Hailey's Vacation

"Your having fun was the only gift I wanted."

"Well, I had a two-thousand dollar credit so I bought you a few things."

"Wow! Oh, and you've got to meet Mr. Talbott. He's so cool and I think you might like him."

"Oh?" asked Hailey as they walked back to the tree.

"Yeah, I've told him all about you."

"You are sweet and biased my son. Now," she leaned over and grabbed the backpack, "this is for you."

Tim took the backpack and smiled. "Oh thanks! I needed a new one for school."

"Open it."

"There's more?"

Hailey rolled her eyes. "Of course!"

Tim took out the shirt and baseball cap. "Oh Mom these are great! Thanks! This shirt is just like the one Mr. Talbott's wearing today."

Hailey was confused. The Mr. Talbott she had met didn't strike her as a t-shirt kind of man. Tim put the ball cap on and smiled. "It looks great on you."

"Thanks Mom. This will keep me from frying my brain. Oh, and here's Mr. Talbott now. R. J. Talbott, this is my mom, Hailey Davidson. Mom, this is R. J. Talbott."

"My friends call me Rick," said a familiar voice.

Hailey froze as she felt herself go into shock. She turned slowly and was greeted by a pair of green eyes and black hair. "H-h-hi."

"Well, I need to get back. Oh yeah, what did you want to talk to me about Mom?"

"I-I-I'll tell you at... at lunch," she stammered.

"Sweet! And lunch is on me this time. Hey R. J., wanna join us?"

"I'd be honored, if it's okay with your mom that is."

"S-s-sure," she said.

"Great! Oh no, I've got to break up a fight. Excuse me."

Tim ran off as Hailey stared deep into Rick's eyes. After a few moments, Rick said, "I'll bet you're pretty surprised to see me."

"Boy am I."

"I owe you an explanation as well."

"Yeah... yeah... like why did Tim call you R.J.?"

"Because that's my name, Richard James Talbott, Jr. My dad is R.J. Talbott, Sr., you danced with him at the resort. He was quite taken with you."

"Wait... it was you!"

"Probably, but please be more specific."

"The day of the ball I went to the spa to get my hair and nails done. While I was there these two somewhat catty women were gossiping about one of their husbands golfing with senior and junior. You're the junior they were talking about."

"I'm afraid so. I'm sure you also heard some ugly stories about me."

"More about your ex-wife. Did you lie to me about your divorce or do they have the story wrong?"

"A bit of both. Sit down and I'll explain," he said gesturing to her chair as he set his chair next to hers and sat down. "My divorce wasn't as pleasant as I let you believe. The truth is, I caught Sally in bed with another man and exploded. She blamed me for being gone all the time and I called her a whore. Once we both calmed down, we realized there was still Judy to consider. Sally admitted she'd been lonely and I had been rather neglectful, though not intentionally.

"I was doing the same thing my dad did and it cost me my marriage. It didn't take long for the rumor mill to skew the story so the truth was lost. My family knew the truth, as does Sally's. The part about her keeping the house until Judy's on her own was true. I wasn't about to disrupt my daughter's life any more than necessary. For the most part, she saw little change except that I stopped coming home.

"The man Sally was with left. He was looking for a free ride and thought she'd be his sugar momma. He's since hooked up with a few others. Sally's now with a very nice man who treats her well. Since we never had an alimony agreement, it wasn't an issue. I did run a full background check on him because he was going to have contact with my baby girl. I'm so happy to say he's been a great step-father to Judy. We see each other all the time at her concerts and other events. And no, Sally has never stopped me from dating, or demanded I not bring women around Judy. That was my doing. I've dated a few women as I mentioned before, but none were ever good enough to introduce to Judy, that is, until now."

"Oh?" said Hailey trembling. "You've met someone you feel is good enough?"

"Yeah. About two months ago on a plane to Regale Litore Maris. I met this amazing single mother named Hailey."

Tears welled up in Hailey's eyes. "Really?"

"Really. Which is why I was so upset when I realized I had your napkin. Luckily for me, I was able to find you rather quickly thanks to the full background check I done on you the day we met."

"You checked me out?"

"Occupational hazard. I do the same with all the women I consider dating. Plus, I couldn't believe any man would abandon his child the way that sperm donor did. The court records painted a rather bleak picture and I realized you sugar-coated the whole thing."

