Love in the Kitchen

Chapter 23

Chelsee POV
I watched how Clint and Clayton joked around a bit with his grandpa. While Maddison talked with Diana and I. Clint's dad hadn't come back yet and I could tell he was glad. He said he didn't want him here while Clayton was. I was hoping he would get his wish but, as they were getting ready to leave he came in.
"Wow, if it isn't the best hockey player in the league." He said when he walked through the door. I couldn't believe what just came out of his mouth. He seriously just said that in front of his son. "I'm Henry Hamilton, Clint's father." He said as he put his hand out to Clayton. Clayton glanced over at Clint and then turned to shake Henry's hand.
"It's nice to meet you sir." Clayton said awkwardly. I could tell he wasn't sure how to act around Henry. Maybe Clint has talked about it him.
"Like wise, it was nice of you to fly out here and to come see this chump." I looked over at Diana who was shaking her head. Is this really happening. I just assumed Clint was being over dramatic when he would talk about his dad. This though really just shows me that Clint didn't give his crumby attitude justice.
"Actually we were here on vacation. Staying at Chelsee's hotel actually." Clayton said and pointed over to me. "When she was in Boston last she talked us into coming to stay. I'm glad she did though. We had an amazing time." Henry just stared at me for the longest moment. Obviously he just connected the dots that he was staying at my hotel.
"Yeah she really does know what she's doing doesn't she." Was all he said. He then went quiet and walked to the other side of the room.
"Well we better be going honey. We don't want to miss our flight." Maddison said obviously sensing the tension in the room.
"Alright, I'll talk to you later man. It was nice seeing you all. See you later Chelsee." He said with a smile.
"See you two later. Hopefully with a baby in hand." They both laughed and hugged me goodbye.
"I wouldn't mind that at all. I'll call you soon." Maddison said and they headed out of the room. I went back over to Clint's bed and the nurse came in.
"Hello Clint, I'm here to take your order for dinner." Clint looked over the menu quick and I looked over at Henry. Who was actually very quiet and staring at me. I then looked over at Diana who just shook her head at me and then stood up.
"I better get dad home." She said to me. I nodded and went over to help him up.
"Oooo how lucky am I to have a lovely girl like you assist me." He said with a deep chuckle. I laughed while I helped him get his coat on.
"Well with such a handsome looking guy like yourself. How could I resist?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me and then kissed my cheek.
"It was good to see you my dear. Don't be shy now." I nodded and Diana took his arm.
"I'll be back in the morning with some of your clothes. Since you're getting out tomorrow." She said to Clint. "Is there anything in particular you want or just what's comfortable."
"Whatever's comfortable would be great mom. Thank you and thanks for coming to see me gramps. Don't flirt with to many of the nurses on your way out now." He said with a laugh.
"Ok, I'm not making any promises though." He waved goodbye and Diana walked him out.
"I better call Declan and see how he's doing. He's watching Chloee right now and I'm afraid she might be running the show." I said to Clint and then grabbed my phone from my pocket. "Do you need anything while I step out for a minute.
"No I'm fine babe. Go ahead." I gave him a small squeeze to his hand. He was going to be alone in the room with his dad and I was a little afraid myself. I dialed Declan's number and stepped outside the room.

