Natasha's Legacy (21 page)

“She is speaking with a neighbour of Rose’s.
I believe Sarah is about to have another student.”

“Join us, Alex. We have been discussing our
heritage. Momma, Alex was named in honour of both papa’s but I was
not named in honour of either Nana Natasha or Nana Venderkemp?”
Rose questioned. She rested the book upon her enlarged stomach.

“No. I chose not to use the name Natasha, and
although I loved Nana Venderkemp, I did not want to use her name.
Alex chose the name Rose.”

“Alex?”

Alex grinned. He and his papa had discussed
the day Rose was named many times over the years.

“Baby Rose.”

“You have recollections of the day?” his
momma asked.

“Papa Stewart and I speak regularly of the
past,” Alex admitted. “To this day, I chuckle during conversations
of your youth and of our youth.”

“What of Alisha, Momma,” Rose questioned.

“My momma. Natasha Alisha Donovan. Your lips
must remain sealed on this topic. Deciding against using Nana
Venderkemp’s name, I did not tell either your poppa or your papa of
the reason for choosing Alisha. I didn’t expect you to become the
mirror image of my momma. In my heart, I’m pleased you carry a
piece of her heritage in your name.”

“It’s possible Poppa is not aware of Nana
Natasha’s legal name, but surely Papa Stew—”

“He is not. Momma told Poppa she was
christened Natasha Strathroy and it was never questioned. During
conversations with Nanny and Anna I learned Momma’s full name.”

A few minutes later, the door opened. All
three looked up as Sarah walked into the room.

“Rose and Alex are reminiscing with family
photographs,” Momma told her.

Alex stood, allowing Sarah to take his place
beside Rose.

The following day, Sarah followed Izabella
out of the kitchen and placed the dish of potatoes on the table.
She took her place beside Alex.

“A new volunteer began today.”

“Yes,” Alex agreed. “Jessica, I believe. Tom
introduced her to me.”

“She resembles a cousin of mine,” Sarah
admitted. “Five-foot-five brunette with green eyes and freckles. If
her hair was longer, and she gained fifteen pounds, she could be
Anne’s twin. We enjoyed getting to know one another.”

Sarah went on to describe how her new friend
was a university graduate with a degree in business law. From
Sarah’s enthusiasm, Alex expected the two would become friends.

Alex walked down the main staircase as Sarah
grabbed the skirt of her pink dress and began rushing up.

“You’re upset. What’s wrong?”

“I just received a phone call from Momma.
Poppa has been hurt.” Sarah choked back sobs. “I need to pack a
small bag and leave for the hospital.”

“I will telephone Poppa and request his
assistance here. I’m coming to the hospital with you.”

Alex took a seat beside Ingrid and waited
patiently for Sarah, Andrew, and her momma to speak with the
doctor. It took forever before Andrew entered the sitting room. He
stood in front of them.

“Poppa fell from a three-storey roof. The
medical staff is still assessing the damage to his legs.”

An hour later, a red, puffy eyed Mrs. Tymlin
joined them in the waiting room. Her attention shifted between
Andrew and Sarah.

“The doctor says your father has lost the use
of both legs. He will never walk again.”

Sarah and Ingrid began to whimper. Sarah
parents lived in a two-storey home with the bedrooms on the second
floor. It would be impossible for Mr. Tymlin to manoeuvre around
his own home independently.

Alex returned home that evening, settled the
children, and went to his papa’s quarters for a visit. He returned
to his room, changed, and crawled into bed. He held Sarah in his
arms.

“With your parents’ permission, Papa will
renovate their home, making larger doorways and put a bedroom on
the main floor.”

“Momma and Poppa will not accept
charity.”

“I know. They are not hiring Papa Stewart’s
company. They will be given the invoices and are expected to pay
for supplies. Of course, these will be discounted prices. As for
the labour, I will ask Matthew, Richard, and Tessa’s husband Jacob
to assist. We will work every Saturday. Papa warned this project
will not be completed quickly given our lack of expertise. Your
parents can stay with us until the house is ready. I spoke to Poppa
as well. A bed will be brought into the parlour. It will become
their room.”

“Oh my gosh.” She blinked back tears. “We’ll
speak with Andrew and then with Momma and Poppa.”

