Jake was on his way back to London. He had called Brian Jones telling him he had been called back to his office on an urgent matter. He expected to be back at the hotel in a couple of days. Brian had understood and was none the wiser as to real events.

He had not been able to go back into the hotel. He didn't want to run into Laura and Charlie. He needed time to think, to gather himself he was in shock. His brothers son in front of him. He had been the spitting image of Will as a child. Jake had been stunned when he saw him and all he had wanted to do was get out of there.

He decided to drive to his Mothers to check she was okay. Driving through Notting Hill in rush hour traffic had not been fun. He arrived frustrated and angry. Sitting in his Mothers house for two hours giving her every detail of Charlie had also not been fun. She had cried the entire time wanting a blow by blow account of the meeting.

He had also spoken to Jim Bennet the family lawyer on his way back to London and agreed a time to meet the next day. Anna Harrison was insisting on attending 'this is my Grandson' being her only statement on the subject. It was not open to discussion she had told him quite clearly. He had nodded it was not worth the fight. He left there exhausted and worn out from the day. Driving back to his apartment that night he could not believe how the day had played out.

He drove into the underground car park and took the lift to the penthouse. Stepping out into the open lounge he threw his jacket over the back of a sofa and walked into the kitchen. He pulled a beer from the fridge and walked towards the terrace. It was chilly but he went out and sat down at the table. He looked out at Tower Bridge lit up in the night sky. He loved this view. Sometimes he could sit on the terrace for hours just looking at that bridge, the architecture, the beauty of it. When he needed to clear his head he knew sitting here would always work but for some reason tonight it did not help. He loved his home although he was not there enough to really enjoy it, he sometimes felt it was wasted on him. Four floors all overlooking the Thames and Tower Bridge. Three terraces, four huge bedrooms and ensuites. It was a home for a family. But, he enjoyed the open space and the fact his Mother had found it for him knowing he would love it made it all the more special. It was obvious she picked something with lots of space in the hope he might fill it with a family but she never said a word.

He was not a man to feel lonely. He was good looking with a full rolodex at his disposal if he needed female company. He dated a lot of women but, as soon as they got too close he broke it off. He did so with a great deal of charm and normally something from Tiffany to soften the blow. Tonight he felt very alone, not sure what he should do next. His Mother was all emotion, feelings. Understandable as it was her only grandchild but, Jake felt confused and he was never confused.

He closed his eyes leaning back in the chair. His head hurt, he wished he could talk to his father and discuss this. He would have known what to do. 'Here's to you Dad' he said into the night air. 'The only man I know who never got confused.'

He had treated this situation like a normal business transaction. But, seeing this small child today it had changed everything.

He had known where Charlie was for several weeks. The private detective his company had on the payroll had found Laura Jones within a week of looking. He had not wanted to have a photographer following them as Anna had not wanted her grandson to spot anyone and he had not wanted Laura to be alerted. His forte had always been the element of surprise this was to be no exception.

Buying the hotel had been much easier than he thought. Everyone had a price. His arrogance in knowing this had secured many deals and made the KinKade Group even more profitable under his control. He had a reputation in the business community as being cold and calculating in every aspect of his life business or personal. He never bothered with gossip or responding to comments of this nature. He didn't care what people said behind his back.

Opening his eyes he looked across the river. He was not going to be able to get rid of this headache. Running his fingers through his hair in frustration he could not think about going to bed, he walked inside and a few minutes later had changed and made his way down to the gym. He walked past the equipment and made for the door at the end. He switched the lights on and dropped his towel. He dove into the pool ignoring the 'No Diving' sign. He swam with purpose his aim to tire himself out so he could sleep and secondly to clear his head. He needed to get focused for tomorrow.

He couldn't stop thinking about everything despite trying to clear his head. He had been worried at first that Brian and Laura were related in some way but luckily they had nothing but a shared surname. He had noticed they were close that morning but Brian had talked at length about his wife and family so he was relieved there would be no work complications on that front.

Waiting for the hotel deal to be completed had been the longest two months of his life. Buying the hotel might seem drastic but this was his way of ensuring complete control over the situation. Anna had said do whatever was necessary, she didn't care what was done to secure her grandson and bring him into the Harrison family. He wanted to control, in fact he needed to control every aspect of Laura Jones life so that he could get to Charlie.

