The faint scent of vanilla candles from last night still lingered in the air and their clothes lying carelessly on the vanity chair and on the floor close to it.
Rebecca stirred awake, her hand instinctively brushing the space beside her...empty.She smiled to herself, stretching lazily beneath the sheets before sitting up.
Nick's voice came from the kitchen, deep and cheerful, followed by the clatter of pans. "Stay where you are, Mrs. Hendrix! Breakfast is under control."
Rebecca grinned, sliding off the bed and putting on one of his shirt around herself before padding toward the kitchen. "Under control? You said that last time, and we had smoke alarms joining us for breakfast."
"Hey," Nick said, pretending to look offended as he flipped a pancake, "that was one time. And besides, I've learned."
"Learned what?" she teased, leaning against the counter. "How to burn toast evenly?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No faith in me at all, huh?"
"None," she said sweetly, stealing a piece of strawberry from the bowl beside him.
He gave her a look, trying not to laugh. "You're lucky you're cute."
Rebecca crossed her arms, eyes sparkling. "I'm lucky? You gave me diamonds last night, remember?"
Nick turned, leaning close with a grin. "Ah, right. Then I'm the lucky one."
She smiled, standing on her toes to kiss him softly before pulling away. "Actually, I'm the lucky one for having you as a husband"
He smiles as he sets everything on the kitchen counter as they sat down a few minutes later with pancakes, coffee,strawberries and some toasted bread. The entire set up was beautiful and homey.
Between bites, Rebecca sighed contentedly. "Last night was perfect. I still can't get over that restaurant, the lights, the view… and you."
He chuckled, sipping his coffee. "You're just saying that because of the necklace."
She smiled, touching it lightly where it rested against her collarbone. "Not true.....I might love gifts.....But it's also because of this," she said, gesturing to the moment..... him and their peaceful breakfast.
Nick reached out and took her hand. "You know, I could get used to this. Just you and me, no rush, no meetings, no noise."
"Don't get too comfortable," she warned playfully. "Mom called yesterday. She and Dad might want us over soon."
Nick raised a brow. "Ah, the infamous family gathering. Do I need to wear armor?"
Rebecca laughed. "No, but you might need patience. Dad's been… in one of his reflective moods again. Something about Jace and the business."
Nick nodded thoughtfully, setting his cup down. "He's still trying to fix things with him, huh?"
She sighed. "Yeah. I wish he'd just understand that Jace doesn't need fixing. He's happy doing what he loves."
Nick smiled softly. "You sound like your mom."
"Someone has to be the sane one," she said with a small grin. "But I think it's getting to her, all the tension. I might go see her later today....you know, check on her."
"Want me to come?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, it's fine. You've got that client meeting later, remember?"
"Right," he said, running a hand through his hair. "London project's finally wrapping up."
Rebecca smiled proudly. "I still can't believe its finally happening,I remember all your late nights and meetings....My husband, the corporate genius."
He laughed. "Flattery before noon? You must want something."
She grinned. "Just more pancakes."
He reached across the table, brushing a bit of syrup from her lip with his thumb. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," she shot back with a smirk.
They stayed like that for a while,laughing, teasing, enjoying the rare, unhurried morning. Eventually, Rebecca stood, gathering the dishes.
"I'll go see Mom and Dad in an hour," she said over her shoulder. "You go charm your investors."
Nick smiled as he watched her walk away, that soft, familiar warmth filling his chest. "Always do."
.....
Rebecca drove through the familiar winding road that led to her parents' estate, the tall iron gates parting smoothly the moment the security guard recognized her car.
She parked in her usual spot near the front steps and was just reaching for her bag when the heavy door swung open.
Elizabeth stood there, dressed effortlessly in a soft blue sweater and cream trousers, her hair pinned back in a neat twist. Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Rebecca!" she exclaimed, walking briskly down the stairs.
"Mom," Rebecca laughed, meeting her halfway as they embraced tightly. Elizabeth held her for an extra second, squeezing with that familiar motherly warmth.
Then she stepped back, held her daughter by the arms, and inspected her with a dramatic squint. "My goodness… you've added weight. A little too much enjoyment with that husband of yours?"
Rebecca gasped and burst into laughter. "Mom! I am not fat."
"Not fat," Elizabeth corrected playfully, "just… happily fed." She replied, and they both dissolved into soft giggles.
Rebecca tried to move toward the door. "Can we go inside? I need to sit down."
But Elizabeth touched her arm lightly. "Come for a walk with me first. Just a short one."
"A walk?"
"Yeah"
Rebecca paused, surprised. Her mom rarely asked for walks.
"Sure," she agreed gently.
They strolled past the front lawn, down the stone path that led to the garden. Birds chirped softly, the faint breeze carried the scent of roses, and sunlight filtered lazily through the branches.
"So," Elizabeth began in that probing tone mothers have, "how was your anniversary night?"
Rebecca's lips curled into a dreamy smile. "Perfect. We went to Salvatore's,the big rooftop one, you know? The lights were beautiful, the food was amazing... and guess what Nick got me?"
"A puppy?" Elizabeth teased.
"A diamond necklace."
Elizabeth gasped softly. "Oh, my. He really wanted to spoil you."
"He did," Rebecca said, touching the necklace lightly. "And I may have spoiled him too."
Elizabeth smirked knowingly. "As you should."
They walked until they reached a shaded gazebo near the koi pond. They sat down, the wooden bench cool beneath them.
Rebecca didn't have to ask what was wrong. The way her mother exhaled slow, tired, almost defeated said everything.
"The deal has been finalized," Elizabeth said quietly. "Everything has been signed over to Jace."
Rebecca blinked, then let out a dry laugh. "Dad really doesn't waste time, huh?"
"He doesn't,When he wants to fix things, he just does it with… papers. Contracts. Declarations."
Elizabeth replied. She folded her hands neatly on her lap. "He believes this will redeem him. That giving the company to Jace will somehow erase the years of distance between them."She added.
Rebecca's expression softened. "Mom… you know Jace. He doesn't care about the money. He doesn't care about the company. He's happy with his photography. Happier than I've seen him in years."
Elizabeth nodded, staring at the pond as fish glided beneath the surface. "I know. And it scares me because your father doesn't understand, it might bring up another altercation between them both."
"Well I hope it doesn't, I could help you speak to dad if you want to" Rebecca offered.
"That'd be lovely my dear" Elizabeth replied.
"He acts like he doesn't listen to me but you and I know he listens to most if not all of what I say" Rebecca rose, linking her arm with her mother's. "And you can tell me what Dad's mood is today. So I know how much patience to load up before seeing him."
Elizabeth chuckled. "You'll need a lot."
They walked back to the house together, side by side, mother and daughter, both carrying their love for the men in their lives, and both hoping their fractured son and father could somehow find their way back to each other.