Chapter 25
Brody walked down to the lounge and stood by the huge windows overlooking the parking lot. He still couldn’t believe Gavin’s actions were genuine.
“Why did you do it?” He held the papers up. “What made you sign?”
“I told you,” Gavin said. “I see how much you love them, both of them. I could never give Claudia the happiness you bring her. Jason should grow up in a house with two parents who love one another.”
“It’s hard when a child is torn between two families,” Brody said. “I know what that’s like.”
“I was young,” Gavin said. “But I remember you going back in forth from Dad to your mom. You hated it.”
“I liked being around my kid brother.” He smiled when he remembered growing up with Gavin. “What happened between us?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I got jealous, I guess.”
“Of me?” Gavin had all the same opportunities Brody had. He couldn’t imagine why his brother would be jealous of him.
“You were Dad’s favorite. You were everything he needed in a son. He was too old by the time I was ready for sports and stuff. He worked constantly and when he did have spare time, he spent it teaching you the business.”
“I’m sorry, I had no idea you felt that way.”
“It’s not your fault,” Gavin said. “You were there for me. I was angry when he died. I didn’t understand why he left you in charge. I resented his decision because I thought we were equals.”
“We are.”
Gavin shook his head. “I wasn’t ready and Dad knew it. I was young and cocky. I’m still not ready to run that company. I may never be.”
“You will,” Brody said. “I have confidence in you, and you’ll never have to run it alone.”
“I’d like to go back to Boston and train with Jacob if that’s okay?” He looked out the window, lost in thought for a few moments. “I don’t think I could stay here right now. You and Claudia need time to bond with the baby as a family.”
“I’m not going to shut you out of Jason’s life. There’s room for both of us. I was very protective of them because you hurt Claudia. I couldn’t let you use them against me.”
“I know, and you can’t imagine how sorry I am for that,” Gavin said. “But I want to go back to Boston. Mona wants to come with me. She’s looking into residency programs there.”
“I think that’s a good choice.”
“I need to tell her the truth though. I can’t let the fact that I fathered Jason hang over us anymore. Not if I want a future with her.”
“She deserves to know the truth.” Brody could never hide anything from Claudia, so he didn’t expect Gavin to keep that secret from Mona. “Jacob says you have plenty of talent, you just need to step it up and follow through with things.”
“I can do it,” he said. “I’m ready now.”
“I think so too.” Brody wanted his brother to succeed. They were close once. He missed those days. “Boston is a good move for you. Jacob wants to retire next year, and I’ll need someone to run that office.”
“You’d let me to do that?”
“That’s why I sent you there in the first place,” Brody said. “It was my hope that you’d learn from Jake, and then you’d come on board and help me run the company.”
“Partners?”
“That’s what Dad wanted. I just have to make sure you’re ready.”
“I will be,” Gavin said.
“Good.” Brody nodded. “I never wanted to run the business alone. It’s Callahan Industries and I need the other Callahan to help me.”
“I’m going to go call Mona.” Gavin pulled his phone from his pocket. “You better get to Claudia and your son.”
“Thank you, Gavin. I swear I’ll be a better father to him than ours was to you.”
“I know, that’s why I signed those papers.”
Brody watched as Gavin headed toward the elevators. He owed his brother more than Gavin knew. He waved as the doors closed.
* * * *
Claudia looked up and smiled at Brody when he came back into the room. He wasn’t gone long, but she wondered what he and Gavin had talked about.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
He climbed into the bed and settled behind Claudia, wrapping his arms around her and Jason. “It is now.”
“I believe him.” Claudia nodded. “I don’t think he meant to hurt us.”
“You’re a forgiving soul.” Brody kissed her hair. “Gavin has a lot to learn about life and relationships, but I owe him my family.”
Claudia leaned against Brody’s chest. “We were always meant to be yours.”
“I know.” He smiled down at his sleeping baby. “I thank God every day that I came to the main house looking for Angela. I never go upstairs, but something drew me to the guest bedroom that afternoon.”
“I’m glad it was you who found me or else Angela would have fired me and I never would have met you.”
“I’m certain our paths would have crossed, but I wouldn’t trade the way it happened. I wouldn’t trade anything.” He took her hand and ran his thumb over the large diamond on her finger. “We need to make this official.”
“We will.” Claudia squeezed his hand. “We’ve been really busy. We’ll get there.”
“We need to make things complete. After the holidays, I want to get married. I want you to share mine and Jason’s last name. You’re a Callahan too.”
“I know.”
“Good.” He held her tighter.
“Let’s do a small ceremony. I don’t need anything elaborate. I just need you and our baby.” Brody wanted to give her everything she’d ever dreamed of, but she didn’t need a big fairy tale wedding. She already had her prince.
“You’re sure you don’t want the whole thing? I can hire people to pull it off.”
“I’m sure you can, Brody Callahan. There isn’t much you can’t do.” She laughed as she rested Jason on her shoulder and lightly patted his back. “I already have everything I need.”
Brody ran his finger along Jason’s cheek.
“Me too, beautiful.”
The End
Now it’s time for Gavin’s story...