Natasha's Legacy (23 page)

“Happy birthday, Alex,” Sarah whispered and
then kissed his cheek.

“There are a lot of people in my home,” he
winced, lowering his hands.

“Your family, my family, and Tom and Grace. I
know you consider them family.”

“Our family. I’m accustomed to seeing them
sit around a table for a meal or scattered around my home, not
congested in the lobby.”

“Our family has gone to a great deal of
effort to arrange this get together.”

He looked at Sarah and then took a deep
breath and turned around. Alisha squirmed in Rose’s arms. Alex
extended his arms to her. Holding his niece, he looked over and saw
her quiet twin content in Richard’s arms. Then Alex heard the
music.

“That isn’t coming from the gramophone.”

“My students will be arriving to perform
different pieces. Your favourites. They have been practicing.”

Appreciating the time and effort it took to
arrange a special day, he gave Sarah a loving smile. “It’s
perfect.”

When the group scattered, Alex relaxed and
enjoyed himself. His parents danced with the orphanage children.
Rose and Richard minded their twins. Sarah’s last student left
shortly before the meal was served and the gramophone was turned on
for soft background melodies.

After completing the main course, Sarah and
Rose walked into the room with the cake.

Every child had bulging eyes when they saw
the flicker of light coming from the coloured candles.

“There are far too many candles for me to
blow out. I require assistance.” Alex looked at the children. “Do I
have any volunteers?”

Seeing the hands rise, he smiled. Alisha
squirmed in Richard’s arms, determined to get closer to the bright,
sparkling object. Looking toward Alisha’s twin, he was still
content in Rose’s arms, alert and watching. Nothing escaped that
child’s attention. His nephew truly had Venderkemp blood running
through his veins whereas his niece was all Donovan.

Alex called the names of the two children who
had spent the longest time at the orphanage. The candles were blown
out and the cake devoured.

“Alex, I must warn you. More people are due
to arrive,” Sarah mentioned as the plates were cleared.

“More?”

When she nodded, he forced a smile.

Jessica, Sarah, and his parents settled the
children for the evening, and then the adults scattered into
different rooms to change into more suitable attire. Alex walked
into the bedroom and found his suit, freshly pressed.

He was in the dining area, socializing with
his cousins and uncles when he noticed Matthew look toward the
stairs. Turning, Sarah descended in a beautiful, shimmering,
forest-green gown.

“Wow.”

“It was at Valentine’s. Izabella had the gown
set aside and Rose brought it when they arrived this morning.”

“I’ve said this on many occasions, but it
remains true. You are stunning.”

“And you look very handsome in your
suit.”

Music from the gramophone filled the rooms
and bottles of wine were set on the table. Guests began arriving
and his parents, grandfather, and Izabella began socializing. Sarah
became occupied with associates from the conservatory.

Alex was looking for Sarah when he noticed
his father walk into the room. The man that accompanied him had a
familiar face.
Where do I know him from,
university perhaps?
No. Oh my gosh. It’s
my orphanage friend. It’s Johnny.
Shocked, but delighted, he
walked over to greet his friend.

“Alex,” his poppa called, “you remember
Johnny. John.”

“Of course. Come join me. You must tell me
about your life since leaving this building.”

“I was fortunate. I was adopted by loving
parents and I became a doctor. I’m married with two little girls.
My wife is pregnant with our third child or she would be with me.
You look great.” Their conversation continued. They were joined by
Rose and then Richard and Sarah.

It was just after midnight when the first
guests announced they were leaving. Closing the door after the last
couple left, Alex turned his attention to Sarah. He put his arms
around her waist and gazed into her eyes.

“This was one of the best nights of my life.
Rose told me this celebration was your idea. Thank you. The
memories will last in the children’s minds for many years to come,
and I enjoyed seeing former friends. I am confident every man in
this building was envious when you stood by my side.”

Leaning toward Sarah, he allowed his lips to
touch hers.

“Alex!” Rose lectured. “There are guests in
the next room who would like to speak with the birthday boy.”

The remaining guests were family members.
Alex wasn’t the least bit concerned. “How is it possible you still
possess miserable timing?”

