here but they knew better than to say anything about it.
I was in the kitchen when there was knock at the door.
“Who could that be?” Grayson asked.
“I don’t know. Can you find out?”
He walked over and opened the door.
“Grandfather. What are you doing here?”
“It’s good to see you, Grayson.” He gave him a hug. “Harper called and told me that I had to come and meet my great granddaughter. Now, where is she?”
“She’s right here?” I smiled as I brought Ellie over to him.
“Harper, she’s beautiful. And look at you. You look like you were never even pregnant.”
“Thank you. You’re too kind. Would you like to hold her?”
“Of course.”
“Grandfather, go sit down on the couch and we’ll hand her to you.”
“Grayson, I’ve had children and a grandchild. I know how to hold a baby.”
I laughed as I handed Ellie over to him.