Letting go of Grace (11 page)

“What present? From who?”

“You’ll see when you get here.”

“OK. See you in a bit.”

“Bye.” She hangs up first, as usual, and I decide to open the box I found attached to the ribbon. I find two set of keys with matching keys chains that say love. I rub my thumb over the letters and shake my head. He has way too much money. I debate calling him because this is a little much. Then again I could ignore it. I wonder if he was here last night or if it was Derek or Sam doing his dirty work? I try to clear my head as I drink my tea and wait for Becca. I hear her come through the front door and jump up. I haven’t seen her since the gala and I have missed her so much.

“Did he really give you a car?”

“Looks like it. I had his here for the last month and this morning I woke up to find a new one and his was gone.”

“Wow.”

“I know.”

“Have you talked to him at all?”

I reminisce about the letters. I haven’t told her about them.

“No, but he sends me love letters every day.”

“He what?”

“He finds poems or songs and rewrites them. Then overnights them to me. Every day at nine I get a delivery.”

“I have to confess something.” She peers down avoiding all eye contact.

“What?” I ask nervously.

“I’ve talked to both of them,” she replies sheepishly. She cringes as she says it. Out of tense habit, I pull my hair into a bun.

“I saw him last night. It’s hard to ignore them when I work for them. He was asking about you and what you were doing for your birthday. I swear I didn’t tell him we were going out. I did tell him it was the kids’ birthday, too.”

“Whatever, Bec. I don’t care as long as he doesn’t show up here. I can’t handle that.” I get up and pour myself another cup of tea when I hear my front door shut. I glance over and see my parents walking in with presents and bagels.

“Did that car change color or is it a new one?” My Dad asks suspiciously as he kisses Becca on the cheek. I instantly cringe.

“It’s a new one. Courtesy of Grant. You want to take it for a ride?” I say sarcastically. I get the keys out and toss them to him. I’m surprised when his eyes gleam like a little kid with a new toy.

“She is fast, I hit 110 mph on the way home last month and I wasn’t even trying.” He grins at my mom and walks out the door.

“Gary, make it fast. The kids should be up soon.” She kisses Becca and comes over to me.

“Happy birthday, Hannah.” She gives me a big hug. We both turn in the direction of the front door when we hear my dad burn out of the driveway.

“Thanks Mom,” I whisper.

“So Grant got you a car?”

“Looks that way.” I turn around and take my tea bag out and throw it in the garbage. I’ll do pretty much anything not to look her in the eye.

“Have you talked to him?”

“Nope.”

“He sends her love letters.” I frown and shoot Becca a frustrated look and she smiles. She is always good for giving away my secrets.

“What does he say in them?”

“Mom…”

“Hannah, please.”

“It’s not him writing them. He finds poems and song lyrics and rewrites them and overnights them to me. Sometimes he leaves a note at the bottom.” I walk over to the bagels and start to set them out on a platter. Why can’t she drop it?

“Hannah, what are you going to do?”

“Nothing, Mom. I just read them and put them away. I’m sure he will stop sending them and it will all end soon.”

“Are you going to keep the car?”

“I don’t know.” God, why is she asking so many questions?

“Well,” she continues. I cut her off.

“Mom it’s my birthday, can you leave it alone for one day?” I plead, my voice dripping with anger.

“I’m sorry, Hannah.” My dad pulls into the driveway, and I start to wonder how I could give the car back to Grant. Should I leave it in his driveway in the Cape? I push it back in my mind and decide to focus on the day’s events. I walk over to the stairs. I thought I heard one of the kids, but it is both of them. I start to sing Happy birthday to them and my parents and Becca join in. They look elated to see my parents, then they see Becca and run to her. I smile as I watch them hug her and then they start to sing Happy birthday to me. I kneel down and take them both in my arms as they finish singing to me. I hug them extra tight and they shower me with kisses.

“Mommy, come open your present.” They never were good at keeping secrets. My mom takes out a big gift bag and gives it to them to give to me.

“Well, how about we go outside so I can give you both your gift?” They jump up and down excitedly and I point to the kitchen. They run through the kitchen and out the back door and I can hear them screaming. I make my way to the backyard and catch them getting into the bounce house.

“This is the best birthday, ever!” Hunter yells, and it is music to my ears.

I open my gift and it’s body lotion, bath oils, and all the basics I love and needed.

“Thanks Mom.”

“It wasn’t me, it was the kids.” I grin at her, knowing she brought them.

“Oh, Hannah, I found this in the car.” He hands me a beautiful bag. It looks like a gift bag, but it isn’t the typical paper material. It feels like silk. I stare at it but don’t open it.

“Open it.” Becca leans in and nudges my leg.

“No. I’ll open it later.” I place it down on the table and they all stare at me, even my dad.

“Here. You open it.” I smile at him and push the bag in his direction. My mom stares wide-eyed as he takes out a large jewelry box. I feel my heart pick up speed because I know what it is. My dad opens it and his eyes widen. He turns it around and my mom and Becca collectively gasp. It’s the matching earrings and necklace to my bracelet. There is a note on top that says:

I already scared you off.

XOXO, G

I laugh out loud at the note and they all stare at me in silent curiosity.

“What?” I look at them and start laughing again. If I don’t laugh I will cry.

