After a week at the Meyer, Mansion Grace was getting used to the lifestyle the Mansion had to offer. not once since her arrival did she hear about Amelia. she often wondered how Nickolas had handled that situation but she didn't want to rock the boat by bringing it up. Neill seemed unfazed by the new environment, even though he had every possible care he could dream up taken care of. He was now six months old and his baby teeth were showing. he was the cutest thing ever. even though he spent most of his town in the kitchen bubbling noises at James, he had two nannies that attended to him day and night. on each turn, he was being spoilt rotten.
Regardless of the servants waiting on their back and calling, Grace preferred to do things herself when it came to Neill, but help was there, and she didn't have to ask for it. it was there. she had to admit, it had its benefits. she had more time to focus on herself and had dedicated time to her hobby and relaxation.
One room downstairs next to Nicko's home office had been converted into a painting studio for her past time. the view from her studio was breathtaking. she spent hours and hours a day painting when Neill was napping or being entertained. most of her work was portraits of him. she did more painting in London than she ever did in Culmore. once In a while Nickolas would come to her studio, just to watch her as she worked. And those were the days when she got little done.
Nickolas was tenser now at home than he was in Culmore. but Grace credited it all to work stress. Their romantic relationship as far as things went, they were taking it slow. and that gave them time to get to know each other all over again before they became serious...again.
One morning when Grace failed to show up at breakfast. James went in search of her. it was a Saturday and she was supposed to be out taking pictures for inspiration, but she had not come down and it was unlike her to sleep in. she was always on time like clockwork. The door to her bedroom was shut tight and he could hear noises from inside. he gently knocked on the door,
"Miss Moon?" as he turned the lock of the door, he could now tell where the sounds were coming from.
"Grace, are you okay?" fear was gripping him, Nicholas had left early for a meeting, he had a new client flying in from Japan.
So many thoughts were going through his mind as he opened the door. now he could hear clearly that she was crying, James wondered if they had a dispute before Nickolas left. his first thought was to retrace his steps and mind his own business. Peaking into the room he did not see her. But he knew she was somewhere in the room. moving closer to the bed, he saw Neill making baby noises and kicking excitedly in his cot. Without realizing it, he put his hand on his chest and let out a sigh of relief. he did not realize that he had been holding his breath all along.
Grace's hair was poking out from the corner of the bed, she was still wearing her bathrobe and she was barefoot. Her eyes were puffy up and she was sobbing into her hands. James kneeled on the floor next to her.
"Miss, is anything the matter?"
"No." her voice was hoarse.
She hugged herself and started rocking back and forth.
James took Neill out of the room, and when he came back, he had with him a glass of water and gave it to the dazzled Grace.
At last, she seemed to calm down and regain some of her posture. He led her downstairs into the kitchen.
the house was quiet this time of the morning. none of the servants would disturb them. though he didn't show it, James was shaken by what he saw in the room. he put the kettle on and started taking out cups, over the last couple of days, they developed a friendly bond.
When He put the cup of steaming liquid in front of the confused Grace, he took her hands in his. "Grace, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
she nodded and took out a piece of paper and handed it to James.
the writing on the paper looked like that of a preschooler, but the message on the note sent a cool chill down the old man's bones.
He was shocked by the contents of the note, but did not want to show it. he put the piece of paper into his breast pocket and took Grace's hand and squeezed it. His heart ached for her, he took Grace like his daughter.
Grace found her voice and cleared her throat.
"She's coming for us," she said so softly she might as well have spoken to herself but James heard her and turned to face her.
"Noone is coming for you. you and Neill are safe here." "This is probably some kids playing pranks." he wished he could believe it.
For her sake and that of baby Neill she hoped that James was right, the note was just a random prank from a naughty kid. If Amelia was out to get her, with her wealth and connections, she could certainly try. however, it did not look like her style, she did not know her well enough to know what was her style. she was bitter, as anyone in her position, but this was petty even for her. Leaving sick notes in her mail. What James said made sense, maybe it was just a silly prank, she got off her chair and walked to where James was standing. looking at the lawn that seemed to stretch on forever. "thank you..." she struggled with the lump that was in her throat. James squeezed her hand in response and understood the unspoken words.
"Did you sleep well?" James asked in an attempt to change the mood in the kitchen. he was wearing khaki shorts and a white shirt with sandals, he looked casual, he always dressed for comfort more than anything when they were not expecting company, but it was always age-appropriate. Grace gave him a chuckle over her shoulder, she was already starting to feel better again. Since their arrival, she slept like a baby. Neill was past the stage of waking up at midnight for feeding. Her nights included nothing but sleep, she woke up once or twice to check on him.
"Like a baby," Grace said as she left the kitchen to go change, James started on her breakfast. She asked herself as she left the kitchen: ' was it possible to be this lucky twice?' When she came back in less than thirty minutes, dressed in jeans and an off-shoulder pink top, she had finished the look with a pair of white sneakers. She felt like a little girl going out for summer ice cream with her friends in junior high. Simpler times, she thought. Baby Neill was still out somewhere with one of his nannies. Grace went to the kitchen to find James noting down his errands for the day. he'd left her breakfast in the warmer.
she poured herself a fresh cup of decaf coffee and sat on one of the tall stalls, and dug in. the idea of sitting alone in the dining room, after that morning, she'd stick it out in the kitchen.
"I have to get going," she announced as she got up, "any idea where Neill is?" she took her bag and put her phone and camera.
"He must still be upstairs with Sue, they haven't got out yet."
She went in search of Neill then and found him having his bath. Sue smiled at her when she came to kiss the baby's head goodbye.
Grace drove out of the driveway for a day of adventure, she did not notice the figure standing at the upstairs window, watching.