Page 14 of War
Six
“So?” Simone asked. “What do you think?”
Eli stepped into his newly purchased apartment. It took up two full floors and had a spectacular view of Central Park. Its floor-to-ceiling windows stunned her, a sweeping view of the city from different angles.
The apartment was on two floors and was considered the penthouse suite. The open kitchen area was to die for with his marble countertop, sub-zero refrigerator, extensive pantry, and chocolate brown cabinetry.Simone begged him to let her decorate it and he happily obliged.
He didn’t know what he expected when he stepped in. He told Simone he wanted contemporary, sleek, but comfortable. He wanted Nathan to have his own bedroom and playroom. He wanted enough space to run around and chase the child all over the home without fear of breaking anything.
Simone came through.
The living room was contemporary with plush velvet sofas. The flat screen TV hung on the wall, surrounded by bookcases. The guest rooms each contained a full-sized bed with a small flat screen TV located on top of a dresser.
Eli’s master bedroom featured chocolate hardwood flooring and a California King-sized bed dominated the room. An open space was at the corner for a private area to read. The other side of his bedroom showcased a sparkling view of New York. It was already his favorite room.
“Well?” Simone waited on pins and needles. Eli was silent as he perused through each room, carefully examining it. “What do you think?”
Eli turned to her with a huge smile on his face. “It’s perfect, Moni. You’ve really outdone yourself! I love it!”
Simone bounced in her Guccis. “That means so much to me!”
Eli picked her up and twirled Simone around. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“You make me feel amazing.”
Eli picked her up and laid her on top of the bed. He hovered over her as she opened her legs more to accommodate him. “I hope I can make you feel more amazing now…”
“I only have one request, baby…” She breathed.
“Yes?” He asked.
“Well?” Simone asked. “Is there a reason for the DNA test?”
Eli briefly looked away as the memory dissipated into the air. His eyes traveled until they saw Nick and Elena playing in the backyard. He briefly smiled at the interaction. Nick was so wonderful with children and he was sincerely happy his brother and Zerrin were finally having another one. He knew all too well the struggles of unexplained infertility. “I want to be sure she’s mine.”
“You have any reason to believe she’s not?” Simone folded her arms. “You never doubted her before.”
“Yes, I have,” he quietly replied, “I just want to be sure Elena is a D’Amato. If she is, it changes a lot of things.”
“Such as?”
“Well, for starters, she needs to be named in my will,” Eli glanced over to his ex, “and her last name changes to D’Amato.”
“Her last name will remain as Harris until she’s old enough to make a decision,” Simone stood her ground, “you can’t come in here and make demands on what Elena is going to be doing just because you want to play daddy.”
Eli chuckled. “Funny how you’re giving me that lecture when you only told me about Elena three years after she was born,vaffanculo.” Eli glanced down at his Rolex watch, “just like my haters, you don’t know if you love me or hate me.”
“I loved you more than anything and I knew you didn’t feel the same way; I loved you anyway!” Tears threatened Simone’s eyes. “You were never going to leave Faith. I was ready to give up everything for you and you wouldn’t even beseenwith me in public! Why would I think you would care about a child? You certainly didn’t give a damn about the mother.”
“I can separate feelings towards my child’s mother and my child. How I feel about one wouldn’t affect my relationship with the other.” Eli finally locked eyes with Simone and his stare went icy. “You will never make that accusation ever again.”
“Excuse me,” Nick’s baritone interrupted the tension between the former couple. He was holding a sleepy Elena. “Elena is ready for her nap.”
“I’ll put her down,” Eli took Elena from his brother before walking upstairs.
Simone cleared her throat and wiped the fallen tears away from her eyes. “Thank you for coming over to see her, Nick. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” Nick replied. He waited for Eli to be out of earshot before he addressed Simone. “You’re a great mother. Elena is a well-rounded child. A very bright, little girl.”
