Chapter 72
After dinner Jules & Marcus and Jackson and I retreated outside so we could continue talking. I think by this stage Maggie had zoned out and was going to annoy others in the house, as only Mags could. The tormenter in her always made me smile. Her ability to make the mo0st miserable person smile with her antics always bought a smile to my face.
"Where to now?" I threw out the question not knowing next steps. I had entered an area I was expecting to for at least another decade. But, like it or not, here we were.
"Sir, I know I have my responsibilities to you, as my employer, and now, I also have responsibilities to Jules as we embark on this together. Is there some role I could continue to play in the organisation that would keep me in Europe more so closer to Jules, rather than jumping the globe so frequently, at least until the baby is born. I understand that is 100% your decision, and if need be, I would be willing to stand out and resign."
"Hey Marcus. One step at a time. I need to discuss options with James, and see where the best fit for you is going forward. I respect your comments, and I take them on board, and I also understand that you are my daughters partner, and I have many people to consider moving forward, including our grandchild. So lets take, shall I say, baby steps, moving forward and see what we can arrange. First steps though, Jules, Sam has already organised for you to see the best OBGYN in Munich on Wednesday. You will need to leave here Tuesday. Marcus, you will be leaving with her. I am having the plane return from New York once Maggie has returned." Just as I finished speaking, James appeared out of the living space.
"Pour yourself a wine and come join us," I added as he walked closer.
"Sam will be down in a minute, I was hoping to grab some time tonight with you, without taking you away from the family."
"Actually, Jules, could you please excuse us, I would actually like to sit with Marcus and James and Dada a bit."
"Ok Dad, I will be upstairs if you need me." She said, rising and looking at Marcus as if to say, `You will be ok'
"James, Marcus and I have been talking. He would like to remain in Europe whilst Jules is pregnant, and potentially beyond. Whilst I tend to approve of this, ultimately it is your call, and Marcus, there is also something James and I need to bring up with you that Jules is not aware of, and we expect 100% discretion in the matter."
"Sir, I would never breach your trust. Please, I need you to understand that."
"There's a few things, firstly, when we are in a family situation, like dinner tonight etc. I am Grant, Jackson is Jackson. In professional settings, I will leave it to your better judgement how you address me. We need to set these parameters moving forward so we are all on the same page, but more about that later. For now, we have a matter that we need to bring you up to speed on." I said as James pulled a folder out of no where and placed it on the table.
"Marcus, Jules has been receiving death threats for some time now. We believe that they are coming from far right hate groups in Germany and Europe. I have made the decision at this stage to not tell Jules, and now she is pregnant, I do not want her to know at all. James and I did have a plan hatched, but, in the last 24hrs things have changed, courtesy of your news."
I Added, "My main concern is and will always be the safety of both my children, no matter where they are. Hence, it was one of the reasons I pulled you from the detail, as I needed Corey on her, as he trained specifically to deal with these types of situations. Please do not think we didn't think you capable of protecting her general welfare & safety, but, we are in a different situation, and until we can stop these types of threats, and get to the bottom of it Corey is in charge of Jules details, and there are also two deep operatives working for Corey that are also on her detail. I cannot introduce you to them, but know they are always about."
Marcus was left looking a bit shell shocked by this revelation, and we gave him a few minutes to process what we had told him.
"Yeah, I understand. Please, is there any way I can be kept across it?" He asked. I guess it was a fair question, and one I wasn't prepared for.
James jumped in to answer this. "Actually, I have already thought this one through, and to be 100% open with you, "No. We will keep you abreast of any developments, but, unless you are with Jules, operationally, we are keeping this a tight circle. I don't want you to be offended by this, I need you to understand that the less that are across the day to day planning the better."
"That makes sense. I am just really worried about Jules." He conceded.
"And now you know why we removed you from her detail, you are too emotionally attached."
"That makes sense. Thanks for being honest and up front."
