Their Second Chance(14)

“I finished some things early, and I really want to see you.”

Her smile lit her face with joy. “I want to see you too.”

He wanted to tell her he missed her. Hell, he’d been missing her every day for the past two years and he couldn’t wait to be near her, holding her again.

She yawned.

“Go to sleep. I’ll see you soon.”

She blew him a kiss. He did the same. She smiled every time he did. He’d never done that in the time they’d been together, so it was probably something she didn’t associate with him, but he’d try it all this time round if it made her happy.

“Good night, Nick.”

“Good night, beautiful.”

He touched the screen for long moments after she’d cut off the video. She was working too hard, and he wanted to do something to make it a little easier on her. He dialed his mother.

“Mom?”

“Nick what in the world? Where are you, son?”

He laughed. His mother must be exhausted if she had no idea where he was. “Did you forget I’m in Japan?”

“Of course I didn’t forget. I’m just confused why you’d call me at this time of the night. Well, my night. I spent the day trying to explain to grandfather who I am again. It’s exhausting.”

His grandfather was suffering from Alzheimer’s and didn’t recognize his own daughter on the best days. It was really tough on his mom to have to explain to her dad daily that his wife had passed away and that she was little Gracey.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I wanted to ask for your help.”

“Oh? What kind of help do you need?”

He wasn’t sure asking his mother was the best idea, but he didn’t want to wait until he returned to do something. He wanted to help Ari now.

“I was talking to Ari and she seems exhausted with her latest project. I wanted to do something to help her relax, any ideas?”

“I knew she should focus on being a wife instead of that whole career bit. It’s not like you don’t have enough money to take care of her. I’m sure she’s doing this just to be difficult. Anyway, I’ll mind my business and stick to the question at hand.”

“Mom…” His mother had never minded her own business a day in her life. She’d lived to tell him for the past six months to move on with his life. To find a woman who would give him the family he craved.

“Sorry, honey. Okay. Well, with her talk of career and work, I am assuming she’s not cooking or taking care of her household. I do recall a couple of times I came over to your place, and you were the one doing the cooking and cleaning so she could work those crazy long hours.”

He groaned. “Not the point, Mom.”

“It is the point. Have you thought about sending her some pre-arranged meals? Only god knows if she’s even got food in that house.”

He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. She was right. Not only was Ari slimmer the last time he’d seen her, but he could tell from how exhausted she looked, that she wasn’t going into the kitchen to make a meal for one. Heck, she never liked cooking while they’d been together. He’d always cooked, and she’d always baked. It had worked out perfectly.

“You’re right, mom. I didn’t think of that. I’m worried she’s overdoing it. She looked really tired on our conference today.”

“You can also send someone to tidy her house.” Grace cleared her throat. “Not that Ariana’s a pig or anything. At least I hope she isn’t one, but if she’s as busy as you’re saying, the last thing she wants to think about is cleaning up after Harley or doing house work.”

The plush bedding dipped with his weight when he leaned back into the mattress. “Thanks, Mom. Those are really helpful ideas.”

“Well, if you’re still set on this whole getting back together with her, maybe you can talk her into finally slowing down on the job and try her hand at giving you a baby.”

“Thanks for your concern, Mom. We’ll figure things out. I don’t need a child to be happy with Ari.”

“I’m just saying that she could be a bit less selfish and think of you this time around,” his mother mumbled.

Anger grew dark wings in his chest. He knew his mom didn’t mean to hit a sore spot, but it annoyed him to hear her talk about babies like it had been Ari’s fault they didn’t have any. After the things they’d been through, babies were the last thing he’d talk to her about. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll figure things out. I’ll have Liz set something up for me on the cleaning side.”

“Alright, son. I’m going to sleep. Call me during normal brain function hours, okay?”