The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 23

"Can I propose a compromise, beautiful?" Max's soft words stir me awake.

"Good morning to you too, Hollywood." Yawning I stretch my arms above my head. "Maybe I'm wishful thinking but I'd love to hear you say you've changed your mind."

"It's something like that." Looking straight at me he holds my stunned gaze. "Last night you did some straight talking, Gracie. It's one of the things I love most about you. And what I realised is that financial stability doesn't equal emotional stability. I'm ashamed to say it but I hadn't considered you'd still be so stirred by Mel."

"Do you want the whole truth?" I ask hesitantly.

"Always."

"Look, I know this is going to sound ridiculous but even though she's gone I'm still a little envious of her."

"Really? I don't know why but I sure as hell hope it's nothing I've done to make you feel that way."

"Actually it is." I sigh, stroking his cheek. "Something you both did, together." He searches my face confused until realisation dawns.

"Monty?"

"Monty." I smile.

"You know he loves you, Gracie."

"I know that, Max. But she'll always be his birth mum and when he's older he'll want to learn everything about her. I just hope when he does that I'll have loved him enough to make him see I tried my best."

"He will see it. And you never know, he might not want to know anything about Mel."

"That's what I thought about my birth parents. Things change though; sometimes we just can't stop what is naturally happening." Cuddling into me he wraps his arms around my waist.

"Let me put your mind at rest, right now. You're a brilliant mother. Every day I look at you with our kids and thank God he gave you to us. Can you imagine what kind of cold fish I'd have let Monty grow into without you in his life? You saved us, Gracie. You saved me."

"And you both saved me."

"Then why do I sense a 'but' coming?"

"Please don't get me wrong, Max. This is a lovely home and Melody had great taste but with the exception of our family photographs and my Supermum coffee mug, there's nothing here that's truly mine." Raising his eyebrows he grins lifting the covers to look downward.

"Oh, I can think of at least one thing that has your name written all over it." I laugh despite myself knowing what he's up to. Jesus, I love him.

"You can forget that proposal for now and get on with the one you had in mind."

"You sure? Things are looking up already, Campbell."

"And you're an imp, Jacob!"

"OK. OK." With glaring eyes still playful he rests his elbow on the pillow with his head in his hand. 

"I'll sell."

"Sell what? Your body?" A tiny smirk settles on his lips.

"I'd get damn all for it."

"Liar! And you know it."

"No, I mean I'll sell the house."

"Just like that?"

"Yep. Just like that."

"I don't understand."

"I'll talk to Curtis about Monty's Trust and how I can best serve Mel's wishes. It should only take a couple of days to get a plan together and then we deal with the legalities."