Page 108 of Embracing the Change

He sat back with his drink and asked, “Those things would be?”

“You know I talked to the children today,” I began.

He studied me acutely. “Yes. That didn’t go well?”

“It went splendidly. But they reminded me of our now established traditions…and Alyona.”

“Ah,” he murmured.

“Jamie, I don’t cook, and not only because I never learned how, but because I have absolutely no interest in doing so.”

He took a sip and rested his forearm on the arm of the sofa.

“I do cook, sweetheart,” he replied. “I have to admit, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with Alyona living with us, because I don’t have a private, contained space for her like you do. But if you wish for her to carry on with you, I don’t think it’ll be difficult to find an apartment for her close by that she likes and is convenient to her, and she can continue to do all she does for you. That is, finding an apartment won’t be difficult, as long as we retain a broker to start looking for that apartment right now.”

I was pleased he had the same idea as Valentina. I just hoped Alyona was amenable to it.

“Let me talk to Alyona,” I murmured.

“This won’t be a hardship. I’m sure Alyona won’t mind not having to cook when I have a mind to. Not to mention, Monica is rushed off her feet as it is, and it’s coming time to promote her. She’s far too clever to be a PA for very long. I can get a new one who doesn’t have to see to the things Alyona does. It’ll be fine.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

He raised his brows. “Now, these established traditions?”

This might be more difficult, but even so, we had to sort through it.

“Thanksgiving really isn’t a thing for us,” I shared to start. “Allegra goes to Darryn’s family. Since she does, and I don’t cook, Nico and Valentina take that opportunity to dine with Felice and Archie’s people.”

He nodded.

“But Christmas is another matter,” I went on. “The morning and afternoon are changeable with them coming to me, or me going to them, or however it fits in everyone’s schedule. But without fail, for dinner, we all go to Darryn’s mother and father’s house.”

“But Dru and I have been going to Judge,” he finished for me.

I nodded.

“Through his life, I have not had a lot of time with my son, Nora,” he said low, watching me closely.

Wretchedly, Belinda and AJ had made that so.

Jamie kept speaking. “I don’t want to declare that takes precedence over your family’s traditions, but we’re going to have to find a way to balance this, because I love you very much, and I like your kids, and I don’t want to tear you away from them. But I also want to be with my boy during the holidays, and now, more than ever, it’s easier for me and Dru to go to him.”

I looked to his laptop on the coffee table and sighed.

“Is this going to be a big issue?” he asked, bringing my attention back to him.

“It’s just annoying to have the reminder that even perfection isn’t perfect.”

Jamie gave me a small smile, leaned in and touched his lips to mine, then leaned back.

“We’ll figure it out.”

I was sure we would.

“I know you don’t want this reminder,” Jamie continued. “But eventually, like mine, your kids are going to have kids, which means they’ll make their own traditions and won’t want to be rambling all over the city or boarding planes. In the meantime, we’ll settle into a pattern of spending time with them. But my son grew up mostly without a father. And now my son is a father. I have to have a mind to that, which means asking you to have one too.”

“I don’t want to tear you away from your children either, Jamie.”

---