Epilogue

**The Following October**

“Greyson, do we really have to leave here. This is like heaven on earth”.

“Mrs Maddox. This the grand opening of your adoptive families Diner, yes, we have to go back”.

I pout at my ruggedly handsome husband giving him my best puppy dog eyes.

“One more day?”

“We said one more day three days ago now come on, get your ass off this beach before I move it for you”.

I reluctantly stand up the feel of the warm sand squish between my toes.

“Your right I know you are, but I don’t want to go “


Thailand has been a favourite destination of ours, we have been back here three times now. The first time was shortly after the Christmas party, we left amid a paparazzi firestorm.

When word got that I was who I was, everything just blew up. It was overwhelming, images from my past resurfaced and finally, people started to see that these had been doctored.

Even with all of that knowledge, it didn’t stop people from coming for me, some were from Greyson’s past and some were random people. Finally, I had had enough on the verge of a breakdown when he swept me away for 2 weeks at the end of January.

Since then, I have found peace and clarity with every visit. It really is paradise, and I could stay here forever.

“We will come back again soon I promise. The car is waiting though so get your butt in “

My relationship with Greyson had only grown stronger and stronger since that night, it turns out I had a pretty bad concussion and spent a few days in bed waiting for the dizziness to stop.

He has allowed me to be the person I am no hidden tricks or judgement; he genuinely loves me for who I am, and I count my lucky stars every single day.

I reluctantly get in the car whispering goodbye to the sand and the sea, readying myself for overcrowded New York.

**Greyson**

Being back in your new home is always bittersweet, I have to adjust to not seeing my beautiful wife wearing clothes.
“You know I didn’t think it would be this cold yet”.

She is snuggled in a large coat and scarf, the crisp fall leaves adorning the sidewalk with their bright orange and shades.

“I have to admit Grey; New York is pretty in the Autumn … sorry mean falls.”

She puts on her best American accent, something she has been working but fails miserably at.

“Ahh the accent again, this time it was more Australian cowboy than new yorker so mean you’re getting pretty close “


She laughs, hitting me in the arm softly but wrapping herself around it, locking her fingers with my own.

As we continue the walking, I’m getting more and more nervous this reopening was special. Gens adoptive family really did mean everything to her. Nona and Luca offered her the warmth and comfort she didn’t get from her own family.

As we round the corner to the building a small group of people are outside, Luca comes running over to us.

“The press is here; Nona is charming them already”.

Looking over I can see her handing out small cups of tea in her apron to everyone waiting in the chilli street.

“She will never stop working will she”.

“Not until she physically can’t and even then, I think she will still try”


Walking up to the front to stand alongside the family, I say a few words about Luca and our partnership before we open it all up and let people in. The mood is buzzing, and people seem to be really enjoying the food, investing in this place was a solid choice.

As Gen chats away to people, letting them know what's good on the menu she is beaming with pride, I can’t help but sit back in my seat and watch her.

“Excuse me is this seat taken”


The familiar sound of my father’s voice crashes over me. I look up to face him, a single security guard by his side and he’s smiling.

“No. you can sit where you like”


We have had minimal contact since that night, he asked me not to leave the company and I reluctantly agreed but I made sure to let him know we are purely business associates and nothing more.

He pulls out a chair unbuttoning his suit jacket and shooing his guard away.
“Greyson I..”



“Look if you have come here to feed me some crap about being your son then save it, I don’t want to hear it”.

“I didn’t come here to fight with you, I told Genevieve this would be a waste of time”.

“Genevieve?”

“Yes, I reached out to her. I wanted to get hold of you, I’ve wanted to talk to you since the day you left my office. The things I said to you that day were out of anger, I was embarrassed by the son I almost handed everything over too”.

“Oh, cut the crap. We both know you loved to pit us against each other. It was one of your favourites past times. So why don’t you tell me why you are really here.”


A hand rests on my shoulder and squeezes lightly.

“Mr Maddox, I invited you here to speak with Greyson on the premise that you would be honest”.

He frowns as he looks up at her.

“You are right, of course”

She takes a seat next to me turning to meet my eyes.

“Greyson, I know you are angry, but you have the rest of our lives to be mad at me. Please just trust that I invited him here for a good reason, what you do with the information is up to you but at least listen to it”.

I don’t respond simply nod, and face him once more, she already knows I’m mad but I’m not going to fight with her over it.

“So, what is then, what’s the big news Father”.

“Well after the events of the last Christmas my health took a turn for the worst When I called you into the office that day, I wanted to tell you, but my own damn stubbornness got in the way.”

“What do you mean took a turn for the worst?”

“Well, I had a little episode when I went to the hospital. They ran some tests, and the results came back…. Greyson, I have cancer. Stage 4. Incurable “

I feel a lump form in my throat.

“Your Dying?”


“Yes, I am dying. I came here today because I want you to take over, I want you to be the head of the company. Your brother Max is a disgrace, but you have pulled your life together you have a wonderful family, and I don’t know why I ever doubted you”.

He reaches for my hand and takes it in his.

“You don’t have to answer me now. But I want you to know I regret every second I wasted not getting to know you”.

With that, he gets up to leave.

Gen wraps her arms around me. I feel her body moving as she sobs.

“Gen calm down why are you crying”.

“Because your father is a stubborn man, and it took a lot for him to come here, also I know what life is like without parents you should cherish the one you do have”.

She kisses my nose and then wipes her eyes with a napkin.

“She is right pushing her off me I rush out of the diner chasing him down the street”


“Wait”!

He stops one foot in the car and turns to face me.

“I am not saying this can be repaired overnight but perhaps we can reconnect over dinner”.

“I would like that very much; Perhaps I could get to know your wife a little better”.

“I’m sure she would enjoy that”.

Walking away from him I feel a sense of relief, it’s like a weight has been lifted. He may have been an ass to me my whole life but it’s like Gen always says, you will miss your parents when they are gone.


**Six Months Later**

**Genevieve**

There is a chill in the air as we step out of the cars. The passing of Mr Maddox came as a shock to everyone else but to Greyson and me, we had been watching him lose this battle.

We had to spend a lot of time with him since that day, regular dinners and lunches. Even Christmas was special this year. He came to ours along with Nona and Luca. It was wonderful.
As we take our seats surrounding his coffin that has been adorned with the most beautiful flowers, the eyes of everyone there are on Greyson and me.

There are speeches from his associates, some from old business friends but it doesn’t seem as if anyone really knew him.

And I mean really knew him, knew his favourite colour of a favourite food or even what he was like as a person, it feels empty it is a funeral without loss or feeling.

A short while later Greyson takes the stand.

**My Father was loved; we may have had a difficult relationship. We may not have also seen eye to eye, but I did love him. He was dedicated to his work and to his employees, I only hope that I can follow his footsteps and lead the company and well. With the support of my loving wife and my expected child. Thank you for being her to celebrate his life**

He leaves the stand with tears in his eyes, putting his hand out for me to take, I do willingly slightly wobble as I carry the weight of my ever-growing stomach.

As we walk silently to the car Greyson doesn’t speak but he doesn’t need to, we slide into the back seat and Jack starts and we start the journey home.

“I thought he might have shown up you know”.

“I did too but it’s done now I thought he would have tried to stake some claim in the company since it was all passed over as well”.

“Ahh the company, keeping me busy and away from my beautiful wife”.

“your father wouldn’t want you to dwell on this we have a baby on the way after all”.

“You are right. You are always right “

He smiles at me and kisses me on the head placing a hand protectively on my stomach.

“Let’s go home Greyson, we have a family to focus on”.




*AN
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this story
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