Baxter awoke with his face against Ivy's neck. Thanks to a soft, warm body, he had slept. It was early, as he slid out of bed and into the shower. He planned to visit his father, knowing his mother never left the house early. Amelia had to look perfectly presentable before she even left her bedroom. Ivy was naturally beautiful without effort. Oddly, he didn't know if the same was true for his mother. Even as a child, he never saw her without makeup. Regardless, he would use her beauty routine to his advantage.

Not even Charles was at his post when Baxter left into the waiting car. He hired a car, not wanting to take the driver from his mother. The dark streets were quiet, and the ride didn't take long. He approached the elevator bank with purpose.

Because doctors had early rounds, he knew his father would be awake. As Baxter approached his room, he heard talking. He had arrived in time to see the doctor.

The physician looked up. "Early bird."

Baxter smiled. "Guilty. Dad, how are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling like I want to go home."

"Not so fast. We want to run some tests first."

Baxter frowned. "Has anything changed since yesterday?"

"Nothing specific, but call me thorough. I'll let you visit while I move on to other patients."

Baxter smiled. "I like him."

"I might too if I wasn't chained to this bed. It's degrading."

Baxter wondered how he relieved himself with all the wires attached. He would never ask. It was too personal for a Kane.

"About yesterday."

"Dad, it's okay."

"How did you know?"

Baxter sighed. "One day, I went looking for you when you were on a walk after five and saw you together. Ironically, for a while, I thought Ellie might have been Ivy's mother."

"Why would you?"

"Ellen had a first love who chose family obligations over her. She told Ivy she knew you a long time ago."

"I can't imagine how."

"Dad can't you understand. I love her as much as you love Eleanor."

He stared at his son. "Who have you told?"

"Ivy knows. You can trust us both. She cares about Eleanor."

"It's mutual. She..." He frowned.

"Why did you hurt her?"

"Isn't it the right thing to do?"

"Yes. No. As unfair it is to Mother, I understand love. Blame it on the cross, but I will always love Ivy."

"Your mother is punishing you for my actions."

"Why would she want history to repeat itself? Did she make you stop seeing Ellie?"

"No, Ellie did. She wants me to support you."

His words lay heavy on Baxter's chest. Eleanor gave up the man she loved for his and Ivy's happiness."

"Have you? Have you always seen her? Even when we were young?"

He shook his head. "Not at first, but towards the end of her unhappy marriage. It started slowly, once a quarter."

"Like a board meeting?" Baxter tried to joke. He suspected his father needed to unburden himself.

"Not quite. It stayed like that for years. Everything changed after my heart attack. Life suddenly looked shorter."

Baxter felt a heaviness in his heart. "How long has mother known?"

He sighed. "It's complicated. I may not love her like Ellie, but I have love for her. She's the mother of my children."

"It's messy. Poor Mother."

Philip scoffed. "Your mother isn't poor, but she has loved a horrible husband. She must never find out you know and the others can never know."

"She might suspect after I invited Eleanor to the gala."

"That wasn't your wisest move."

"I know. I'm not proud of it."

"Baxter, I'm proud of you. You have stepped up not just at the office but with your siblings."

"Dad, you sound morbid."

Philip shook his head. "Just a realist."

Baxter didn't want to think about life without his father. Hopefully, the competent doctors would make sure he didn't have to for a long time. Still, he was reluctant to leave moments alone outside the office were rare.

"Knock, knock. Oh, Baxter."

He looked up. "Hi, Eleanor."

"He knows everything."

She smiled. "He's a smart boy. He loves my Ivy."

Philip didn't argue. Baxter was glad they didn't greet each other physically.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but don't make my father unhappy because of me. I'm going to marry Ivy with or without my parents' blessing. Maybe we'll have a small private ceremony on an island or in our new home."

He didn't know what Ivy wanted. They had never talked about the actual wedding.

Eleanor looked like she wanted to hug him, but he stepped away. "I'll give you two some privacy. Should I tell the nurse you don't want to be disturbed?"

"I have to get to work soon myself."

Baxter wanted to call Ivy, but it was her first day after a busy semester. He opted to let her sleep. He only needed to tell his mother his intention and then he would propose. Maybe at Christmas, he smiled. If only, they could go to Aspen with his family. He was more determined than ever not to make the mistakes of his father.

