CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Family & Friends
Nico
One month later…
Reese is adorable when she is all nervous. We have been in our own world for the past four weeks, but I know she is growing impatient with Uri. I have had him lead Reese to believe that an investor is the reason for the clinic being stalled. When in fact, work has still been done and things are moving forward.
There is a new investor, it just happens to be me. I am buying Uri out. Well, I am buying the majority of his shares. I want to see this through with Reese. I had initially held back and did not offer to invest because she was still married. At the time, I didn’t know she would be mine now.
I didn’t want there to be any issues if and when the opportunity presented itself for us to be more. I had no doubts that her ex would fuck up. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.
I was impressed when I read Reese’s business plan. I didn’t expect to find out that a portion of the clinic would be dedicated to early intervention. I was sold the moment I read that fact. I just have a weakness for kids. When children’s charities would come up on the clubs list of events I have always been the first to willingly volunteer no matter what team I have played for.
I understand now why Uri was on board with no questions. It was more than Reese being a friend of Val and Pam’s. We Donatis have a few more secrets that we guard with our lives and the clinic that Reese is opening has a special place with us all.
Everything is on track. Reese has even hired a full staff. All that is left is for us to reveal the surprise I have for her. The reason I needed Uri to stall.
It wasn’t easy to find and bring in her old mentor. He has been living his life in solitude, deep in the Congo, for the past five years. I know how much he influenced Reese’s career, so I wanted him, along with her parents here for this.
All Reese knows is that we are having a dinner with both of our families and some of our friends. Marie pulled off a great surprise opening for Jasper when his gym opened, so she was the first one I enlisted to help me out. Somewhere along the line Valentina, Paige, and Pam got involved and they all took over. I don’t mind because I wouldn’t have known where to start other than to hand over my credit card.
I know Reese will be surprised. I have yet to show her how I intend to spoil her. Her ex-husband spoiled her with guilt gifts their entire marriage. I will show her what it is like to be spoiled with love, not just expensive cars and material things.
Tonight Reese is nervous because she believes that this is just a dinner for our families to meet each other. Reese has been worrying about how her father will receive me. I have no such concerns. Her father and I have already had the necessary words for him to know I love and care for his daughter.
I pat myself on the back as I lead Reese around the back of her new clinic. She believes that we are having this meet and greet at her clinic because it was the only place big enough for all of our guests to come all at once. It’s a good thing I have yet to take her to any of my friends and family’s houses.
Reese willingly offered up the clinic for the dinner just as I knew she would. Her giving heart is one of the things I love about her. She hasn’t the slightest clue that she opened the door for me to pull this all off without her knowing.
I squeeze her hand gently as we enter through the back entrance. A small smile meets Reese’s lips as we walk through the hall of the back of the clinic. I watch as she takes in the open doors of the offices and locker rooms.
Uri hasn’t allowed Reese to come to the clinic in weeks. When we walk out into the large main area that breaks off into the reception area, the main gym and the pool area – which I had added to the plans in a last minute crunch, Reese’s eyes go wide. As she walks into the finished space her mouth falls open and a gasp falls from her full lips. My heart swells at the sight of the tears in her eyes.
Uri walks over to me from the seating area out front and hands me a black velvet box. I turn to Reese with a smile on my face. She is looking between Uri and me with confusion on her face. She looks at the box and then at me with caution written in her eyes. I know what she is thinking.
“This is not that box yet, Cara,” I say in Italian. I ignore the look of relief on her face and shove it aside for later. “In this box are the keys to your new clinic. I hope you don’t mind that as your new partner, I may have made a few tweaks to the original plan.”
Reese’s brows wrinkle in confusion for a moment and then recognition set in her eyes. “You were the new investor? Oh my God, Nico. You are so crazy,” Reese laughs and launches herself at me.
“Do you like it,” I whisper in her ear.
“I love it,” she says into my neck. “But I love you more. Thank you so much, Nico. This is so much more than I dreamed of. I mean the things I had to hold back on…you made it all happen.”
