“We did it, Unicorn.” He said, nearly squeezing the life out of me. “They're issuing a warrant for his arrest as we speak.”
The relief I felt was palpable, and when he finally released me I cleared my throat slightly. It was then that he realized there was an extra person in the room. He took a step back, and extended his hand to my dad.
“Sorry about that.” He said, as my dad accepted the gesture. “I'm Owen.”
“Walter Locke.”
“Locke?” Owen asked, as he looked from my dad to me in question.
“Owen, I'd like you to meet my dad.”
“Oh. Oh!” Owen said with surprise. “It's a pleasure to meet you sir. You have a truly wonderful daughter.”
“Kiss ass.” Morgan coughed into her elbow, and my dad chuckled.
“I've heard good things about you too, Owen.”
“Thank God.” He said, around laughter of his own.
“My daughter tells me congratulations are in order?”
Owen looked at me for help again, and I nodded slightly.
“Yes Sir.”
“And... you're a song writer?”
“Aspiring, Sir. I make my money from jingles mostly.”
“Anything I've heard of?”
“Probably not.” He answered honestly. “Although now, thanks to Ronnie it looks like I'll have a shot at saving my dad's business.”
“So she's said.”
The skepticism in my dad's voice wasn't lost on Owen. In fact, he stood a little straighter before responding.
“I'm sure she's already filled you in on the sorted details, and yes, I did tell her that I wanted to move back to Nashville.”
My dad gave him a questioning look.
“Didn't tell him that part, babe.” I said, biting my bottom lip.
“Of course you didn't.” He said nervously.
“Got any more room in your mouth for the other foot, Owen?” Morgan teased.
I couldn't help but giggle, and Owen blushed. It was the first time that I actually seen him flustered, and I had to admit it was pretty damn cute.
“The truth is Sir, I've never envisioned myself staying here. Your daughter and our baby have me thinking more about my priorities though, and less about myself.”
There it was again, our baby. Every time I heard him say the word I melted inside. Not once since finding out about my pregnancy has he referred to this baby as anything less than a miracle. It takes a real man to love a child that isn't his own. God broke the mold with this one, and I knew that whatever came next we would face it together.
“Priorities are important.” My dad said.
“That's why I've decided to sell the family business to my dad's brother.”
“You're selling out?” I asked, with concern.
“He's promised to keep the family name, and if he ever wants to unload it I'm his first phone call. It's safe, and with the sale of the house and company it gives us a nice nest egg. We can buy a house, and live comfortably while I'm working on my music.”
“You seem to have thought of everything.” I said, the annoyance in my voice evident.
“I thought I had.” He said, with a weak smile. “But judging by the way you're looking at me I could be wrong.”
“When did you decide all of this?”
“It's something I've been mulling over.”
“What about Derek's share?”
“His share becomes null and void upon his arrest.”
“And the baby? They have a right to their father's share.”
“Are you saying that you want a piece of my dad's company?”
“No! But what if he or she does. What if they grow up, meet their biological father and he tells them about how he was burned? They'll blame you, and me by association.”
“Unicorn, they aren't even born yet. Is this really what you're so upset about?”
“I'm upset because I hate it here!” I admitted.
“I think we should give them a minute.” My dad said to Morgan, as he walked around Owen and I to usher her towards her bedroom.
“Are you saying that you want to move back to Raleigh?” He asked.
“I'm saying... I love you Owen, but I am sick and tired of people making decisions for me.”
“OK. Let's talk.” He said, gesturing towards the couch.
I sat down first, and he took the seat right beside me.
“I wasn't trying to make any decisions for you, or without you.” He started. “I just wanted your dad to know that I could take care of you.”
“So selling the business... that's what you really want?”
“It is. I know I've been back and forth, but it's only because it's my dad's legacy. Now that I know Derek can't run it into the ground, letting my uncle run things seems like the right thing to do.”
“Why sell at all then? Why not just let him take over operations? Or sell him forty-five percent so that you're still a majority owner.”
He laughed. “I guess that's why you do what you do.”
I shrugged. “Business is kind of my jam.”
“You're kind of mine.” He teased.
“Eww.” I giggled. “My dad, and Morgan are a room away.”
“I don't mind.”
I rolled my eyes. “So... what do we do about New York?”
“I think we both deserve a fresh start. A real one this time.”
“I can get behind that, but where will we go?”
“I've heard Nashville's pretty nice this time of year.”
“Nashville?” I wondered aloud.
“Or we could go to Raleigh.” He rushed out. “Where ever you want to be, is where I want to be.”
I knew that a piece of him still lived in Nashville. It's where he longed to be. What kind of person would I be to keep a man from his dream when he was willing to follow me anywhere. Nashville would be a great place to raise a family, and while Owen focused on his music I could pave my own way. I could take the time to find my own passion, and I could leave everything that happened in New York behind me.
“Let's go to Nashville.” I said with a smile.
TWENTY-THREE
A WEEK HAD PASSED SINCE my dad's visit, and my decision to move to Nashville had been made. Owen put his dad's house on the market,
