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Manor House
June 13, 1986
7:30 p.m.
Outside, the party was going strong. The music was pounding, the food abundant and the spirits high. Honey was enjoying herself despite the noise. Personally, she preferred smaller, more intimate celebrations, but this one suited the situation. She looked around. The Belden cousins hadn’t made it out from Idaho, but her Hart cousins had shown up with Uncle Wes and Aunt Catherine. Ben, too had made an appearance, driving up with their grandparents. Aunt Genevieve and Uncle Christian were the only family no-shows, having jetted off to Oslo for unknown reasons. When you added in another ten graduates and at least a dozen underclass classmates, it made for a rollicking night.
“At least the weather held,” Brian whispered in her ear as he handed her a cold soda. “I thought for a while the skies were going to open up and drench the whole graduation.”
“They wouldn’t dare,” she replied. “Grandfather would have had a fit—and he wasn’t even there for it.”
Brian chuckled. “I can’t say as I blame him for not wanting to sit on hard bleacher seats in eighty-degree humidity.”
“It was only sixty-degree humidity,” she retorted and then laughed. “But I can’t imagine either of my grandparents willingly suffering through a graduation ceremony.”
“Deadly dull,” he agreed. “But I will cheerfully sit through yours next year.” He draped his arm around her shoulder. “What did you think of our compadres’ little surprise?”
She smiled widely as she looked up at him. “I was impressed. Really impressed,” she admitted. “More than I can tell you. Don’t expect anything like that from Trixie, Di and I next year.”
“Nothing any of you three does surprises me,” he told her. “I have to admit I was a little jealous, though.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.” He grinned ruefully. “I thought I was setting the bar when I was valedictorian. Then my brother goes and tops me. Full scholarship to Cornell and he goes in as a Junior.” He shook his head. “I shudder to think what Trixie and Bobby will have to do to top that.”
“I was so proud I thought I would burst.”
“So was I,” he assured her. “I just had that one moment of disbelief. Believe me, I know how hard they worked to juggle schedules and make all their activities fit—not to mention what Mart went through last year. After that first flare of jealousy, I was prouder than I ever have been. I just had to be stunned first.” He grinned. “I think your dad, my dad and Uncle Andrew were equally stunned. The looks on their faces when Principal Stratton made the announcements? Priceless.”
“You have no idea,” Honey muttered.
“What?”
“I said, you should dance with me,” she covered quickly. “This is a slow dance. Come on.” She tugged on his hand, and Brian swirled her out onto the dance floor. As they began swaying to the music, she said, “Oh look! Bobby is dancing with my cousin Chloe.” Sure enough, the youngest Belden was dancing awkwardly but happily, with the youngest Hart.
Brian glanced around the floor and snickered, lowering his head so that his forehead touched Honey’s. “I see,” he whispered, “And I also see that both your cousin Charlie, and your cousin Jared are giving him the look.”
“What look?” she asked, unwilling to move her head from his to look for herself.
“The big brother is watching you look.” Brian snickered again. “I’ve seen it on Jim’s face, and I’ve felt it on mine. Fortunately, Bobby seems completely oblivious. His eyes are only on Chloe.”
“As they should be,” she replied pertly. “And your eyes should be on me.”
Brian laughed and spun her around. “Always,” he promised. “Always.”
Inside the house, it was a bit quieter. The adults were taking shifts chaperoning. Coming off his shift, Matthew Wheeler gathered his father-in-law, brother-in-law and the Belden brothers in his study for a brandy and a chat.
Charles Hart cleared his throat, his scowl doing little to hide the amused gleam in his green-gold eyes. “Well, I’ve congratulated my granddaughter on her remarkable achievement. I’ve accepted her decision to forgo Harvard for Columbia, and I even danced with her to some kind of modern music I didn’t even pretend to enjoy. So, I believe you rascals have something to tell me?”
Wes shot Matthew a sour look. “It should have worked,” he complained. “I don’t understand how we failed.”
“We didn’t fail, Wes,” Matthew told him. “We were simply outplayed.”
“So, your little conspiracy flopped, and now you’ve lost my eldest granddaughter to some gold digging rogue? Hmph!” Charles swirled his drink, waiting.
“I have to give him credit,” Andrew said. “He laid that trap beautifully, and we all just stumbled blithely into it.”
“So, what happened?” Charles asked.
“He ambushed us,” Peter offered. “Somehow, he managed to convince Honey to help him get the four of us together for a lunch.”
