Dancing in the Gray (35 page)

Trey looked over at Maggie whose face
was pale. “Mr. Watts, I am so sorry to interrupt, but I need you to
see something.”

“Ok.” Trey nodded his head and gestured
to the reporter. “Pardon me.”

Maggie would never have interrupted him
if it wasn’t important, so Trey knew something was up. He walked
out of his office into the reception area where Maggie sat. He saw
the national news on the television, and Elise’s name immediately
caught his eye.

“Mr. Watts, it looks like Elise and her
mother were trying to get into a hospital in New York when they
were attacked by the paparazzi.” Maggie pointed to the television
screen where a video clip was being played on the news channel. It
was Elise and Martie struggling to get through a crowd of
cameramen. Then suddenly Trey saw Elise’s head whip back and blood
started running down her forehead. His heart dropped into his
stomach.

“Get Elise on the phone.” Trey’s hands
began shaking as he paced back and forth in front of Maggie’s
desk.

“Sir, I’ve tried. I don’t know if the
hospital has equipment that disables cell phones, but her phone is
going straight to voicemail. I tried calling the hospital to see if
she was admitted, but they won’t give me any
information.”

Paul stepped out of Trey’s office. “Is
everything alright?” Maggie shook her head and pointed to the
television screen that kept showing the video of Elise getting
struck over and over again. “Holy shit! Is she ok?”

“I don’t know.” Trey was shaking his
head. He didn’t know what to do.

“I’ll cancel all your meetings.” Paul
retrieved his phone out of his pocket and started typing out
emails. “Maggie, get Ronald on the phone and have him take Trey to
Mount Sinai.”

“Yes, sir.”

“She’ll be fine, Trey. Just get your
ass over there.” Paul had his hand on Trey’s shoulder as he walked
him to the door of his office where Ronald was waiting.

Trey felt like he was in a daze and
couldn’t get the image of blood running down Elise’s face out of
his head, “Thanks, Paul.”

He followed Ronald out of his office
and into his SUV. “Sir, we will be there in no time.”

Trey couldn’t speak. He just nodded his
head.

Chapter 27

It was nearly half passed three o’clock
when Ronald dropped Trey off in front of Mount Sinai. A group of
photographers were still camped by the entrance. When they lifted
their cameras to take a picture of Trey, he stared them down and
pointed in their direction. “Don’t you even…” All the photographers
lowered their cameras as Trey entered the hospital.

He went to the reception
area and asked for Ashley Graham’s room. The admitting clerk let
him know that she was on the 3
^rd
floor which was labor and
delivery. Trey rode the elevator up to the third floor. When he
rounded the corner he saw Martie standing outside the window of the
newborns.

“Martie! Are you ok?” Trey ran over to
her and hugged her.

“I’m ok, Mr. Trey.” Martie took his
chin in her hand. “Elise is ok, too. You look worried
sick.”

“Where is she?”

Martie pointed through the glass where
Elise was sitting down holding a little baby girl. “Her name is
Emma Claire, and Elise is her godmother.”

Elise looked up through the window and
smiled. She stood up and brought the baby closer to the window so
Trey could get a better look. As Elise came closer, he saw a
butterfly Band-Aid on her forehead which infuriated him. She had a
small bruise around the cut and it was slightly swollen. Elise
didn’t look phased at all. She was too absorbed with the little
baby girl she was holding. The baby was holding onto Elise’s thumb
and was fast asleep against her chest.

“She’s been holding her ever since they
brought her in. Ashley had to have an emergency C-Section. Her
husband is with her in Recovery and her parents are getting items
for her suite since she will be staying here for a few days. Jeremy
went to Tiffany’s to pick up Ashley’s push present that Elise
custom made for her. Elise didn’t want Emma to be alone so she’s
been sitting in there holding her this whole time.”

“She’s amazing.”

“Yes, she is. I need you to promise me
that you will keep her safe.” Martie knew Trey was talking about
Elise.

