"Grandpa?".

Noah stood up and followed Ivy's grandpa out to the garden. Ivy's grandpa stopped at a large tree and assessed the man in front of him.

​​

"You're not her boss."

"No, I am your son in law." Noah respected this elder that raised Ivy and as he had guessed the truth he didn't intend to keep up the lie.

"Your married?." Ivy's grandpa was in shock, not that they would marry but at Ivy not informing him or his wife.

"No."

"Mmm...getting my granddaughter to lie... but you did bring her home. You look a lot older, how old are you?". Ivy's grandpa liked the look of this tall, steady man. He wanted to know his intentions.

"34, I'll look after Ivy properly."

Ivy's grandpa laughed. "Yes, she's a strong young lady, after her mum passed her father forgot about her for years until he found out she was useful to him. She lived mainly here and I brought her up to be intelligent and strong enough to stand on her own." He stopped walking and sized Noah up again, he believed he was good at judging someone's character.

"I never met that other scumbag her father arranged for her. But you suit her."

"Hmm." Noah nodded in agreement, he also thought that they were perfect for each other.

"Let's go in now, the women will be worried if I'm out here beating you up like I did Ivy's dad when her mother brought him home. I knew he was good for nothing, he couldn't look after her properly. You see there were always rumours of him with other women. He never bothered to clear his name or explain to her. Even now he never strayed but she was still bullied by those women that were after her husband's wealth. Anyway, I see you are a man of few words but I believe you wouldn't let Ivy be bullied."

"Hmm." Noah definitely would not let Ivy suffer.

They walked towards the house to see Ivy and her nana peering out through the window to the garden.

Noah walked in and smiled at Ivy patting her head. She swatted his hand away, like a disgruntled kitten.

"Ok now that's all settled are you staying for lunch." Ivy's nana asked.

"No."

"Yes."

"I'll take Noah's yes as that's the answer I had wanted. Take a seat I'll only be a half-hour. Why don't you take Noah up to your room."

"No".

"Why not? Pierce and Jamie always went up to your room."

Ivy gave up and headed upstairs with Noah. Meanwhile, Aiden and Thomas helped her nanny in the kitchen. Her grandpa was left in his usual chair with a small smile on his face.

Ivy opened the old squeaky door to her room. Ivy's room was the small box room in the house. Her walls were purple, she had a single bed pushed against one wall, a dresser for her clothing and a study desk against the other wall.

Noah looked around he saw photos of Ivy, Jamie and Pierce in there teenage years. In the photos, they were in school uniforms and hanging out. There was one picture of Ivy she was sitting under a cherry blossom tree with a book in her lap and smiling at the camera. Noah plucked the photo off the wall. He wasn't one for taking pictures or being in them but he had very few of Ivy, the ones she had sent him she was flirty and sexy but this picture was pure and happy Ivy he wanted it.

"No, put it back it's too embarrassing."

Ivy tried to get the photo back but failed. Noah put it in his suit pocket. Ivy huffed and gave up for now. She couldn't win against this man's strength.

Noah sat on her single bed. The room looked even smaller with the man's large body inside so she sat beside him.

Noah reached out and pulled her to him. He lay back on the bed with her in his arms.

"Wait my grandparents are downstairs." Ivy started to protest.

"Shhh, just lye down." Noah just wanted this quiet moment with her. He would usually be buried under paperwork so this vacation time was special.

Ivy laughed internally he was like a noble king ordering his queen to cooperate and hug him to sleep. So she just let him rest as he hugged her close. She had wanted him to relax as he was always busy so this nap was a good solution.

They had been called down for lunch and Ivy had enjoyed the time spent with her grandparents. They chatted for a while and her grandpa shared stories of Ivy's younger years. Her first fight in high school to getting a scholarship he was very proud of his granddaughter. After lunch, Ivy ran upstairs to her old room. She rummaged through her bedside cabinet and found what she was looking for before putting it in her pocket.

"What is that?". A deep cello-like voice sounded out behind Ivy making her jump.

"Nothing." She hid it in her back pocket. "Let's go I'll take you to the lake in that picture before we head back to the airport."

"Alright." Noah agreed but was still curious about her being sneaky.

They went back downstairs and said there goodbyes. Her grandparents were very sad that they had to part with Ivy though they enjoyed the time they spent together. They hoped she would return soon.

"Be a good child and don't let your father away with marrying you off. This man will do." Her grandpa was straight to the point and said his thoughts aloud. Ivy was slightly embarrassed and turned and walked towards her nanny.

Her grandfather handed Noah a case of single malt aged twenty-one-year-old whiskey. There were twelve in the case. Ivy's grandparents didn't hold back when spoiling the family. The whiskey was his prized possession and he thought a young man like Noah would appreciate it too. Just then he had a thought.

"Noah.. don't let her drink. She once drank my thirty-year-old Bushmills and had a very silly night."

Noah wasn't sure what he meant but he nodded in agreement. He also thought Ivy shouldn't drink as it was bad for her health.