Natasha's Legacy (18 page)

“It would be lovely if I could spend more
time with them, but I wouldn’t give up my time with my students or
our private time together. There simply aren’t enough hours in the
day. I am perfectly and incandescently in love with this place and
in love with you.”

Alex kissed the back of her head. Not the
least bit nervous, but surprisingly confident and self-assured, he
stepped to the side and reached for her hand.
This is right.
“I’d like you to join me for a few
minutes.”

As he turned to lead Sarah to the back of the
orphanage, they heard a young boy’s voice.

“Alex, Sarah. Would you join us for a game of
tug-of-war?”

Sarah’s face began to glow. She always
enjoyed group activities with the children. Knowing she wanted to
join the game, Alex recalled reading of the day Papa Stewart and
Nana Natasha played tug-of-war. With the description of how his
papa placed his arms around his nana in his mind, he devised a
plan. Standing behind Sarah, he would grip the rope while his arms
were around hers. Before they began to pull, he would ask her to
become his wife. It would be unique, but perfect.

With three older boys recently adopted, Alex
scanned the children. The girls would overpower the boys. Nine
girls between the ages of six and sixteen were ready to play and of
the four boys, the eldest was not yet seven. Three teenaged female
volunteers joined the girls. Even with Sarah’s assistance on their
team, the boys lacked the strength for a competitive game. “Shall
we?”

Holding Sarah’s hand, he led her toward the
boys’ team.

“Sarah is to join the girl’s team,” one of
the older girls yelled.

“The boy’s team requires assistance,” Alex
reminded them.

“That is not fair, Alex. The two adults
cannot be on the same team.”

He scanned the area, desperate for more
people to play but didn’t see anyone. There were always volunteers
in sight when he didn’t need them. He saw his momma sitting on the
wooden swing with a baby in her arms. She couldn’t help. Hearing
movement from the road, he looked to see Izabella returning from
visiting her brother. “Izabella, would you care to join our game of
tug-a-war?”

“Alex,” Sarah groaned quietly.

“I would have been honoured to join, twenty
years ago,” Izabella replied. “My apologies, Alex, but no.”

Sarah’s hand slipped from his. She ran to the
back of the girls’ line. His perfect plan would not work unless he
told the entire group what he wanted to do. Yell across the line
“Sarah. Will you marry me?”
No.
It was
imperative he devise another plan, and quickly. He took his place
behind the oldest boy and looked to the end of the line. Sarah
positioned her feet firmly on the grass. Gripping the rope, he
braced his body and prepared himself for a difficult game. He
looked over the heads of the children, locking his eyes on his
future fiancée.

“Are you attempting to intimidate me?” she
asked.

“Not at all, but I would like you to join me
on this side.”

“Sarah’s not a boy,” the young girl in front
of her responded.

Unable to help himself, he chuckled.
You are correct. Sarah is not a boy, but a
beautiful, sexy woman.
“I know, Dorothy. The boys’ team
lacks strength.”

“You’re a boy. You’re strong.”

“Ugh.”

The boys would be humiliated and he headed
their team. Alex clenched the rope in his hands, ready for the game
to begin. Despite his efforts, the boys edged forward. Glancing
toward Sarah, she was tugging lightly on the rope. “You are
enjoying this.” He groaned, struggling to breath.

“Pull, Alex, pull,” she teased.

He did well to keep the game alive for a few
minutes, but they suffered a terrible defeat. The first game was
boys against girls. The second game would have completely different
teams. He and Sarah, just the two of them on a team. The children
would win and would be thrilled with the victory and then Sarah
would begin planning their wedding. “Rematch. Me and Sarah versus
everyone else,” he boasted, proud of his brilliant idea.

“No,” one of the older boys responded. “Boys
and girls cannot play on the same.”

Alex glared at the young boy. His perfect
plan required Sarah to be in front of him for a game of tug of
war.

“It’s not necessary to keep the boys and
girls separate. Mixed teams are fun.”

Glancing around, all the children were
shaking their heads.

“You were not pulling with all your might,”
one of the boys stated.

