The Bonus

I fluff the pillows as I make the bed, I can’t stop thinking about what Gabriel told me last night about his father. When I started at Ferrara all those years ago, I knew his father had gone to Italy and that Gabriel had recently taken over from him, but I never knew that he had taken off and left his family for his PA.

Just what the hell, how wasn’t I aware of this? Did anyone know, or was it an in-house secret? A million scenarios are running through my head as I remember the things Gabriel did and said to me back then.

The women he paraded, the hurtful dismissive comments.

The pain I felt.

All this time I thought he was the devil, when all he was trying to do was not follow in his father’s footsteps.

It’s literally a miracle that we found our way back to each other.

Gabriel is in the shower and I pull the quilt up and turn it down. After dumping all this information on me last night, he fell fast asleep, and while he slept like a baby, my mind went into overdrive.

His poor mother, I know he’s telling me she’s evil, but how can I believe that? I saw the way she looked at the kids yesterday and I can’t imagine living through the horror she has. I didn’t blame her for hating me before, but now…

Now the context has a whole other meaning, a worse meaning.

Lucia walks into my bedroom, all crumpled and sleepy with wild hair, and not far behind her is her brother. “Where’s Dad?” Dominic asks.

“He’s in the shower.” I continue to put the cushions on the bed and draw the curtains, the expansive New York skyline comes into view, the sun is just coming up over the city and I smile as I look out over it.

I love this city… A deep sense of closure on a horrible part of my life has come to fruition. The sun coming up over the city has a deeper beauty to me today.

A peace that I haven’t felt in such a long time.

I get it now, the puzzle has clicked together as to why it transpired the way it did, and to be honest, I don’t blame him anymore. How could I?

Falling for his PA was the very worst thing in his mind that he could ever do.

It’s time.

“Hey,” I hear Gabriel call. “You can’t be in here, I’m naked.”

I glance around to see the two kids standing in the bathroom, trying to talk to him, he’s all soaped up with his hand over his privates.

“Why?” Dominic frowns.

“Because…” he splutters.

“We see Mom in the nude all the time,” Lucia replies.

“Yeah, well…your mom’s a freak,” Gabriel says.

I giggle and lean on the doorjamb as I watch them.

“Grace…” Gabriel says, his two hands now covering himself, self-conscious.

“It’s okay, Gabe, it’s normal for kids see you naked and talk to you while you’re in the shower.”

“Is it, though?” He widens his eyes. “This is a little more junk than they’re used to.”

I giggle.

No shit.

It’s a little more junk than anyone is used to.

“Okay, guys, let Dad shower in peace.” I usher them out of the bathroom and out into the kitchen. “I’m making some breakfast.”

The kids flop onto the couch and turn the TV on to watch their shows and I get to making pancakes while I think.

If we’re going to do this, I need to go all in.

Twenty minutes later, Gabriel appears, he’s wearing a navy suit with a pale blue shirt, his leg-opener cologne, and is simply irresistible. He takes me into his arms, his lips drop to my neck. “I love it when my whorebag is barefoot in my kitchen.” He grabs my behind roughly and I giggle.

“You mean the whorebag who doesn’t put out?”

“Come to think of it—” he kisses my neck, “—she’s terrible at her job.”

“I made you breakfast.”

“I don’t have time.”

“Sit,” I snap. “You’re not going anywhere until you eat pancakes. Kids, breakfast is ready,” I call.

He rolls his eyes and sits down and the kids join us too. He serves out the pancakes. “What are you guys doing today?” he asks.

“Well…” I sip my coffee. Am I really going to say this? “I thought the kids and I might do the rounds and look at some schools.”

Gabriel’s eyes flick up.

“What do you say, kids, do you want to stay here with Dad in New York through the week and we go home to Greenville on the weekends?”

The twins’ eyes are wide.

“We could have the best of both worlds.” I smile to try and sweeten the deal. “You could play sports at home on the weekends with your friends and then you could make new friends here at school through the week.”

Gabriel takes my hand over the table and lifts it to his lips and kisses it softly.

I smile as I look around at the kids. “We can’t leave Dad here by himself, we have to stay together. So it’s all of us here, or all of us at Greenville.”

“We would be at both places,” Gabriel says as he looks between them. “It will be so fun living here all together.”

“Could I get a new pink backpack?” Lucia says seriously.

“Yes. Without a doubt,” Gabriel answers.