“Using his available connections,” Charles mused. “Wise choice.”
Matthew took up the tale. “So there we are, and he tells us he wants to marry Tessa, and that he isn’t asking permission, but he’d like our approval.”
“And you said…” The patriarch was enjoying this way too much.
“We laid out conditions,” Wes said. “Good ones, too. A prenuptial agreement. No engagement until she’s of legal age, and no marriage until they have finished their college degrees.”
The old man’s humor was barely contained. “And he agreed to those conditions?”
“We shook on them,” Wes told him. “We all did, and then he left. He even paid for our lunch. Damn him.”
His son’s last two words were the end for Charles Hart. He started to laugh. He laughed so hard he had to set down his brandy snifter and wipe the tears that ran down his cheeks.
“I hardly think it’s that amusing, Father,” Wes complained.
“Oh, it is, my son. It certainly is,” Charles chortled.Matthew began to laugh, too, and his father-in-law said, “See? Matthew understands.”
“I do, indeed,” Matthew said. “I have to give the young man his proper respect. He did his due diligence, figured out our game, and beat us at it.”
“That boy has a future, that’s for sure,” Charles stated. “I hope he uses his skill for something worthwhile.”
Peter entered the conversation. “Well, he now has a degree in psychology, but from what we understand, he’s going to Columbia for pre-law.”
“Hmph. Not a bad plan.” Charles sat back and took a drink from his brandy snifter. “He’s a bit of a bleeding heart, though, and given his background, I hope he isn’t planning on being a defense attorney.” He shuddered. “He’d be better off with contract law. Then he’d be of some use to my granddaughter.”
“I’m surprised you’re taking this so well,” Andrew commented.
“Andrew, my friend, when you’re as old as me, you pick your battles a little more carefully. Now, mind you, I don’t know young Daniel that well, but I do know my girl. She’s as stubborn as my wife and as smart as her father was. She’s got her heart set on that boy, and he’s definitely devoted to her.” Charles leaned forward, his gaze hard. “He saved her, at a time where we had lost her. Inadvertently or not, we abandoned her, and if he hadn’t been there with her, I don’t know that we would have ever gotten her back and that’s a thought that never really leaves the back of my mind.” He shrugged and relaxed back into the leather chair. “So, an eighteen-year old was shrewd enough to beat you four at your own game. So, he wants to get married. He agreed to your conditions. Tessa’s assets will be safe. Greed isn’t an issue, and who knows? Maybe they’ll last forever.” He smiled. “You came for my blessing to marry my daughter when she was barely twenty, Matthew.” He swung his eyes to Wesley. “How old was Catherine when you two married?”
Wes looked down and mumbled, “Nineteen.”
“Exactly.” Charles shook his head. “And I married your mother when we were both nineteen. It’s been nearly fifty years, and I wouldn’t trade a single one. Not one.”
“I see your point, Mr. Hart,” Andrew told him. “Right now, the burn is a bit raw, but everything you said was true.” He held up his own glass. “To the resilience and determination of all our graduates. May they have success in all they do.”
“And may God help us all if they ever decide to use their powers for anything other than good,” Wes added. They clinked their glasses together and shared a moment of self-deprecating laughter.
As he watched Tessa’s grandfather striding toward him, Dan had to fight the urge to turn and run. Charles Hart had a reputation for being a hard as nails business man and a demanding father. Tessa assured him that the man was more bark than bite and that he had a wonderful sense of humor. But Dan had only spoken to him three times, ever. Their conversations had been friendly, but not particularly deep or meaningful. Now, some thirty minutes after he’d seen the man disappear into the house with all four of Tessa’s uncles, he was all but certain that Mr. Hart knew what had transpired on the Tuesday before.
He wouldn’t run. He hadn’t cowered before the four uncles, and he wouldn’t change course now. He stood his ground as the older man approached, his eyes searching the crowd until he found Tessa dancing with Tad Webster. Good, he thought. There’s no need for her to witness this. When they were face to face, he thrust out his hand. “Good evening, Mr. Hart. I’m glad you and Mrs. Hart were able to make it tonight. I know it means a lot to Tessa that you came to celebrate.”
“She’s a special girl.”
Dan had to smile. He couldn’t help it if he tried. “Yes, sir. She is.”
“Why don’t we sit down, Daniel?” Charles gestured to the nearby bench. With a little bit of trepidation, Dan followed. Once they were seated, Charles spoke again, “I’ve been told that you’re looking at studying law.”