Jackson was taking all this in, and rarely did he offer up comment around the security unless it was directly related to him. He had learnt quickly from day 1 that they were there to do a job, and it was everyone's best interest to just let them do as they needed. More so, the last few months he knew how important they were, and how they made our lives better. Sitting there, you could see he had a light bulb moment.
"James, please tell me if I am out of line, but lately with you managing a bigger expanded team, and trying to split your time between Germany and New York, I know you have raised concern around security at the Villa, and the lack of a permanent team on the grounds, why not work with Marcus and let him run the Villa, operationally, with a team of 4-5 to support him. That way it would lessen your workload, which realistically it should not be a part of your day to day routine anyway."
Actually, I could see where Jackson was going with this. It made sense, and in all of mine and James's thinking, we had completely overlooked the biggest gap in our security. The Villa. It would be critical, now more than ever, to have a team permanently on board there, to take some of the pressures off James.
"Actually, I am ok with that." James added after some thought. "That could actually work out well. Marcus? Your thoughts?"
"I actually like that, but I just don't want to be thought of as a security guard. I have worked too hard to get this far."
"Well, why don't we add a training aspect in to it as well. We have 35 people on the security team now, and they all need to be kept up to date. We also need to do inductions, like we have a newbie here tomorrow shadowing Chris. Lets ease very ones workload, and create a system where they go through a training program at the Villa, led by you, Marcus, under the watchful eye of you, James?" I knew where my train of thought was heading, I just didn't know if it would be practical.
"Ok, leave it with me, and I will set up something to that effect. You're right though, I need to lessen my load on some of the day to day things, so I can do more forward planning, and with a baby on the way, you guys are going to kill me!"
I laughed but knew James was more than capable. I was in a better frame of mind now, and I could see the path ahead, clearer, than this morning.
"That sound like a bit of challenge for you Marcus?" I asked.
"Yeah, actually it does. I really like the thought of that."
Being one of our younger team, Marcus was held in high regard by our two most senior team. Chris, who had bought Marcus on board after serving with him in the Navy, and Michael, who trained Marcus initially. If those two were ok with Marcus, I had to take their word that he was more than capable.
The night was just beautiful. There was a slight tropical breeze, the humid was perfect, and the stars were brighter than ever.
"Hey Bub," I said softly, "Feel like a walk on the beach?" I asked
"That would be amazing, I really have missed the beach since leaving Sydney" he added.
"Hey Michael, get ready, we are going for a run on the beach"
"What the Fuck, you can't run old boy!"
"Shut up! We are going for walk. You wanna stalk from behind." I asked casually.
"Stalk your behind? You wish!" he added sarcastically. "Give me two, I just need to change shoes."
"Ok mate, take your time, we are just going slowly." I yelled as we walked off.
Holding hands, reconnecting and just strolling on the sands was a moment the soul needed as we wondered the beach. Our thoughts were our own as we processed the news, and what it would mean.
"How you doing, Pops" I asked Jackson who was a million miles away.
"I was about to ask you the same thing. I guess I am ok. It could be worse, she could be sick, she could be in trouble, there are so many other scenario's that could be happening. But, she seems fine, almost radiant, and as always, very definite."
It was a good way to look at it. And I could only agree with Jackson's summary.
"Remember when I first told you I wanted kids." I asked laughingly. "Remember when the surrogate first told us she was pregnant?" I added.
"Do I, I shit myself and went on a drunken rampage for a week thinking of ways to avoid reality"
I laughed at him memory of those days all those years ago.
"But hey, we survived, they survived, we knew nothing and I still wander what we've learnt. I think we need to now move on and throw 100% support behind her. Yes, it may mean even more changes and planning, but It's happening whether we like it or not."
Jackson took me in both arms and kissed me deeply. I could feel the warmth radiating off his body. This was the man I knew and loved.
"You'll still be the sexiest grandpa I know" he said as he released me.
