Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“I agree. I was lucky to be able to work from home so I could stay with both my kids while they were little. I only went back to the office once they were both in school.”
She nodded. “That is very fortunate.”
“Why don’t you come inside, and I’ll get you set up at the kitchen table while I start the sides for the burgers.”
“I would like to help you and look at the books later so we could go through them together. You can tell me stories to go with the pictures.”
“I think we’re gonna be friends,” I said, grinning at her.
“I feel the same.”
Mikhail and Emil talked to Kola at the picnic table while Katya got her turn on the swing and Sam fired up both of his grills. I had bought food for grilling on Saturday, as everyone was coming for dinner, but Aaron had been wanting to host, and perhaps this would be the time. I took a moment, walked into the house and then into the living room to call him.
“You saw Forbes?” he asked me instead of saying hello or any other greeting I was expecting.
“What?”
“Isn’t that why you’re calling me? I moved up in the billionaire rank. I’m worth a cool twenty-two billion now.”
I groaned.
“You don’t even care, do you? Money means nothing to you. It was that police detective or bust from the moment you saw him.”
“Are you drunk?” I asked seriously.
“No,” he said, sighing deeply. “I was just sitting here thinking that if I’d never met you and then swallowed my pride years later and actually became your friend, I would have never had you like me enough to introduce me to Duncan.”
“You are drunk,” I concluded. “Is he there? Can I talk to him?”
“I love him so much.”
“I know. Could you put him on the phone?”
“I’m just so lucky,” he said, sniffling. “And so happy.”
“Oh God,” I grumbled. “Just get Duncan.”
There was the call of “Darling” and then suddenly, “Hello?”
Now there was a greeting. “Hi,” I replied, smiling into the phone. “How are you?”
“He’s drunk,” he told me.
“Really? I would have never guessed that.”
He scoffed. “So how may I help you?”
“I wanted to know if you and Aaron would be up for hosting game night tomorrow, as we’re having an impromptu dinner at our house tonight and I’m using up a good portion of the food I bought for Saturday.”
“That would be great,” he said, and I could hear the happiness in his voice. “We’ve been wanting to have everyone over.”
“Perfect. Shall we say six?”
“Six is perfect. Invite the boys too, and make sure Dane and Aja bring that wine Aaron likes that I can never find.”
“Will he be drinking tomorrow?”
“Oh, you’re right. Maybe not.”
I laughed at how concerned he sounded. That was love right there.
“Why’re you feeding people tonight?”
So I explained about Kola’s birth parents and how they were there and what had started out stilted was warming up by the minute.
“Really. His birth parents? And that’s okay with you?”
“He can always use more people in his life to love him and look out for him. I want him to have a relationship with them.”
“And what if he moves wherever they live to be close to them?”
“Pa.”
Turning, I saw Kola, who looked a bit unsure.
“I have to go, but I’m not worried about him leaving Chicago.”
“Why not?”
“Because the bottom line is, he loves me and Sam best.”
“Good.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow, and congratulate Aaron on moving up on the Forbes-list thingy.”
“As if that’s even important,” he said, sounding bored. “See ya tomorrow.”
Once he hung up, I smiled at my son. “What do you need, love?”
“Danique has some questions about how you make French fries in the air fryer. She cooks them in oil at home, and I said you don’t do it that way.”
“Got it, I’m coming.”
When I reached him, I put my hand on his face as I normally did, but he grabbed hold of my wrist and I turned and hugged him. He held on like he was drowning.
“Maybe it was my nature to be a doctor, but all the nurturing you and Dad did, that’s what makes me who I am. I know the kind of father I want to be someday because of you guys.”
“There’s room for lots of people in your life,” I whispered to him. “It won’t hurt me, or Dad, if you let Mikhail and Danique in. We won’t love you any less, and we won’t feel loved any less. You understand that, don’t you?”
“My head does. I just need some time to figure this all out.”
“I know,” I soothed him, because he did.
Kola did not come to conclusions fast, nor did he ever answer questions about his opinions quickly. Facts, certainly. He could volley those back and forth easily. But things he had to think about, all those took a moment. School guidance counselors, our friends over the years, college professors who wanted to hear what he had to say on a topic, all of them had to wait while he pondered and then delivered the most thoughtful answer he could come up with. Everyone appreciated his words once they were spoken, but the time put into the process could be daunting. A lot of people wanted him to just say something, anything, and those individuals never lasted. Harper and Jake had been in his life since they were all in elementary school and had infinite patience where Kola was concerned. It never ceased to amaze me.