“Yes, sir.” He wasn’t sure if he should say more or not. He decided to err on the side of caution and remain silent.
“Why Columbia? I know my granddaughter was accepted at Harvard, but I am also well aware that she had no intention of attending my alma mater. She only applied because it was important to me. She seemed more interested in the west coast. So, I ask you, why Columbia?”
“You could ask Tessa,” he offered, “but since you asked me, I’ll tell you what I know.” He licked his lips. “I was prepared to follow her wherever she went, but I also wanted to stay close to home.” He looked sheepishly at the older man. “I was without a family for a while, so, even though I’m an adult now, I’m a little hesitant to leave my father and brother. I just haven’t had them for very long. I never said that to Tess. Not once. I swear! But she knew.” He smiled, letting his sentiments show. “She always knows. When she aced that GMAT test, she knew that she wanted to advance her degree; Columbia was her best option. We’d both been accepted there; it isn’t too far from home; Brian and Jim are already there, and we have a place to live. Not together!” he hastened to add. “We each have our own place. Tessa has her apartment, and I’m going to sublet my future sister-in-law’s apartment.”
“Hmmm.” Charles Hart stroked his chin. “Why law? You went for a degree in psychology.”
“The two are actually related,” Dan explained. “I was considering careers in counseling, or maybe police work, and psychology is helpful in both those. But…”
“But?”
“I took a class last year. Intro to Legal Research, and it was very interesting. We took a look at the different aspects of law and practiced researching and writing briefs and analyzing contracts. We even looked at the way constitutional law is applied on college campuses. It was a good class, and I did really well in it.” He shrugged, a nervous habit he had mostly outgrown. “If I end up not liking it as much as I hope, I can always make a change, but if I go on to law school, I’ll have a lot of different opportunities, career wise.”
Finished with his explanation, Dan waited for a response. And waited. And waited. The music shifted, and Tessa looked his way, now dancing with Brian. A wave of concern swept over her face, and he shot her a smile and a discreet thumbs-up.
“I never thanked you.”
Startled, Dan turned, “Excuse me?”
Charles smiled ruefully. “I never thanked you—for how you protected my granddaughter.”
“I love her, sir,” Dan replied automatically. “I always have. We looked after each other.”
“I understand. But still, I thank you. I was a stubborn fool, and I missed getting to know her brother. I have been fortunate enough have been given eight grandchildren; seven natural and one adopted. Because I was stubborn and insisted that they all come to me, I let one of them slip away without ever really meeting him. Then, I nearly missed out on meeting this one—which would have been a greater loss than I would ever have known. So, thank you.”
“Um… you’re welcome, sir.”
“Take care of her, young man.” Charles Hart rose to his feet. “Take care of one another.” Dan stood up as well, and when Mr. Hart extended his hand, he shook it. “You’ve already outmaneuvered the first obstacle,” the man continued. “I look forward to seeing you confront those that come next. Remember, though, you’re always stronger as a team.” He patted Dan on the shoulder and walked away.
Dan stared after the man. That was not at all what he had expected.
“Are you okay?” Tessa was beside him, her hand on his arm. “What did Grandfather want?”
Dan turned to her, a smile on his lips. “He was congratulating me,” he answered honestly.
She looked at him contemplatively, her brows drawn. “That looked like a pretty long conversation for simple congratulations.”
“It was a good conversation, Nani, I promise. Your grandfather just wanted to know why I had chosen Columbia, and why law. I told him my reasons. Well, some of them. I deliberately neglected to mention the fact that Trixie and Honey are discussing becoming legal investigators.” He grinned at her, and continued, “He offered some advice. That’s about it.”
She relaxed. “Sometimes he can be a bit…” She let the sentence dangle, but he understood.
“He’s very proud of you, you know?”
“I know. Mostly. I just have a hard time reading him sometimes.”
“I think he feels guilty.”
“What?” She looked at him. “Danny, are you using your psychology on my grandfather?”
“Of course,” he teased. “What was the point of getting that degree if I’m not going to use it?” Turning serious, he said, “Your grandfather feels bad because of how things ended up between your father and him. He never visited you guys because he expected you to visit him. Because of that, he missed his chance to meet your brother. He told me that himself. And, because of what happened when your mother died, he nearly lost his chance to meet you. I think he’s afraid that he is too late to really know you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Oh, my goodness, Danny! How can I fix it? What do I do about that?”