"Will you two get a room!" Came the voice from behind, as Michael and Karl caught up with us.
"Fuck you, Romeo!" I responded.
The 2 of them had become both close and important to us. And I cherished the friendship we all were developing. Michael was my rock in many ways. The voice of reason that sat on my shoulder. He was never supposed to be that person, I thought that was what James was, but now I had him, I wasn't letting him go.
"So, what's installed for the rest of the night, or shouldn't I ask?" Knowing that Michael and I were leaving in the morning for Belize.
"Actually nothing. I think our last few weeks have been enough to keep our sex drive at bay for a while" Karl added. "I just want to fall asleep on this beasts chest. Makes me a happy man."
"Young love is so sweet" Jackson added.
"I can hark back to those days" I mused out loud.
We continued walking and talking. Generally, about what needed to be done, planning etc for the trip back to NYC in the coming weeks, making sure Dr's appointments were kept. It was like I was leaving the kids alone with a sitter for the weekend. My paternal instincts were in over drive.
Michael was picking up on my increasing anxiousness. "Boss, they are big boys now, that can even pee standing up. Perhaps let them make their own mistakes." He commented trying to break the cycle I was placing myself in.
"He's right you know honey. I am sure Karl and I can live on beer and pretzels for the next few weeks."
Laughter filled the night air as we made our way back up onto the rear patio. Most of the lights were dimmed and the house was quiet. We made our way upstairs. And the safety conscious dad in me, checked on the girls as I was so used to doing. As I poked my head in Maggie's door, here lamp was on, her phone was on the floor and she was sound asleep. I bend down and kissed her head. Turned off her lamp and closed the door behind me. As I approached Jules room, I opened the door and fond Marcus's bare arse staring me in the face, as he pounded away on my daughter.
"Jesus Christ! She's pregnant already! Do I really need to see this!"
"Dad, get out. NOW!" Came the scream from Jules.
Why I thought to myself. What did I do so wrong to be continually punished.
I quickly made my way to our bedroom.
"What was all the yelling about?" Jackson asked.
"Really? Do you really want to know!" I added before Jules came flying in to our room at 100mph with the rath of the gods in her veins.
"Seriously! I am 22yo. You need to fucking knock. I am sick of being treated like a kid, Dad." She added as she paced our room.
"What is going on between you two?" Jackson said as he was looking at the two us at 20 paces.
"Well where do I start?" I said as I went to go in to a full flight monologue as to what I had just witnessed.
"Dada, seriously, pull the stalker into line" Jules said before I could respond. "He really needs to respect my privacy."
I remember back to when Jules was just starting puberty and every door would be locked behind her, her bedroom became a `Secured Military facility' and she'd take 45 mins in the bathroom, and under no circumstances were Jackson or I to enter. It only seemed like yesterday.
"Jules," Jackson said, "What happened?" he said walking up to her and grabbing her hands.
"The old creeper here just walked on Marcus and I and we were, you know, we were....."
"Fucking!" he said without batting an eyelid.
Her eyes went straight to the ground.
"Grant, go have a shower. I want to have a chat with our girl here." It wasn't so much a request as a demand. I left the room without saying a word.
"Sweetheart" Jackson started off as he guided Jules to the side of the bed. "You need to understand you can't just ask to switch off being dad's because you're 22, got a boyfriend, and your pregnant."
He had a way of calming both girls down that I never did possess.
"You see every night since the day we bought you home he has always poked his head in on you both to make sure you are both safe and asleep. It's his dad duty. Never take that away from him, and in saying that, you will know that feeling soon to. It's going to take time for him to stop treating you like his big girl. Give him time please. You've delivered him a bit of a shock. He doesn't except change as well as I do."
It was a fair explanation and delivered in an empathetic way. Jules just reached out to hug her Dada.
"Just ask him to knock these days, that's all I ask."
"OK, I will. Now, tell me, are you happy? I haven't asked you that."
