Chapter 10 - The Final Chapter
Three years later, the Cross family estate in upstate New York was alive with the sound of children playing in the sprawling green gardens.
Nathaniel sat on the shaded veranda, his laptop open to a quarterly earnings report, though his eyes were firmly fixed on the lawn. Miles was attempting to teach Sophie how to ride a bicycle without training wheels, while Grace cheered them on from the picnic blanket.
Elena walked out onto the veranda, carrying a tray of iced lemonade and two glasses, setting them down on the wrought-iron table before leaning over Nathaniel's shoulder to check the screen.
"Still micromanaging the global logistics division?" she teased, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
"I'm delegating," Nathaniel corrected, closing the laptop with a snap and pulling her down onto his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her waist. "Besides, the board runs itself now that Uncle Jonathan is permanently retired in the Bahamas and my mother is too busy breeding prize-winning orchids to interfere."
Elena laughed, resting her chin against his chest. "You sound almost fond of her."
"I'm fond of this," Nathaniel murmured, looking out at the sun setting over the trees, casting golden light across the lawn where his children played. "The empire is nice, Elena. But it's just background noise."
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From the lawn, Miles shouted up toward the porch, waving his scraped knee triumphantly. "Daddy! Look! I didn't even cry!"
Nathaniel raised a hand, flashing a proud grin that matched the little boy's stubborn chin entirely.