“I don’t know. Spend more time with him? Pick his brain about the business? Let him be proud of you.”
She kissed him, standing on tiptoe. “You are so smart. So good at this. God, I love you.”
He returned the kiss wholeheartedly. “I love you, too. I can’t wait to see your home, and meet the rest of your family.” He grinned at her. “Do you know this is the first summer in forever that I haven’t worked? It feels weird.”
“Think of it as payback for all those vacations you missed.” She kissed him again and linked her arm through his. “Now dance with me before this party is over and we have to start packing.”
“Your wish is my command,” he told her, and willingly followed her out onto the dance floor.
Manor House
10:45 p.m.
The party began winding down around ten. Within forty minutes, the guests had departed, the Bob-Whites began cleaning up the detritus. As Dan hefted a trash bag for Mart to deposit a few stray napkins, Margery approached. “That’s sweet of you boys,” she said, “but the catering company will take care of clean up. Enjoy your celebration, and let them do the job they’re being paid to do. Your families are waiting inside for you. Go.”
They went.
“Cool!” Trixie enthused. “An awesome party and no clean up. I like that.”
“Don’t get used to it, princess,” Mart warned. “Tomorrow, you’ll be back to dishes and dusting.”
She turned and stuck her tongue out at him. “A girl can dream, can’t she?”
Mart’s answer was cut off by his mother. “There you are,” she said. “I know you’re staying here tonight, but your brother is asleep on the rug in Matthew’s office, so your father and I are going to take him home. Diana, your parents already took the twins home.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Belden,” Diana said. “Daddy tracked me down before they left.” She kissed Mart’s cheek. “I’m going to go up and unpack my stuff. Goodnight, Mrs. Belden.”
“I’ll come with you,” Tessa offered. She threw her arms around Helen. “Goodnight, Aunt Helen. Thank you for coming tonight, and thank you for, well, everything.”
“We’re very proud of you, Tessa,” Helen whispered in her ear. “I thought your uncles were going to burst all their buttons when Mr. Stratton listed your accomplishments. They were so surprised.”
Tessa grinned. “I wanted to surprise them. All of them.” She looked back at her cousin and Dan. “All of you, actually. The three of us discussed it. We figured it would help cut some of the boredom.”
Her aunt laughed, “I will admit that I’m glad next year will be our last high school graduation for a few years. But we are all very proud of you. Of all of you.”
“Yes, we are,” Peter agreed, stepping into the room behind his wife. “Graduating with degrees, entering college ahead by two years…those are amazing accomplishments. Well done. All of you.” His eyes lingered on Dan for just an extra moment. “But young Master Robert has crashed. We’ll see all of you tomorrow night for the barbecue, correct?”
“Wouldn’t miss it, Mr. Belden,” Jim said. “Sometimes I dream about Mrs. Belden’s hamburgers. Nothing in the city comes close.”
“It’s too bad the corn isn’t ready yet,” Brian added. “I’d love some fresh sweet corn.”
Honey started to giggle. “We’ve been grazing all evening, and you boys are already planning for dinner tomorrow.”
“Good food is good food,” Mart reminded her. He hugged his mother. “We’ll be home in time to get things ready. We’re going to take a picnic on our ride, but we should be home by two or three.”
“You have a good time,” she told him. “Goodnight.”
“Let’s go unpack you, Princess Di,” Tessa suggested to her best friend. “I’m suddenly very tired.”
“That’s a good idea,” Honey agreed. “I’m going to go say goodnight to Mother and Daddy.” She looked up at Brian. “You don’t mind if we just head off to bed, do you? I know we talked about watching movies, but it is getting late.”
“It’s been a long day,” he agreed. “Let’s all say our goodnights. Tomorrow will be her before we know it.”
“Morning comes early,” Dan said softly. He pulled Tessa close and kissed her. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she told him. “You and Mart are in the blue room, as per usual. Just be aware that Aunt Catherine and Uncle Wes are in the walk through suite with Chloe, and Jared and Charlie are on the other side with Ben.”
“Where are your grandparents?”
“They’re in the downstairs suite.” She smiled. “Grandfather claims he’s too old for the stairs, but Grandmother said he likes to be closer to the kitchen in case he gets hungry in the middle of the night.”
Diana yawned so wide she had to cover her mouth with both hands. “Oh, my goodness,” she said, her cheeks reddening. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m tired, too, Di,” Trixie told her. “Let’s go say our goodnights and get off to bed.”