Reese releases her hold on me and spins around in a circle as she looks around in every direction. I know the moment she sees her parents and Dr. Hashem standing together. Reese stops in her tracks and stares at the older man, then she turns to me.
“Nico,” she says with trembling lips. “You did this?”
“Yes, Bella,” I smile at her. “I thought it would only be right to have your inspiration for doing all of this here. He is a tough man to get a hold of.”
“You have no idea,” Reese says with so much love in her eyes.
“I…I don’t even know what to say to you right now. I didn’t think I could be any more grateful to you. This…I don’t know what to…,” Reese shakes are head runs into my arms again. “This means so much to me.”
She whispers the words for only me to hear and I feel my heart burst. I knew she would be surprised, but this is far beyond the reaction I was looking for. I kiss the top of her head and squeeze my arms around her.
“I told you before. I will give you the world, just ask for it,” I whisper back.
~B~
Reese
Nope, there are no words for how much I love this man. Dr. Hashem is not one of the easiest men to get a hold of. I have wanted to get in contact with him for years now. To have him standing here in my brand new clinic is just overwhelming to say the least.
I was expecting to walk into a half-finished clinic. The last time I was here so much work still needed to be done and according to Uri that work was on hold because of the new investor. I trust Uri and his decisions, so I haven’t been pushing the issue, since he said it would work out in my favor.
I should have known my bossy man was involved in all of this. Nico is amazing. As I look around at my clinic I see all of the things I told him I wanted, even the things I shared with him that were not in the budget for me to make happen. I had picked a space that we could expand on in the future, once I get this place up and running, but Nico finished it. I now have more than enough room for the rehab clinic and the early intervention center.
I was so worried we would have to struggle with the space for a year or two, if not more. Uri asked me repeatedly if I wanted to do more with the place, but I couldn’t take any more money from him. He has done so much for me; I had intended to make it work.
“You have grown into a beautiful young woman,” Dr. Hashem breaks into my thoughts. “I can see the turmoil that has been around your spirit, it is just around the edges, but you will heal. I am proud of you Reese.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hashem. I can’t tell you how good it is to see you,” I beam at him.
He studies me for a moment, then seems to nod his head at his own thoughts. His hand cups my shoulder. “You still have a way to go on your journey, young one. The healing you seek will come from within. I cannot help until you are willing to help yourself. Forgiveness will be key,” Dr. Hashem says meaningfully.
I look away and blink back tears. Ty always thought I wanted him to find me the best doctor, but I had been in search of Dr. Hashem. The truth in his words right now cut me to my core.
As healers we are always the first to be able to heal another, but we fail to care for or heal ourselves the way we should. This is something I know, although, I have yet to do the work I know needs to be done. I don’t know what is stopping me. Maybe it was the fact that I knew I was in a horrible marriage. I guess it just hurts to be called out on it so easily, by a man that I truly respect.
“It will happen, young lady. Do not give up. Now show me this clinic of yours and tell me how you plan to get me to stick around for a bit to help out,” Dr. Hashem says with a warm smile on his clay brown face.
My heart swells and soars once again. Nico did all this for me. My mentor wants to be a part of my dream, even if just for a little bit. This could not be a better night. I look over to see Nico laughing with my dad and I know I couldn’t ask for more.
As I prepared for both of our families to meet, I knew that it could change things between us, but all I see tonight is the chance for our love to become stronger. I laugh to myself, my father wasn’t too happy that I didn’t tell him and mom about Ty right away. He also thought that I may be rushing things by jumping into a relationship with Nico.
He let all this be known when I called to invite them to this dinner. I loved that Nico took the phone from me and asked to speak to my father alone since my mom had been on the line as well. Nico left the room, so I don’t know what all he said to my father, but daddy seemed to be appeased when I got back on the phone.
I smirk and start my tour with Dr. Hashem. Nico has been true to his word. He takes care of things and he takes care of me. Even when I don’t know it.