Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

The time when I became a Grandpapa

The phone begins to ring on the desk in the middle of a meeting.

Immediately, my eyes dart to the screen to catch a glimpse of the caller in case it’s important. Amelia’s name flashes on the screen. I contemplate answering it but decide to leave it for now as everyone waits for the phone to stop ringing. When it does, I assume the call will go to voicemail, and she’ll leave a message or send me a text.

Noah continues his presentation on projected numbers for our new hotel chain opening in Singapore until my phone rings again.

“Excuse me. I must take this call.”

With my phone in hand, I quickly exit the room into the corridor, closing the door behind me before answering.

“Amelia, is everything okay?”

“Dad, I’m sorry to bother you. I know you’re working,” she rushes, her tone making me worry. “Is there any chance you and Mom can fly out to Manhattan? There’s something important Will and I need to discuss with you.”

“Just me and your mother?”

“Actually, Rocky and Nikki will be there as well.”

The second their names are mentioned, I know exactly why. My lips press together in a slight grimace as I scratch the back of my neck. I’d come to terms with Amelia being a married woman, but I’d hoped they’d wait to fall pregnant. Amelia is still studying and has only started working more days. There’s plenty of time for them to start a family. I don’t understand why the rush.

I choose not to voice my suspicions. Instead, pretend I have no clue what’s going on.

“We’ll fly out tonight and see you in the morning.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She breathes a sigh of relief. “You know I love you, right?”

“Yes, sweetheart. And I love you too.”

We hang up the call at the same time my chest tightens beneath the suit I wear. Before heading back in, I quickly dial Charlotte’s number.

“Hey,” she answers. “I know why you’re calling me, but I’m walking into a client’s office.”

“We’re leaving tonight. Addison can watch Alexa. I expect we’ll be gone no more than a few days. Adriana can check on the girls.”

“Just breathe, Lex,” Charlotte assures me. “It’ll be okay.”

“She’s too young.”

“Amelia is married now. She’s no longer your little girl.”

My shoulders fall as a heavy sigh escapes me. “Charlotte, she’ll always be my little girl.”

* * *

“I’m hoping we’re here because you’ve got exciting news to tell us?” Rocky gazes at me with an animated smile. “My son isn’t shooting blanks.”

Jesus fucking Christ. This man cannot be tamed.

Amelia glances at Will as something passes between them. Their expression is much more serious than expected, which starts to worry me someone is sick. After what happened with Elijah, I’m on edge whenever someone calls a family meeting to discuss something important.

“Yes, but it’s not quite what you think…” Amelia forewarns everyone. “Will and I have made the decision to adopt Ashley’s baby.”

Silence falls over the room before Will takes over. “I know what you’re all thinking. We just got married. Both Amelia and I feel very strongly about wanting to adopt the baby. It doesn’t sit right with either of us that he will be placed in the foster system like many other children. So, we’re hoping with the two best attorneys helping us, we can make him a part of our family.”

The first person to react is Charlotte, of course. She reaches her hand out to place it on top of Amelia’s. Squeezing her hand reassuringly, a smile spreads across Amelia’s lips as her shoulders relax.

“Mom, you’ll help us?” Amelia asks.

“Of course, honey,” Charlotte answers with a choke in her voice. “I’ve always felt strongly about adoption. Your father and I talked about it often, but life had other plans, and the four of you came along. It wasn’t in the cards for us, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t for you. This baby will be so loved and deserves a family after all he’s gone through in such a short amount of time.”

I’m still trying to process the news. Adoption, while positively impacting parents and children’s lives, can also have its downfalls. What if the adoption process fails? What if the biological father wants custody later in life? Stewart Knight comes from a lineage of blue blood. It can get ugly if his family finds out he has a son.

My muscles tense, but I refuse to show my emotions, not wanting to start an argument and this ending badly.

Unlike Charlotte, Nikki sits back in her chair with a concerned face. “This is very short notice.”

Will glances at his mother with an annoyed expression. “Yeah, life has a way of throwing things your way when you least expect it. So, what answer will satisfy you?”

“Will,” Rocky scolds in a deep, cemented tone. “Mom’s just trying to help you.”

Nikki crosses her arms, unwelcoming with her stern gaze. Obviously, she’s not pleased with their decision, so chances are this will blow up any minute now.

“If you want to help us, why are we wasting time questioning the adoption? For every minute which passes, he’s alone in that hospital with two grandparents who can barely manage to take care of themselves,” Will fires off, unable to control his temper.

Will stands from the table, leaving the room to compose himself. Amelia rises, but I motion for her to sit down. I’ve spent a lot of time with Will, and when he’s passionate about something, he’s all in.

“I’ll talk to him.”

Inside the kitchen, Will is standing with his hands resting on the countertop. His shoulders appear tense, and every breath he takes is almost a growl.

“Why is my mother a pain in the ass?”

A soft chuckle leaves me as I try to lighten the mood. “That’s one way to describe her. I remember how protective she was when I ran into Charlotte in Manhattan. The thorn in my side.”

Will rubs his face vigorously. Unlike the usually confident man I’m used to seeing in the boardroom, he looks defeated.

“So, who brought up the idea of the adoption?”

