Natasha's Legacy (22 page)

* * *

After a long anxious day waiting to hear
news, Stewart was standing at the door in the lobby, staring out
the window when the telephone rang. He turned and walked into the
office. Alex ran down the steps from the medical area, prepared to
take the call if it concerned the business. Picking up the
telephone, Hope’s voice almost deafened him. He pulled the earpiece
from his ear.

“Twins?” he questioned.

“Yes, twins,” she confirmed. “A boy and a
girl. A perfect family. Rose needs rest. Come tomorrow.”

A short conversation continued.

“Send along our love.”

They ended the call.

“Rose has given birth to twins,” Stewart
announced. “All three are well,” he continued, relaying the
information.

“Twins?” Alex questioned. “Rose never
mentioned this.”

“Rose and Richard are surprised, but
thrilled. This explains her size. Rose is tired, but well. She
requires rest, but looks forward to seeing us. Hope is suggesting
we go tomorrow.”

After breakfast, Stewart opened the rear door
of the automobile for Izabella and looked to see Sarah settling in
the seat behind Alex. He took his seat beside his grandson.

Adam greeted them at the door to Rose and
Richard’s home. “Hope is upstairs, helping Rose to feed the
twins.”

“Adam. Rose is ready for company,” Hope
called out.

Alex led the way up the steps. Rose was
resting in bed with pillows supporting her back and head. One child
was in her arms. Richard sat on the edge of the bed, holding the
other child. Stewart leaned over the bed, kissed Rose’s forehead
and sat on the reading chair beside the window. Once settled,
Richard placed the child in his arms.

“Your great-grandson.”

“Would you burp your niece?” Rose asked
Alex.

Alex’s face brightened as he took the baby
from his sister.

“Have you chosen names?” Alex asked.

Richard took his place beside his wife and
kissed the top of her head.

“No,” Rose admitted. “I was afraid we’d bring
bad luck to my pregnancy. We will discuss names later.”

* * *

It took over nine months to complete the
renovation to the Tymlin home, but Stewart was pleased with their
effort. From the exterior, the only visible change to the stately
home was a ramp leading to the entrance. Entering the building, a
number of walls had been demolished, creating larger rooms and
allowing a wheel chair to manoeuvre freely. Indoor plumbing was
added to the home, counters were lowered, and a lift had been
constructed to allow Sarah’s father as much independence as
possible for getting in and out of bed.

On the day of the tour, Alex took Sarah’s
hand and followed Mrs. Tymlin and Ingrid as Andrew pushed the
wheelchair into the home. Mrs. Tymlin could not offer enough praise
as she took Papa Stewart’s hand in hers and thanked him. When Papa
Stewart returned an embrace, she cried in his arms.

That evening, Alex entered his room for their
chat.

“In all my years of business and all the
projects I worked on, that was my second favourite project preceded
only by this building,” Stewart informed him. “Seeing the extended
family work together in such harmony warmed this ageing heart.”

* * *

“Ah-h, what a touching moment. That would
have been pretty special. The entire family, both sides working on
a project. I can’t imagine the pride in Sarah’s heart,” Keeghan
admitted. “I appreciate this story being told by you, Hope, and
Stewart, but I’d like to get some insight into Izabella, Rose, and
Sarah’s minds. That’s my only complaint. Don’t stop it. Keep the
story going.”

Alex smiled and then pointed at the
screen.

* * *

Adam and Alex were finishing breakfast when
someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Tom entered the dining room. “I hate to
interrupt.”

“Not at all,” Adam responded. “Please sit
down. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“No thank you.” Tom took a seat. “I have been
blessed to work in this building thirty-five years.”

“Has it been that long?” Adam questioned.

“My bride tells me it has. Grace and I have
been talking. It’s time I retire. I’m afraid I lack the energy I
once had and fear the children will suffer. It’s time you seek
another manager.”

“You will be missed, but I understand,” Alex
responded.

“Will you stay on until we find a
replacement?” Adam questioned.

