Natasha's Legacy (13 page)

“Alex has arrived home after his evening with
Sarah. They weren’t celebrating an engagement. They aren’t
discussing a marriage.”

“I also prayed they would announce an
engagement, but I’m happy he’s spending time with a warm,
sensitive, caring young woman. It’s your wish he marry, but
obviously, it’s not his. We didn’t wait until our wedding
night.”

“We were engaged.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that, but that didn’t make
our actions acceptable. My parents would have been mortified had
they known.”

Hope inhaled deeply. Being conservative in so
many ways, Adam was to agree and offer to speak to their son, not
be supportive of Alex’s actions.

“You shocked me that evening, but if I were
able to step back in time, nothing would change. I love you, Hope
Elizabeth Victoria Venderkemp.”

“I won’t allow myself to be upset with you. I
know you’re right. We must support Alex. I love you, Adam. Seduce
me,” she pleaded.

Adam walked over to her, put his hands on her
cheeks, and gave her a gentle kiss. “It would be my pleasure.” Adam
reached for her hand and guided her toward the private
staircase.

* * *

Sarah surprised Alex with theatre tickets to
the production of
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
After a meal in her apartment, they walked hand in hand to the
theatre where they enjoyed a magnificent performance.

Afterward, they returned to Sarah’s
apartment. Alex closed the door and gave her a gentle kiss. “Thank
you for the evening. You should have told me you wanted to see the
performance earlier in the week. I would have been pleased to buy
the tickets. I’ll reimburse you next weekend.”

“That’s not necessary. My treat.”

She stretched up and kissed him. It was not a
kiss to bid farewell, but instead a kiss to initiate foreplay. Alex
lifted Sarah into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

An hour later, Sarah rested her head on his
chest, looked into his eyes, and began talking. A short time later,
she kissed his chest.

“Talk to me, Alex.”

He struggled, but spoke for a couple of
minutes. Then Sarah pushed her upper body toward him and kissed the
tip of his nose.

“Are you able?”

“Certainly, but I may find it difficult to
perform a
third
time.”

The sun broke the horizon when Alex woke and
crawled from under the covers. Sarah pushed herself into a sitting
position.

“I understand your need to return to the
orphanage, but it would be wonderful to enjoy breakfast after an
evening in your arms. It’s impossible for time to progress slower
throughout the week, or while I wait for Rose and Richard to arrive
to take me to the orphanage for Sunday dinner.”

He pulled his trousers on. “You’re to be
sleeping.”

“I’m awake.”

“Then rise and shine and come to my home with
me. Bring a change of clothing for church. You can spend the entire
day with me and my family.”

Alex’s father and grandfather were dressed,
sitting across from each other at the table, enjoying their coffee
when they entered the room. Sarah mumbled something, but it wasn’t
audible. She blushed as she attempted to pull her hand away from
his. Alex firmed his grip, encouraging her into the room.

“Good morning, Sarah,” his poppa said. “Would
you care to join us for coffee while breakfast is being
prepared?”

Alex quickly pulled out the chair beside his.
He walked into the kitchen, told his momma they had a guest, and
returned to Sarah’s side, handing her a cup of coffee.

Two months later, Alex woke before dawn.
Relaxing before he crawled out of bed, he watched Sarah sleep.
“I’ve fallen in love with you,” he whispered. “I want you in my
life, but will you be content living at the orphanage? You enjoy
your job at the mercantile. Your passion is in your music.” Sarah
was at the conservatory multiple times a week. Both would be an
inconvenience living a distance from the city. “Would you consider
moving to the orphanage? If only I knew. Momma wants us married,
but I can’t contemplate marriage without being certain you’ll be
happy within the building I call home.”

Sarah rolled onto her back as she continued
sleeping. Alex pushed the covers off his body.

“Alex?” she groaned.

“If you plan to join me, you must rise and
shine, darling.”

That night, after watching Sarah ride off
with Rose and Richard, Alex went for a walk around the property.
Returning, he opened the door to the private entrance. He walked up
the staircase and knocked on his parents’ bedroom door.

* * *

Hope and Adam were snuggled under the
blankets, talking.

