Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

362 A Father's Pride

(Jayden)

Bobby is looking at me with such hope in his eyes, and I can't say no. "Alright," I say quietly. "Let's go."

Henry settles off to sleep as we walk. It's a good distance, but finally we head around to the back yard.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

area.

Winona wasn't

wasn't wrong. It's huge in here. Like a private forested area, beyond the cleared spaces.

"I did this today," Bobby says, pointing towards two huge flower beds. "I cleared them out for Mom. I thought she'd like it."

I blink, surprised and honestly, amazed. "You did all this?" There's a massive pile of weeds stockpiled at the side. "Mom and the girls are going to love it. Look at the butterflies and bees."

The brightly colored flowers beam back at us with insects buzzing about. It's beautiful.

Bobby nods, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "Yeah. And there's more. Look."

He leads me to a brick wood-burning grill near the back of the cottage, which really isn't anything like a cottage. The grill is old but in good shape, and Bobby's clearly been working on it. The stone area around. is weeded and there's a table and seats looking a little worse for wear, but they are there.

The grill plate is a little rusty. Maybe a fire will help that out. I'm a bit out of my depth here. But Winona will probably know. Or Viktor definitely will.

"I thought maybe we could have a barbecue," he says, looking up at me, his eyes shining. "For when Mom gets home. Maybe we can ask the kitchen for some burgers and salad, or hotdogs."

I'm speechless for a moment, a wave of pride washing over me. "Bobby, this is incredible."

He grins, his face lighting up. "I'm sorry I didn't try harder in lessons."

"But you didn't waste the day." I look around. I see wooden swings hanging under a huge tree. There's a see-saw, a climbing frame with bars attached, and even a rock-climbing wall. "This place is really something." "I think so too. Better than the big place."

"I agree. Mom's right. This should be our home."

""Forever?"

"For a little while."

"It's just that, if the cat is mine, I can't leave it when we go."

I laugh, ruffling his hair. "The cat's yours, but you've got to keep him under control."

"I will, I promise.

"Feed him. Clean up after him and maybe we build him a play enclosure out here, so he doesn't want the

birds for lunch? And no more skipping out on your lessons."

362 A Father's Pride

Bobby nods, his excitement barely contained. "Deal. Can we ask the kitchen staff for stuff for dinner? Like, a big grill dinner for when Mom gets back? Maybe invite them all."

"A good burger and hot dog grill up. Bring some of our culture to them."

"Yes! I think they'll love it. You'll need beers."

I laugh again. "You're learning a bit too quick. But I think you can have one as well." I smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Let's go get the girls to help too. Your little brother is sound asleep for a while." "He likes it best outside. I think because he spent so long cooped up in the hospital."

"That makes sense."

As we head back to the house, Bobby by my side, I can't help but feel a surge of pride. He's been struggling, but he's also been trying. Trying to make this place feel like home, not just for himself, but for all of us. And he's right. Instead of complaining that no one understands us, let's help them understand us.

Make this place feel like home.

"I got hallway up the rock wall. Viktor can get right to the top."

"I bet he can. I think he'd get to the top of anything if he had to."

7

"I like him."

"I do too. And Viktor's family has a small farm. We're going to visit on the weekend."

"Really?"

"Yep. And he has 13 brothers and sisters."

"Geez! That's a lot."

"But some are much younger than him. There's kids your age, and the girl's age, even a baby a little older than Henry. Not as small though." "Do they have animals there?"

"So many animals and the kids look after them all. So you can learn a lot from them. We'll talk to Viktor about it later."

"Cool."

"We better head back and get this show on the road. Check the girls."

"Okay. Thanks for listening to me."

"I think I need to thank you for listening to me this time, I don't expect you to always do that. You'll make mistakes but just know I'm here. So's Mom."

"I know. Mom said this place was built for you."

"Yeah, kind of. But I never knew about it."

(M62 A Father is fake

"Is Gus your dad?"

"He is. But he was over here, and I never knew him as my dad. A lot happened, I guess. Don't rush into being an adult."

"No way. But it will be cool to drive a car.

"That is cool to do. I guess we can start to learn right away. There's plenty of space for driving. But you have to earn money for your own car later. Mom will never agree to us buying you one." "Guess I'll have to wait a bit longer for my Lamborghini

I laugh out loud. "I guess you will. But you'll get there."

"Come on, the cat will be hungry." Bobby suddenly takes off at a run. "Last one there is a rotten egg."

"I have a baby to push," I protest but break into a trot anyway.

Bobby is growing into a fine lad and I'm very proud to say that I'm his father.

Right now, I'm as far away from drama and upheaval as I've ever felt.

The best thing I ever did was cut my mother out of my life and give her the business to keep her occupied.

Staying half a world away from her is exactly what I need to be happy.