Chapter 451

What are you packing for?" Nora asked Christian later that night.

"I have to go to Scotland. To Balmoral. Some issues there."

Nora looked sad.

"Oh. When will you be coming back?"

"Not sure. It will be a long trip, I believe."

"Oh." She said, helping him fold a pair of trousers.

"Would I be able to come?" She asked quietly.

"You wouldn't want to. Boring." He said.

"Yes, but if we are there together, we could keep each from being bored." She said. She was falling right into Christian's lap.

"Well, I guess so. But don't say I didn't warn you."

She smiled. "When do we leave?"

"Next Thursday."

"Alright. I'll be ready by then." She kissed his cheek and headed to take a shower. He watched her as she let her hair down and sang a Beatles song terribly out of tune. He was so in love with her, he thought as he smiled and then ran after her, jumping into the shower with his trousers still on.

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Erik opened the door to the study. In front of him was a familiar weathered face he hadn't planned on seeing ever again, let alone twice in the same month.

"Hello, Jim."

"Hello again you limey bastard. This better be good." He said, walking in a sitting down.

"I asked you to be here because you are the closest thing to family she has now." Erik sat at the desk in front of him and put his head down.

"You gonna tell me why I'm here then? I just buried a good friend of mine and someone I would have much rather have seen her spend the rest of her life with. So, at 76 years old, I'm hoping you aren't pulling some shit on her because I've lived my life and I'll be more than happy to take you out before I go myself."

"I respect the hell out of that and I promise you, this is real and she will definitely need you."

"Alright. Well, let's get on with it then. I didn't fly all the way out here for nothing." Jim relaxed into his chair.

"I'll get her." Erik said.

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"Pearl, can I talk to you in the study next to my office?" He asked.

"Yes. Everything alright?" She asked, sensing something was off about him.

"Yes." He didn't elaborate.

He walked Pearl to the study and locked the door.

"Jim. What are you doing here?" She asked, leaning down and giving him a hug.

"Your guess is as good as mine. That bastard you have for an ex said I needed to come to be here for you. So here I am."

"Erik?" Pearl looked over at him, puzzled.

"Have a seat Pearl. And maybe a small glass of wine. You'll need it." He said.

Pearl looked over at Jim.

"I don't understand." She said.

"I have a story to tell you. A story about a little girl, a little girl in New York City." He began.

Jim looked over at Pearl and they both awaited what Erik was going to say.