Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) (30 page)

“Sure, I will just catch a ride back with you when we leave so I can get my car.  Grace said that you would be getting some evidence for me this evening.  We will have to discuss that later.”  Michael said as the three made their way out of the lobby and into the car.

Grace was not looking forward to this.  She and grandmamma Agatha never saw eye to eye.  Grandmamma always blamed it on her mother’s influence and was very quick to criticize Grace on every decision she made.  It always came back to the vineyard that her mother purchased.  She could hear the voice of her grandmother saying in her irritating aristocratic intonation, “That woman was always frivolous.  Buying a vineyard, and some of her other investments, need I say more?  The only thing I can honestly agree with is her dedication to the arts.”  Zane gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, bringing her back to the present.

They made their way into the building and straight up to the board room.  She could hear the banter of the board members all guessing the reasons why they were called to this meeting in the first place.  Grace left Zane standing by the wall as she took her seat at the head of the table with Michael at her immediate right.  Michael was putting his papers in order.  “Let’s get started, shall we.” Grace brought the meeting to order.  “Michael will start the meeting with an overview of the firm’s current issues and investments.”  She looked to Michael to continue.

Michael gave the board a rundown of the expenses and income earned noting that there was a rise in profitability this quarter and that it looked like the trend would continue into the next year, and so on.  Shortly after, it came time to drop the bomb.  “I want to let the board know that I have agreed to buy some of Gracie’s stock in this firm.  She no longer wants to sit on the board.  We are ready to transfer enough stock that I will have 51% ownership.” 

The room got quiet for just a second as Grandmamma Agatha stood up and glared at Grace.   “Grace you are a stupid, stupid impertinent girl!  Do you know what you are doing to your father’s legacy?  It is bad enough that he had to die along with your brother and sister, but now you are selling all your stock to someone that is not one of his own children?” 

Grace stood up and glared back at her grandmother, “I think that the board would agree that the firm has done well under Michael’s leadership.  I would like to remind you, Grandmamma, that my father saw great potential in Michael’s abilities and was grooming him for a leadership position in the firm before he died.  He has worked for Abernathy and Associates in the summers when he was in high school as well as during college. When my dad was gone, he was given key positions within the state prosecutors office and showed great potential there as well.  He is a family member and a very well respected man in his field.”

The board nodded in approval of Grace’s assessment.  “The reason that I can no longer sit on the board is that I am soon to be wed to Dr. Zane Arden.  He is standing over there.”  She pointed in his direction.  “Don’t worry Grandmamma. Michael is working on the prenuptial agreement now.”  She nodded in Agatha’s direction, giving her a scathing look to let her know that she would not win today. “After I am wed, I will not be able to dedicate the time and effort required to run this firm as I have in the past. I will be leaving the city and moving to be with Zane in his home town.  This decision also applies to my stake in several other family businesses as well.  It is my belief that my father would fully support me on the decision to make Michael the controlling owner of the firm and I intend to do this with a clear conscience.  It is going to happen whether any of you like it or not. I just wanted to make sure you were fully aware of my intentions.  After Michael takes enough stock to give him 51% ownership of the firm, the rest is to be divided equally among the family members that sit on the board.  If you choose not to purchase any of the stock, the pool gets smaller and so on.  All of the other businesses I am involved in will be sold equally to all family members on the boards associated with them as well, following the same scenario that I mentioned before.”

Aunt Marion stood.  “I move to approve this.  Michael has done a wonderful job revitalizing the firm.  I say this regardless of the fact that he is my son.  I think that everyone in this room would agree with me.  I think that Johnny would have wanted it this way, having Michael in his stead.  He did think highly of him.”  She returned to her seat.

Grandmamma never did sit down from her previous outburst.  She just stood there gaping like a fish out of water.  Her husband ran the firm before he passed away and it was no secret that her eldest son Johnny was their favorite.  Aunt Marion gently took her mother’s hand and helped her find her seat.  The motion was seconded and approved.  The board meeting concluded with no further outbursts from Agatha. 

Grace and Zane stood together by the door with Michael nearby
saying goodbye to the board members and accepting their congratulations for their upcoming wedding as they left the room.  Agatha was supporting herself on Aunt Marion’s arm as Uncle Harold followed close behind.  Agatha was not finished with Grace.  She wanted her feelings about her granddaughter known before she left the room.  “Grace, you are a big disappointment to me, to your father even.  He would roll over in his grave if he had one.  I hope you know what you are doing, you stupid, frivolous girl.  I do not support you on any of this.”

Aunt Marion gave Grace a glance.  She wanted to know what the hell was going on that would cause Grace to sever all the ties with the family businesses because she was about to tell her mother something that she just might regret.  She was positive that her mother would not fail to mention what she said to her every waking moment for as long as she lived.  “Momma, Grace did the right thing.  It is in the firm’s best interest to have an active board member running the firm.  I know that you would have wanted to have Johnny’s own children run the firm, but Grace is clearly not interested.  My son is interested and he is an asset to the firm.  You need to lay off Michael.  I will have you know that Johnny would have wanted it this way even if John Jr. or Rachel had lived to this day.  He told me so himself.  He knew that his own children did not possess the ability of leadership that Michael did even before he died. Your attitude to your Grandson, my only son, is reprehensible.”  She looked to Uncle Howard to have him take her mother’s arm as she walked away infuriated at the way her mother treated Michael.