Clint POV
I watched her put the phone to her ear and leave the room. To say I was nervous was an understatement. My dad had been silent for longer than I'm accustomed to and it worried me. I looked over at him and he was still staring at the door.
"Is something the matter?" I asked and his head turned to me.
"I'm trying to connect the dots here and I'm just not understanding it." He said and folded his arms.
"What aren't you understanding." I asked. Eyeing him suspiciously.
"You always told me since you were in your teens that you would never be with someone with money." He said pointedly. "If I'm not mistaken the woman you're dating. Which is the owner of the hotel I'm staying I'm assuming?" He asked and I nodded. "Well that's a hell of a lot more money than I make. She's most likely the richest person in town." I nodded again.
"Yeah dad, she probably is. But never in your wildest dreams would you guess it." I said and then paused for a moment. "You want to know why? She doesn't let money dictate what kind of person she is. Never have I ever seen her use money to hurt anyone, lie about something, or to do something horrible." I said pointing out most of my dads problems. "For crying out loud she built an ice rink for the town because she wants kids in this area to have a chance to do better things. Can you ever say you did something that selfless dad?" I asked and he sat there silent. "I thought so."
"I was pretty selfless with you kids. I paid for everything you wanted and then some. I paid for your college." I shook my head.
"No you didn't." He looked at me like I was crazy. "Dad I got a full ride scholarship. You were just to focused on yourself to even ask me what was happening. The money you think went to my tuition never left your bank account. I'm sure you never even noticed with my siblings spending habits. The only thing I ever needed was food and don't worry I paid for that as well. I had a job in college and I'm sure you don't even know about that." He looked so confused. Like nothing was making any sense to him. "I never wanted your money and you didn't even ask if I needed help. You just threw it where ever you thought you could. Did you ever wonder why I never wanted to go on family vacations when I was in college. I couldn't because I had to work. Like a normal human being. I didn't just let the people under me do all the work and then take credit for it."
"I do a lot of work. You've just never stepped foot into an office to see." He said thinking I was stupid.
"Sleeping with your secretary while your on the clock doesn't mean your working. Believe me I've walked in on your so called 'busy' work days before." I looked away from him disgusted from the memory. "How could you do that to someone you said you loved?"
"Your mother and I never married for love. She married me to get out of this dump. I made her who she is." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "I gave her the money she needed to get whatever she wanted. In return she gave me three kids and the oldest couldn't give a damn about me." He said with a glare.
"Probably because you never gave a damn about me." When I said it I could see Chelsee standing by the doorway. Her hand over her mouth. She just witnessed just how horrible my father was and I wished she hadn't. It was embarrassing. She stepped away from the door shaking her head and I could see her head down the hallway once more. "All I wanted was you to actually care dad. I didn't want anything else from you."
"I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment to you. The door swings both ways" He said trying to give me one last jab. "I never wanted a son that would throw away a lucrative career like professional hockey to be a school teacher." I just smiled and nodded.
"I'm glad you think of me so highly." I shook my head and then looked back at him. "Why did you even come here? To rub it in face or to get a last laugh?"
"I don't know why I came. I have two other kids back at home that actually care about me." I laughed at that.
"You mean, care when the money runs out right?" He just glared at me again. "Look dad, you and I will never understand one another. That's fine, because we don't need too."
"I don't want to understand what's going on in that head of yours. I do know though that you want kids. You're definitely not gonna be able to get them out of her." He said and it infuriated me.
"Why the hell not?!" I asked and he smiled knowing full well he struck a cord.
"Business women never have kids you idiot. Haven't you learned anything?" I rolled my eyes at him.
"That's where you're wrong. She already has kids." I announced and he was taken back by it. "Three wonderful kids because they have her." I know I'm failing to mention that they technically aren't hers but, he doesn't need to know that. "Even if we don't have our own kids. I don't care. We'll have them and I'll love every minute of being in those kids lives." I just stared at him for a while. "You know dad some people know how to separate family and business."
"I don't have to take this." He grabbed his coat and started putting it on. Before he walked out he turned back to me. "You won't ever have to worry about seeing me again." With that he walked out and I was left there. To say that he hadn't successfully crushed would be a lie. I hate him so badly.
"I'm so sorry." I looked up in the doorway and saw Chelsee with tears in her eyes. "I never should have asked you to do that." She said as she came to sit next to me. "It's my fault it got that bad. I was so-" I placed my hand over hers.
"It's not your fault. It needed to happen and it may have hurt. I finally figured out just how horrible he really was. I thought I had seen it all and apparently I hadn't." I sat there and closed my eyes because I could feel tears forming. "I hope I'm never like that." I said and she grabbed my hand and held it to her chest.
"You are nothing like him Clint." She took one of her hands and put it on the side of my face. "Look at me please?" She said and I did what she asked. "You are the most kindest, selfless, and most loving man I have ever met. I'm so happy that you chose me to have you. I could never have asked for a better guy in the world. I love you with every fiber of my being. I want you.... for ever and I hope you'll have me." Looking into this woman's eyes any many would be a fool to say no.
"You silly woman. That's what I've been trying to do for a while." I said and we both laughed. "What's the verdict on Declan? Is he dead or alive?" I asked and she chuckled.
"Surviving. He has her fed and ready for bed apparently." I looked at her surpised. "I know that's exactly the expression I had." The nurse came in then and brought my dinner over to me. She sat my tray down on my table and then asked if we needed anything before she left.
"This is great thank you." I said and she headed out once again. "So I got this big dinner in secret because I wanted to share with you. So shhh.... don't tell anyone." She laughed and shook her head at me.
"You didn't need to do that. I can just get something on my way home." She said and eyed the food.
"I know but, I did. I wanted to spend as much time with you before you went back home." She smiled and then bit her bottom lip. "What is it?" I asked before I took a bite of my food.
"Well, you can say no. I was just wondering if..." She paused for a moment. "You wanted to come home to my house tomorrow?" I literally stopped mid chew. Did she seriously just ask me what I thought she asked me? "I mean I understand if you don't. I'm sure your mom would want to take care of you. I just-" I cut her off before she finshed.
"Yes!" I all but yelled. Her smile grew wider. "Of course I want to come stay with you. As long as it won't be too weird for the kids. I don't want them rushed into anything." She started to smirk at me.
"Actually I have to admit that Declan suggested it." That surprised me more than anything. "I wanted you to come I just wasn't sure how that would go over. With the punching you in the face and all." She said with a laugh.
"That kid never fails to surprise me." I said and she took a carrot from the cup on the tray and bit it.
"You and me both." We continued on talking for a bit until everything on the tray was gone. "Skylar called earlier but, I told her I would face time her tomorrow. She's going to fly out this weekend to come see you." That made a giant smile spread across my face.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes, it wasn't just me that missed you." I never realized how happy that would make me. "Do you think your mom will be upset if you don't go home with her?" Chelsee asked and I shook her head.
"She's got so much going on with my grandpa. Worrying about me would be to much hassle." She nodded and then moved the table from the bed. "Are you sure your fine with it. I mean with work and everything." She nodded and looked back at me.
"I already had Lilly clear my week." She said and I looked at her slyly.
"You knew I'd say yes didn't you?" She chuckled and sat back down next to me.
"You're a bit of an easy read." I just grinned in agreement with her. "I better go home and get the kids to bed. I also have to get some things ready for you." My grin went away because I didn't want her to leave.
"Ok." I said defeated and she just laughed.
"Oh don't pout. You'll be with me a lot the next little while. You'll live for one night away." She said and then leaned down to kiss me. As  she went to pull away I wrapped my hand behind her head and pressed her lips to mine once more. She chuckled against my lips. After that she stood up and I smiled at her proudly. "Happy with yourself?"
"I am actually." I sad grinning.
"Good, cause you need to call your mom and tell her about tomorrow." My face fell. She laughed and gave me a kiss on the cheek before she reached for her coat. After grabbing my phone and putting it in my lap she spoke once more."See you in the morning babe." She said cheerfully and headed out the door with that damn sexy chuckle of hers.