“Momma. Poppa.”

“Come in, Alex,” Adam responded.

They pushed themselves up to a sitting
position and leaned against the headboard. Alex entered their room,
walked to the chairs by the window, and sat down. Quiet, he avoided
eye contact until he settled. Then he looked at Adam.

“I plan to ask Sarah to move into the
orphanage with me.”

Hope’s entire being burst with elation. In
Hope’s mind, Sarah was perfect for her son. As perfect as Richard
was for Rose. Both her children would be wed. She and Adam would
assist with wedding plans and then she’d become a nana to Alex and
Sarah’s children.

“I’m thrilled, Alex. I will go to the bank
tomorrow. How much money do you require? I’m assuming you’ve been
to the jewellers.”

“No,” he admitted. His attention never
shifted from Adam. “I have not. I’m not asking for money. I don’t
need a ring. I’m not planning to propose.”

Adam reached for her hand and gripped it. He
wanted the conversation ended, but Hope didn’t. She wanted Alex and
Sarah married. Her poppa and Izabella weren’t married, but that
didn’t mean the relationship was acceptable. It wasn’t.

“I would be pleased to welcome Sarah, your
wife, into our home. There is no need for a lavish ceremony. Small
and intimate, but meaningful.”

“No-o-o,” he blurted, shaking his head. “No.
I’m
not
prepared to place a ring upon her
finger.”

Her eyes filled with tears. Her son should be
committing to Sarah. They were young, in love, and should be wed.
“I do not understand why you’re reluctant. She loves you.”

“Yes, she loves me, not my chosen lifestyle.
I question whether she’ll be happy living in this building.”

“Alex. Sarah will be content knowing you’re
happy,” Hope assured him.

“I disagree. Sarah reads and plays with the
children but has not experienced a difficult day. She hasn’t seen
the children arguing or chaotic. She hasn’t comforted a child with
a broken heart who sees a friend leave with a loving family. Sarah
has not held a terminal child as they die in her arms. The building
holds many joyous memories, but if Sarah moved in as my wife, she
would be forced to stay. I’d be devastated to find her crying in
her sleep, regretting her decision to join me. I cannot risk her
unhappiness.”

Adam shook his head slightly. Clearly neither
of them agreed with Alex’s reasoning. They experienced difficult
days, but they didn’t occur on a regular basis. Sarah would be
treated in the same manner as her poppa and Izabella. She would
read to the children and enjoy being with them when it was her
choice to do so.

“What you’re describing is not a regular
occurrence,” Adam reminded their son. “Sarah will not be expected
to assist in the nursery. She will not be
expected
to assist in any way.”

“Eventually, I’ll ask Sarah to be my wife,
but not until I’m certain she’s happy living here.”

“Alex.”

“I can’t force her to stay if she isn’t
happy, Momma. She would have to make so many sacrifices, simply
being here.”

“Love is worth sacrifices,” Hope
insisted.

“Is it? Elaine loved me, but she had no
intention of living in my home. Are you able to guarantee Sarah’s
love is stronger than Elaine’s? I’m not.”

Hearing Elaine’s name, Hope’s entire body
seized. If able, she would strangle that woman for hurting her son.
Adam’s hand touched hers and then gripped it firmly. She turned and
glared at her husband, expecting his support, expecting him to sway
their son.

“Hope,” Adam whispered. “I beg of you. Your
lips must remain sealed on this topic.”

“I would love to pretend Elaine is not a part
of my past, but she is,” Alex reminded her. “The painful memories
are still vivid in my mind. I want to talk to Sarah about moving
into this building, but I need your support.”

“Sarah’s love is stronger than you realize,”
Hope reminded him.

“I hope so, but will she be able to live
within these walls?”

Once again, Hope’s eyes filled with tears.
Alex had inherited her momma’s stubborn pride. How would she ever
sway him to change his mind? His proposed living arrangement wasn’t
something she could support.
How will Sarah
react?
Alex stood and walked over to her.

“Support my decision. Please.” Alex kissed
her cheek.