“Of course.”

Word quickly spread around the city and Alex
began interviewing applicants. A number of men and women were
interviewed for the manager position, but to Alex they lacked the
enthusiasm, energy level, or spirit required to manage a large
number of children of different age groups. Reviewing management
applicants was as tedious as volunteer applicants. He lacked the
patience for both.

By the fifth week, Alex was frustrated and
convinced himself the orphanage did not require a manager. He
walked into the office where his father was sitting.

“This search is wearing my patience. I have
decided I will manage the orphanage, myself.”

“No, I will not allow you to do that, son. I
have vivid memories of my youth, a time this building ran without
the additional help, and it was very tiring for us all. We will
continue this quest.”

Later that day, Alex was sitting in the
office, staring out the window, when Sarah tapped and walked
in.

“Please tell me you’re sympathizing with me,”
Alex begged. “That you are willing to take on this dreadful
paperwork. Review these applicants.”

“I sympathize, but I’m not willing to assist.
My students have assignments I’m expected to mark, but I would like
to offer a suggestion. I’ve had the most interesting chat with
Jessica. A personal chat.”

Jessica began volunteering months ago and
quickly developed a friendship with Sarah. She was employed
elsewhere and had a beau in his final year of university. Alex
placed his pen on the desk.

“You always enjoy chatting with her.”

“Jessica isn’t pleased with her job. She
enjoys her time here and looks forward to it. In confidence, she
said she’d be interested in the manager’s role.”

“She hasn’t applied.”

“No. She lacks an education in child
development, but she has a passion for the children.”

“Yes, I know. The children adore her. They
speak of her at bedtime.”

“Would you be willing to consider her for the
position?”

“Of course. Ask her to come in.”

Sarah had a smile on her face when she rushed
out of the room. Fifteen minutes later, Alex asked Sarah to find
Adam. The interview continued and Jessica was hired. Ecstatic, Alex
was confident in their decision. She would begin her new role the
following week.

At the end of Jessica’s second day, she
entered the office and closed the door.

“I’d like to plan a farewell party for Tom.
The children deserve the opportunity to say goodbye to their
friend.”

“Yes. That’s a wonderful idea,” Alex
admitted.

“If you have an old sheet, I will have the
children make a sign.”

Alex grinned and nodded.

To say the children were excited would be an
understatement. They painted a farewell sign which included a sun,
a rainbow, cake, and stick people with smiling faces. Each child
signed it.

The celebration went off splendidly. Wearing
the paper crowns the children had prepared, Tom and Grace sat at
the head of the table and enjoyed the chocolate cake. It was a
perfect day and send-off. Jessica led the children into the play
room for quiet time allowing the family to say goodbye to their
friend. Alex shook hands with Tom and then stepped back, giving
Sarah room to embrace Tom and kiss his cheek.

“Thank you for sending Alex to the
mercantile,” he heard her whisper.

“Thank Grace. It was her idea.”

Together with his parents, Papa Stewart, and
Izabella, they walked their long-time friend and his wife to their
car and then Alex handed Tom an appreciation cheque.

That evening, the entire family joined the
children in the attic for prayer. They asked God to watch over
their friend Tom and his family. The following morning, Jessica
arrived for work, adding new life and vigour to the orphanage.

* * *

Hope was in her room with her door open,
reading.

“Hope.”

She looked up to see Sarah standing at the
entrance. “Come in.”

Sarah walked into the room and closed the
door.

“Alex’s thirtieth birthday is approaching.
I’d like to organize a surprise party. It will take place here, at
the orphanage, and the children can assist.”

“How delightful! Yes, of course. Adam and I
will help, as will the other family members.”

“I’ll speak to Jessica tomorrow.”

Sarah was all smiles as she left the
room.

