Natasha's Legacy (24 page)

Alex regretted his lack of confidence on the
evening of her concert. He should have been more persistent the day
they played with the children.

“Do you recall playing tug-of-war with the
children? The teams were not evenly matched and I attempted to have
you on my team.”

“The girls were ecstatic with their win over
the boys, especially with you playing.” Her smile grew.

“I had intended to propose that day. With my
arms around you, I had planned to whisper in your ear.”

“Alex. That was shortly after I moved
here.”

“Uh huh.”

“You wanted to speak with me, but the
children asked us to join them.”

“I originally intended to lead you to the
back of the orphanage and propose, but my plan changed because of
the game. With distractions and dilemmas, the proposal was not
meant to occur that day.”

“Ugh,” she groaned. “If I was aware of your
intention, I would have spoken with the girls and we would have
celebrated our engagement. Poppa would have walked me down the
aisle.”

Alex’s heart sank. It had taken so long to
gain confidence in their relationship. So much had happened in
their lives making the timing inappropriate, delaying him.

“My apologies, Sarah.”

“The proposal would have been unique,” she
admitted. “I would be speaking of it to this day.”

“Is it possible you will agree if I repeat
the question?”

“No. I refuse to lie about the proposal. In
the same breath, I refuse to tell Momma, Poppa, and Ingrid, or
anybody else you proposed in bed.”

“God is not kind to me.” Alex inhaled. “To
continue reminiscing, do you remember dining the week before you
were offered the travel contact with the conservatory?”

“My apologies, but no. I recall practicing a
great deal. My nerves have never bothered me as they did that
week.”

“You were exhausted, more than I realized. I
had sat in my room every evening, practicing a speech. After
dining, we returned to your apartment and during our ‘quality talk’
I told you I loved you. I asked you to join me in my home with an
assurance a proposal would occur once I was certain of your
happiness.”

“You said you loved me? I don’t remember
that.”

“Yes. I took my time to open the discussion,
attempting to settle my nerves. Once the words were out of my
mouth, I waited for your response only to discover you were
sleeping. In our time together, I do not believe there was another
evening we did not talk and become intimate again.”

“Unable to open my eyes I assumed I was
dreaming. You didn’t discuss your plans the following day or the
following week.”

“The following weekend, my heart was
shattered with the idea of losing you. I was convinced once you had
considered the offer, you would accept the contract and become a
professional musician. To this day, I’m amazed you remained with
me.”

“I have never questioned my decision to
decline the offer. There were nights I regretted moving into this
home. I cried myself to sleep many nights,” she admitted.

“My body, heart, and soul belong to you.”
Alex thought of the evening of their first kiss, the inappropriate
moment. “I must ask. Have I been forgiven for our first kiss?”

“Perhaps.”

“Perhaps? That is not acceptable. I pray we
are able to celebrate the joyous event while I am still relatively
young and able, if the day comes you forgive me,” he added. “You
have me thinking it will never happen.”

Sarah leaned over and kissed him.

Exhausted when they parted, Sarah rolled onto
her side and Alex snuggled in beside her. She kissed his hand and
drifted off to sleep. Unable to settle, Alex’s mind was on their
conversation.

A week after the celebration, Adam and Hope
went to Rose and Richard’s to care for the twins allowing the young
parents an evening out. After dining, Papa Stewart and Izabella
returned to their room allowing the two couples time to visit.
Richard began speaking to Sarah about the piano. He followed her to
the music room to be taught a basic song.

Keeping his voice lowered, Alex spoke with
Rose of his attempted proposal and Sarah’s response.

“Richard would not be in my life and the
father of my children if he attempted such a proposal.”

“You are not helping my grieving heart. I’m
not looking for a lecture. I require assistance. I spend my days
associating with children, or speaking about children.”

Rose shifted her body closer to his and
placed her arm around his shoulder. The sofa became confining.

“Sarah loves you, Alex. Sarah is hoping for a
proposal from your heart. I will speak with Momma and Izabella.
We’ll collaborate and think of something special. Our family will
be so pleased, her family too.”