“How is it possible a shy man insists upon a
public display of affection?”

“I’m simply displaying my appreciation,” he
boasted with pride.

“Everyone in the next room would be pleased
to accept an invitation to an event where a husband is expected to
kiss his bride.”

Sarah’s attention shifted to the floor.

“Although we refer to Sarah as Auntie Sarah
to my children, she isn’t,” Rose continued.

Alex stared at the floor. Hs cheeks burned.
Prickly heat went down his neck into his back. His life with Sarah
was not his sister’s concern.

“Alex,” Rose continued. “Please tell me
you’ve told Sarah you love her.”

How humiliating. Even Rose is aware of that
misunderstanding.

Sarah nodded.

“But you haven’t proposed yet?” Rose
lectured.

Richard opened the adjoining door and entered
the room.

“For the love of God, ask Sarah to be your
wife,” Rose pleaded.

“Rose,” Richard called out. “Hush. Their
relationship is not your concern. We need to check on our
children.” Richard reached for Rose’s hand and pulled her toward
the main staircase. “I’m hoping our little angels are
sleeping.”

With his sister working her way up to the
second floor, Alex turned to Sarah, placing his hands on her cheek.
It had been a perfect day followed by a wonderful evening together.
In his mind, the timing was perfect. “I love you, Sarah.”

“Members of your family are in the next
room,” she reminded him. “It would appear rude if the guest of
honour did not visit before they retire for the evening.”

Sarah reached for his hand and together they
walked into the adjoining room.

A half hour later, Vicki and Greg left,
followed by Marcus and his family. Papa Stewart and Izabella were
yawning when they announced they were retiring for the evening. It
was entering into the early hours of the morning when Alex walked
Matthew, Tessa, and their spouses to the door. Returning to the
eating area, his favourite piece was playing. He turned up the
gramophone and looked at Sarah. Smiling, she met him on the dance
floor. Richard and Rose followed their lead as did his parents.
Holding Sarah in his arms, Alex tilted his head toward her and
caressed her lips with tender kisses.

“Alex,” Sarah whispered. “Your parents and
sister are in the room.”

“Uh huh,” he mumbled in agreement. He
attempted to continue.

“They are witnessing….”

“Uh hum,” he mumbled again. “I love you.” He
caressed the side of her neck with kisses.

“Your brother shocks me.” Alex heard Richard
say to Rose. “He is the shyest man I know, yet look at him. I
admire him. In his mind, they are alone in the world.”

“Kiss me,” Rose pleaded.

“Here?”

From the corner of Alex’s eye he saw his
sister stretch up and give her husband a tender kiss on his lips.
Richard did not attempt to avoid it.

“It is pleasing to see both Alex and Rose
happy,” he heard his momma say to his poppa.

“Raised in a home filled with love, I
expected nothing less.”

“I expected Alex to marry Sarah,” his momma
admitted.

He shifted their position slightly so he
could see his parents. His poppa had raised his eyebrows, his way
of warning Momma to hush.

“Hope, your lips must remain sealed on the
topic.”

“I love you, Adam.” She reached up and kissed
him.

“You were concerned my family would witness
our kiss, yet, look.” He pointed toward his family.

“Unbelievable,” Sarah murmured. “The
Venderkemp blood.”

“You are mistaken, Sarah. It is the Donovan
blood. Have you not reached the section in the diary when Papa
Stewart kissed Nana Natasha while in the presence of university
classmates?”

“I have, but I must dedicate more time to the
diary. Recently, my time has been consumed preparing for a
party.”

“I love you, Sarah.” Placing his hands on her
cheeks, he looked into her eyes and then opened his mouth and gave
her a passionate kiss, a kiss that normally occurred in the privacy
of their room.

“Alex,” Rose protested.

Sarah pulled away from the embrace.

“Alex,” his momma lectured. “You have
witnessed innocent kisses between your poppa and me, yet our
intimate kisses occur in private.”

Sarah’s face turned scarlet red as did his
poppa’s. Both covered their faces with their hands.

“Ho-ope,” Adam groaned.

