Natasha's Legacy (28 page)

Later that evening, once the twins were
sleeping, Hope and Rose joined their family in the parlour. The
evening was spent reminiscing.

“I will never question the love and affection
Papa Stewart felt for Izabella,” Sarah said, “but in his last
minutes, he reached for Nana Natasha. He held the portrait of his
wife holding their infant daughter. Love is truly beautiful. Nana
Natasha remained in Papa Stewart’s heart.”

Alex shifted on the sofa to face Sarah. He
smiled and placed his hands on her tear-soaked cheeks and kissed
her. With both her hands in his, Alex looked into Sarah’s eyes.

“Our family required Papa Stewart’s
assistance. His job is complete now. Momma, Rose, and I are happy.
The family he created with Nana Natasha.”

It warmed Hope’s heart to hear her son.
Crying, she stood, stepped toward her son, and embraced him.

* * *

Life was different without Papa. Sarah
questioned why Alex wasn’t writing in his journal after Izabella
passed, but there were no words to put on the paper. Papa Stewart
hadn’t been himself. He’d stopped smiling and avoided the children.
Hope had grieved watching Papa, unable to help him.

After their deaths, it was difficult being in
Papa and Izabella’s room. It felt so empty. Alex missed visiting
with his papa. Seeing his smile and hearing his voice, his
laughter. Alex’s heart ached as did the remainder of his family,
but Papa was happy. He was ready to go to heaven and Nana Natasha
came for him.

Alex got teary-eyed just thinking about it.
Sarah had followed him into their room that evening, changed into
her sleeping attire, and snuggled into him. Sarah was quiet, too
quiet.

“What’s on your mind?”

She didn’t respond.

“Sarah. Speak to me. We’re accustomed to
talking from our heart after being intimate, but I’m capable of
listening at any time.”

“My thoughts are on our marriage. I must
question whether we’re to be married. Our anniversary will be a
reminder of death, two deaths. Papa Stewart and Izabella weren’t
married, but that didn’t affect the love they shared. Perhaps, like
your papa, I’m cursed. Your first attempts at proposing were not
meant to be.”

“You are not cursed,” he assured her.

“I doubt I will be a glowing bride.”

“Getting married is important to our
families, but as long as you remain with me, I’m happy. In Papa’s
words, in our hearts, we are married and have been for a long
time.”

“I have mixed emotions,” she admitted.

“I proposed and I love you with all my heart.
That will never change. The decision is yours.”

“My wedding gown is in the spare room, the
flower store is expecting a new date.”

“The gown is simply material.”

“Ugh.” She exhaled.

“Sarah, they believe we are renewing our
vows. Only the immediate family knows the truth, the importance of
the event. The decision is yours. I will stand proudly at the end
of the aisle, waiting for your hand in mine if that will make you
happy.”

“Your family. My family—”

“Want you to be happy. We are not getting
married to please others. They will accept our decision.”

Sarah rested her head on his chest. She never
uttered another word but they both knew they would not be
rescheduling the event any time soon.

* * *

“Ah man,” Keeghan groaned. “I’m beginning to
think this family is jinxed. Poor Sarah. They could use a bit of
good luck, Alex.”

“I’m glad our marriage went off without a
hitch,” Will remarked.

“Without a hitch?” Keeghan extended her hand,
showing her rings and then gripped Will’s hand. “We’re hitched.
You’re stuck with me.”

“I’d marry you again in a heartbeat.”

Alex pointed at the screen.

* * *

After church and the noon meal, the family
was summoned to the dining room. Hope sat at the head of the table,
in Poppa’s chair with her family sitting around her. She looked at
the paper in her hands; her poppa’s will. Having read the document
the previous evening with Adam, there were no surprises. Today
simply made it official. Her father was with her momma and
Izabella. Refusing to cry, Hope was determined to remain strong.
The only thing left to deal with were Poppa’s finances.

With Adam sitting to her right, supporting
her, and Aunt Vicki to her left, Hope looked across the table where
Alex was sitting in Adam’s chair. Richard remained in the corner of
the room behind Rose, able to hear, but keeping the twins content
with a quiet toy.