“I promise, Martie.” Trey looked over
at her. Her face was serious, and she looked like she was on the
verge of tears.

“She’s the only thing I have in this
world. What happened today scared the hell out of me. She was
trying to get me in the building. She was trying to protect me. So
promise that she will have someone to protect her if this is what
her life will be like.”

“I won’t let anyone hurt her.” Trey
wrapped his arm around Martie’s shoulder. She leaned into him and
put her arm around his waist.

“You know you’ll need to give her one
of those soon.” Martie was looking through the glass at Elise
holding the baby.

Trey’s eyes went wide. He knew exactly
what she meant by “those” – a baby. Elise looked out of the window
again and her face changed from one of joy to one of suspicion. She
asked the nurse to take the baby, and she marched out of the
nursery and into the hallway. Elise came around the corner, “Momma,
what did you just tell him?”

“Nothing darling, why?” Trey was trying
not to laugh as Martie played dumb.

“He looks like he’s seen a
ghost!”

Trey immediately wrapped his arms
around Elise and held her tightly to him. “Are you ok? Your
accident was all over the news. I came as soon as I
could.”

“Are you serious? I’m ok. They just got
too close with the camera and hit my head really hard. It’s just a
minor cut.”

Trey examined her head closely as he
held her face in his hands. “I tried to call but your phone was
going straight to voicemail. They must have cell phone jammers in
here. My parents, Will, Jessie, and Sophia have been calling me
left and right to check on you.” Rebecca was the first one to call.
She was in a panic state where Trey had to calm her
down.

“I texted you a dozen times. I didn’t
realize they weren’t going through. I just thought you were caught
up in meetings. But, none of that matters. I’m ok.” Elise turned
her attention back to the nursery, “Isn’t she beautiful? Her name
is Emma Claire.”

“She is adorable. I hear
congratulations are in order. You were chosen as her
godmother.”

“I was. I am going to spoil the hell
out of her.” Elise had a devious smile on her face.

“My parents were Sophia’s godmother and
godfather. When her parents passed away, they knew they had to
assume the role of her mom and dad. That’s when they adopted her.
Being chosen as a godmother is pretty serious.” Trey couldn’t think
of a better person to be that sweet little girl’s godmother. Elise
was obviously in love already, and it looked like it came natural
to her by the way she was caring for her earlier.

“I’m so honored Ashley trust me with
such responsibility. I won’t let her down.” Elise laid her head on
Trey’s chest not taking her eyes off of the baby girl beyond the
window.

Trey gently kissed her forehead and
held her close. Standing there at the window looking into the
nursery, Trey was never more sure that he wanted all this with
Elise.

Chapter 28

Trey and Elise were leaving her
attorney’s office while being escorted by Ronald. Elise looked
stunning on the outside but Trey could tell she was mentally
drained and emotionally exhausted on the inside. She just finished
signing all the paperwork that solidified the deal transferring
ownership of EDP Cosmetics out of Elise’s name and into the
multi-million dollar conglomerate. She held a receipt for a wire
transfer in the amount of four million dollars that was deposited
into Elise’s personal account this morning.

“I can’t believe it’s over.” Elise was
looking down at her hands.

Trey lifted her chin so he could look
into her eyes, “What if we said it was just beginning?”

Elise’s full lips curled up into her
beautiful smile, “I like that better.” Trey kissed her lips softly.
God how he loved this woman. “So where are we headed?”

“Let’s just say I have a small surprise
for you waiting at The Four Seasons.” Trey actually had a huge
surprise for her waiting there at The Garden.

Elise’s eyes lit up, “The Four Seasons,
huh?”

“Yep!” Trey was keeping this one tight
lipped.

As the SUV pulled up to the restaurant,
Elise looked out the window with confusion. “Why are there so many
police cars here?”

Elise turned her head hoping Trey had
an answer. He did, but he wasn’t sharing it just yet. He put on his
best poker face and just shrugged his shoulders. Ronald parked
stopped the SUV in front of the hotel where a few police officers
and armed guards waived Trey and Elise through the doors of the
hotel. They were met in the lobby by the hotel publicist and
escorted to The Garden where Trey’s surprise awaited.