Grandmamma was left speechless twice in one day. That must have been some kind of record for her and Michael looked thoroughly pleased.  He couldn’t have put it any better than his mother did.  Grace would have to call Aunt Marion later and check in on her because she was clearly upset.  Besides, Grace needed to offer her thanks for her help today.  She couldn’t wait until the day that Aggie was told that Gracie was selling her stake in the Hampton’s house. 

Michael said to Grace and Zane, “Lunch is on me.  We can go as soon as I check in with Beth.  While I am in my office, I will have her make some reservations.”  They all walked to his office and greeted Beth.  He said to Beth, “Make a reservation for four people at Del Frisco’s for thirty minutes from now.”  He looked to Grace and added.  “I am going to call Emily and tell her to meet us.” 

Gracie sent a text to William to let him know that they were about ready to leave and quickly received a response that he was on his way. Michael came out of his office after checking his messages.  All of them could wait.  “Change in plans, we will swing by and pick Emily up on the way.”

Beth said to her boss.  “I just spoke to the reservation desk.  They are full at present, but if a table is unavailable, they will put you in one of the private dining rooms.”

“Thank you Beth. How is Friday looking?”  He asked her.

“You are going to have a very busy day, Mr. Jameson.”  Beth said as she looked up his schedule in case he had any immediate questions.  “I have linked it to your Outlook calendar and you should be able to access it from your phone.  Have a nice lunch.”

“Thank you Beth.  I will see you on Friday.” Michael said as they left his office.

They passed by Michael and Emily’s house which was on the way to the restaurant and picked Emily up.  William opened the door and Emily slid in sitting next to Grace. “Where are we off to?”  She asked.  “Hi Grace, hi Zane.”

Michael answered his wife from the front seat as he was checking his schedule for Friday, shaking his head at the prospect of all the meetings that were rescheduled for that day.  “We are taking Grace and Zane to Del Frisco’s.”

Em smiled sweetly, “Great, I love that place.”

Grace took this opportunity to speak to Emily.  “Emily, I was wondering if maybe Zane and I could take the kids for a night so that you guys could say, go on a date?  I feel so bad taking up much of Michael’s time over the past few days that I would love to do this for you both.”

Em looked at Michael with the knowledge that the man sitting next to Grace was from outer space and he was taking her best friend away.  Should they trust him with their kids as well?  Michael spoke up, “We haven’t been on a date in ages Em, what do you say?  The kids would love it too.  Heavens knows when they will see their Auntie again,” he said as he nodded to her.

Emily was a bit apprehensive.  It was not due to the fact that Zane was an alien.  She knew that the kids would be perfectly safe with them.  It was the fact that she never left them the whole night with anyone before.  Sure, the children would sleep at Grace’s house but Emily would share the bed with Grace if Michael was out of town or even sleep with Michael in one of the guest bedrooms if he was with them.  She took a deep breath and knew that it would be best if the children had some time alone with Grace and Zane before they were gone for however long they would be gone.  Michael assured her that even Zane didn’t know how long the time difference would be when he was told her about everything that had happened last night.  “Sure, that would be great.  When do you want them?”

“How about we keep them tomorrow night?”  Grace looked at Zane excitedly.  She knew that Emily was never far from the kids.  This must have been very hard for her to agree to, pressure from Michael or not.

Lunch was wonderful.  Zane tried his first German dark beer.  It was so much better than the “horse piss” Grace referred to when he pointed out the can he had tried on the ship several days ago. The steaks were delicious as well as the sides that Grace ordered for them.  Earth food was surprisingly good.  He could see what Grace found lacking in the food he had in his quarters.  There were so many flavors he could savor.  There were so many different varieties of food that were influenced by the many ethnicities on the planet.  He knew that her leaving with him would be as much of as an adjustment as it was for him to be living on this planet for the past several days. 

As they walked into the Grace’s apartment building, Michael and Emily excused themselves for the evening.  They spent several hours at the restaurant which was longer than they intended and needed to get home before Jillian had to leave for the day.  Emily admired the suit that Zane was wearing.  “You look good in these clothes.  Michael’s tailor is the best.”  She gave Grace a kiss on the cheek and a hug as they left to get Michael’s car. 

Zane and Grace were once again alone, except for Jo.  She would be leaving soon as well though and then they would be truly alone. Jo was stepping out into the hallway as Zane and Grace came out of the elevator.  “I was just leaving.  I didn’t hear from you so I did not cook this evening but there is the casserole and the leftovers from last night.  So, how did it go today?”

“It went great.  Aunt Marion left Aggie speechless.”  She giggled with delight.  “I am stuffed right now, but if we get hungry we can just order pizza.  Thanks, Jo.”  She gave the little woman a hug before she left. 

“Pizza?  Is that what you and Avery were talking about on the ship?”  Zane wondered.  

“Yes, it is. I will probably order pizza tomorrow when the kids come over.  They love pizza.  Are you hungry?”  She asked.