They did just that.
Manor House
3:12 a.m.
Tessa woke with a start. She wasn’t sure why. She hadn’t had a nightmare. She didn’t need to use the bathroom. She didn’t have any sense of foreboding. She was just awake. Diana slept the sleep of angels beside her, her even breathing soothing, her dark hair spread across the pillow, barely visible in the silver moonlight peeking through the window.
She rolled to her side and closed her eyes, trying to recapture sleep. No go. Her mouth twitched as she stared at the ceiling. I am a little thirsty, she thought. Maybe a cup of tea would get me back to sleep.
She slid herself out of bed and thrust her feet into her slippers. Moving quietly, she picked her robe up off of the chaise and slipped it on, tying the silky belt around her waist. With a quick glance back at Diana, she crept out of her room and down the stairs to the kitchen.
The kitchen wasn’t empty.
Sitting at the kitchen island was her grandfather, Charles Hart, a tea cup and dessert plate in front of him. Tessa stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide. Charles paused, a fork full of leftover graduation cake halfway to his mouth. With a sheepish grin, her grandfather popped the cake in his mouth. Tessa couldn’t help herself. He looked just like her cousin Bobby did when he got caught sneaking cookies. She giggled.
“Couldn’t sleep?” he asked.
“I was asleep. I just woke up,” she told him, plugging in the electric kettle. “I though some tea might make me sleepy. What are you doing up? Besides sneaking cake, I mean.”
“I’m an old man, Tessa-my-girl. I rarely sleep more than four or five hours at a time.” He took another bite. “Besides, your grandmother keeps track of everything I eat during the day. If I didn’t sneak a snack every once in a while, I’d wither away to nothing.”
She giggled again as the kettle signaled that the water was ready. She bypassed the dainty china cups, drawing out a big stoneware mug from the side cabinet. She dropped a tea bag in it and poured in the hot water. Taking her tea to the table, she took the stool next to her grandfather. “It was good cake,” she admitted. “And if Grandmother fusses at you, you can tell her that it’s made with bittersweet chocolate and lentil flour, so it’s sort of healthy. For cake, I mean.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he told her. “There seemed to be quite a bit left, if you’d care to join me.”
“I’m having it for breakfast, but I wouldn’t say no to stealing a bite of yours. If you wanted to share, I mean.”
He speared another piece of cake and held it out to her. Tessa leaned forward, and he guided it into her waiting mouth. The cake was delicious, of course. Dense, silky and decadently dark chocolatey. But it was the fact that her seemingly aloof grandfather was sharing it with her that warmed her from the inside out. “Thank you, Grandfather,” she murmured.
“You’re welcome.” He took another bite. Tessa removed her tea bag, setting it on a napkin. She took a sip, letting the liquid fill her mouth and warm her throat. “Tessa,” her grandfather said softly, “This might not be the best time, but I want to tell you two things. First, I am very, very proud of you and what you’ve accomplished in such a short time. Second, I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, Grandfather,” she said. “But why are you sorry?”
“I am sorry for many things, my dear,” he said, “but mostly I’m sorry for not being there for you.”
“Grandfather,” she began, but he cut her off. “I abandoned your father,” he continued. “Not because I didn’t love him, but because of my arrogance and sense of entitlement. I loved your father very much. We disagreed on many things, but I always, always admired his willingness to stand for what he believed in.” He paused, and Tessa realized he was trying to contain his emotions. “He loved your mother very much. I liked her, too. She was a beautiful and kind woman. I see her in you, but more often, I see my Jack, my brilliant, determined son.”
“Sometimes I think determined is just a nicer term for stubborn,” she said.
He laughed low in his throat. “Perhaps. Lord knows we have enough of both those qualities in our blood.” He reached out and took her hand. “Do you know the last time I saw you before you magically reappeared here in New York?’
“I don’t,” she admitted. “Mama said you and Grandmother came to San Diego when I was born.”
“We did. We had been in Vancouver for a seminar. Your parents were determined to get to Hawaii before you arrived, but you had other plans.” He smiled at the memory. “You were such a tiny little thing. A shock of dark hair and a healthy set of lungs. Your brother was fiercely protective of you, even though he was barely past being a baby himself.”
“That was Keoni, all right,” she said, unable to help the slight hitch in her voice as she thought about her beloved brother. “He always looked out for me, but he wasn’t obnoxious about it.”