“Only if she accepts. This will be my third
attempt. There will not be another.”

Rose was smiling as she walked out of the
room in search of her husband.

Falling asleep with his arm around Sarah that
night, Alex dreamed he proposed. The ambiance was romantic, perfect
in his mind. Rising the next morning, with his dream fresh in his
mind, he wanted his mother’s and Rose’s opinions.

“I must do a quick errand. I will return
soon,” he whispered to Sarah.

Sarah made a vocal sound but never opened her
eyes. He walked out of their room.

* * *

Hope was in a light sleep when a tap on the
door just after dawn woke her.

“Momma, are you awake?”

“I am now.”

Rose opened the door, bubbling with
excitement.

“I couldn’t sleep last night. I had the most
delightful conversation with Alex. He plans to propose to
Sarah.”

Having given up on a marriage between Alex
and Sarah, Hope thought she misunderstood her daughter’s words. She
sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Adam pulled the covers
over his shoulders.

“It’s true, Momma. He plans to ask Sarah to
be his wife but requires help and suggestions for a romantic
proposal.”

“That is wonderful news, Rose,” Adam
remarked. “We will discuss this once we are downstairs.”

Rose closed the door and within a few
minutes, Adam’s breathing indicated he was sleeping. Far too
excited, Hope couldn’t sleep. Alex would propose to Sarah. They
would be married. She wanted to speak with Alex and congratulate
him. Exhausted from playing with their grandchildren, Adam never
stirred as she crawled out of bed. A half hour later, Adam shuffled
down the steps and walked into the parlour. Hope poured him a cup
of coffee.

“Where is Rose?”

She is tending to the twins.”

The telephone rang.

“Momma. Would you answer that?”

Hope rushed into the kitchen. “Alex is coming
for a visit,” she announced to anyone listening.

Their son arrived within a half hour. With
both his niece and nephew on his lap, Alex sat at the dining table
and spoke of his plan.

Six weeks later, Stewart and Izabella were
enjoying their morning coffee when Sarah entered the dining area
with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders covering her dressing
gown.

“Alex asked me to give this to you.” Stewart
handed a note to Sarah, something both he and Izabella had
read.

I hope you slept well. Relax and enjoy a hot
bath.

Your presence is required shortly after lunch
for a trip into the city.

I love you, Sarah.

Alex

Izabella walked into the kitchen, returning
with a cup of coffee for Sarah. They ate their breakfast and then
Sarah excused herself to change.

Stewart and Izabella were sitting on the
porch chatting, when the door opened.

“Pardon the intrusion. Have you seen
Alex?”

“Sorry Sarah. We have not,” he informed
her.

A few minutes later, they heard the angelic
sound Sarah was capable of creating on the piano.

Izabella next saw her preparing bathwater and
later reading Natasha’s diary.

Stewart tapped on the opened bedroom door.
“Lunch is ready.”

“Have you seen Alex?” she asked, the diary in
her hand. “I expected to see him by now.”

“I have not. Come join Izabella and me for
lunch.”

With the meal over, Sarah returned to her
room to change. A half hour later, Stewart looked into their room.
Dressed for town, Sarah was sitting on the chair, reading the diary
again.

“A carriage has arrived for you.”

“But I haven’t seen Alex.”

“The gentleman cannot wait, Sarah. You are to
leave within five minutes.”

She grabbed her clutch purse and walked down
the main staircase with Stewart following behind. Izabella stood at
the door to the addition with a professional-looking gentleman in
his mid-forties, holding a top hat. Stewart nodded to acknowledge
his presence and watched as the gentleman extended his arm to
Sarah. He and Izabella followed them out to the carriage.

“We must wait for Alex,” Sarah reminded the
gentleman.

“My orders are to leave these premises by one
o’clock, Madame. I was not told you would be accompanied by a
gentleman.”

“But the note stated….” She stopped
speaking.

“Allow me to assist you into the
carriage”

“We did our job,” Stewart told Izabella, He
touched her hand as it rested on his shoulder. “I’ll telephone Hope
and let them know Sarah is on the way.”