“What’s so funny, Hannah? I don’t get it. The note doesn’t sound comical.” My mom looks concerned and I just shake my head trying to control my laughter.

“He is just too much. I’m not his girlfriend and look at what he gave me for my birthday. This extravagant gift has to be at least a hundred thousand dollars in diamonds alone. I have a two hundred thousand dollar car sitting in my driveway. This is not normal. He is not normal.” I lean back in the chair letting out a frustrated grunt.

“He is a man in love, Hannah.” I look over at dad and roll my eyes. I expected more from him. He normally sides with me.

“Well, I don’t love him back.” It’s simple and I believe it when it comes out of my mouth.

“Really?” Becca looks at me surprised.

“Really,” I reply. I get up and leave them to talk about me and Grant. I don’t care to talk about him or his gifts any more. I groan when I spot the UPS truck pull away and head to the front door to get my new package. Damn him! Why can’t he stop? After all the presents he’s sent I’m surprised he sent me one today. Was the car and jewelry not enough? I grumble with irritation as I open it up. I stand rigid as I read the title: From the Heart. I gaze at the bottom of the page and see it is signed: Love, Grant. I want to scream. I put it back in the envelope and bring it up to my room to put it with all the others. I tell myself I will read it later, but when I get alone in my room I pull it out and start to read it.

My eyes burn with unshed tears. Why does he do this to me? I fold it up and slide it back in. Looking out my window, I take a moment to collect myself and see everyone still outside eating breakfast. I take a few deep breaths, then head downstairs.

I walk back out onto the patio and see Kevin has arrived. He notices me and gets up and hugs me.

“Happy birthday Hannah.”

“Thank you, Kevin.”

He pulls away from me and brings me inside by the hand. I shoot a questioning look at Becca and she gives me a face like she doesn’t know what he’s up to. He stops in the living room and gazed back at me.

“What is Grant up to? He got you a car and jewelry? Is he trying to get back together with you? And more importantly, are you going to be stupid enough to go back to him?” I listen to his words in annoyance.

“Yes, he got me those things, and no I haven’t talked to him. I don’t think I’d be stupid if I chose to get back together with him. Regardless, that would be my choice to make, Kevin.” He studies my face and takes a box out of his pocket. It looks like a ring box and my heart drops. I start to panic. Please don’t propose to me. He opens it up and hands it to me.

“It’s not for you, don’t worry.” He smiles at me then I let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s for Vanessa. Do you think she will like it?” I study the perfect cushion-cut diamond.

“Oh Kevin, she is going to love it. I’m so happy for you. When are you going to do it, and how?” I sit down on the couch and he sits next to me.

“Tonight, I think, but I’m not sure how. I was hoping you could help me out with that.”

“You should take her down by the beach. It has a gorgeous sunset. That would be so romantic.” I give him the ring back and he stares at it.

“I’m really going to do it, Hannah.”

“It’s been a long time coming, Kevin. I wish you all the happiness in the world.” I grab his hand and squeeze it. He’s a good guy. A great guy.

“It’s not like your crown jewels, but I think she will like it.”

“I think it’s better because you love her and she loves you.” I get up and feel the need for a drink. It’s only nine. Today is going to be a long day, but I need to get my emotions in check for the sake of the kids.

Between all of the adults, we get everything set up in record time. The guests have started to arrive and I’m out back talking to a mom when Becca comes over and interrupts me.

“Hannah, there is someone at the front door. You need to sign for a package.”

“Sign it for me.”

“The delivery guy wants you. He’s asking for ID.” I let out a low groan and excuse myself. When I get to the front door I stop dead in my tracks. I see two puppies in kennels.

“Mrs. Winterfield? I have a delivery for you.”

“Let me guess. Mr. Grace placed this order?”

“Yes ma’am. I spoke with him last week when he came and handpicked the dogs. I have already started to train them so they are housebroken.” I stand there flabbergasted and rub my forehead. I feel a migraine starting. Becca is standing behind me rubbing my back in support. I can’t believe he did this. I glance at the dogs and can’t believe I’m actually thinking of taking them. They are the cutest things I have ever seen. Two Great Danes. One is all gray and the other is white with black spots all over. I know Ella will want the gray one and Hunter will want the spotted one. What the hell? I decide to take them. I take the papers and sign for them.

“What are they? Male? Female?”

“They are both males, ma’am.” I nod my head and step back.

“I’ll take them. Could you please leave the kennels in the dining room?”

“Becca, can you talk to him about food and those types of things?” She nods and walks to the dining room. I take the two puppies into the backyard. I smile when I realize that he remembered I love Great Danes. Still, I wish he would have let me buy my own dogs. I walk onto the patio and everyone looks at me in shock.

“Hunter and Ella. You have another birthday present. Come see.” They have red bows around their necks. Hunter spots them first and Ella follows behind him.

“Mommy, are they mine?”

“This one is.” I hand him the puppy that’s white with black spots. He takes him and hugs him softly as the puppy licks his face.

“Ella this one is yours.” She hesitates taking the puppy so I take her hand and sit her next to me.

“What’s her name?”

“Well, it’s a boy. You can name him anything you want.”

“I want to name him Beast. Like in Beauty and the Beast.” I chuckle as I wink at her.

“If that’s what you want to name him then that’s what we will call him.”