Page 37 of Almost Christmas in Paradise

Epilogue

Drake

It’s like the vacation and the New Year brought a cleansing effect. From the moment the plane landed, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Maybe it had to do with leaving my father’s letter and video behind. Maybe it had to do with Nia’s video of her and our kids telling me how much they love me. I think they cancel out my father’s bullshit. Maybe it’s the new relationship I have with my father-in-law. Maybe it’s finally accepting the past and being ready to move ahead with the future, but things are different now and so much better.

It’s the fifth day of the New Year, and I reluctantly have to return to work. We arrived two days ago, only one day before a storm hit the area, leaving us with eight inches of snow. School is canceled, and despite sneaking in a couple of hours of work every day while on vacation, I’m still somewhat behind. With school being canceled and Nia and the kids both at home, there’s no way I’d be able to get any work done. I’d rather bethere with them, but instead, I’m in the back seat of one of our SUVs while Bertram drives me to the office.

The parking lot is pretty much empty when I arrive as most people can work from home. He stops the car in front of the building.

“Sir,” Bertram says before I can let myself out, “security just informed me that Howard Banks is in the lobby and won’t leave until he sees you.”

I close my eyes and lean my head on the headrest. This is the kind of shit I don’t need in my life. So much for leaving this behind, but if Howard wants a scene, he’s going to get one. I don’t give a damn about his age or his heart condition. I will physically drag him out of the building and shove him into a pile of snow. Head first.

“I’ll deal with it,” is all I say to Bertram and step out of the car.

What I wasn’t told is that Langley and Hannah are already in the lobby. Hannah is pointing at Howard’s face, and Langley is doing his best to pull her away.

“What, Howard?” I ask, getting everyone’s attention. I know he’s here for me. He moves away from my siblings and faces me.

“I need you to come somewhere with me right now,” he says.

“You have five seconds to get your ass out of here on your own before I physically throw you out,” is all I say.

“Son—”

“For the last time, I am not your fucking son,” I hiss.

“This is important. I swear after today, you’ll never have to talk to me again, but I need to do this. I’m not keeping any more of your father’s secrets.”

That gets my attention. It also gets the attention of Hannah and Langley.

“What the hell did you just say?” Hannah asks. “Why can’t you just leave my brother alone? Haven’t you done enough?” she practically screams.

If Howard had done this two months ago, I think I would have punched him in his face, but not today. I’m too happy today to hurt my hand punching an old man, but dragging his ass out of here is tempting.

“Please come with me. When this gets out, I don’t want to be blamed for it. Please,” he says. “I promise you’ll want to see this. It’s important.”

“Does this have anything to do with Scarlett or her family?”

“No. This isn’t about them,” he says.

“Fine. You have two minutes to tell me what it is, but I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“I’d rather show you. I promise this is important, or I wouldn’t be here with this. Look, I’m not in the best of health, and I want to do the right thing while I’m still here. I don’t want to leave a mess like your father did.”

Before I can approach him, Langley gets in his face and grabs the lapels of his coat. He lifts him off his feet and pushes him against the wall.

“Langley!” Hannah says. “Put him down.”

Howard starts to kick, and Langley slowly puts him back on his feet. Howard takes a few steps away from my brother.

“Don’t you ever speak of my father again,” Langley warns.

“Drake, it’s important,” Howard says to me. “Please. I would not be here if it wasn’t. After today, you’ll never see or hear from me again, but I’m not leaving here unless you come with me.”

I sigh and decide to grab him and physically put him out, but Hannah steps between us.

“Okay,” she says to Howard. “We’ll all go. He was our father too, and me and Langley have a right to knowwhat this is.”

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