At five, he was at his desk still deep in work. Danielle sat at the table in his office making changes to a memo. Tate barged in. "We're not going to Aspen for Christmas."

"Why?"

"Mother thinks dad can't travel. It's a private plane, just like sitting around at home!"

"I wasn't going, so I'm glad you'll be home."

"Why weren't you going? Because of Ivy?"

"Yeah, I'm not spending Christmas without her."

Tate frowned. "I understand, but everything is changing."

"You almost changed your life a year ago."

Tate frowned. "Don't remind me."

"Tell me you don't love him."

"I don't, but the humiliation is hard to forget."

Baxter might have hugged her, but he was behind his desk. Affection wasn't appropriate at the office, at least not between Kanes.

"Has Mother said how the patient is?"

"I went to see him at lunch. He wants to go home. The man is not a patient patient."

Danielle giggled. Baxter rolled his eyes. "We're still working here."

"I'm heading home. Mother invited me to dinner."

"She's not at the hospital?"

"No, she sat with him most of the day. Now she has calmed down and knows he's not dying."

Baxter understood being worried. If Ivy were ever sick, he wouldn't leave her. A chill ran through him. "I have to work." His bark erased the worry conjured in his mind.

Danielle looked at him at seven. "Don't you have a warm body waiting for you?"

"Fine. We'll finish tomorrow. Pack up. Macintyre will drop you off."

It was common for his driver to drop Danielle at her apartment. They often continued working on the ride, but he needed a break. Having Ivy waiting for him put a smile on his face.

His assistant shook her head. "You bought a home. When are you going to propose?"

He smiled. "Soon." With a frown, he added, "Without the family ring."

"Should I arrange for you to visit the jeweler?"

The Kane family had used the same jeweler for generations. The family business had always given the Kanes exceptional treatment. Baxter had purchased Ivy's diamond necklace without stepping foot in the Jeweler's Building. A ride to Washington Street would be necessary to choose a ring.

"Not yet. I'd like to focus on the house first."

After he arrived at Sinclairs, he went to change and found Ivy in the bedroom. Leaning over, he kissed her head. "How was your day?"

"Boring. Elena lent me this book, but I like my own romance better."

He lifted her enough for him to slide into the chair with her on his lap. "Tell me more."

"You make me feel excited all the time."

Burying his face in her neck, he felt intoxicated. "I'm feeling excited."

She giggled. "How's your father?"

"Not feeling it now. He's fine. Ellie visited this morning."

Ivy sat up. "Wasn't that risky?"

"My mother never leaves the house before eight. Eleanor put the brakes on for us. I told her not to."

"You did."

He nodded. "We are the only two who know, aside from my parents and Eleanor."

"I feel bad for your mother."

"I do too, but don't think you'll end up like her. You are my Ellie, only I'm not letting you go. Did you eat?"

"Elena and Joe are visiting his sister. Charles said we could eat when you get home."

He laughed and shifted so he could stand leaving her in the oversized chair. "You sound like you are enjoying this life."

"I spent fifteen minutes trying to get Charles to smile. I think I might break him."

Baxter laughed as he unbuttoned his shirt. He let his pants drop, and she eyed his reaction to her watching him undress. "If I wasn't hungry."

They sat at a corner of the dining room table meant for twelve. "I'm looking forward to our kitchen."

"I'm looking forward to being on our own."

"No butler."

"No friend's parents. We owe them for being so gracious."

"Elena has enjoyed it. She treats me like a daughter."

"Elena, Eleanor, but not Amelia. She told Tate they aren't going to Aspen for Christmas."

Ivy shook her head. "I want to spend the holidays in our new house."

"Me too. We should ask the designer to decorate."

"No! We need to do it ourselves. I don't want a perfect tree. Trees should be imperfect and filled with memories."

He chuckled. "If you say so." Baxter never wanted to argue. If he had to put ornaments on a tree to make her happy he would.

"We should invite your family."

Baxter smiled. Let them experience the fun. "My mother will never come."

"Her loss, especially if you cook for them."

He laughed. "You only like me for my cooking."

"Nope. I love you for a lot of things."

"When we go upstairs, we can experience one of them tonight."

She put her napkin on the table. "I'm done."

He smiled. "Me too."

Baxter held her back, because his mother taught him not to run in the house.

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