His Forever (His #3) (10 page)

My smile spread from ear to ear.  “So am I,” I said,
flinging my arms around him.  “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions when you were gone in the morning.”  It was ironic that jumping to conclusions was exactly what I’d warned Henrik not to do.  I made a mental note to get better at the whole ‘practice what you preach’ thing.

“
Consider it forgotten.  And you know,” he confessed, “I hate to admit it but you were right.”

“Oh?”
  I teased, giving him a playful nudge in the side as we went inside.  “Tell me more!  I want to hear all about how right I was.” 

He groaned, but then humored me.

“When I got back the mansion, before I knew you’d left, I had a word with my father.  I told him all the things I wish I’d said over the years.  I told him how I wished he’d been there for me and how it was wrong of him to cut my mother out of my life.  I got him to give me her contact information,” he admitted, sounding uncharacteristically unsure of himself.

“Are you going to get in touch with her?”

“I don’t know, maybe.  It’s a lot to take in right now, you know?  I can only focus on one parent at a time, I think.  Even that is a lot to deal with.  My
father
is a lot to deal with.”  Hayden sat on the living room sofa and pulled me down next to him.  “He’s a messed up guy, Daniella.”

I nodded, holding my breath. 
There was no doubt about it that Henrik had issues, but I hoped that wasn’t all that had come of Hayden’s discussion with him.  After the way I’d pushed Hayden, I’d feel terrible if he’d reached out to his father and things hadn’t gone well.

“But he’s still my father,” Hayden continued, ducking his head and running a hand through his hair.  “
We’re going to try to start over,” he admitted, sounding cautiously optimistic.  “It will be a long process, but maybe going forward things can be better.”

I cut him off then with a kiss.  “I’m proud of you.”

“That means a lot.  Actually, it means everything.  But there’s something else, Daniella.”  Hayden’s voice sounded strange like he had to force the words out.  I couldn’t quite get a read on his emotional state.  After a pause, he said, “There was one thing my father wouldn’t take no for an answer on.”

“Oh no,” I murmured, half-afraid to hear what stupid condition Henrik had imposed on his son this time. 
Just when I thought I’d gotten through to the stubborn old man he’d gone and doled out yet another ultimatum.  It would be almost laughable if it wasn’t so incredibly frustrating.  “What now?”

Hayden cleared his throat.  “
He vowed to never let money come between us again.  And to show me he was serious, he insisted on giving me a big chunk of my inheritance early, to use however I see fit.  No strings attached.”

“Are you serious?”

He opened his wallet and pulled out a cheque bearing Henrik Slate’s signature.  When he handed it to me for closer inspection I nearly passed out.  “Holy shit, that’s a lot of zeroes!” 

“Yeah, it is.  So here’s what I’
m thinking.  I want to use the money to set up a foundation to build orphanages and hospitals in third world countries,” he said.  “I want to be involved in every aspect of it, but I’m going to need to hire someone I trust to be on location and oversee things in person.  I can’t think of anyone better for the job than Steve.”

“Hayden, that’s a fantastic idea.” 
Steve was virtually unemployable now so it was perfect that Hayden was giving him an opportunity.  I paused then and asked, “When you say you need someone there to oversee things in person, does that mean…”

“I’m staying here,” Hayden interjected
, suddenly sounding nervous.  “If you’ll have me, that is.” 

“Of course I’ll have you – uh, Hayden, what are you – oh my goodness…”
  My hand flew over my mouth and my eyes widened as I tried to process what happened next.

As I was speaking, Hayden had gotten off the couch and onto one knee.  He pulled a magnificent ring out of his pocket and held it out to me in offering.  “
Before I gave my fortune away, I decided I wanted to buy you one other piece of jewelry,” he said.  “I don’t even remember who I was before I met you and I don’t care to.  You make me a better man, Daniella.  If you marry me I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy.”