Alex shifted his attention to the puffy white
clouds in the sky.
Help me.
He looked at
the boys. “We are outnumbered, yet I am to blame.” He looked into
the sky once again. “I require assistance.”

“Accept the truth, Alex,” Sarah teased. “The
boys have been defeated by the girls.”

Obviously, that plan isn’t
meant to be.
He would take Sarah to the back of the building
and propose where Momma and Poppa shared their first kiss. He
extended his hand to her.

“Alex, you have to push Sarah and the oldest
girls on the swings to reward them.”

Looking toward Sarah, she nodded, gloating.
She walked to the trees where the heavy cord and twine supported
wooden seats. “Be kind to me,” he prayed silently. “I won’t—I can’t
propose in front of—” he looked around at all the children and
volunteers— “everyone.”

They were exhausted by late afternoon. After
dining, Sarah spent an hour on her students’ assignments while Alex
went to the office. He was still working on files when she finished
and stood at the doorway to the office. Within a few minutes, he
heard a beautiful melody from the piano.

Alex was fighting to keep his eyes open when
he put the last file into the cabinet. He walked through the
kitchen and into the parlour. “I’m retiring for the evening.”

Proposing was not on his mind when Sarah
followed him up the private staircase. Sleep dominated his
thoughts.

* * *

The following week Alex was watching the
children when Tom entered the study room.

“Elaine is here.”

“Perhaps she is making a donation.” They
walked into the lobby.

“Alex. You’re an intelligent man. Don’t be
naïve. It’s a shame Sarah isn’t home. Your eyes sparkle in her
presence. My bride has heard rumours.”

Hearing the term bride brought a smile to
Alex’s face. After years of marriage to Grace, Tom still referred
to her affectionately as his bride.

“Elaine is not married nor is she being
courted,” Tom continued. “This is quite disappointing to her
family.”

The door opened and Elaine waltzed in. A few
years earlier Alex had found her stunning in blue, but even in a
long, light blue gown and a matching bonnet, her appearance wasn’t
the least bit pleasing to his eyes.

“Hello, Tom.” Elaine’s voice was far too
chipper. “It’s a pleasure seeing you, Alex.”

They heard a small team of horses and the
chatter of women. Ignoring Elaine, Alex looked past her to the
outside. The women were home. Excusing himself, Alex stepped
outside to assist with their bags, leaving Elaine with Tom.

“Did you enjoy your day?” Alex gripped a bag
and walked toward the door with the women.

“Yes,” Sarah responded enthusiastically.
“Vicki, Tessa, and Elizabeth joined us. After lunch….” Seeing his
former fiancée, Sarah stopped speaking and froze. Gripping Sarah’s
hand, he encouraged her to enter the lobby.

“I had a delightful day,” Izabella remarked,
breaking the silence. “Thank you for inviting me.” She turned her
attention to Tom. “Is Stewart home?”

“He and Adam are at the back of the property,
mending a broken fence.”

Tom reached for Izabella’s bags and followed
her up the steps to the second floor.

Ignoring Elaine, Alex looked into the first
bag. As expected from its weight, it contained music books. He
opened the door to the office and set it inside for safekeeping.
Then he glanced into the next bag. New briefs and trousers for him.
Glancing into the final bag, a lacy garment caught his attention.
“Oooh. It appears you were shopping,” he whispered.

Sarah didn’t respond. She never looked his
way, but stared at the floor.

“The girls discovered a new boutique,” his
momma informed him.

“It’s been a quiet day,” Alex informed them.
Sarah continued to stare at the floor. “The volunteers are playing
with the children and we have not received notice of new arrivals.
My paperwork is up to date. It’s a perfect day for an afternoon
nap.” He stole a second quick peek into the bag. “Would you care to
join me upstairs?” He leaned toward Sarah and gave her a gentle
kiss on her lips.

“Alex,” Sarah groaned. “We are in the company
of—”

Alex wasn't concerned that Elaine was in the
room. She needed to hear the conversation. Elaine need to know he
had moved on and he was happy with Sarah.

“Momma does not believe our relationship is
platonic. As long as I’m able to breathe, it will never be
platonic. We share a bed, Sarah.”