“Amelia,” he resigns. “She had been acting distant, very unsettled. One night, I kind of got fed up and asked her to talk because I’m not a mind reader. She told me what she was feeling. I mean, I was shocked. We hadn’t really spoken about starting our own family.”

“Sounds just like her mother.”

“The more she opened up, the more I began to feel the same way. Something drew us to this little boy, and how can I let him grow up in a foster system?” Will asks with a choke in his voice. “All this money means nothing if I can’t help save someone’s life.”

“Look, I know you’re capable of many things, but raising a child isn’t easy,” I tell him firmly. “There’s a lot of sacrifices to be made.”

“I know,” he mumbles, then fixates his gaze on me. “Which is why we’ve decided to move to the West Coast. Amelia wants to be close to Charlotte, and you, of course.”

I try to hold back my feelings, but if the truth be told, having our daughter close to us and seeing her often makes me happy. I know Charlotte will feel the exact same, and given there’s a potential grandchild joining us, even more so. If only Ava would consider moving back, but that girl is headstrong and living her best life, according to her.

“Have you told your parents?”

Will shakes his head. “And I guess they won’t take it well, but I can deal with them. What I need help with is setting up in LA with an office space. Everything is running so smoothly here, plus going through all this adoption stuff, it’s just a lot to handle.”

I place my hand on his shoulder to reassure him. “You leave that stuff to me, Noah, and Kate.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Will mocks with a grin.

We walk back into the room as everyone’s eyes turn to us.

“Done with your tantrum now?” Rocky snickers.

Will rolls his eyes at his father, then takes a seat as Amelia grabs his hand to bring it to her lips. It dawns on me at this moment there’s nothing to worry about. Will and Amelia have gone through a lot, all of which have strengthened their bond. If anyone is going to be great adoptive parents, it’s these two.

“So, do we have your help?” Will directs his stare toward Nikki.

Nikki’s expression softens. “You always had my help. I’m just protective, okay?”

Rocky snorts. “Control freak.”

“There’s just one more thing,” Amelia mentions cautiously. “We’ve decided to move to LA. I know it means I have to leave the firm, but it’s important for us to have space and a bigger home should our family expand in the future.

“We raised a kid in the city. Two, actually,” Rocky reminds us.

“I know.” Amelia nods as her eyes glaze over while gazing at Charlotte. “But, well, I kinda need Mom around. Being a mother is terrifying, and well…”

Nikki places her hand on Amelia’s. “Relax, I get it. I’m not offended, but I will miss you guys.”

“I’m offended,” Rocky blurts out, crossing his arms. “I’m close to retiring and could have babysat full-time.”

“How are you close to retiring?” Nikki argues, leaning back to interrogate him. “Your job is to commentate, then hang out at after parties drinking beer with athletes and groupies. Quote, you said you get paid to live your best life and relished at being called a DILF. To add, you’re barely home, and when you do come home, you’re drunk as fuck. You took your pants off and started dry humping the refrigerator.”

“One time, don’t you forget anything?” Rocky drags but then cocks his head to the side with a smirk. “Were you complaining when you were on all fours getting the best—”

“We’re done,” Will raises his voice in annoyance. “Mom, Charlie, let’s get right to work. We have a son we need to bring home.”

* * *

“We’re home.”

The door opens as Will and Amelia walk through into the foyer of their new house. Charlotte follows behind them, having accompanied them on their trip back from Florida. Amelia begged Charlotte to come, worried she might drop the baby or do something stupid.

The last few months had been a whirlwind. I was busy with Noah and Kate, making sure Will was set up in LA and ready to go. It wasn’t just securing a building and fitting everything out. It was hiring new staff and organizing for existing staff to move to the West Coast. If anything, Will’s executive team is loyal. Not one of them had an issue with transferring at such short notice.

Ava and Eric took care of setting up the house along with Adriana, who organized all the baby items. Charlotte and Nikki were occupied, ensuring all the legal documents were filed correctly to make this possible.

The moment my eyes set upon Amelia, she appeared different. There’s a glow on her face and a happiness words cannot describe. Will, too, looks relieved to be home.

“Oh my god, he’s here!” Adriana claps her hands with excitement. “I can’t wait to have grandkids.”

Luna and Willow snort beside her. “Calm down, Mom. You’re going to be waiting a while.”

Adriana waves her hand in dismissal. “I’ll be forever waiting on you two. But I’ve got Andy…”

Julian lets out a huff while rolling his eyes. “Leave him alone. He’s living life on his terms without you butting in.”

I must give it to him, he’s not afraid to put my sister in her place, and I agree about Andy. It’s his life, and Adriana shouldn’t push him to settle down.

Will places the carrier firmly on the ground. With ease, he gently removes the baby and cradles him in his arms. He looks like a natural, in his element as a father.

The baby is passed around as I observe each one of our family members meeting our newest addition.

“Do we have a name?” Addison asks, rocking her nephew.

“Ashton Alexander Edwards Romano,” Amelia says proudly, then raises her eyes to meet mine. “Dad, are you ready?”

I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready, but then Amelia takes baby Ashton from Addison and carefully places him in my arms.

Unconditional love is a funny thing. When it settles within you, there’s no turning back. It becomes a part of who you are.

And just like that, the hole inside my heart from losing my own son becomes a little bit smaller.

All because of the little boy resting in my arms.

My grandson.