“Do you miss the office?” Harlow asks while taking a swig of water.
I almost choke.
“No. Gray’s there today, so I know I can count on him to pick up the slack. That is, if anyone even notices my absence.”
She smiles.
“I’m sure they notice your nonappearance. You’re the Co-CEO!”
I shrug and take a swig of my water too.
“Yes, but Gray’s really been hitting it hard, and in a shorter amount of time too. With Harlow and the kids, he’s someone else now. He’s a machine who’s three times as efficient.”
“You don’t sound happy about it.”
I pause for a moment.
“No, I am. I’m happy for my business partner, and I’m happy for my daughter too because he’s a good guy. But the truth is that it took a while before I approved their relationship.”
She stares at me a bit.
“Really? Harlow never talks about it. She mentioned a little something, but never got into the details.”
I laugh.
“That’s not exactly a surprise because it’s a pretty scandalous story. Let’s just say there’s video tape of them going at it in Kombuchaid’s basement bathroom. And I saw it
Jane belly laughs and says, “God, no! Are you kidding me?”
“No,” I shake my head, “During her summer internship.”
“Oh, wow!”
“I know, right?” I laugh at the memory. “It’s something no father wants to see, and I admit that I lost it. Completely lost all control and screamed at them.”
Jane nods.
“Of course, because any father would. But things are good with you guys now, so I guess it’s all blown over? Still, little miss thing has nothing to judge me for then, given her history.”
I smile.
“I don’t think she would anyway, Jane. She loves you.”
“And I love her. I just…well, I always thought that Harlow was very innocent when it comes to these things. But wow, boy was I wrong. Naïve little Harlow, public sex, and on videotape too! No wonder she never speaks about it. Damn.”
I grin wryly.
“Yep. Thankfully, there isn’t any more footage of them. I don’t know what I’d do if there is.”
Jane laughs and says, “You know what? I bet there is. These things aren’t usually one-time events.”
I drop my head into my hands in mock horror.
“Oh fuck. Well, at least they’re married now. Hopefully, I’ll never see it.”
Jane laughs.
“Parents always seem like they know when you’re going wrong. If you sense that everything’s okay, then it probably is.”
I chuckle, “I suppose it seems that way. Anyways, I hope you know I am 100% behind my daughter and her husband now.”
“Of course, Brent,” she smiles gently. “You’re a fantastic grandfather.”
I pause for a moment.
“It’s weird to hear that word describing me,” I admit. “But I also sort of love it, you know? Fannie and Freddie are wonderful kids, and very smart. They have huge hearts, too. Did I ever tell you about when Freddie dropped his ice cream?”
“No,” she smiles as we start hiking again.
“Fannie gave hers to him, straight away. She doesn’t even ask for a replacement, she just gives him hers, like she hasn’t been looking forward to her own cone. I couldn’t have better grandchildren, if I say so myself.” Then, I notice the look on Jane’s face. “What? What’s wrong?”
She smiles.
“You get so happy when you talk about them. It’s really sweet.”
I smile ruefully again.
“I never saw myself as a grandfather, but Fannie and Freddie make it worth the title. And Gray and Harlow clearly love each other, and are excellent parents. He doesn’t stray and he treats his family well.”
Jane laughs.
“Your daughter is head over heels in love with her husband.”
I laugh. “Oh?”
She nods.
“Oh my god, every time I see Harlow now, it’s Gray this, and Gray that. I mean, I get it, they’re married, but my god, he’s just a man.”
“Jealous some?” I interrupt playfully.
“Completely,” she laughs. “Am I that transparent?”
“Methinks she doth protest too much.”
Jane’s quiet for a moment, but then she nods.
“Yeah, maybe. It’s just, their life is soooo perfect, like it’s out of a magazine. It’s kind of annoying, don’t you think?”
I nod and we walk quietly for a while. The late summer breeze has a hint of coolness and I can’t wait for autumn to come. When it does, I want to take Jane to Baja for some sightseeing. But maybe that’s premature. I don’t even know what she wants from me, and suddenly, I’m compelled to ask.
“Do you think your life could be perfect like Harlow’s and Gray’s?”
She smiles and coyly says, “Maybe. I don’t know. Magazine-ready doesn’t sound good to me. I don’t want to hold myself up as a paragon of perfection when we both know I’m not.”
I smile at that, and kiss her gently on her forehead. We hike silently for a bit longer before she says, “Brent?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
Tentatively, she bites her lip and then asks, “Do you want more kids?”
I think about how to answer her question because I’m not sure what she wants to hear. But then again, there’s no sense in dodging the query. I’ve already made my feelings clear, and I’ll re-state them if need me.