"Occupational hazard. I'm used to down-playing the whole thing for Tim's sake. But then, when Alan showed up at my bungalow, you got first-hand look at the man he was twenty years ago. The man who thought so little of me that he assumed the rumors were true and that I could and would be unfaithful. I swear to you Rick, I never cheated on him."

"I believe you. Just like I know the DNA proved he was Tim's father. My father taught me well."

"So, if you knew where I was at, why didn't I hear from you sooner?"

"Because I had something that needed to be taken care of first."

"What?"

"Getting that prick of a sperm donor to pay you the money he owed you."

"Wait... YOU set that up?!?"

"Well, it wasn't my dad."

"But why?"

"I thought that was obvious Hailey," he said taking her hand into his. "I can't stand deadbeat dads. Not to mention all the horrid things he kept calling you. I understand it was a generous settlement."

"Over a million dollars. You must let me repay you."

"Your money's no good with me Hailey Davidson. But I will take a kiss."

Hailey smiled and kissed Rick softly on the lips. Rick smiled and said, "Now that's a million-dollar kiss."

"Rick, why didn't you tell me you were R.J. Talbott sooner?"

"Honestly, at first it was nice just being Rick. So often, I have women throwing themselves at me once they learn my name. I didn't want to be 'R.J. Talbott, Jr., son of R.J. Talbott, Sr., self-made multi-billionaire and businessman.' I wanted to be Rick, single father and businessman on vacation. I visit the different resorts annually to make sure the guests are being treated well.

"So you know, Jake, the limo driver and Wilma, the manager knew who I was, but also know when I'm on vacation I'm just Rick. I also have another confession. Jake wasn't late picking you up, he was there for me. I ran off the plane ahead of you to call Wilma and make sure you were upgraded to the private bungalow, you had the two-thousand-dollar credit that would never run out, and that you were allowed any activity or outing you wanted.

"I watched you board the bus, called Jake, told him to take you off the bus and give you a ride to the resort ahead of everyone else. That's why I didn't come out until after you left. I was afraid he might slip if I rode up with you and I needed to set a few more things in place before I made my presence known to you."

"Like what?"

"The ball for one. Mrs. Lee for another. She would have accidentally exposed me to you and I didn't want that. I also made sure there was room on the sunset horseback ride for your last week hoping you wanted to do that."

"So you paid for my dress, the items I bought Tim and my friends, and everything else?"

"Yeah. There was something about you that I couldn't explain, but I liked. Something special. I knew after our trip to the cove your story about the sperm donor was true, and that your son was working for our foundation. But what impressed me more was that no matter what I did or gave you, you never expected it or changed. Even the necklace and earrings that were way more expensive than I let on."

"I knew it!"

"Well, I noticed you're missing something."

Hailey's hand went to her chest. "Yeah, I lost it when I left. I called the resort but they haven't found it."

"That because it's not there," he said as he reached into the pocket of his shorts and pulled out her missing necklace.

"How did you get that?"

"I think it was our last night. The clasp got caught in your hair and you asked me to take it off for you."

"Oh right! I remember that now."

"Well, I must have dropped it in my shorts pocket by mistake. My housekeeper found it when she was doing my laundry shortly after I returned home. She knows I'm terrible about leaving things in my pockets. She's saved my cell phone and wallet from being washed hundreds of times. I guess it was about two days after I had returned. Judy was visiting and I had to explain the mysterious necklace. She wants to meet you when you're ready."

Rick stood up and put the necklace around Hailey's neck as she asked, "You told her about me?"

"Yeah. I kinda had to after she saw the necklace. Besides, I couldn't get you off my mind and all the phone calls I was fielding about your ex and finding you raised more than a few questions. Oh, and I know you haven't told Tim about me. There, that's better."

Hailey put her hand on the pendant as she said, "Thank you. I was going to tell him until I lost your number. Actually, I'd planned to tell him about you at lunch today. I was going to ask if I could borrow some of the money from the settlement to hire a private investigator to find you."

"Well, you should know, Tim's been trying to figure out how to get you up here so he could introduce us. All morning it's been, 'You'd like my mom, R.J. She's a great lady.' Or, 'My mom needs a nice man like you to make her happy.' That boy has a future in matchmaking."

Hailey giggled. "Did you know Tim was mine?"

"Oh yeah. Didn't take me long to figure it out. The second I laid eyes on him, I knew. He looks a lot like you."