“I wish…” He shook his head. “I wish a lot of things. No, there was on more time I saw you, your brother and your parents. It was the Christmas you were two years old. They brought you and your brother out to Oyster Bay for two weeks. At the time, I didn’t really comprehend the extent of planning it took to get two young children across an ocean and then a continent. I expected it. After all, I’m the patriarch of this family. Everyone should come to me. I felt it was my due. I was such a fool.” He looked at her with sad, haunted eyes. “I never laid eyes on my son again. I never saw your mother, or got to see you and your brother grow up except for in the pictures and letters your parents sent. I kept expecting you all to come to me, and I never once considered going to you. I am so sorry that I missed so much.”
“He loved you very much, you know.” Tessa felt the tears on her cheeks. “We were going to go to New York for Christmas that year. The year they died. That was always the plan. Daddy said that since Keoni and I were old enough to not annoy you, it was time we met our grandparents. He was really looking forward to it.” She smiled at the memory. “He was going to take us across the country so that Keoni could check out colleges. Daddy really wanted us to attend college on the mainland.”
“What was he interested in?” Charles asked. “Your brother, John…I mean, Keoni.”
“He loved sports,” she said. “Swimming, surfing, baseball, horseback riding, tae kwon do. He was really athletic, but he was smart, too. He was a really good writer, and he loved drawing buildings. He was thinking about architecture.”
“That’s what Benjamin has decided on,” Charles mused. “Keoni was only a little older. I wonder if they would have been friends?”
“Maybe. I like Ben.” She giggled. “I’ve heard he’s grown up a lot in the last few years. I guess I missed his obnoxious stage.”
“Lucky you,” Charles replied dryly. “Tessa, when I said I was sorry, I meant it. I should have visited your family. I shouldn’t have been so insistent on you coming to me. I missed so much of your life, and I lost the chance to know my grandson at all. Then, we literally lost you for nearly two years. I’m sorry for that, as well.”
She didn’t know what to say. Dan’s words came back to her. Spend more time with him. Pick his brain about the business. Let him be proud of you. “Grandfather,” she said softly, “it isn’t too late for us, you know. One of the reasons I chose Columbia is because it’s close to my family and our businesses. I still have a lot to learn.” She tilted her head. “Maybe you could teach me some of what you’ve learned.”
He squeezed her hand again. “I would like that, Tessa. I would like that very much.”
“Then let’s plan on that,” she said enthusiastically. “I’m spending the summer in Hawaii, you know, but when I get back, I’d love to spend some time with you and Grandmother.” She hesitated. “I am interested in your views on the way we do business, and I have some ideas I’m interested in pursuing. But, even if all we do is share stories about Daddy, that would be enough.”
“I agree.” He gave her a sharp look. “Did you come up with this idea yourself,” he asked, “or did your young man have something to do with it?”
Oddly, she felt no embarrassment about being caught. “Dan might have suggested that if I wanted to get to know my grandparents better I should put some effort into it.” She shrugged. “He spent two years studying psychology. Besides, I think it was a brilliant idea, don’t you?”
“I do,” he agreed. “I rather like that young man, by the way.”
“So do I.” Tessa finished her tea and slid from her stool. “I think that just goes to show that we both have excellent taste.” She leaned forward and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “I’m going back to bed, Grandfather. I’m glad we talked, and I really look forward to having more discussions with you. Thank you.”
“For what, darling?” he asked.
“For talking to me. For telling me your regrets. For giving us a chance to have a relationship. For being proud that I’m your granddaughter.”
“That was my pleasure,” he assured her. “I wish I had done it sooner.”
“Maybe we weren’t ready then,” she suggested, grinning at the expression on his face. “Don’t look so surprised. I took Psych 101 as part of my Business studies.”
He laughed at that. He mimicked her, sliding from his stool and reaching to hug her. “Goodnight, darling girl. I’ll do the dishes.”
“Goodnight, Grandfather. That piece of cake will stay between us, I promise.”
“Thank you for that.” He squeezed her again, and let her go. “I hope you can get another hour or two of sleep.”
“Me too,” she said, giving him a little wave. He was taking the cups and plate to the sink as she left.
Quietly, she crept back up the stairs and disrobed, slipping back into her bed. Diana didn’t so much as flinch. Feeling much more relaxed, Tessa closed her eyes and let her mind empty. Sleep came quickly.