Elise was holding onto Trey’s arm not
really paying attention to the surroundings until they stepped into
the restaurant. When she finally looked up, she saw that her mother
and Jeremy were there. They ran over to Elise and gave her a huge
hug.

“Congratulations, honey! All that hard
work you did paid off.” Martie held Elise’s face then kissed her
cheek.

“Thanks, Momma.” Elise looked up at
Trey as her eyes filled with tears. Trey gave her a wink and placed
his hand on her shoulder which Elise immediately
squeezed.

“So where’s my check?” Jeremy teased
Elise as he gave her a loving embrace. “It will always be EDP
cosmetics. You’ll just be able to enjoy it from a distance like, a
beach, or a boat, or…,” Jeremy whispered into her ear, “…a
bedroom.”

Elise snorted out a laugh, “You’re
insatiable, Jeremy.”

“Of course Ash wanted to be here, but
that drama queen is milking this pregnancy thing for all it’s
worth. So she sent you a picture instead and already wanted to book
you for a babysitting gig since your schedule is totally vacant.”
Jeremy pulled out his phone and showed the picture to
Elise.

Ashley was holding Emma Claire with a
sign that said “Congrats Aunt Leesie!” Ashley had on her 3 pink and
white diamond bangle bracelets from Tiffany that Elise custom made
for her push present.

Trey was watching Elise celebrate with
her family and was glad that he set this up for her.

“Uncle Trey!” Both Trey and Elise
turned their heads in the direction of the angelic voice as Amelie
ran to hug Trey.

Elise looked down at Amelie then looked
up with wide eyes at the rest of the Watts family who were waiting
patiently to meet her. Amelie wasn’t so patient.

Trey kneeled down and gave his little
princess a hug. “Elise, this is my favorite niece Amelie. Amelie,
this is Ms. Elise.”

Amelie stretched her little hand out,
“Ms. Elise, I’m wearing your lipstick.”

Elise bent down and brought Amelie in
for a hug, “I see that. Let me guess the color…..” Elise tapped her
index finger on her chin and examined Amelie’s lips, “hum,….is it
Fab-oo?”

“Yes! That’s mommy’s favorite. You’re
really pretty. Uncle Will said you were pretty.” Amelie looked over
at Will who was totally busted by his niece.

“Elise, isn’t she the most adorable
thing.” Martie was gushing.

Elise looked up at Jeremy, “So you’ve
met everyone?”

Jeremy nodded as he gave Elise a look,
“Mmm, hmmm.”

“Even..”

“Mmm, hmmm….faaaabuuulous” Jeremy was
singing his words. Obviously, he and Elise had some secret language
going on because they were speaking in syllables but could
understand each other perfectly.

“Elise, would you like to meet the rest
of the family?”

His beautiful Elise was smiling ear to
ear. She was excited to meet his family.

“Absolutely.” She wrapped her hand
around Trey’s arm as he walked her across the room to where his
family was standing. Amelie grabbed her other hand and walked with
them.

“Elise, this is my father, Roger
Watts.”

“President Watts, it’s lovely to meet
you. Trey has spoken so much of you all, I feel like I know you
already.” Elise extended her hand out.

Trey’s dad pulled her in for a hug,
“It’s Roger. No titles with family.”

Elise nodded her head and smiled,
“Roger, it is.”

Trey motioned to his mom next, “THE
Rebecca Watts meet THE Elise DePaul.”

Rebecca came in for a huge hug, “I am
so glad to finally meet you. I’m sorry I wasn’t at the award
ceremony.”

Elise looked like she was star struck,
“You are… like…. one of my biggest idols. I can’t believe you wear
my stuff.”

“Darling, from the beginning. It’s
fabulous.” Rebecca kissed her on the cheek, “I can’t tell you how
happy I am that you and Trey found each other. It’s truly is
wonderful to finally meet you.”