“I’m not bored.” I pursed my lips.
“You re-arranged my closet, Adeline. I pay people to do that for me.” He shot me a look.
“Okay, I’m a little bored.”
He chuckled and looked at my mother. “So, any more questions?”
“Will I have a room for when I visit?”
“Mother!” I gasped.
“You will have plenty of rooms to choose from.” Elias grinned.
“Fine. I’m going to try to accept this,” she said. “But next time I hear you’re in town via the media, we will have problems.”
“It won’t happen again.”
She picked up her purse. “I have to go to the office for a meeting. Do you want me to handle tomorrow’s so you don’t have to go in?”
“I have to go anyway. I need to pack up a few things,” I said, unable to hide the sadness in my voice, or blink back tears at the thought. Elias pulled me into his side and kissed my head, as if to remind me why I’m doing this. I was grateful for it.
“See you then.” My mother walked over and kissed my cheek and stood in front of Elias, unsure of what to do. He let go of me and kissed her cheek. Mother blushed before going up to Joss and saying goodbye to her and walking out.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her blush,” I said.
“That was great,” Joss said with a laugh before she quieted. “Was I supposed to bow to you when you walked in? If so, my leg was asleep and I couldn’t get up, so you’ll have to forgive my informality. Also, it’s weird.”
Elias laughed. “Just do it when others are in the room so they don’t think I’ve gone soft.”
“Have you gone soft?” I smiled, looking up at him.
“Around you? Never.” He winked.
And then I was the one blushing.
Chapter 38
Elias
“Where are we going?” Adeline looked out the window the way a child would on a long road trip. I’d never tire of looking at her, but it made me yearn for miniature Addies running around with that same expression on their faces.
“I want you to meet someone very important to me.”
“Who?” She turned in her seat. “I’m not even dressed to meet someone important.”
“Trust me, she won’t mind.”
“Are you sure? Because if we showed up at your mother’s house like this she’d judge.”
“She won’t judge.” I smiled, reaching for her hand as the car slowed down in front of the small cottage in the countryside. “We’re here.”
“Oh.” Adeline frowned. “I was not expecting this.”
We got out of the car, security escorting us to the front door. This time, I didn’t let Addie stay behind me. I held her hand and had her walk beside me the entire way up the walkway. When the door opened and Nana appeared on the threshold, she smiled wide at us, and I knew bringing Addie was the right move, despite it being unannounced.
“Well, well,” Nana said, holding the door open for us.
“Adeline, this is my Nana. Nana, this is my girlfriend, Adeline,” I said, letting go of Adeline’s hand so that I could hug Nana.
“A girlfriend,” Nana said, throwing her arms around me. “I knew this day would come.” She turned to Addie next and looked at her closely before hugging her. “I like you already.”
We went inside and Nana made us tea and asked Addie a million questions.
“Nana, I didn’t bring her here for you to interview her,” I said.
“I don’t mind.” Addie smiled at me. “How long were you Eli’s nanny?”
“From the time he was born until he turned seventeen.” Nana raised an eyebrow. “He was a good kid most of the time. Aramis on the other hand . . . ” She shook her head. “My heart goes out to Patty for having to deal with that one.”
“I can see that,” Addie said, laughing. “Do you still visit?”
“Not really. They come and visit me once in a while when they remember I exist.” She winked.
“I always visit you.” I frowned. “I just have more responsibilities now.”
“I’m joking. I know. How is it going for you?”
“Good. I think good. I’ve met with the cabinet a few times. There are two members I trust implicitly and already ran my idea by. I’m hoping to tell the rest of them at the end of the month.”
“What idea?” Addie asked.
“My Parliament idea.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Already?”
“I figure it’ll take us a long time to perfect it, so we better start now.”
“And people will vote for the people in Parliament?”
“Yes.”
“So you do like the way the English do things.” She grinned.
“Don’t tell anyone.” I poked her.
“Your secret is safe with me.” She laughed.
“I’d still have enough of a say in things, of course, but it would be a lot more democratic than it is now.”
“My father will be thrilled,” she mumbled, looking less than thrilled.
“Maybe he’ll think his daughter was the brains behind all of this.”