*****
Charles tiptoed back into the guest bedroom. Sloughing off his bathrobe, he draped it over the velvet swivel chair. The nightlight in the attached bathroom cast just enough light for him to cross the darkened room with confidence. He tugged back the covers and slid into bed. Beside him, Barbara rested, her hair in soft curlers, a satin sleep mask covering her eyes. As his own eyes closed, she whispered, “You smell like chocolate, Charles.”
Surprised, he chuckled. “Did I wake you, my love?”
“I roused when you got up,” she told him, “and when you didn’t return, I figured you had gone for a snack.”
“You’re a wise woman,” he said. “I’m sorry for keeping you up.”
“Cookies or cake?” she asked, her voice amused.
“Cake,” he admitted. “It was a small slice, though, and my granddaughter assures me that since it was made with lentils and bittersweet chocolate, it’s actually almost healthy.”
“Granddaughter?” She turned toward him. “Which granddaughter?”
“Tessa.”
“What was she doing up at this hour?” Barbara asked. “She didn’t have a nightmare, did she? Lainey said she’s been doing much better since the trial ended.”
“I don’t think so,” Charles said. “She didn’t seem upset. She told me she just woke up and came down for some tea. We sat for a while and chatted.”
“You chatted? Charles, whatever did you discuss?” Barbara sat up in the bed, raising her mask.
Charles pulled himself up as well, reaching for the hand of the woman who had been his wife for more than forty-five years. “This and that,” he said. “I made sure to tell her how proud we are of her, of what she’s done, and I… well, I apologized.”
“Oh, Charles.” Barbara squeezed his hand. “What did she say? Tessa is such a cipher. I never quite know what to say to her.”
“She told me that Jack loved us, and that John… Keoni wanted to be an architect.” He shook his head. “An architect, just like Benjamin. I can’t help but wonder if they would have gone to Harvard together, if they might have been close.”
“I knew that Jack wanted to take J… Keoni to visit schools, but I don’t believe I ever asked what the boy was interested in studying.” There was a hitch in her voice as she bemoaned, “It never occurred to me to ask. I suppose I always thought I’d be able to ask him myself.”
“I know. I know.” He released her hand and put his arm around her. “I told her how much I regretted not knowing two of my own grandchildren, and she suggested that we might spend some time together when she starts at Columbia.”
“Oh, Charles! What did you say to that?”
“I told her that it would make me happy. Very happy.” Charles pulled her into a hug. “I think that she’d like to spend some time with both of us. She’s been very curious about her father. Maybe it’s time we put aside our own pain and remember him with her.”
She hesitated, and he understood that hesitation. Parents were not designed to outlive their children, and he and Barbara had outlived, not only their second son, but also his son, their grandchild. It hurt, even almost five years after the fact. The pain was not as sharp and tearing as it had been, but the ache remained. Finally, she sighed, “I agree. To be honest, despite how much it hurts to remember he’s gone, I think it also helps me heal to remember all the things that made him so wonderful. Maybe talking about Jack, Sarah and Keoni will help all three of us move forward.”
“That’s my hope, love,” he said, kissing her gently on the forehead. “But I also want to get to know our eldest granddaughter. She’s… interesting. There is so much of Jack in her, but she’s very much her own person. I think we need to really meet that person.”
“I’m excited by the prospect, darling. Truly, I am.” Barbara slid back down to a supine position. “However, it’s nearly four. At my age, I need all the beauty sleep I can get.”
“You are and always will be the most beautiful woman in the universe,” he told her. “But, tomorrow will be another busy day. Goodnight, my love.”
“Goodnight, my Charlie-boy. I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you, Barbie-doll.”
Their hands were still entwined when they drifted off to sleep.
Author’s Notes
How many years has it been? 12?
All I really know is that Jix is THE best place on the internet, and it has been my great honor and pleasure to be a part of it. I love writing stories, and although I’ve been slow to post them, I hope to continue writing for as long as you wonderful folks will read them. Thank you!
Special thanks go out to Susan (Susansuth) and MaryN (Dianafan) for their editing. Any and all leftover errors are totally my fault!
I hope you enjoyed this series of episodes in Winds of Change. I know it was a bit long, but since I hadn’t posted anything in a loooooong while, I figured it might be okay. if you manage to make it all the way to the end, I promise to take you all to Hawai’i. Well, figuratively speaking (that’s where the story goes next).
Thank you again, for making Jixemitri my second home.
Ronda