He knew everything about her. Her education history, her financial history, her non existent love life. The recent mortgage she had taken on and the house she had purchased. He knew this was his speciality weaken the opponent, get them into a corner. Gather every available piece of information on them. He just had to figure out how to do it. At the centre of all of this was a child and that made it the toughest and most delicate deal he had ever been involved in.

He pulled himself out of the pool, his arms ached. The water dripped off him as he swung his towel over his shoulder and strode through the empty gym. He looked at his reflection in the lift as it went up to the penthouse. He looked like a man in conflict.

Jake fell asleep quickly but woke during the early hours. Tossing and turning unable to sleep. So many things swirling around in his head Charlie, Laura, his Mother, Will. Unable to stay in bed any longer he pushed the sheet back and climbed out. Going upstairs to his study he turned on a lamp and sat down at his desk. He opened his laptop and started working. Two hours later dawn was breaking. He went downstairs to the kitchen and turned on the coffee machine. He reached for a mug and stood, leaning against the counter whilst it brewed. There was nothing like a good cup of coffee to get you moving in the morning was his mantra. Today was a day when he knew he would probably need a few cups.

The landline started ringing and he looked at his watch 6.30 there was only one person who would be ringing him this early. 'Mum.'

'Jake, dear morning what time will you pick me up?' He poured his coffee and stood there breathing in the aroma. 'Morning to you too! I am gonna have to send a car Mum. I need to get to the office early.' He heard his Mother made a sound and knew she was not happy. He was not driving to Notting Hill this morning. There was silence on the call whilst his Mother thought of what to say next. 'Hmmm well I will be ready at 9.30. Make sure it's not late.'

He smiled 'Yes Mum.'

'And Jake.'

'Hmmm.'

'We didn't spend a fortune on your education for you to start using words like gonna. Please remember that.'

He heard the click on her end of the phone and drank his coffee. Only his Mother would be thinking of grammar on a day like this. He walked over to the windows and stood leaning against them looking out at the river. This was going to be a day from hell he just had a feeling. He had not slept much, he still had a headache and his Mother was on top form at 6.30 in the morning.

An hour later he was pulling into the car park of the KinKade Building. He waved morning to the security staff and drove into his parking space. He turned the car off and smiled thinking of the indignation of Laura yesterday. She was pretty in a sort of girl next door way he thought as he walked to the lift. She was not his type short and curvy. But, a good curvy he had stopped her falling over twice and held her close to him she had a nice body. Why was he thinking of her like that? He shook his head to get the picture of her out of his head. 'Focus Jake' He said to himself as he stepped out of the lift on the top floor of the building.

This was his floor. He and his personal staff only and the main boardroom and his office. Plus a small suite of rooms incase he decided to sleep at the office. This happened quite often and sometimes he was not alone. He preferred keeping his home his. So it suited a lot of purposes. It was very extravagant and his Father was horrified at the time. But he figured he was the boss so why not. He liked having the floor to himself and as he was accused of being arrogant then this was a perfect display of his vast wealth.

His PA Lauren was in at 7.00 every morning. Work started early on this floor. She followed him into his office with a folder. Lauren sat down on the other side of the desk and for the next hour they went through all the general business he needed to attend to.

'What's up Boss?' She was looking at him with one brow raised. 'Sorry, what?' She smiled at him 'You zoned out, you don't normally do that when I am talking. You okay?'

He nodded 'Yep I am fine. How is Simon? When is he home again?' Lauren looked across at him and smiled 'next weekend. I am off next week you have remembered that?' He nodded 'Yeah don't remind me. He laughed 'You are leaving me with Claire and she does my head in.' She wagged a finger at him 'Listen don't be upsetting her again. It's hard enough to get someone to volunteer and cover me. You are such a brat it's a wonder I stand it really.'

'Yeah, yeah get out of my office now Mrs Brooks.'

Lauren stood up and turned to go. She stopped and turned around coming back to his desk. 'So did you see him?' He looked up nodding his head. 'I saw him yesterday, he is the image of Will. He took my breath away. Mum will be here about 10 and Jim. No idea what we do next. He tugged at his tie and took a breath. 'It was scary Lauren like looking at Will.'

'So what happens next?'

'I haven't got a fucking clue thats the Gods honest truth. I mean he has a home, a life, school everything do we uproot that? Yesterday morning I had a plan but, then I saw him and everything changed.'