"yeah Dada, I am. And not just with Marcus, but I want this baby. It's the right thing."
Chapter 73
Sunday mornings for most are spent lying in bed late, lazy days doing as we please. In our strange little household this Sunday morning was a hive of activity as someof us were on the move to get back to reality.
Maggie was packed and ready to leave by 9am, her flight back to New York was departing soon, and Chris was accompanying her and then handing her back over to Sally, who had since returned from leave. He was coming back tomorrow night so he could resume his role with Jackson. Sam was also heading back for a week to catch up on a few things before meeting me later in Belize.
Michael and I were packed and ready to head to Belize with James. Although we lucked out on the sheer joy of luxury, and instead were flying commercial for the short hop across the water.
Soon it would be Jackson, Michelle, Karl, our cook and a local girl who was helping to keep the house running. Our life was certainly busy, but never dull.
As I was gathering the last bits and pieces to pack, Michael enter our bedroom.
"Come on boss, seriously, you're like an old woman, get your shit together man."
Raising my eyes with a look of disdain, I could see there was a sparkle in his baby blues that meant I knew what he got up to last night.
"Settle down, I'm coming, I'm coming."
"I bet you say that to all the boys, ha?"
"Here, make yourself useful. Take his suitcase down, I am 5 mins away."
Jackson was contently singing away in the bathroom, relaxed and content after the last minute blow job I had given him this morning, when I awoke to find something hard and long pressed up against my arse.
"Hey beautiful, I gotta get going, I need your arse out here now." I commanded from the bedroom.
"On my way now bub. Just towelling off" he said before walking in to the bedroom naked as the day he was born.
As he stood in front of me with his tanned lean frame glistening, the sunlight bounced of his furry chest giving him such a sense of masculinity that made me want him more and more.
"Damn I am going to miss you" I said as I wrapped my arms around him and pulling him closer.
"No tricks this time. Michelle will be updating me on a regular basis" I added to make sure he knew I was concerned.
"Go, be off. Go save the world one country at a time. We will be fine." Came his reply as he continued to kiss me.
Easier said than done I thought to myself as I finished collecting things.
"Jules!' I yelled out hoping she heard me, which she apparently did as she was in our room in seconds.
"What have I done!" was the response.
"Nothing sweetheart, I just wanted to say goodbye before I left. Please make sure you travel safe, make sure Corey is with you at all times, and please, I will call Wednesday night, I want to know what the Doctor has to say. You are carrying the heir to a fortune, I need to make sure my Grandbaby is ok!"
She looked at me adoringly. The penny had finally dropped, and we were all ok and going to get through this together.
"I am pretty sure he's a boy Dad. And I am pretty sure he's going to be ok."
As she lent in to kiss my cheek, I embraced her in a hug.
"So many parents would be so happy to have such a strong, independent loving daughter. I'm proud your mine" I whispered in her ear as we separated.
"Oh by the way, Sam is going to call you for some detail on Marcus, background, family etc. As soon as Marcus's parents are aware, we need to release a statement before it is somehow leaked. Once you have been to Germany, happy if you want to go to New York, spend some time meeting his parents and family etc. Use the Gulfstream, just make sure Sam is aware of your plans and movements, and please, make sure both Dada and I know too."
I felt like my list of requests and demands was never ending as I was walking down the stairs. I was shooting off things in every direction making sure everyone was across everything.
As I reached the door and said my last goodbye to Jackson, the large timber doors shut behind us, and I could have sworn I heard a collective sigh of relief emanate from the other side of the door.
As Michael predicted we were running late and the gate had opened to our flight when we arrived.
"I will take care of the luggage; you worry about getting yourself on the plane. I will see you on board. Just move it. " Was Michaels stern warning.
As James and I finally grabbed our seat on the small commuter plane, I collapsed back and just sat there, finally catching my breath.
"Commercial travel!" I sighed. "I forgot about all the bullshit you have to go through"
"Private travel is much more preferable Boss" James added with a smile.
