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He processed that bit of information without comment.
When we returned to the lobby I insisted he let me buy him a set of cufflinks from the boutique. He’d been eyeing them earlier and he needed a pair for his tux.
“You’ve done enough, Rayne.”
“Dad, don’t worry about it. Hale told me to get whatever we needed and you need cufflinks.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. Which ones did you like best?”
He glanced at the display case. “I suppose those are nice.”
“I like them too.”
The attendant wrapped them up and I told her to charge them to the room. After that, it was time for my dad to go. This time when we parted, I had the courage to hug him goodbye.
“Thank you for today.”
He drew back. “I’m the one who should be saying thank you. You paid for everything.”
“But you were here. You said you’d be here and you showed up.”
His green eyes looked into mine then he awkwardly looked away. “That’s everything then?”
“I think so. Your tux will be waiting when you arrive for the rehearsal. We’ll be staying here, so I’ll have it sent to your room.”
I’d already explained that we would handle the logistics. His presence was the only thing I needed from him.
“Okay then.” He looked at me one last time. “Take care.”
“Bye, Dad. Drive safely.”
The rest of my day was a whirlwind of packing, checking in with Remington, emailing the wedding handlers, and boarding the jet. Elle still had not responded to my text, but even that was not enough to spoil my excitement to get home. I smiled through the entire flight just thinking of kissing Elara’s sweet face.
The moment I walked through the door, I went straight to the nursery. The house was dark and Andrew was staying in the guest room as he usually did when Hale and I were away.
Elara heard me enter the nursery and immediately sat up with a smile. I swooped her into my arms and hugged her tightly. “I missed you, peanut.”
“Mamma,” she chattered, smiling back at me.
Andrew appeared at the door of the guest room in his robe. “Welcome home.”
I turned and grinned, happy to be home. “Did I wake you?”
“It’s fine. I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
“I couldn’t wait. New York’s lovely, but there’s no place like home.”
“She missed you too.” He watched as Elara played with my hair and cooed. He glanced behind him into the dark guest room. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to stay until morning.”
“Of course.” There was no need for him to relocate to the guesthouse at this hour.
“Goodnight.”
I perched Elara on my hip and carried her into my bedroom. “Did you miss Mommy? I think that calls for a sleepover, don’t you think? Yes, it does.”
She cuddled into me, staring into my eyes with mirrored love. Realizing how much it pained me to leave her for only a few days made me think of my dad. Maybe that was why he left right away and why he rarely called. It was probably easier not knowing everything he missed.