"Really. For years all I could see was Alan. Do you know how hard it is to love someone who looks so much like someone you hate? Every time Alan would deny him, it was like he was twisting a dull, rusty knife in my heart. Then he disappeared and for fifteen years, nothing, until I came to your resort. That night at the ball, I thought it was a nightmare. Then the next day he showed up at my bungalow. And he had the nerve to think I wanted him back."

"Well, what you didn't know was that night at the ball, I had my people begin to look into his finances. I know what it costs to stay at our resorts and I knew if he could afford to stay there, he could afford to pay you back. See, you weren't alone in the restroom when you spoke with his wife. One of my staffers was in there and overheard the whole conversation. With that information, I was able to figure out how he was able to say under the radar for so long.

"Of course, his wife came forward that morning he was in the bungalow with you. She found me and told me everything, including how he had gone looking for you. I had Suzette run me down with security on standby. When I saw your door open, I knew something was wrong. Suzette called security and, well, the rest you know."

"Do you really have a sister?"

"Yeah, she's a bit younger than me, and I'm sure she knows about you by now. If Judy didn't tell her, I'm sure my parents did."

"So how do we tell Tim about us?"

"What do you want to tell him?"

"The truth. That we met almost two months ago at the resort. We had a wonderful time together. That you defended me to his father. And..."

"And?"

"And..." paused Hailey, afraid to say what she wanted to say. "Rick. What am I to you?"

"Someone very special. Someone I want to get to know better. Someone I could build a future with."

"I've never been a high society gal."

"Good. Because my first wife was and you see how well that worked out for me. Plus, the woman I met at the resort was sweet, beautiful, down to earth, sexy, fun, and wonderful."

Hailey blushed. "Really?"

"Really."

Hailey took a deep breath. She knew it was now or never and she had to either learn the truth, or forever live in regret. "Rick... I want to tell you something."

"What?" asked Rick nervously.

"You made me feel something I hadn't experience before with another man. When I watched your plane leave for New York, I was going to leave you a voicemail before I got on my plane. When I saw the napkin, I was devastated. I've only had my heart broken once before and that was when Alan rejected Tim. He didn't break my heart because I loved him, but because I knew he was hurting Tim."

Hailey paused for a moment, then continued. "When I called the resort about my necklace, I asked about you, but they wouldn't tell me anything. I was still trying to figure out how to find you when that lawyer called about the settlement. I decided last night when I couldn't sleep that I was going to move heaven and earth to find you, and tell you... that..."

"That?"

"I... I... I love you."

Rick sat dumbstruck. "You what?"

"I love you Rick. I realized when you left I had fallen in love with you during our time together. However, if you don't feel the same way abo—"

Rick grabbed Hailey's face and kissed her hard. He forced his tongue into her mouth, kissing her deeply. When he finally broke free he said, "I love you too Hailey. Why else would I have done so much for you?"

"R.J., why were you kissing my mom?"

Hailey and Rick looked over and saw Tim standing there with a confused look on his face. Rick and Hailey laughed as Hailey said, "Son, we need to have a long talk."

Over lunch, Rick and Hailey shared with Tim about how they met, meeting Alan, and how they wanted to continue their relationship. Rick told Tim after the phone number mix up, he'd spent the last month trying to find Hailey and in the process, found him instead. He was hoping she'd come up to visit her son and thus, he'd get a chance to meet her again. Hailey told Tim about the lawyer Rick had hired to get Alan to pay his back child support and the settlement they received. She said she was going to ask for some of the money to find Rick, but now that wasn't necessary. Tim listened quietly to the pair as he ate.

"I have just one question for you R.J., or should I call you Rick?"

"Rick, please."

"What are you intentions with my mom?"

It's hard to say who laughed harder between Hailey and Rick. "I intend to make her happy, Tim. That is, if it's all right with you."

Tim smiled. "If you break her heart I'll kick your ass."

"TIM!" cried Hailey.

"It's fine Hailey. I'm guessing he's seen you hurt enough over the years, haven't you."

"Yeah. I know she's tried to hide it, but I knew."

"I promise to treat her better than she's ever been treated before. And I want you both to meet my daughter soon. Tim, I plan on taking care of both of you any way I can."

"Mom, do you like him?"

"Very much so."

"Fine, you may date my mom. But I expect you two to be practicing safe sex as my mom doesn't need any more surprises."

Rick and Hailey laughed hard. "If I provide you with proof I'm clean, may I date her?" asked Rick.