Alex sat beside the hospital bed and
convinced Mr. and Mrs. Tymlin to allow Papa Stewart to redesign
their home and then invited them to reside at the orphanage until
the renovation was complete.

“We appreciate the offer Alex, but the
orphanage may be too hectic given the commotion of the children and
Sarah’s teaching.”

“Then you will stay with Andrew and me,”
Ingrid announced. “There is plenty of room.”

Her momma looked at her poppa and both
nodded.

Alex and Sarah left the hospital and met Papa
at the Tymlin home. After a thorough tour which included
measurements and notes, Sarah returned to the hospital.

* * *

Saturday morning, Matthew arrived at the
orphanage with Greg and Jacob, and a trailer filled with supplies.
After enjoying the hearty breakfast Sarah had prepared, they
followed Alex, Richard, and Andrew to the Tymlin’s home. Prepared
for physical labour and the opportunity to work under his uncle,
Matthew rolled up his sleeves. He joined the men while Stewart and
Greg supervised. Sarah and Ingrid arrived two hours later with
fresh coffee and muffins. At noon, they arrived with a picnic lunch
for the men. The day progressed incredibly well considering the
younger men's lack of experience.

Leaving the home eight hours later, Alex and
Stewart fought to keep their eyes open during their evening meal.
They were in bed before the sun set.

* * *

Izabella noticed a difference in Sarah almost
immediately. “Sarah appears more content. Even happier if that was
possible,” she informed Stewart while pulling down the sheets on
their bed. “It’s so pleasing to see.”

“I must speak with Alex.”

“That shouldn’t be necessary, but I admit
Alex is so tired when he returns home, I’m surprised he’s able to
keep his eyes open while he eats. I have questioned their
relationship, but now I’m confident they will remain together.”

Stewart cherished his time with the men. The
rooms were filled with conversation and laughter as the house took
form. Sarah and Ingrid arrived a few times every Saturday,
providing snacks and meals. The men would take a short break and
relax, and Stewart took the opportunity to get to know Ingrid and
Andrew.

Greg and Stewart were discussing the entrance
ramp that would replace the front steps when the women arrived in
the buggy. Taking advantage of the fresh air, the men sat on the
picnic table to enjoy coffee and freshly baked muffins and
scones.

“Richard, Andrew, Jacob. If you tire of your
desk jobs, I know of a firm that would be pleased to hire you. I
must commend you on your work ethic,” Stewart remarked.

“Am I not an adequate worker, Papa?” Alex
wiped the sweat from his brow. “I’m aware you hire the best, but I
thought I was doing a good job, an adequate job. I’m waking Sunday
mornings to discover sore muscles that I didn’t know existed in my
body.”

Stewart winked at Greg and then turned his
attention to his grandson.

“You are also to be commended, Alex, as your
efforts here are outstanding. However, it would be impossible to
replace you in your current job. I am unable to fathom another man
willing to accept a position that requires twenty-four hours a day,
seven days a week for what basically amounts to ‘room and board.’ A
man who takes pride in the position.”

Sarah stood behind Alex, her hands on his
shoulders.

“It is the Venderkemp blood in my veins,
Papa.” His smile lit his face.

“Yes, and it’s admirable.”

Adam and Hope were in the parlour of their
daughter’s home when Richard walked down the steps, preparing to
leave. “Rose is awake. I must depart for work.”

Hope poured a glass of milk for her daughter
and wandered up the steps with Adam behind her.

They were sitting by the window in the master
bedroom talking when Rose jolted. Her hand grasped her enlarged
stomach, spilling the milk on her sheets.

“Oh, sweet mother of God.”

Not expecting the child for another six
weeks, Hope turned and looked at Adam. No words were spoken, but
both had vivid memories of her pregnancies and the horrible
miscarriages. Hope placed her coffee on the night table, leaned
over, and kissed her daughter’s forehead.

“She is not fevered, but I want Doc’s
opinion.”

“I’ll contact Doc and then Richard. Stay with
our daughter.” Adam walked out of the room.

Hope and Rose were talking when Adam
returned.

“I also spoke with Alex. I suggested they
stay at the orphanage. Richard is on his way.”