Seriously…that’s her demand?

Dominic twists his lips. “But what about Tommy?”

“Tommy could come and stay here sometimes,” I offer. “And we could take him to Central Park and go bike riding. You’ll see him every weekend too, he will still be your best friend, nothing will change.”

Dominic smiles as he imagines it.

“But only if we find a good school.” I pretend it’s not already decided in my mind.

Gabriel smiles broadly, knowing it’s a done deal. He gets up and gets the ice cream from the freezer and puts a scoop on everyone’s pancakes.

“What are you doing?” I smirk.

“Celebrating.”

Gabriel

I have so much work to do that it’s not even funny and yet I sit here in my office, rolling my fingers on the desk, staring into space. A date… A date…

My A game date.

Where the fuck am I taking Gracie for our first date?

I don’t want a three-hour date either, I want a full night alone with her…blow-her-fucking-mind style.

But then, who do I get to babysit, I know she won’t leave the children with just anyone.

Maybe Mark…hmm, she won’t be happy with that.

I mean, I could ask Carina or one of my brothers, but I’ve not even let them meet yet because I wanted to sort the stuff out with Mom first…not that there’s anything remotely sortable now.

No, I want to do the family meeting with inviting them over to our place for dinner, make a real effort in bringing everyone together for the first time.

Maybe I’ll call Deb and ask her to come for the weekend.

I open my computer and type into Google.

Best first date locations

I read through the options and roll my eyes. “Fuck off, that’s cringey.” I twist my lips as I think some more.

Most romantic restaurants in New York

No. No. No… “Who writes this bullshit?”

Hmm…where is going to put us in the mood? I think about getting Gracie naked and my cock begins to pump between my legs.

I need to fuck.

Hard.

This date has to be a deal-breaker.

I type into Google.

Love songs

My door opens and Alessio sticks his head around it. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

“You going home today or what?” he asks.

I glance up to see it’s getting dark outside, the New York lights have begun to light up the sky. “Come in here for a moment,” I say. “Close the door behind you.”

“Yeah.” He flops onto the couch. “What?”

“Where can I take Gracie for our first date?”

“Huh?” He frowns. “I thought she was already here.”

“She is.”

“Isn’t she already in love with you?”

“Yeah, but…” I exhale. “Focus on the question…what is the best date I can take her on…like of all time.” I lean back on my chair. “Like blow-her-mind kind of dating.”

He thinks for a moment. “Blow her mind…or your mind?”

“Huh?”

“Well, if it’s blow her mind, take her to a sex club and let five hung dudes rail her.”

I screw up my face. “What?”

“I guarantee she’ll never forget it.” He smirks.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Why are you such an idiot?”

“If a woman took me on a first date and lined up five hot women for me to nail…I’d marry her on the spot.” He shrugs. “Just saying.”

“Out.” I point to the door. “Imbecile.”

He chuckles as he leaves, and I slowly pack up my desk while I keep thinking.

Paris…maybe Prague. Thailand is nice this time of year.

What about Aspen?

Hmm….

Fuck this, I’ve been tearing my hair out all day, trying to think of something.

All I know is that it needs to be in the next two days, because my balls are literally about to explode, and not in the good way.

All this family shit is great, but fuck me…I need some pussy love.

I walk into the bathroom and eye the shower…maybe just a quick wank to get me through until bedtime.

No…behave. Go home.

I take the elevator to the ground floor and walk out to Mark standing beside the car. “Hello.” He smiles.

“I still hate you, remember?”

“I prefer to forget.” He opens the car door for me and I get into the backseat. I stare out the window as we drive along.

What about Antarctica?

It’s white, cold, and not much else to do but fuck in bed…that would work.

That would work great.

I exhale heavily and stare out the window.

“Tough day, boss?”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “I’m trying to think of the perfect first date to take Gracie on.”

His eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror. “That’s easy.”

“Enlighten me.”

“Take her to your favorite place on earth…and just be you.”

“Just me isn’t good enough for Gracie.”

He smiles as he turns the corner.

“What?”

“Have you seen the way she looks at you, man?”

“How does she look at me?” I frown.

“Like you walk on water.”

“Yeah well, she can talk…” I smile at the warm fuzzy feeling that only my Gracie can give me. “She hung the moon.”

Twenty minutes later, we pull into the underground parking lot and Mark pulls the car up to a halt, I climb out and lean in to get out my briefcase.