My eyes filled with tears
of joy, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him.  “You already make me happy,” I whispered as he slid the ring onto my trembling hand.  It was a perfect fit.

After we’d calmed down, Hayden led me into the kitchen and
made us tea.  So it wasn’t five hundred dollar champagne at an exclusive nightclub – who cared?  Tea in my kitchen with Hayden was so incredibly ordinary, but that was exactly what I loved about it.  All I’d ever wanted was a simple life with Hayden Slate at my side.  And now I had it.

“Will you still love me if I give away my fortune?”
he asked as he handed me a chipped #1 Teacher mug a student had given me the previous year.  His tone was teasing but I could see a hint of worry in his eyes as they searched mine for hidden truths.

“I’ll love you more because of it,” I assured him.  “The expensive dinners and fancy dresses are nice, but they’re not me.  I don’t need a life of excess.  I’m perfectly happy to be here in this house
with you, teaching and living a quiet life.”

“Good.  But you’re probably going to have to deal with fancy dinners whether you like it or not.”

I smiled and ran my hand through his hair like I’d done a hundred times before.  “You’re going to cook for me?” I asked hopefully, my stomach growling at the mere thought. 

“For you and hopefully for a lot of other people,” he replied
with a twinkle of excitement in his eye.  “As of today I’m done with my father’s art business.  I’m a free man.  I can do anything I want, go anywhere I want…but all I want is to be where you are.  Do you remember when you told me you’d follow me anywhere?”

I nodded.

“Well it’s my turn.  I’ll follow you anywhere, Daniella James, and I’ll love every second of it.”

My chin resting on my hand, I studied Hayden’s handsome face carefully before posing a very serious question. 
“This isn’t exactly a glamorous place.  It’s quiet.  Not a lot happens here.  Do you think you could be happy living in Burlington?”

“I know so.”  There was no hint of doubt whatsoever in his answer.  “
Seeing you happy will make me happy, I can guarantee that.  Oh, and do you remember that little hideaway we ate at the first night we met?”

“
How could I forget?”  I smiled at the memory.  “That was an amazing night.”

“It was,” he agreed at once.  “And that’s why I want to buy the place
and run it myself.  I’ve always wanted to open my own restaurant and…I mean….it wouldn’t be completely obnoxious to spend a little bit of the money on my dream, would it?”

“
Absolutely not,” I assured him, eager for him to have what he’d always wanted.  “Hayden!  I think that’s a fantastic idea.”  I couldn’t hide my happiness as Hayden carried me into my bedroom – correction: 
our
bedroom.  All our dreams were coming true.  It was a remarkable feeling.

A few months later, winter was in full swing.  I didn’t mind.  The snowflakes looked beautiful as they danced on the wind, swirling through the air like delicate ballerinas made of ice.  But I probably would have thought anything looked beautiful given the state of mind I was in.  I’d never been happier.

As I walked up the snow-covered front drive and into our house, there was a spring in my step.  Not even the chill in the air could put a damper on my mood.  I was a woman madly, deeply in love and that’s all there was to it.  There was nothing quite like coming home to my husband at the end of a long day of teaching.

A delicious aroma greeted me the second I walked in the door.

“Hey, is that you?” Hayden called when I shut the door behind me.  He walked out of the kitchen wearing jeans and a t-shirt, his feet bare.  Gone were the days of him wearing designer suits – and he commented often that he couldn’t be happier.  “I thought I heard something,” he grinned, coming over to kiss me hello before returning to the kitchen.

I s
et my bag down and followed him, eager to see what he was making for us.

“How was
your day?” he asked, stirring something in a pot that smelled fantastic.

“It was long but g
ood,” I replied.  “I can’t complain.  Having tenure is pretty cushy.” 

He chuckled.  “You say that, but I see how hard you work.”
  I knew it wasn’t a criticism.  He told me often how proud he was of me for chasing my dreams and supported me one hundred percent.  It meant everything.