Their family doctor arrived just after
Richard. The difficult, awful wait began. Time progressed slowly,
too slowly for Hope’s liking. The men paced and stared out the
windows.

“This is dreadful,” Hope admitted, standing
and placing her hands on her hips. “I want to know what’s
happening.”

“I’ve experienced this four times, Hope.
Hoping and praying you were well.”

Hope stared at the ceiling. “Heavenly Father.
Look after my daughter and the baby inside her.” With her patience
wearing thin, Hope walked up the steps, listening for sounds from
the bedroom. With the door slightly ajar, she returned to the
parlour. “Doc is talking to Rose, keeping her calm and
reassured.”

Ten hours after Rose’s first contraction, the
wail of a newborn broke the silence. Hope dashed up the steps.

“That is music to my ears,” she heard Adam
tell Richard. The men appeared at the base of the staircase.

Listening at the door, Hope heard voices but
couldn’t decipher words. Curious, she opened the door and saw the
nurse holding the infant, her grandchild.

“A boy,” Rose announced with pride, making
eye contact with her momma. Rose grasped her stomach. “A-agh.”

No-o-o. Please don’t allow Rose to experience
complications now that she has given birth. The door closed. Rose
is in agony after the birth of the baby. That never happened to me.
She looked down at Adam and Richard.

“A boy, but Rose isn’t well. We must pray for
our daughter.”

Richard slumped onto the floor. With his back
against the wall, he removed his loosened tie and threw it onto the
floor. He tilted his head up and stared at the ceiling.

“I beg of you God. Assist my wife. Keep her
with us.” He turned his attention to Hope. “Rose was so excited to
discover she was carrying a child.” Richard turned and looked at
Adam as he stood beside him. “You experienced this agony four times
with Hope. I cannot imagine.”

“It wasn’t pleasing to hear Hope was
expecting Alex or Rose, but I thank God daily for my children.”

“I will be eternally grateful for one child
and a healthy wife.”

Hope’s mind drifted as she waited to hear
Doc’s voice or Rose’s voice. Minutes seemed like an eternity. It
was too quiet in that bedroom. Doc was such a soft spoken man, his
voice didn’t travel.

What’s happening in there? Is Rose
unwell?

“A-agh.”

Hope jumped at the sound of her daughter’s
voice.
My grandson is in that room. Doc and his
nurse must focus on Rose.
“Doc. Allow me to take the child,”
Hope called through the closed door.

The door opened and the nurse placed the
beautiful babe in her arms. Perfect in every way. Looking down the
steps, she saw Adam and Richard standing. She began walking down
the steps with the child wrapped in a white blanket.

“Rose has given birth to a daughter,” Doc
announced from behind the closed door.

Hope stopped and looked up the steps.

“A daughter?” Hope questioned. She looked at
the child in her arms, tempted to remove the blanket bundling the
babe. “Earlier, Rose stated a son,” she reminded Adam and
Richard.

“Is the sex of this child … questionable?”
Adam asked.

Hope shrugged her shoulders and began walking
up the steps. The door to the master-bedroom opened and the doctor
stepped out.

“Rose has given birth to two normal beautiful
babes,” he informed them. “A boy and a girl. All three are
well.”

Hearing the thud, Hope looked down the steps.
Richard had slumped on the floor with his back against the
wall.

“Richard?” Hope remarked. “Adam, is he
unwell? Did he faint?”

“Richard?” Rose called.

“No. Yes. I’m fine. We were … oh my … we are
prepared for one baby, not two.”

Adam squatted and touched his son-in-law’s
shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Do not be concerned. This
family is accustomed to babies. You will be given all the support
you need.”

Holding her grandson in her arms, Hope looked
into the room. Rose was on the bed, holding her own daughter,
smiling. Looking up at her mother, her eyes were a sleepy shade of
blue.

“Richard is spooked by the revelation, but he
is well and proud,” Hope told her.

“Doc assured me there was only one heartbeat.
Richard shall be pleased. He wanted two children. He is now a poppa
to a boy and girl. We must tell Papa Stewart and Alex.”

“Your poppa and I will telephone the
orphanage.”

Richard stood and darted up the steps taking
them two at a time to see Rose and their babies.