Chapter 7 - The Summer of Firsts
The summer months were filled with a series of firsts that Miles tracked with the obsession of a man who had discovered a new galaxy.
Julian's first beach day at Miles's oceanfront estate in the Hamptons. Ivy's first unassisted steps across the green grass of Central Park. Their second birthday party, where two dozen children played in the penthouse art studio, filling the high-ceilinged rooms with wild, uninhibited joy.
Miles had restructured his company entirely, promoting three senior vice presidents to handle daily operations, allowing him to take every single Friday off.
Sundays were sacred. No phones. No emails. No corporate emergencies.
On a warm afternoon in August, Miles sat on a blanket in the backyard of their Hamptons home, watching Julian build a lop-sided sandcastle while Ivy carefully placed sea shells along the perimeter.
Claire walked over carrying a tray of fresh lemonade, wearing a simple white sundress, her ring sparkling in the afternoon sun.
"You're staring again, Mr. Harrington," Claire teased, sitting beside him on the blanket.
"I’m calculating," Miles replied, pulling her close and kissing her temple.
"Calculating what?"
"How many Sundays I missed over two years," Miles murmured, looking out over the blue ocean waves. "And how many I have left to make it up to you."
"You've already made it up to us, Miles," Claire said softly, placing her hand over his. "Look at them."
May you like
Julian had just successfully placed a plastic bucket of wet sand on top of his creation, turning to look at his father with absolute triumph. "Look, Daddy! Big house!"
Miles felt a knot tighten in his throat. "It's a beautiful house, buddy," he called back, his voice thick with pride. "The best structure I've ever seen."
