Chapter 248: Sweep Me Off My Feet
Georgia’s POV
Having nine people squeezed into Nick’s penthouse all at once made the space feel alive in a way I hadn’t experienced before. The dining table only sat eight, so Liam and Oliver claimed the kitchen island, laughing between bites like it was their usual spot.
The room was loud with chatter, clinking utensils, and the girls’ giggles, when Nick’s phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen and answered without hesitation. "Send her in."
"She’s here already?" Vicky perked up, her fork pausing mid-air.
"As fast as lightning," Nick replied with that smug little smirk that made Liam and Oliver chuckle knowingly.
"Who?" I asked, glancing around the table.
Nick met my gaze, his lips curving. "Mom."
Before I could even process it, the door opened. Nick and I stood, but the elegant woman who stepped inside didn’t bother with greetings, she walked straight past us with the kind of presence that filled the room in an instant.
"Now, come here, girls. Give Grandma a hug," Prudence said warmly, her arms already open. Katie and Ally’s eyes lit up, their smiles blooming as they ran to her. Their laughter echoed off the walls as they threw their little arms around her waist.
She crouched down, handing each of them a paper bag. "I brought something for you. You can play with them after you eat."
The girls squealed the moment they saw the dolls inside, hugging her all over again.
"Thank you, Grandma! They’re so pretty!"
"You deserve them," Prudence said, brushing their hair back tenderly. "Such brave girls. Now eat well, so you’ll grow taller and stronger."
Prudence turned to me next, her arms opening wide before I even had the chance to react. She pulled me into a hug that was both firm and gentle, her perfume soft but reminds me of my mom. "How are you holding up?" she asked, sincerity shining in her eyes.
I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. "I’m sad... but fine. I’ll get through it somehow."
"Mom, sit," Nick cut in smoothly, already pulling a chair out for her. Ella quickly set a plate and utensils in front of the empty seat, her timing perfect.
"Smells so delicious in here," Prudence said with genuine delight as she settled at the table, scooping a bit of food onto her plate. Then her gaze shifted back to us. "Where will you stay now?"
"We—" I began, but Nick was faster.
"They’ll stay here, with me, until we figure things out," he said firmly, leaving no room for debate.
Prudence nodded once, decisive, before turning back to me. "Katie can stay with me, then. I’ll be happy to take care of her while her nanny recovers."
"That would be great, but..." I hesitated, guilt pricking at me. "Katie has playschool and other classes. She needs to stay close."
"Oh, right, school." Prudence tapped her chin in thought, then looked me dead in the eye. "Well, in that case, I’ll stay here instead."
My jaw nearly dropped. "Are you serious? I mean—I can manage. I can take her to work after school, it’s no big deal." My voice cracked with embarrassment. I wasn’t used to people stepping in like this, not for me, not for Katie.
She waved her hand dismissively, as if I had just suggested something ridiculous. "If you’re worried you’re bothering me, stop right there. It’s lonely in that big house once the helpers leave, and truthfully—I’m bored.
Besides, Katie is my family too, isn’t she? It’s only right that I take care of her. You can’t work, go to the hospital, and drag her around at the same time. She’ll get tired and won’t have the energy to study or play. Leave it to me. I’ve got it covered."
Her tone was so final, so matter-of-fact, that it left no room for my doubts.
"Thank you, I’m so grateful," I whispered, but the words felt so small compared to the tidal wave of gratitude swelling inside me.
I’d carried everything on my shoulders since losing my father and brother. Wendy helped, yes, but I’d grown used to surviving alone. Now, for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t alone—and the weight I didn’t even realize I was still carrying felt just a little lighter.
"So, what’s the plan now? Buy a new house or rebuild on your property?" Prudence asked, looking between me and Nick.
"Buy a new house—" I started.
"Build a house—" Nick said at the exact same time.
Our voices overlapped, and we both turned to stare at each other. My brows drew together in a frown. "Build where?"
"On your lot, where else?" he answered so nonchalantly, spooning food into his mouth as if we were talking about something as simple as the weather.
I nearly choked. "Nick, that lot is small. I was planning to rebuild and rent it out, not—"
"But you grew up there," he cut me off smoothly, his tone firm but affectionate. "It’s important to you. So we’ll build a new and bigger one there."
"Your cars won’t even fit on that lot!" I argued, my hands flying in exasperation. "And if we make the house any bigger, there won’t be space left for a garden. And let me tell you now, the garden is non-negotiable."
"I know. That’s why I bought the surrounding houses to make ours bigger," he said simply, as if he were telling me he’d just bought a bag of candy from the store.
My fork clattered against my plate. My jaw dropped. I stared at him wide-eyed, waiting for him to laugh and say he was joking. But instead, he winked at me playfully, like this was all part of some grand plan he hadn’t bothered to let me in on.
I looked around the table, expecting shock, gasps—something. But everyone else just carried on eating as if this wasn’t the most outrageous thing they’d ever heard. Apparently, I was the only one ready to fall off my chair.
"Nick, most of the people there have lived in their homes for decades," I said quickly, my heart racing. "They’re family friends, they raised their kids alongside us. They wouldn’t just sell."
He leaned back, calm as ever. "Actually, it’s the opposite. Most of them are empty-nesters. Downsizing was already in their plans. I offered a good deal this morning, and they were thrilled. Said they’d finally have extra money for retirement and travel."
His lips curved, eyes glinting with quiet triumph. "They get to enjoy their golden years, and we get to build a bigger home in the neighborhood you love. Win-win."
I buried my face in my hands, my elbows resting on the table. My heart was doing somersaults, half from shock, half from the way he always knew how to knock the ground right out from under me.
This man. This maddening, impossible, wonderful man. He just knew exactly how to sweep me off my feet every single time.
*******
Thank you so much for the Golden Tickets!
hmerai
WhiteWave