Chapter 6 Heir
Nicholas
-Sinclair. My sweet.-
It was never his intention to leave her at the break of dawn while she was sleeping. She was not a one-time thing and she was not his latest mistress. She was more than that. Much much more.
Breakfast in bed would have been much better. Literally and figuratively.
But dinner in bed was incredible. He reheated their take-outs and fed her despite her protests. There was nothing more fulfilling than watching his woman eat. Sated and content, they fell asleep in her small bed.
And as he had predicted, she was draped on top of him because of the confined space. He wasn't complaining. He even looked forward to doing it again and he had hoped to occupy his mammoth four-poster bed instead the next time.
This morning though, he groaned at the discomfort, stretching the kinks in his muscles. Yup, the stiffness in his shoulders and neck was worth it. Her naked body on top of his was heaven.
Nicholas inhaled deeply to savor the fresh morning air. How he wished he could take her with him. However, if there was anything he had grown to know about her from this past month and a half, she didn't trust easily.
A skittish kitten. He grinned in remembrance. She definitely purred earlier.
God! The first time he saw her. He thought he was seeing a fairy for the first time. Petite, delicate for him, cute and adorable, her creamy skin glowing, he was stunned by such perfection. Shining long black hair, innocent doe-like eyes. He had seen a lot of beauties in his travels but no one had even come close to her innocent almost elfin features.
And the way she looked at him the first time as if he was most delectable dessert on earth-- he shook his head. He had wanted to bring her home and claim her right at that moment.
It was love at first sight and she didn't even know it.
Fuck! To think at twenty-eight he was too old to believe in such romantic nonsense. Not his thing. But with Sinclair, it all changed. He was willing to believe in anything because of her.
Nicholas hoped she would be okay when she woke up and found him gone. Damn! He had forgotten to set up her new cell phone. He was distracted. But he made sure his number and hers were on his device. Her postpaid plan should work if she decided to turn on the phone.
He hoped she would. His sweet fairy can be stubborn sometimes.
Passing Chiltern Hills twenty-five minutes ago, he knew he was close to Kensington. Surveying the familiar scenery, he tried to mentally prepare himself.
Mother said it was time. That was the only reason he left Sinclair's very uncomfortable bed at the crack of dawn. Otherwise, she would still be wrapped around him.
He had no choice but to accept his fate. Just like he had accepted his bachelor days were over. His future was looming before him and he wouldn't shy away.
He was not complaining. He got the sweetest end of the bargain from fate.
Entering a familiar estate, old oak trees welcoming him, leading to a well-trimmed garden on the mansion's forecourt, he glanced around him. It was too quiet. An omen to a lonely and sad day for his people.
He parked his 2003 Audi Le Mans on their driveway, a familiar man jogged to meet him. Bowing, before he opened the car for Nicholas.
"Good morning, sir. Nice to see you. Do you want me to take your car to the garage?"
The professor contemplated. Not sure how long he would be staying, he nodded.
Sinclair will be looking for him. He made a mental note to call her in an hour or two after dealing with family matters.
"Please, Pat. Thanks, man." Exiting his car, he threw the servant his keys.
The front door opened even before his knuckles made contact. Old Ben bowed with a smile.
He had always liked their butler. "Morning, Ben."
"Good morning, master Nick. Do you want coffee before you visit the master suite?"
"Later, Ben. No need to announce me. I will find my way. Maybe you could serve breakfast to us there?"
"Certainly, sir." The Butler bowed once then left him in the foyer.
With a resigned sigh, he went to his parents' master suite in the east wing. It's half past six, regardless, his mother was awake. There were two male nurses in the room with her.
His mother got up, a bit shaky, as soon as she saw her son. She looked so fragile.
"Nicholas," Crossing the room, he held her in his embrace. Tremors ran through his mom's delicate frame.
"Mother," Emotions clogged his throat.
"It's okay, son. Let's go to your father." She smiled despite the pain in her eyes.
"Where are the girls?" He looked around the gloomy room, expecting to see his sisters.
"Your sisters and their husbands are resting. They took turns in taking care of Jeremy." He nodded and moved to the bed to pay his respect.
The gaunt and prone figure lying on the many pillows was a far cry from the energetic father who took care of his children.
His father was the man he had always aspired to become.
A loving and devoted husband. A father who never missed soccer games. Who was always there to pin him his medals. He walked his sisters down the aisle, teary-eyed at their weddings.
He was the reason Nicholas had decided to finally settle down in England eighteen months ago. Right after his father was diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer. The viscount had fought...and lost. It was time. He was leaving them soon and he wouldn't be there when Nicholas married his sweet Sinclair.
"Father," he whispered. His vision was blurred by unshed tears. He fought it. He had to be strong for his mother and sisters.
"Son," The old man opened his tired eyes.
He gritted his teeth at his father's faint voice.
"Come 'ere, my boy," Nick clasped his thin fingers and he sat on the edge of the bed.
"How are you, father?" His heart clenched.
"Pft, not much time left. You know what to do right?" His sire peered at him.
"Yes. I will never shy away from responsibilities." He vowed.
"I know. I raised you well and I am so proud of you, my son. Teaching is in your blood. Just like your beautiful mother. So...so don't neglect it even if you have estates and businesses to run. Hire people." He heard his mum sniffing in the background. His father had always thought of his family's happiness before his own.
"It is an honor to call you father." Shit! He needed to be tough. How he wished Sinclair was here. "I have good news for you." This was needed to be shared.
His father's eyes lit up. He knew he will love this. He had been waiting for his son to settle down for quite some time.
"Where is she?" The eagerness in his voice made Nick chuckle despite the pain in his heart.
"She's a bit skittish, dad." He snorted at his son's description.
"Then kidnap her like I did your mother."
He shook his head, grinning. Their love story was something to behold. Married for forty years. And still madly in love.
His parents had a hard time conceiving but they eventually had him and his two sisters.
"I'll make a note of that, Father." He noticed his eyes were deeming. It was only a matter of time. Accepting the inevitable, he told him about Sin. How they met. How much he cared for her. How much he loved her.
At the end of his confession, his father was smiling at him. Peace reflecting in his eyes.
"Son, love her as I have loved your mother. Promise me." He nodded. "Can you give me and your mum a few minutes?" Jeremy whispered.
His jaw clenched, he leaned to kiss his forehead, like he always did for his children after reading them their favorite bedtime stories.
He waited outside their room. His back slumped on the wall. When he heard his mother's keening cry, he knew they had lost him.
After a few minutes, his friend EJ came in to examine the body. His blue eyes sober, he clasped Nicholas on the back. Commiserating. Then his three other friends arrived to help with the necessary preparation.
Accepting their condolences. His gaze remained distant.
Their esteemed butler served them drinks in the library, now his, before he bowed and address him by his new title.
He was now Nicholas Stafford VI, The 18th Viscount of Redington.
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