Michael was the last passenger on board and as he moved his bulk frame into the seat next to me, he was grunting and groaning about the size of the plane.
"Fuck me Boss. Last time I looked you had over $300m worth of private planes.....with jets on them. Not this propeller shit. I can't even fit in the fucking seats."
"Settle down princess," I threw at him with a smile, "Sometimes we just have to suck it up. Besides, it's just over an hour. I am sure you will survive."
He growled as I replied, but deep down I knew he was fine.
Our flight across was not an easy flight. In fact, it was fucking rough. I realised during this flight that my big bad protector is scared of turbulence, and was something I could hold over him in future, should I so need to. The small Dash-8 twin prop was bouncing across the sky as the cabin crew locked everything and everyone down.
Our piolets were doing the best they could, and as I never had any issues flying, was cool and relaxed the whole flight.
Patting Michaels white knuckles at one stage, I gave him a look of reassurance which I most definitely thought he needed.
The vibe on the ground was eclectic and lively. Having never been here before I wasn't really sure what to expect. I had been given several briefings and I had met with the ambassador a few times, but still, I wasn't sure what to expect. We were waved through customs and out in to the terminal proper where James recognised one of our employee's who was collecting us and taking us to our digs at The Radisson near the Marina.
After spending time in the Caymans, Belize was a completely different place. The climate was the same, but that was about it. I could see the poverty everywhere I looked, and I understood the more we drove through the city why Steven was so adamant that this was to be our first `not for profit' venture.
It made me think of all the reasons as to why we were doing this, and how important it was to make life better for millions living in poverty. Some of the best idea's were to come from those who didn't have the ability, nor the financial means, to bring their dreams to fruition. For me, it was about working with these people and giving the opportunity to do such.
I recognised I was also in a country with a repressed minority of LGBTIQA+ people and if I could help these in my endeavours, I would. Nothing was off the table.
A little after we had checked in to the hotel, Sam called me.
"Hey Boss, Just touching base. Hope everything is fine and you're settled in. I need to go over a few things with you if you have a few moments." As Sam started to wheel off the `few' things on his list, he mentioned that we had been approached to gauge our support for the Republican nominee for the next presidential election. Whilst I was fairly political neutral, I knew that after the last period of a Republican Presidency, I would not be spending a penny on them. I asked Sam to reach out instead to the Democrat's and see, as a non-resident US, how we could assist with any programs in their social policy area that they needed some assistance of cash with.
Sam was surprised by my bold step, but having now seen the way I worked, new that if we could make something better for people, we were all for it.
As we finished up, I checked my schedule and made a note of things I needed to attend to today. Michael was already at my door as I picked up my phone to call him.
"Don't bother boss. I have your schedule as well. The car and driver are waiting downstairs."
"Great, lets get moving then shall we."
We arrived at small but practical corporate office so I could meet the team. The Country manager I had already met, but the rest of the team I had heard of, but not met. Until out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a familiar figure sitting in the corner.
"Maria, how are you doing."
"Oh Sir Grant, thank you. I am so well. I love being back in my country. My mama is so happy. My husband he find work on the docks. We are s happy to be here. Thank you so much."
Her eyes started to tear up as I took her hand and gave it a tight squeeze.
"I am glad you are happy to be here. I hear you are doing some great work" I added to help boost her confidence.
Seeing Maria at work, was just a small step I had made in enriching someone's life for the better. It was the driver I needed to make sure I was kept in check moving forward.
There were millions of Maria's in this world, and if I can help one Maria at a time, I have made progress.
I gave an open talk to the whole team and outlined our vision, and as I was doing such Steven arrived in the office. I hadn't seen him for a few weeks, and I was so happy to see his face. It meant a lot to me the work he was doing.
"Steven, I am so happy to see you. Thanks for coming down. Where's Klaus?" I asked surveying the room trying to find Stevens trusted No2.
