Page 110 of The Heir

I chuckle, seeing the gate to my property pull up. It opens with ease and I barrel on through trying to get there with enough time to set up before Isobel gets home. "Oh Donna, you know you don't have to drive yourself anymore. Pablo will bring you."

Donna sniffs rather indignantly. "I want to thank you, Hendrix, for making sure me and my girls are protected."

"You're welcome, Donna, I gotta go now. I have twelve dozen red-stemmed roses to set up before your daughter gets home. And our chef is making her favorite steak."

That perks her up. "Ohhhh, a Steak Diane?"

"Hmm-hmm." I park haphazardly in the front and then get out, opening the backdoor still talking through the speaker. "The one and only. Bye Donna, I'll have Gustavo text Pablo the information for tomorrow!"

"Okay, Hendrix, we'll see you tomorrow evening then. Do we need to bring anything for the baby, or her mom?"

"No, it's not necessary. Just bring yourselves. Bye now!"

Gustavo hangs up for me, and we proceed to carry in all the flowers. With Marianne's help, it takes three trips. I leave her to sorting it all out and hightail it to the kitchen.

"Chef Gerard!" I call out happily.

Walking into the massive kitchen I see he's hard at work; flames shoot up from the pan he's working over, and he looks at me with a serious face. He's devoid of a chef's hat, but he insists on wearing a chef's jacket, and his silvering blonde hair is a bit rumpled as he works. He gives me a little look, and I know it's because I invaded his space.

This might be my house, but for the last twelve years this kitchen has been his. I come in here only on holidays as I give him generous time off to fly to Sicily to see his family.

"Sir, I got your steak sitting over there. I know how you like it,rare!"Gerard slams another pan down hard and begins mashing potatoes by hand. His tone of voice let's me know he's still not happy with me from when I lost my shit with him over the noodle incident. Though he should be lucky. Anyone else would have been fired for almost making my woman faint at her own dining room table.

I walk deeper into the kitchen and sniff appreciatively.

"Aw come on, Gerard. Don't be like that." I lean my hips against the island and watch him work. "I just… wanted to come in here and see how you were doing. And maybe ask in person if you could please send Mrs. King out non-alcoholic wine."

Gerard throws me a bold, nasty look as he works to add more butter to the potatoes. "Non-alcoholic? Something's happened.What happened? Are you telling my bellissime mancanze that she cannot enjoy a glass of wine with her meal?!"

He looks outraged.

From what Carlotta tells me, Gerard had become close to Isobel during the couple weeks I left her at home to set up her floor at King Dynasty. So I let the bite of his tone slide, because it's incredibly endearing to me how sweet and protective the entire staff has become over her.

I raise my eyebrow on a grin. "Yes, only because Mrs. King ispregnant."

Gerard gets a shocked look on his face before putting the pot down with a little slam and turns to hold his hands up with a beaming smile.

Funny, because just a few seconds ago I thought he was about to knock me over the head with it.

"OhhhcongratulationsMr. King! What a joyous occasion!" He turns to grabs two shot glasses and a bottle of top shelf whiskey, and pours us both a shot. "Cheers, Mr. King. Let us pray for a boy."

I pause, holding the shot aloof with a frown."Boy?"

He slams his shot and then goes back to the food. "Boys are simpler, not troublesome like girls. Trust me, you have a girl, then you will be gray before your time and then boom,dead of a heart attack.Pray for a boy."

Tossing my shot back, I'm busy thinking for a second about the difference between boys and girls when Gustavo comes in the door. "Sir, they're pulling through the gate," he tells me before heading back out the way he came.

I follow him, pausing in the dining room to make sure everything's set up. It's beautiful in there, with the candles, flowers, and fireplace going. The sun is setting and looks idyllic against the window pane. Seeing the car pull up, I head outside and down the stairs, pulling the back door open before the car even fully comes to a stop.

"Hi baby." The sight of her takes my breath away; however, I sober a bit when I see her complexion. She's paler than normal, her face is drawn and she's got little bags under her eyes and looks so tired."Oh love, come here."

As she works to tuck her hair behind her ears, I stare hard, not quite believing she's pregnant with my baby. It's more than I could have ever dreamed of, having a family of my own. And with the woman who Ispent months trying to get close to, lusting over, loving. I can't believe this day is finally here.

Trying to keep my heart from beating out of my chest, I reach in and pull her out, picking her up bridal style.

"Hendrix-"

"I've missed you so much gorgeous," I whisper against her lips before sealing my mouth to hers in a soft kiss. "I've missed you so much." Turning, I take the stairs slowly as to not jostle her and make my way into the house and through the threshold of the dining room.

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