Lauren was leaning on the desk 'Maybe you need to come clean with the aunt and tell her who you are Jake. Perhaps you can share custody or something?'

He shook his head 'No that won't work. I will figure it out.' He looked up at her 'get me some coffee would you?'

'Okay today I will get it but don't make a habit of it.' Lauren laughed and walked out of his office heading to the kitchen. The coffee was ready and she poured him a cup. She left it on the desk and went back to her office.

Lauren sat down at her desk scrolling through her emails. It was not easy working for Jake Harrison. She had been his PA for four years. They had become good friends during that time. He had been there for a boyfriend break up, she had supported him when his Dad had passed away. He had given her away at her wedding and had insisted on paying for it as his wedding gift last year. It was the least he could do he had argued with the hours she worked for him. His speech had been hilarious talking about his vetting system for men in her life. He could be charming when he turned it on. Her friends outside of work had been gob smacked when they had walked down the aisle.

She prided herself on being one of the few who could tell him when he was being a complete arse. She did it very nicely but she would not let him get away with anything. When she had first started working for him she had realised he was a workaholic. After working for him a month she had walked out. Gone into HR the same day and said she was resigning with immediate effect. His temper had got the better of him. He was famous in the company for his filthy temper and many PA's had come and gone. He worked hard and had high expectations of himself and those around him. When people disappointed him he found it hard to control his temper. He said she had mislaid a file. No wonder really when he had spent two days shouting at her about how incompetent she was.

The following day he had arrived at her front door laden with flowers apologising profusely begging her to come back. He had found the file in his office under a stack of papers. When he had walked into his office the next morning she was already there waiting. She had set the ground rules for working together and he had nodded and accepted everything she said. She had stood up when she was finished and leaned across to shake hands. He had smiled and laughed but stood also and shook her hand back.

He still had that temper but she had a look and a few choice words for him when he started to raise his voice and it normally worked. She was two years younger than him at 30 but was not intimidated by him in any way. That was what made them a good team. She knew next week would be a nightmare for everyone. Poor Claire the last time she had covered for Lauren he had reduced her to tears. It had taken a lot of coaxing to get her to agree to it. But, she could not cancel the time off. She knew this was a tough period for Jake she could see it in his face. He looked uneasy but her husband Simon was in the military and was coming home after a six month tour. This had been a tough few months. For some reason being married made it feel different and she dreaded every phone call and knock on the door. There was huge relief that he was coming home and Jake had told her to take the week off and had arranged for them to go to his villa in Italy. He was a good guy she thought but this whole Will business was a mess and she would be quite glad to be away for a few days from it.

xxxxxxxx

'Right Anna I understand your frustration. But, you cannot knock on the door and demand the child. Under the terms of the will of her sister she is his legal guardian. Unfortunately Will was never noted on his birth certificate so it make it all very complicated.'

'Jim I want him. He is my grandson. He is a Harrison!'

Jim Bennet looked across at Jake 'Jake what do you want to do? If we want to try for custody we are going to need to do DNA tests to prove he is actually Will's son.' Jake shook his head 'He is Will's son I saw him Jim.'

Jim took off his glasses and looked at Anna and Jake. 'If you want him we have to follow a process, we have to do the DNA route and prove legally he is Will's son. We can do that using you Jake. Then we can apply for custody. But, the courts will favour her. She is the designated guardian, she has no history. She lives a quiet life and from what we have ascertained she is proving to be a good guardian.'

Anna went to speak but Jake put his hand on her arm 'Jim she is out working, she has an au-pair. Surely that is in our favour?'

'If we prove via DNA he is Will's son, that child will have a claim on his estate and ultimately on this company. Money will not be issue for her as she would be able to claim on his behalf. Look, why don't you think about what I have said. This will not be easy. It will get ugly and messy.'

Jim stood up to go. 'One more thing Jake did you need to buy the hotel she worked in? That could come back to bite us in court.' He walked out leaving the two of them in Jake's office.

Jake sat back looking at his Mother. 'So what do we do?'

'I want him Jake you know that. I need him. He is my link to Will. There must be someway to deal with this.'

She stood up and pulled coat on. She stopped at the door and looked at him slumped in the chair 'there is one thing you could do Jake, it solves everything.'

He looked up 'what's that?'

'Marry her Jake and get me my grandson.'