"He's down at the branch finalising some IT issues. He will join us for dinner if you are free?"
"I have no plans at all, I would love to join you both. I will bring James as well, otherwise he will sit in his room and eat crap." I added smiling.
"I can't wait to get out in to the rural area's with the team this week. I want to meet locals and see what they are doing. I really want to understand what this country and these people are all about." I added enthusiastically.
Chapter 74
As the week went by, Belize turned out to be more than we could have hoped for. The team had green lit 4 projects that we were willing to fund including a water filtration process and a couple of agriculture platforms that we knew could be worked into something viable.
I had achieved a sense of purpose in life that I had only felt twice before, and they were our two daughters.
Jackson was doing well and was due to leave the Caymans tomorrow for the 8 day voyage back to New York. I was really missing him and really need the connection that I was missing with him. Phone calls were not the same.
Jules had done well at here Dr's appointment, and was currently packing to head to New York to meet Marcus' parents with him, and to also share the news of the upcoming birth. I could tell by her tone that she was nervous, but my plan was to be back in New York by the time they arrived.
We were all due to fly back tonight, and that time couldn't come soon enough, and whilast I had had an amazing time in Belize, I needed to get back to the office.
As we were gathering all of our belongs, Michael grabbed my aside.
"We are all set boss. You ready to head off." He asked casually.
"More than you ever know. Take me home, where ever that may be." I responded.
"You sound flat boss. Everything ok?"
"Everything is great, but to be honest with myself, I feel I am not spending enough time with Jackson. It's starting to get to me, being away from him so much."
"I get that. I miss Karl too, but remember what you told me? Always look forward to the arrival, never think about the departure."
It was true. He was now using his own words against me.
As the plane lifted off from Belize, I reclined back in to my seat, feeling the new leather wrap itself around me. I was comforted by this cocoon like feeling that seat gave me. I closed my eyes, passing on the champagne that the cabin manager offered me, thinking now would be as good a time as ever to catch up on sleep.
About an hour in to the flight, I heard the landing gear go down, which seemed a little odd. It was enough to make me sit up and look out side my window.
"Michael," I yelled in a slightly panicked voice, "What's going on, what are those lights below?" I asked wanting answers ASAP.
"I spoke with Steven and James & Sam, your diary is closed for the next 8 days. Sam has re-scheduled everything. The world can go on with out you. We are dropping you off in The Caymans, and you are sailing back with Jackson. Don't speak, except to say thank you."
"Thank you." I said as I reached out to give him a squeeze.
"Once we drop you off, Karl is boarding, he is flying back with me, the cook. The yacht will have Chris, Michelle, The Crew & the newbie on board for the return trip. You don't need me as well. Besides, James has plans for me whilst you are away, Karl needs to get the house ready for Jacksons return, and you definitely don't need two cooks on the Yacht when there is only a handful on board."
"Why are you so good to me." I asked
"Because you are good to us boss. Enjoy the last of summer sailing home. Jackson is on the up and up, spend some time together without the day to day getting in the way."
As usual he was right. There was nothing more I needed that to spend our days in the sun, unwinding on a cruise back to New York, on board our own 190m private Yacht. Wealth had its trimmings, and I was sure to enjoy this.
Taxiing across the runway, I could see the cars sitting on the apron waiting to collect us. As we got closer, I could see Jackson standing outside waiting for me to disembark. The stair couldn't be wheeled in to place fast enough.
"Hey you" He said when I was in earshot. "What you doing in town" The smile on his face told me he was welcoming my return.
By the time I had left the aircraft and Karl & co boarded the plane, it was already taxiing back out to depart for New York before we had even left the airport.
`Damn that was quick!" I commented as the plane glided past as she sped down the runway and up in to the night sky.
"So, you up for a second honeymoon" Jackson asked with an evil grin passing across his face.
"More than you could possible believe" I added as I slid across the seat and into his arms.