The following morning, Adam took the archived
adoption files into their bedroom. He spent hours scanning twenty
years’ worth of files for the names of children that had bonded
with their son. Friends their compassionate son would remember.
With Rose and Richard’s help, they brainstormed for names of school
and university mates. Isaac’s name was mentioned in the privacy of
the bedroom, but Rose’s former beau would not be invited.

Rose was put in charge of the cake. Hope and
Sarah ordered balloons and festive decorations from the mercantile.
Invitations were prepared and sent. Stewart was to entertain Alex
on the big day, keeping him occupied and away from the orphanage
until their guests arrived.

Alex woke on the morning of his birthday.
Sarah continued sleeping soundly. He dressed, walked down the
steps, and into the dining area. Greeted with regular morning
salutations, Alex thought his family had forgotten his special
day.

Shortly after the children were fed, Jessica
approached him.

“Would you mind going to the city? I’m
ashamed to admit, I’m behind in my paperwork.”

“Of course.” Alex took the list from her and
looked at it. “My word. I’m surprised the children have been fed.”
He left in search of Sarah, finding her in the music room. “Sarah,
I’m doing errands in the city. Would you join me?”

“I would but I have six students today. Three
in the morning and another three before dinner.”

“Six?” He scrunched his nose and went to his
room to change.

Papa met him in the hallway and offered to
accompany him.

“Let's take the horses and buggy. They could
use an outing and we can appreciate the beautiful day.”

Alex tapped the reins and Papa began
chatting.

* * *

Once Alex and Stewart left, Adam took a
prepared sign and nailed it by the entrance. The orphanage would be
closed to visitors for the day. Rose and Richard left the twins
with Vicki and Greg and arrived within the hour. The piano was
moved from the teaching area into the study room, the eating area
was rearranged, and decorations hung.

“I’m so pleased,” Sarah said. “This is just
as I imagined.”

Vicki and Greg arrived with Matt and Carolyn
and the twins an hour before the guests were expected. All the
children were in awe of the colours when Hope opened the door to
the eating area to display the balloons, streamers, and ‘happy
birthday’ signs.

“This looks wonderful,” Vicki commended.

Tom and Grace arrived with their family and
then Sarah’s parents, brother, and a pregnant Ingrid.

* * *

Stewart treated his grandson to lunch and
they enjoyed their time together. The day progressed according to
plan until Alex saw a university school chum outside the
mercantile. Stewart climbed onto the buggy, looking forward to the
leisurely ride home. The conversation between the young men
continued with neither Alex nor his chum in a rush to depart.
Concerned, Stewart pulled out his pocket watch.

“Alex, it pains me to interrupt, but we must
return home.”

“We can finish our conversation later,” the
friend announced.

Hearing the comment, it was obvious the young
man had been invited with plans to attend the evening celebration.
Stewart glared at the friend.

“Don’t be a stranger to the city, Alex. Next
time, perhaps we can go out for a coffee, or even lunch.”

“I’d like that. I better get going.”

Alex climbed onto the buggy, took the reins
into his hands, and led the horses away.

When the team approached the orphanage,
Stewart did not see any carriages, buggies or automobiles that
would cause Alex to become suspicious. Alex stopped the horses and
Stewart stepped down and walked toward the main entrance. Alex led
the horses to the barn.

Entering the lobby, the entire family was in
the room. “My apologies for being tardy.” He took his place beside
Izabella and waited for what seemed like a lifetime for Alex. Adam
was looking out the window, watching for the guest of honour to
approach.

“He’s coming.”

* * *

Alex enjoyed his day away although it would
have been perfect if Sarah had been able to join them. It was a
wonderful break from work. When they arrived home, his papa said he
was tired and left Alex to tend to the horses. There was nothing
out of the ordinary about the day. He walked toward the orphanage
and opened the door. Then it happened. There was a room full of
people bellowing, “Happy Birthday.”

He froze.
I’m the centre of
attention. No-o-o.
He scanned the crowd for Sarah and saw
her big beautiful smile, but there were too many people in his
home.
I can’t.
He put his hands over his
eyes and then turned around to face the door.