“Then you must write of this in the journal.
Alex requested you describe Sarah’s day. You don’t write as often
as you once did.”

“No. The younger generation is writing. I
enjoy reading Hope’s entries. My heart is consumed with love and
pride. I couldn’t love Sarah or Richard more if they shared my
blood. Rose and Richard are content with their own family and now,
Sarah and Alex will be even more content. My heart is warm when
thinking of my family.”

* * *

Hope ended the phone call with her poppa.

“Rose, Sarah is on the way.”

“Thanks Momma. I’ll get changed.”

Hope followed her daughter up the stairs.
Dressed for their outing, Hope stepped out of the spare room,
walked down the hallway and looked into the nursery.

“Alexander,” she scolded, seeing him looking
out the window. “The carriage is due to arrive.”

“I’m aware of that,” he replied, without a
care in the world.

She gave her head a shake. If Sarah saw him,
his entire plan would be ruined. “Did you speak with Sarah’s
parents?”

Alex stepped back from the window and looked
at her. “Yes. We had a good visit although I was nervous. Her poppa
was shocked when I asked for his blessing.”

“Shocked, but pleased?”

“Very pleased. They think of me as their
second son. Every time I see them, they still thank me profusely
for the work done on their home.”

“Yes. They feel indebted. Have you forgotten
anything?”

Alex pointed to the small box on his sister’s
bed. “My list has been completed. I will bathe and dress and be
gone when you return.”

“We will be back within three hours. I love
you, Alex.” She kissed his cheek.

“I love you, Momma. Enjoy your day.”

Hope was on the porch with Rose when the
driver stopped in front of the house. Richard and Adam stepped
outside with the twins in their arms.

“I love shopping,” Rose announced. She took
her place beside Sarah. “Poppa and Richard will remain with the
twins.”

“Where is Alex?” Sarah asked as she looked
toward the house.

“He wouldn’t appreciate a day of shopping,”
Rose blurted.

Hope took her seat beside her daughter and
the chatter continued. The carriage stopped in front of
Valentine’s.

“I appreciate the connection to the family,
but I lack occasions for more clothing from this store. I treat
myself to a few gowns for my performances at the concert hall and,
of course, we bought ourselves new gowns for Alex’s party,
but—”

“Izabella has raved about the latest
fashions,” Rose announced. “It is a perfect day to model some new
gowns.”

Sarah stepped from behind the barrier in a
dark top and coordinating skirt. The black lace top wrapped around
her breasts and waist, forming a V-neck at the front and tied at
the back, draping to the floor. The lace sleeves puffed softly from
her shoulder to her elbow then fit firmly down to her wrist. The
black silk skirt flowed softly to the floor. Sarah was positively
glowing.

“We’ve been successful,” Hope told the sales
woman. “We require accessories.”

“Hope. No-o-o. Look at the price,” Sarah
winced. “I don’t make this amount after two weeks of teaching.”

“This isn’t coming out of your savings,
Sarah, it’s my treat. Don't argue.”

“Hmm. It is beautiful.” Sarah admired herself
in the full-length mirror. They placed a stylish black choker
around her neck and clutch bag in her hand.

With bags in their hands, they returned to
the carriage. The next stop was the beauty salon.

The women returned to Rose and Richard’s home
and Sarah dashed up the steps to the guest bedroom. Minutes later,
she opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Glowing wasn’t an
adequate description. She looked radiant. She retreated to where
the children were settled on Adam and Hope’s knees. Lowering
herself, she gave each a kiss on the cheek.

“Sarah, it’s time to leave,” Adam reminded
her.

“I shouldn’t be leaving without Alex. Rose,
you must tell me. Where is he? I haven’t seen him all day.”

Rose shrugged her shoulders, her face covered
in guilt. Richard opened the front door and extended his elbow.
Sarah was led outside and escorted to the car with Adam and Hope
following behind with the twins. Richard closed the door and
returned to his wife’s side.