Tim smiled. "I haven't seen my mom smile this much in years. I don't need any more proof than that. This just caught me off guard, that's all."

"Kinda caught me off guard too son," said Hailey.

~*~*~*~

Hailey paced around the room nervously. Her Vera Wang dress swept along the floor and the sound of her bare feet echoed and added to her nervous condition. She knew the dress cost more than she made in a month at her old job, but she knew the second she saw it, no other dress would do. It was odd to her to have access to such disposable income as she now called it, and felt guilty about spending it like she did. Though, she knew this was the way things for her were going to be from now on. Tim stepped in wearing white slacks and a green flowered Hawaiian style shirt. "Mom. MOM!"

Hailey jumped, then smiled. "Sorry hon. What is it?"

"It's almost time. Grandpa is just outside. Are you all right?"

"Just nervous I guess."

"Mom, you've got nothing to be nervous about. Everyone is here and ready. And I can assure you, Rick's not going to bail out."

Hailey smiled. "Was it that obvious?"

"Mom, after all you've been through, and we've been through together, a blind man could have seen it."

Hailey blew out a breath of air. "Thanks Tim. Now go, I'll see you shortly."

Tim kissed Hailey's cheek and smiled. "You look amazing and everything will be great."

"Thanks Tim."

Tim slipped out of the room and Hailey's dad stepped in wearing the same white slacks and shirt like Tim's. "You look beautiful Hailey."

"Thanks."

"Ready kiddo?"

"Ready Daddy."

Hailey stepped up and took her dad's hand. "You know, your mother and I never thought this day would come. Especially after..."

"You and me both Dad."

"Well, we move forward now don't we."

"Yes we do."

They moved toward the door when Hailey stopped, grabbed a small bouquet of white roses, and followed her dad out to the beach. The Regale Litore Maris was closed to the public, and only the wedding guests and staff were there. Under a small, simple arch with flowers and green ribbons, stood the minister waiting and smiling. Rick stood to the right side with his best friend and three other groomsmen wearing white trousers and green floral Hawaiian shirts. Tim was standing just past them. Rick's sister and the three coworkers who took Hailey to the charity raffle were lined up on the left wearing soft green chiffon dresses.

The soft sound of "The Bridal March" came from Judy's clarinet, who was also wearing the same soft green chiffon dress as the other ladies, as Hailey and her father walked down the aisle. Hailey's white spaghetti-strap dress flowed and danced in the breeze as her footprints marked her path in the sand. Her hair hung around her face in soft curls with green ribbons streaming from the jeweled comb that decorated her hair. The black diamond necklace hung around her neck the way it had the night Rick gave it to her, and the matching earrings sparkled in the sun. The rest of the guests were family and close friends of the couple.

The ceremony was more than Hailey had ever dreamed of, and Rick had spared no expense to make it happen. The resort was closed for "repairs" for a week so they could have a private ceremony and bring Tim and Judy, who still weren't old enough to come otherwise. Now they stood on the beach, exactly one year from the day they met on the plane, exchanging wedding vows and diamond and platinum rings. The only reason they waited was Rick's desire to give Hailey the perfect wedding and she wanted to get married where they first met and fell in love.

To them, the June wedding was the perfect idea and since the resort did need some heavy maintenance that would require shutting down for a few days. Rick extended it for a week. He also paid the airfare for anyone who couldn't afford the flight to ensure all of Hailey's family and friends could attend.

After the ceremony, Hailey's thoughts of the past year swirled through her head. She had met Rick's dad at the resort, but it was meeting the rest of his family that scared her the most. Rick arranged for them all to meet at his apartment in New York, flying Hailey and Tim up for the weekend. Judy was still there and excited to meet Hailey and Tim. It didn't take long for she and Tim to bond. Rick's mother was polite, his dad was cordial, but it was his sister, Elle, who was the biggest shock. She pulled Hailey aside and said, "So, tell me, you looking for a financial windfall or just a father for your son?"

"Um... excuse me?"

"You know my brother's rich and I'm sure you've heard about Judy."

"I knew your brother was a business man yes, and he bragged up Judy quite a bit. But if you think for one minute that I'm interested in Rick for his money you're sadly mistaken. And as far as my son goes, he's an adult now so he doesn't need a father, he's got me. And thanks for having such a high opinion of me. Nice to know you decided to give me the benefit of the doubt."