“Seems like you two are having some fun.” I smiled as I walked into the room.
“Rory,” Richard said as he nodded his head.
“Richard,” I replied.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Ian smiled as he got up from the couch. “I’ll go grab those papers for you, Dad.”
Ian walked out of the room and left me alone with Richard. Talk about an awkward moment. But I was pleasantly surprised when he spoke to me.
“How are you doing, Rory?”
“I’m doing great, Richard. How are you?”
When he got up from the couch, he walked over to the bar and poured himself another drink. “I’m fine, and I owe you an apology for the things I’ve said to you in the past.”
I almost needed to sit down. I couldn’t believe these words were coming out of his mouth. Suddenly, I became frightened. Was this another one of his tricks? Was there some ulterior motive behind his apology?
“Thank you, Richard.”
Just as I was about to say something else, Ian walked back into the room and handed his father some papers.
“Well, I’ll let the two of you get ready for your trip and I’ll see you when you get back.”
“You don’t have to leave, Richard,” I blurted out.
Ian gave me a strange look.
“Thanks, Rory, but I have some things of my own I need to do. Have a safe trip and I’m sorry again, Ian, that I’m already using the plane.”
Ian and his father hugged lightly. “It’s okay, Dad. I’m looking into buying my own company plane anyway.”
“Do me a favor and hold off on that purchase,” Richard said.
“Why?” Ian asked in confusion.
“Because I may be buying a new one and you can have mine. I won’t even charge you.” He winked.
Something odd was going on. Why was Richard being so nice all of a sudden? It was like he became a new man overnight. Richard gave me a small wave and Ian walked him to the door.
“What’s going on with him?” I asked.
“Nothing. Why?”
“Because he was being nice. He apologized to me for the things he said in the past.”
Ian walked over to me and picked me up, carrying me up the stairs. “He can be a nice guy and that makes me happy that he apologized to you.”
I kissed him on the cheek. “I’m so happy we leave for New York tomorrow. I can’t wait to see baby Julia. She’s so adorable.”
“Yeah, she’s a pretty cute kid,” Ian mumbled.
****
I was restless. I could feel it as I was trying to wake from my nightmare.
“Rory, sweetheart, wake up. You’re having a bad dream,” I heard Ian say as his hands gripped my shoulders.
My eyes flew open as I sat up and tried to catch my breath. Ian reached over and turned on the lamp and then turned to me with concern.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he stroked my hair.
“I’m fine. It was only a dream,” I said with bated breath.
“Your dad?” Ian asked.
“Yeah. I’m going to go downstairs and get bottle of water,” I said as I turned to Ian and placed my hand on his cheek.
“Let me go for you.”
“No. I’m going myself,” I snapped. “I’m sorry, baby. I just need some fresh air. I’m sweating.”
“Okay. Go do what you need to do, sweetheart.”
I softly kissed him on the lips and got out of bed. The dreams of Jimmy O’Rourke stayed with me even after I’d woken up. I went downstairs and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. I looked over at the bottle of wine sitting on the counter that Ian and I shared earlier and put the water back. I grabbed a new glass from the cupboard and filled it with alcohol. I unlocked the patio door and stepped outside. The wind was light and the air was cool, but I didn’t care. It felt good to breathe fresh air. I headed down towards the sand and stood there, staring at the water.
“You’re worrying me,” Ian’s voice said from behind.
I turned around and smiled at him. He walked up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and rested his chin on my shoulder.
“Hmm, is that wine?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you were going for water.”
“I was. Then I saw this and it sounded better. Would you like a sip?”
“No thanks, sweetheart. Tell me what you want to do about your dad. You can’t keep going on like this.”
“Can you find him?” I asked.
“Yes, I can.”
“Then do it. I need to put Jimmy O’Rourke to rest.”
Ian picked me up in his arms and carried me back to the house and up to our bedroom. He laid me down on the bed and covered me with the sheet. As he climbed in next to me, he wrapped his arms around me.
“As soon as we get back from New York, I’ll look for your father. Until then, I don’t want you give him another thought. Now, go to sleep.”
“Thank you. I love you, Ian. I love you so damn much.”
“I love you so f**king much, sweetheart. Good night.”
****
As I was talking to Stephen in the courtyard, he looked over my shoulder and a smile spread across his face. I looked at him and then behind me and saw Ian standing by the door. As soon as I gave him a smile, he walked over to where Stephen and I were sitting, gave me a kiss, and then shook Stephen’s hand.
“Ian, how are you, man?”
“I’m good, Stephen. How are you?”
“I’m okay. No complaints,” he replied.
“Honey, what are you doing here?” I asked.
Ian sat down next to me. “I finished up early and I thought I’d stop by and see how Stephen’s doing before we leave for New York.”
“Thank you, Ian.” Stephen smiled. “Look at the two of you. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous.”
“Stephen,” I said as I looked sadly at him.
“Rory, don’t give me that look. You deserve it. You took care of me your whole life and now it’s time for someone to take care of you. You’re taking care of my sister, right, Ian?”
Ian looked at me and smiled. “I think I’m taking very good care of her.”
“You are taking very good care of me.” I smiled back as I laid my head on his shoulder.
“That’s all that matters to me,” Stephen said.
The announcement that visiting hours were over came across the speakers. We all stood up and Ian and I hugged Stephen goodbye.