“You’re one to talk!” I replied affectionately.  “You come home from cooking all day at the restaurant to cook for me. 
Talking about bringing your work home with you!  When do you ever get a break?”

“I don’t want a break,” he replied as he added some spices to a pot on the stove and held out a spoon for me to have a taste.  “It doesn’t feel like work if you love it, you know?”

“Mmm,” I murmured, nodding in response as Hayden fed me his delicious stew.  It was the perfect dish on a cold winter’s day, hearty and filling.  Not many people around these parts could boast that they had their own live-in chef to cook for them.  I was a lucky woman.

He grinned and wiped the corner of my mouth with his finger.  “
I have to say, Mina’s been a godsend.  All the customers tell me she’s the greatest hostess ever and lately she’s been getting a few cooking lessons during slow times…not that there are many of those these days.  It was crazy tonight when I left, but Mina assured me she had it under control.”

“I’m pretty sure being a mom makes
the managing of a busy restaurant seem like a piece of cake,” I laughed.  “Don’t worry, if she says she’s got it under control then I’m sure she does.”

“I’m not worried,” he replied, kissing me.  “I’m just grateful to have good employees so I can come home early and spend time with my beautiful wife.” 
After a pause, he asked, “Do you ever think about it?”

“What?”

“Do you ever think about having kids?”

“Sometimes I do.  I always thought I didn’t have room in my life for that,” I replied.  “I thought I had to put my personal life on hold to get my career where I wanted it.  But you know, I guess my career pretty much
is
where I want it.”

“Is that a yes?” he teased.

“It’s a yes.”

“Good.  I never thought I wanted to be a father.  I was scared of being like my dad, I guess.  But now I think….well, with you next to me I can do anything.  And I’d really love to experience
parenthood with you someday – no pressure,” he added quickly with a lopsided grin.  “It’s not like we need to make a baby tonight or anything…although I’d very much like to practice.”

I burst out laughing.  “I think that can be arranged,” I assured him.  “But feed me first!”

“Anything for you,” he agreed.  “Oh, by the way, your sister phoned while you were out.  She said she was just returning your call.  I guess you guys have been talking a bit?”

“Mmhmm, a little,” I said, practically salivating as I watched Hayden dish us each up a bowl of stew.  “I’m thinking maybe Christmas could be at our house this year?  And yes, that totally means I’m volunteering you to cook – although I’ll help if y
ou tell me exactly what to do!”

“That’s a great idea.”  Then with a devious wink, Hayden added, “And I’d love nothing more than to give you orders.”  He reached out and playfully grabbed my butt then.  I laughed and swatted his hand away.

“We could invite both our families and…would it be weird to invite Steve if your dad is here?”

“Probably, but
I doubt Steve can make it anyway.  It turns out he’s fallen pretty hard for a local woman – she’s a nurse at one of the hospitals the foundation set up in Honduras.  I think they’ve already made plans to spend the holidays with her family.  He was actually telling me about it just last night in an email.”

“Oh that’s nice,” I said
, genuinely happy for Steve.  Despite my first impression of him, he was growing on me.  I’d seen how supportive he was of Hayden and that, in turn, warmed me up to him.  “It’s too bad we won’t see him.”

“About that,” Hayden said
, looking hopeful.  “You get some vacation time this summer, right?”

“Yes.”

“What if we go down there and visit him for a few weeks?  It will give me a chance to do some work with the foundation, plus I’d really love for you to get to know him better.”

“I’d like that.”

I smiled to myself as we ate
.  We were just like any other married couple, eating a quiet dinner in the kitchen of our modest home.  It was just a normal Tuesday night.  Our life together was simple but nonetheless felt magical, somehow. 

We weren’t rich – certainly not by Henrik Slate standards – but Hayden’s restaurant was a huge success and my professor’s salary wasn’t too shabby either.  We were comfortable, in love and happy.  And we were free.