Hope didn’t respond. Turning, Alex walked out
of their bedroom and closed the door. Hope wiped the tears from her
cheeks and then turned to Adam.

“Speak with him,” she pleaded. “In the
morning, perhaps he’ll listen. Sarah is a perfect complement to our
son.”

“A night’s sleep won’t affect his decision.
We cannot force him to marry her. Alex has built a wall around his
heart the same way your poppa did when your momma passed. Sarah
located a small crack and Alex is scared. This is his decision,
love. This is his home, his business. We simply assist him. At his
age, we were married, attempting to begin a family. Stewart was
widowed and raising you. Alex’s happiness should be your utmost
concern. Sarah loves Alex, but it is doubtful she will demand a
marriage. I don’t think she will force him to marry her.”

“Unless Sarah discovers she’s expecting a
child,” Hope whispered.

“Hope! I hope that does not occur until
they’re married. It’s a gift when it’s planned. Your poppa and
Izabella will support him.”

“Yes. I’m aware of that.” Hope yawned and
snuggled into Adam’s arms, too disappointed to relax.

When Adam was sleeping, Hope rose from their
bed. Wandering over to the window, she looked out at the beautiful
starry night. The moonlight sparkled, giving a white ribbon of
light to the surface of the pond. Hands touched her shoulders
followed by the warmth of Adam's chest on her back.

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to wake
you.”

He never responded. As she leaned into him,
his arms came to rest on her stomach and then his lips touched her
neck. “Ahhh,” Adam loosened the tie on her dressing gown, pulling
it past her shoulder, and caressed her skin with gentle kisses.

“I love you, Adam.”

“Would you have ended our relationship if we
were unable to wed?” Adam asked.

Hope turned from the window and looked into
her husband’s eyes. Reaching for her left hand, he raised it to his
lips.

“Our son has found happiness with Sarah and
wants her in his life. I find myself grateful I will not be
discussing the topic with my momma and poppa,” Adam informed
her.

“Heaven forbid.”

“Stewart will support Alex’s decision. I beg
of you, Hope, don’t hamper your relationship with our son. You
risked your own life to bring him into this world.”

“Why did I encourage and support you in your
study of psychology?”

“To assist you back to sleep.”

Hope chuckled and then reached up and kissed
him.

* * *

“I’m with Hope on this one,” Keeghan
admitted. “Living together is common practice today, and God knows
I moved in with you before we were married, but it was unheard of
back then.”

“What a family,” Will remarked. “
Tsk, tsk
. Living in sin. The question is, will Sarah
accept the idea?”

“Stay tuned, but Adam thinks she will.”

Alex remained silent, as usual, but pointed
to the screen.

After ending the telephone conversation with
Sarah, Alex walked up the steps and down the hallway to their
private quarters. Seeing his papa sitting alone in his room, he
entered and slumped onto the chair.

“Did you have the opportunity to speak with
Sarah? To discuss your plan?”

“No-o-o,” he replied. “Momma has not given
her approval. It isn’t possible to welcome Sarah into our home
without it.”

“True. It is not. This building only appears
large.”

“I’m hurting Momma, but I can’t propose to
Sarah.”

“Your momma requires time, Alex. She wasn’t
pleased with my living arrangement either, yet she has a warm,
loving relationship with Izabella. With words of support and
encouragement from your poppa, she’ll give her blessing. In her
heart, your happiness is her biggest concern.”

“Momma is upset. To be truthful, I don’t
expect Sarah will be too pleased with my offer either.”

“I believe you’re correct. Considering the
way you spend your Saturday evenings, Sarah will be hoping for an
offer of marriage. Obviously, you’ve given this serious
thought.”

“In your opinion, am I risking my
relationship with her?”

“Sarah loves you. That love will force her to
accept. I was devastated when Izabella declined my proposal, yet
she remains in my life today. Your nana declined my proposal, but I
did not allow her to walk out of my life. I have no regrets about
either relationship.”

After a lengthy visit, Alex left the room,
retiring for the evening. Stewart stood and walked into the bedroom
to find Izabella relaxing against her pillow the blankets covering
her legs. Seeing him, she placed the book on her lap.