“Daddy!” squeals through the parking lot. “Daddy!”

I look up to see the twins bolting toward me, so excited to see me that they jump into my arms. I pick them both up and their little hands wrap around my neck.

Oh…

I get a lump in my throat.

I glance over and see Mark and the boys have the biggest smiles too.

And then I see her, my love.

Standing by the elevator, how long has she been waiting down here with them to give me that surprise welcome home?

With the twins in my arms, I walk toward her and kiss her softly, my lips lingering over hers. “You’re going to get it,” I whisper.

She giggles as she hits the elevator button.

“What’s she going to get?” Lucia asks. “Can we all have one?”

“No,” I mutter. “This is for Mom only.”

Suddenly, I know exactly the date that I want to take Gracie on… I’m taking her to my favorite place on earth and I’m going to be myself.

We get into the elevator. As we ride to the top, I hitch the kids up as they begin to slip off my hips. “I have a surprise for you.”

Grace raises an eyebrow, thinking she knows what it is.

“Debbie is coming to New York for the weekend to stay with you guys while Mom and I go away for grown-up time.”

“She is?” they gasp, excited.

“Yes, she and Mark are going to stay with you. It’s going to be so fun.” My eyes find Gracie’s. “How does that sound?”

She smiles softly. “That sounds perfect.”

I walk down the sidewalk with Mark, I have a suit fitting a couple of blocks away and it’s quicker to walk.

“So…Debbie,” Mark says.

I give him the side eye. “What about her?”

Mark and Debbie seem to have become familiar with each other through us, and I wish I could say I haven’t been suspicious, but I have.

“What’s her husband like?” he asks.

“I don’t really know him, seems a bit boring if you ask me.”

He nods as he listens, and I get the feeling he has something to say.

“Why do you ask?”

He shrugs as he acts casual. “She’s just⁠—”

“What?” I cut him off.

“Nice.”

“What do you mean, nice?”

He shrugs.

“Nice in church or nice sucking cock?”

He rolls his lips guiltily.

“You did not,” I snap as I punch him. “I swear to god I’ll fucking kill you.”

“Of course I didn’t.”

“So why are you asking?”

“I just…”

“You what?”

“I may have looked into her husband.”

“And?”

“He’s not who you think he is.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Things don’t add up.”

“You had him followed?” I snap.

“Investigated,” he fires back. “For interest’s sake.”

“Because you like her?”

“Yeah…maybe I do.”

“Maybe you fucking don’t. She’s happily married.”

“If she’s so happily married, why did a woman stay at his house on Saturday night while Deb was away for work?”

My eyes hold his. “What?”

“So…”

“So nothing. You need to stay out of this,” I fire back.

This is all I fucking need.

“But it’s…”

“It’s illegal to stake out someone.” I drag my hand down my face. “You don’t know, she could have been there with his friend. Does he have a friend? Is she his sister or something?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t fucking know; you have no facts and no reason to stalk him other than to break up her marriage. Stay out of it.”

He exhales heavily.

“Did you sleep with her?”

“No.” He screws up his face. “She’s not like that.”

“What did you do?”

“Just talked to her.”

“About what…your dick?”

He smirks.

“You are not to go near her, do you hear me.”

He rolls his eyes, unimpressed.

“I mean it. Stay. Away. From Debbie.”

Grace

Wednesday night.

The waiter arrives at our table. “Can I take your order please?”

Gabriel is sick of cooking, and between you and me, we are sick of his cooking…so we’ve come out to dinner when he got home from work.

“What do you want, Dominic?” he asks.

“Pasta.”

“We’ll have two of the spaghetti bolognese, please, and I’ll have the steak.” He looks over to me. “Babe?”

“I’ll have the salad, please.” I smile.

“Thank you,” Gabriel says, the waiter disappears and the twins start to squabble.

Gabriel opens up his phone and brings Netflix up and puts a movie on, he sets the phone up against the salt and pepper shakers and they quieten down as they begin to watch. I smile and Gabriel takes my hand in his and kisses it softly.

“Hello,” a woman’s voice says.

We look up to see Ariana standing over us.

Oh crap.

Gabriel’s face falls. “Ariana.”

“I was going to come and see you tomorrow, but I guess now is as good a time as ever,” she says.

“What do you mean?” he says impatiently.

“I’m pregnant.”

The earth moves beneath me.

No…

“Congratulations.” Lucia smiles up at her.

Dear god.