Her face flushed slightly, but she never
moved. With no sign of a smile, he put his fingers under her chin
and tilted her head toward his. Her expression was sad, almost
scared. “Someday, you will believe my words when I tell you how
incredibly beautiful you are. How fortunate I am to have you in my
life. To fall asleep, quite regularly, with a smile on my face.
There are so many mornings I wake thinking I’ve had the best dream.
Then I open my eyes and see you sleeping beside me. It wasn’t a
dream. You’re in my life. Living in this building we call home.
Now, I’d like you to follow me to
our
room.”

Warmth consumed his heart when Sarah placed
her hand in his. Turning his attention back to Elaine, Alex finally
spoke to his former fiancée.

“You were introduced to Sarah the evening of
her concert. You must recall, Sarah is magnificent on the
instrument. My family is graced with her angelic melody most
evenings and the area residents are delighted to hear her play four
times a year. Regarding your visit, travelling this distance, Momma
will be pleased to accept your substantial donation. The children
within this building will appreciate your generosity. Now, if you
would excuse us.”

He turned his attention to his mother.
“Momma, inform Tom he may take the entire day off tomorrow, not
simply the afternoon. I will remain available the entire day.”

Alex ascended the staircase with Sarah by his
side. Once in the private hallway, he lifted Sarah into his arms
and carried her into their room.

“I saw something in that bag.” He gave their
bedroom door a slight kick to close it. “I’m hoping you plan to
model it.”

“Your undergarments?”

“No.” He set her on the bed. “I appreciate
you shopping for necessities, but I’d like to see my treat for
being ‘a good boy.’ Then we can play.”

With the bag in her hand, Sarah slipped
behind the privacy barrier.

Alex had planned to propose when the women
returned, but now, it didn’t seem appropriate. The proposal should
be special. Sarah’s day. A day shopping with his family would have
been perfect if it hadn’t been marred by Elaine’s visit.
Damn her.

* * *

Hope watched her son, able to see the love
and affection in his eyes when he looked at Sarah.
It’s impossible Elaine doesn’t see it. That beautiful
twinkle, the Donovan twinkle.
When Alex finally spoke to
Elaine, Hope’s heart filled with pride. Her shy son had become
outspoken and blunt. Hope extended her hand for the money, forcing
Elaine to reach into her purse. Alex and Sarah walked up the steps,
hand in hand.

Then the irritating woman walked out of their
home for the last time, at least Hope assumed it would be the last
time.

* * *

Stewart and Hope were in the office when they
saw Rose and Richard’s car arrive. Rose opened the vehicle door the
moment it stopped moving, held up the skirt of her yellow dress,
and ran toward the main entrance.

“Momma.”

Hope dashed to the lobby.

“I’m going to have a baby, Momma.”

Every person in the building heard Hope’s
ecstatic voice upon receiving the news. They were still embracing
when Richard walked into the building with a smile on his face. The
family was gathered in the parlour.

“I reminded Doc of your difficulties, Momma.”
Rose sat by Richard’s side. “He assures me he will monitor my
progress.”

They were still talking, enjoying their visit
when Vicki and Greg arrived for dinner.

“You must tell Vicki your news,” Stewart
stated.

“I’m going to have a baby.”

“I am so pleased.” Vicki walked over to Rose,
placed her hand on her niece’s stomach, then turned and looked at
Stewart. “With my grandchildren inheriting the green Carson eyes,
it would be delightful if the baby were to inherit the Donovan
eyes.”

“That would please Natasha as she looks down
from heaven.”

Stewart’s eyes were still sparkling in
anticipation after Rose and Richard left for the evening. He
followed Izabella up to their private quarters, shut the door to
the hallway, and turned to her. “I do not recall seeing Hope this
pleased in some time.”

“Loving children, she has been hoping to
become a nana.”

“Perhaps the time has come for you bear the
name nana.”

“I think not. I’ve grown fond of the name
Bewwa
when it is spoken from a young
child’s voice.”

Stewart smiled. He opened the door to their
personal quarters.

The day had been
planned.
Sarah went to the conservatory to discuss her
students and an upcoming concert date. Then she would join her
parents for the noon meal. Alex had a busy morning planned at the
orphanage.