“Where’s Anthony?” I ask, wondering where my grandson is.
“He’ll be out in a minute, he’s making something. You know what Anthony’s like, dad.”
I grin, I do indeed, he's a headstrong young boy who loves to draw and color, I have many pictures and cards that he's given me over the years, I've kept them all. I cherish each and every single one.
I hear movement coming from his room and I turn to see him rushing toward us, his eyes lighting up when he sees me sitting at the table. "Grandpa!" he exclaims, running into my arms. The love I feel for this little boy is immeasurable, filling me with a sense of purpose and joy. "I made you this," he says, waving a picture in his hands.
I gently take it from him and smile when I see he’s drawn a picture of me, his mom, and himself. "This is amazing," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "Are you sure it's for me?"
He nods, his smile spreading wider on his little face. "It is, do you like it?"
"It's the best picture ever. Thank you."
He gives me a toothy grin and turns to his mom. "Momma, I'm hungry."
Gabby laughs as she reaches for his hand. "Come on baby, let me feed you."
Gabby leads me and Anthony to the dining table, I take a seat, helping Anthony into his seat beside me as Gabby grins before moving to the kitchen. Within minutes she’s back with plates of dinner for us all. It’s clear that she’s gone all out for me, and I can’t help but feel pride, my daughter is an amazing woman, a fantastic mother. I’m so fucking proud of the woman that she’s become.
As we sit down to eat, Gabby updates me on the latest from the gallery that she owns. My daughter loves art and it’s obvious that her son has taken after her. She lets me know the latest of Anthony's antics. It’s relaxing to just sit back, have a fantastic dinner, and just fucking chill. Being around my family is all that brings me solace.
After dinner, Gabby insists on clearing up while I relax on the sofa. I have Anthony on my lap as he watches one of his programs. My chest burns as I come to the realization that I could have lost this. I could have easily lost this had I not made the decision to have Gabby move to the US from Spain when shit went down with her best friend. I needed her safe and that was the only way I could ensure it happened. Thankfully, she loved being here and hasn't left since.
"So," she breathes as she takes a seat beside me. "What's going on with you and Christina?"
I wince. "Why? Has she called you?"
She laughs. "Dad, really? That woman despises me, you really think I'm going to answer her call?" She gives me a get real look. "You've been in Kentucky for a while, I doubt you've returned to Denver in months."
"I was there recently," I tell her. "I had a bit of business to attend to."
She waves her hand in the air. "Pss," she hisses. "You're moving away from the topic. What's going on with you and Christina? Will she be moving with you?"
"No," I say with a shake of my head. "She'll not be moving to be with me. I think I'd end up killing her if she did."
She grins. "So?"
"I've already sent the paperwork," I tell her, I've had the day from hell fielding calls from Christina, her temper flaring from the moment the divorce papers arrived at the house.
The smile she has is blinding. "Good, it's about time. That woman is despicable and it's about time you got rid of her."
"Speak your mind, why don't you?" I say with a grin. "But you're right, it is about time. I should have done it a fucking lot sooner."
She sighs, bringing her legs up to her chest. "Probably, but dad, she was your wife, despite how things were between the two of you, you made an agreement with her dad. It couldn't have been easy to come to that decision?"
"I've spoken with her father," I tell her. I had my men tailing Christina, her having multiple men in and out of my house was presented to her father, he was given the choice, grant the divorce or both he and his daughter wouldn't see morning. Of course, he's a smart man and took the option that kept him rich and powerful. He wasn’t happy, but he had no other choice.
“Good, hopefully the divorce will be quick. No doubt she’ll want to take as much money as she can get.
I grin. I was stupid in marrying Christina, but I wasn’t stupid enough to go into the marriage without a prenuptial agreement. She won’t be getting a dime from me. She’s taken enough from me already.
“It’ll be fine, sweetheart, don’t worry about it.”
She grins. “I’m just happy, that’s all. I’m hoping now, you’ll be able to find someone who’ll love you.”
I don’t reply, I’m not sure that’s something that could happen, but I won’t tell her that, Gabby is skeptical on the matters of the heart, and I know if I tell her that it’s not something I’m looking for it’ll just make her skepticism worse.
CHAPTER 6