“Rose and Hope are outspoken and blunt. It is
apparent Alex, like his Papa Stewart, has forgotten intimacy is to
occur in private,” Izabella told Sarah and then winked at her.

“My grandson did not learn a lesson after the
first kiss he shared with you.”

“Apparently not,” Sarah agreed.

Alex’s attention shifted between Sarah, his
father and grandfather. “I have no regrets. I enjoy kissing Sarah
and always have.” The gramophone was turned off and the three
couples retreated to the second floor.

Once in the privacy of their room, Alex
watched Sarah brush her hair.

“I thought my family had forgotten my
birthday. It was difficult walking into the building to be greeted
by so many people, but I enjoyed the evening. I’m still … well …
rejuvenated. Are you tired?”

“I should be, but no.”

“Good. I plan to thank you for my birthday
celebration.” He crawled out of bed, and took her into his arms.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look this evening?”

The evening had been
perfect. The celebration with family and friends and then
quality time with Sarah. The timing was perfect to propose
marriage. She had stopped him earlier in the evening, but now, they
would not be interrupted. There were many times he wanted to
propose, but something always marred it. Something always made the
timing inappropriate.

When Rose announced her pregnancy, he was
thrilled for Rose and Richard but wanted his sister involved in the
wedding. Then Mr. Tymlin had his accident. Renovating Sarah’s
parents’ home took far more time than he expected. Papa had warned
it would not be completed quickly, but months?

He placed his hand on Sarah’s head as it
rested on his chest. “I love you, Sarah. Years ago, I said I needed
to ensure you were happy living here. Are you happy?”

“Very happy.”

“Perhaps the time has come to make our
relationship official.”

“Uh huh.”

“Sarah Venderkemp.”

“It sounds beautiful when coming from your
voice.”

A warm sensation filled Alex’s heart. His
family would be thrilled when they announced their engagement in
the morning. His poppa had stated the difficulty in proposing to
Momma, yet he accomplished that with ease. With assistance from
family, Sarah would plan their wedding. He would place a ring on
her finger when they exchanged vows.

“We shall inform my family during breakfast,”
he boasted.

“That would not be wise.”

Alex chuckled.
Sarah wants
to hear a formal proposal. I will grant you that.
“I’m in
love with you, Sarah. Will you do me the honour of becoming
my—”

Her finger went over his lips. She stopped
me, actually stopped me from proposing marriage.

“Perhaps, someday,” she responded very
casually.

Stunned by her response, Alex stared at her.
Izabella had stopped his papa in the same fashion. A finger over
his lips.

All these years together and they never
married. Both his momma and Rose wanted him and Sarah married. He
wanted to marry her. “Are you declining—”

“No,” she reassured him, “but I am not
accepting at this time.”

Placing his finger under her chin, he tilted
her head to see a slight smile on her face. “At this time? You are
not pleased with the proposal?”

“You are correct. I am not. I have displayed
patience, waiting for this moment. I love you, Alex. Months ago I
would have been ecstatic to hear you propose, having fallen asleep
with tears in my eyes on many occasions. I know you love me.
Everything changed after Poppa’s accident. I felt and experienced
your family’s love. I’m content being in your life.”

A warm sensation consumed his body. He wiped
the tear from her cheek. “I want to marry you. I know you want to
be married. What would please you?”

Sarah rolled onto her back and looked at the
crackling flame from the wood stove by the foot of the bed.

“A romantic setting.”

“Romantic? “You are laying in our bed with
the glow of the fire. The setting is very romantic.”

Sarah did not move her head but shifted her
eyes toward him.

“You’re serious! A romantic setting,” he
repeated in confirmation. “Do you have other requests?”

“I’d like the proposal to be unique.”

Why did I procrastinate? I should have
trusted my heart. I should have asked Sarah to be my bride instead
of requesting she join me in my home. “Sarah.”

“I am a patient woman, Alex.”

“If I had proposed the day I asked you to
join me in my home—”

“I would have accepted before you completed
the statement. I wanted to be your wife.” Sarah rolled onto her
side and looked at him. “I’m content sharing your life. My
intention is not to jeopardize our relationship, but I’d like to be
romanced. I want to recall the day for the remainder of my life.
Something to talk about.”