Page 71 of Valentines In The Presidential Suite

Morgan clapped a hand to her chest. “He told me the same thing. Can we go back to the hospital to check on him?”

Austin nodded. “Of course.”

The phone on his desk began ringing.

Austin hurried to answer.

Morgan took hold of Brad’s hand, thinking Alexis was calling for Austin. It took her a moment to realize Austin was saying, “Thank you for the news. I’ll be in touch to handle the details.”

“Oh, no!” she said, squeezing Brad’s hand hard. “Is it Simon?”

Austin let out a long sigh and sank into one of the chairs. He lowered his head and held his face in his hands.

Brad helped Morgan up, and they quietly left Austin to his grief and headed outside.

On the patio, Brad hugged Morgan to him and let her cry.

When she calmed, Brad said, “Have a seat here. I’m going to talk with Austin to see how we can help.”

Brad returned in a matter of moments. “Austin and I agree we should fly back home. He will notify us when or if they will hold a memorial service for Simon. Apparently, he didn’t want one. He just wanted to be buried next to Ellie without any fuss or bother.”

They looked up as a small blonde woman, visibly pregnant, walked onto the patio. “Hi, I’m Alexis. I’m so sorry that any plans for getting to know you both better have been abruptly changed. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Perhaps we’ll meet again in the future. I know how much you both meant to Simon.”

“I’m happy I had the chance to meet you,” said Morgan, trying to get her emotions under control. “I think it’s best for us to leave and return to New York, as Austin and Brad have decided. I’m wishing you the best with your baby.”

“Thank you. It’s a boy. We’re naming him Sim, in honor of Simon.” Tears filled Alexis’ eyes. “He was such a special man.”

“Constance thinks I befriended him for money,” said Morgan. “But I didn’t even know who he was.”

“Constance has a much-deserved wake-up call coming to her,” said Alexis. “We have to put up with her on occasion, but everyone sees her for her true self. Simon made it very clear to Austin and me that you were not like her.”

“Thank you,” said Morgan, giving Alexis a careful hug. “I have a feeling we’ll meet again.”

“Without a doubt,” said Alexis. “I’m sorry to leave you, but I’m on bedrest and must get back upstairs.”

Austin appeared. “There you are, darling. You have to go lie down. I’ll take care of our guests.”

“Yes, I know. I just wanted to introduce myself,” said Alexis. She turned to them with a smile. “They tell me that having a first baby can be difficult like this, but after that, it’s much easier.”

Morgan thought of the baby she’d lost, hoping Alexis was right.

Austin led his wife into the house, leaving Morgan and Brad alone on the patio.

Morgan leaned into him, loving the feel of his arms around her when all she wanted to do was cry. Simon was a remarkable man. She couldn’t believe he’d come up with such a fabulous gift for them. But then again, that’s the kind of person he was. She would miss him every day.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

When Morgan and Brad entered his house and saw all the Christmas decorations, she turned to him. “Let’s pack up the holiday things. I just don’t feel in the mood anymore. We’ll put them away so they can be used next year.”

“I agree. The holiday isn’t the same.” Brad drew her into his arms. “We have to remember how fortunate we were to be able to say goodbye to Simon.”

Morgan looked up into Brad’s somber expression. “He believed in us being together.”

“And you?” Brad asked.

“Absolutely. Meeting your parents was important to me. It allowed me to see that you were raised in a loving and supportive environment, and why you are so accepting of me and the baggage that I carry from my childhood. I felt I could never be worthy of my parents’ acceptance. Constance reminds me of them.”

“You don’t have to prove your worthiness to anyone,” said Brad. “My parents love you and are genuinely happy for us.”