The Last Option
Chapter Fifty-Two: Bernard’s Decision

The new option in Bernard's head made him restless, and he thought a lot about it and about the consequences it could bring. He was thinking especially of Camila, with whom he was feeling very much in love, and how she would get the news of what he planned to do shortly. After his night walk through Riverside Park, he thought of going by her house to see her and talk to her, but instead he decided to wait to see her the next day, take the opportunity to think things over a little better and find the most appropriate way to tell her what he was going to do. He thought about planning a whole performance and finding a way to trick her into not finding out, but again he thought he didn't want to have any secrets from her.

So he decided he would tell her everything.

But in his own way.

He spent the whole night thinking about the steps for his new plan, although due to the characteristics of the person involved in it, he considered it did not require great actions on his part. He would just carry it out and that was it. Without great complications.

Therefore, his new plan was ready.

Now it remained to tell Camila.

The next day, he called her cell phone. She answered in good spirits as always, telling him that they would meet again in the afternoon when she stopped by his apartment to check on little Nathan. "Well, I'll see you in the afternoon then," he said. "I need to talk to you."

"I need to talk to you too," she said. In her voice Bernard noticed some impatience and, in a way, some emotion. "I have the answer to your request from last time."

Bernard was silent for a few seconds. What if she was going to tell him that she had decided they would finally live together? If so, he didn't expect such a complication to his plans.

"I see you're guessing what I'm going to tell you," Camilla said, smiling. If Bernard could have seen her at that moment, he would have seen the mischief in her face.

"Yes, I can imagine what it will be," he said calmly, taking in the situation.

"You don't sound excited," she said, noticing there was no change in his attitude that showed in his voice.

"I can't wait to hear it from your lips," Bernard amended, so as not to make her think badly. "If that's what I imagine, I'll be the happiest man on earth."

She smiled at the other end of the line after hearing that.

"Then I'll see you later. I'll bring something to celebrate."

"I'll be waiting impatiently for you."

That evening Camilla arrived at seven. Bernard greeted her with little Nathan in his arms, who smiled at her holding the pacifier in his mouth.

"Are you alone?" Camilla asked, looking around and smiling. "It's strange not to see the baby in Laura's arms."

She handed Bernard a bottle of champagne she was holding in her hands, looking at him seductively. He smiled and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close and giving her a kiss on her lips. Nathan watched them intently, as if wondering why they were doing this.

"Thomas and Laura left a moment ago," Bernard said after a few more kisses. "They're leaving earlier. I think the baby is wearing them out and the poor old folks don't want to say it."

"I think so too," Camila said with a giggle. "They are no longer of an age to be so busy."

"Yes, that's why I'm more present at home now. How was work today?"

They both went to sit on the sofa in the living room, while Camila took the baby in her arms.

"It was a bit quiet. Randall is now on a quest to seek advice from shareholders. It's an open secret that he has made some mistakes in the direction of the company; although he hasn't wanted to admit them publicly, at least he seeks to make amends."

"That worries me," Bernard said with a sigh. "If he goes on like this there will be nothing for Nathan to inherit."

"Are you still thinking about that? I thought you had no other options."

"I owe it to his parents, and I'm not going to give up. Somehow, I'll get the Hicks fortune to go where it belongs, which is to him."

"And have you thought of anything else yet?"

"You know, I don't want to talk about it right now. I thought you were going to tell me something very important, involving this bottle of champagne."

Bernard gave the bottle a little shake in front of them. Camila smiled, somewhat embarrassed.

"I'll tell you straight: my answer is yes."

"Wait!"

Bernard got up and went quickly to the kitchen, from where he brought a couple of glasses. He uncorked the bottle, and the pressure made the cork fly into the kitchen. He poured the two glasses and handed one to her. "Now," he said in a soft voice. "Say it again."

"Yes, I want to live with you," she said softly too, blushing a little. "And with this beautiful baby here."

She kissed Nathan on the head.

"I toast to that," Bernard raised his glass, Camilla too, and they clinked them together.

They took a drink, Bernard moved slowly closer, his face very close to hers, and then kissed her softly on the lips. Little Nathan looked up and in an instant his little hand was caressing Bernard's chin, who stopped kissing Camila when he felt it. "What's the matter, buddy?" he smiled lovingly at him, "Are you jealous?"

Nathan leaned his head on Camilla's chest, smiling. He looked embarrassed.

"Look at him," Camila said, hugging him. "We are embarrassing him."

"Well, let him get used to it."

Bernard hugged them, smiling. He looked into Camila's eyes again, and kissed her again. This time a little more passionately.

"We have to celebrate," he said once he had turned away from Nathan and her.

"Bernard!" this time it was Camilla who was getting embarrassed, thinking of something else.

"Well, that too, later," he said mischievously. "But I meant to celebrate it in another way."

"Yes? And what did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking of a getaway for a few days, just you and me."

"Jummm. It sounds interesting. And where will we go?"

"I have a special place in mind, through which you will be able to get to know me better, and decide whether or not to continue with me in the future." Camila was intrigued to hear the last words.

"To decide if I will continue with you? I don't understand."

"You'll understand later. We'll have plenty of time for each other."

Camila looked at him very confused, and Bernard decided to be a little more explicit.

"Well, I'll tell you where we'll go, if you accept. We'll go to my hometown, Marshall. I want you to meet my family and enjoy their very special atmosphere." "Isn't that Margaret's hometown, too?" she remembered.

"It is, but she only has her father left, and you've already met him. She has no one else there, so you'll only know my family."

"I don't know what to tell you, Bernard. I think maybe it's too soon."

"Believe me, it's not. It's the right time for it. I also have some unfinished matters there, and I'd like to attend to it as soon as possible, with you."

This time she looked at him flattered, sensing that he wanted to make her part of his life.

"All right, if you want me to go with you, I'll go."

"You'll have to ask Randall for some time off. Can he give it to you?"

"I have a vacation coming up. He'll give it to me."

"Can he manage without you?"

"He'll be fine. His former assistant will fill in for me."

"All right. Then it's settled. We'll leave this weekend."

Bernard kissed her again and little Nathan lay his little head on her lap again, smiling through his pacifier, watching them.