Hope turned her attention back to the paper,
took a deep breath, and began. “I am not reading the legalities nor
am I reading word for word. If anyone in this room wishes to read
the will, you are welcome to. Poppa’s personal investments are to
be split between me, Alex, and Rose. A small trust fund is to be
established for the twins and any other heirs born.” She stopped
for a moment. It was time to speak of the portion pertaining to
Poppa’s business. Greg had retired years earlier and Matthew had
taken on signing authority for the business account. Carolyn
relieved Aunt Vicki of the bookkeeping duties, but Vicki was still
involved. She was aware of every aspect of the business. “Full
ownership of Poppa’s company is to be transferred to Victoria and
Gregory Carson.

“Hope, we cannot accept this,” Vicki
whispered. “Matthew and Carolyn will be honoured to continue
managing the business, but the company belongs to you and your
family. Allow me to assure you, neither Tessa nor Matthew will
struggle financially.”

“You have remained invaluable in our lives
and Poppa cherished your assistance. Poppa loved Alex and Rose, yet
appreciated neither are interested in assuming control of the
business he owned. It is pleasing to know Matt will continue
Poppa’s legacy.”

“Hope, no.”

Hope’s eyes swelled with tears. She lacked
the energy or inclination to argue. “Aunt Vicki, please. This is
what Poppa wanted.”

She pushed the formal document toward her
aunt. Adam reached over and gripped Hope’s hand. The room went
silent and then Vicki nodded without reading a single word.

Sarah declined Alex’s invitation to join the
family at the bank, staying at the orphanage to mind the twins.
Alex and Rose followed Hope and Adam into Richard’s office and took
their seats. There were two thick file folders on his large
mahogany desk.

“My father managed these accounts until the
day he retired, leaving them to a senior associate. I was shown the
files this morning to review before meeting with you. Papa Stew….”
When Richard stopped himself, Hope smiled. At this moment, he was
not Rose’s husband but a bank employee bringing the family up to
date on the status of the accounts. “Mr. Donovan began a trust
account over thirty years ago,” he continued.

A tear escaped and rushed down Hope's cheek.
Her father discussed the trust fund with her and Adam. After two
miscarriages, they weren’t planning a family. The children at the
orphanage would be cared for.

“The notes state Mr. Donovan expected his
family to administer the fund. There is a formula with arrangements
in place, but the administrator must authorize the transfer of
funds a minimum of once a year. By the documents set forth in this
file, Mr. Donovan was determined the Venderkemp Orphanage would not
be forgotten by future generations.”

Richard opened the file and pushed it toward
Hope. His finger rested just above the balance in the trust fund.
Four jaws dropped when they saw the amount. Tears ran down Adam’s
cheeks. He shook his head slightly and then covered his mouth. Hope
squeezed his hand and Alex put his arm around his shoulder.

“Papa Stewart knew what the orphanage means
to you, means to me,” Alex reminded him. “We carry the Venderkemp
name with pride, but the Donovan legacy
will
live on.”

Alex reached for his sister’s hand. An
overwhelming sense of pride filled Hope. “The orphanage is and will
always be Momma’s legacy, Natasha’s legacy. Her love and passion
for the children drew me here. Momma wrote of the orphanage in her
diary. She volunteered at our orphanage, then run by Adam’s
grandparents. The building brought me closer to Momma. Poppa’s love
has secured the foundation for this business, keeping Momma happy
and at peace. I love them both.” With a nod from Adam to continue,
Richard closed the first file and pushed the second toward
Hope.

“Mr. Donovan’s personal investments. My notes
state it is to be equally divided between Hope Elizabeth Victoria,
Alexander Stewart, and Rose Alisha Venderkemp.”

Opening the file, he allowed his finger to
rest on the current dollar value. Hope smiled.

“You aren’t surprised by this, Momma?” Alex
questioned.

“No. I assisted with the bookkeeping when
Matthew and Tessa were born. Poppa was well compensated for his
ability. Both Poppa and Izabella assisted Adam and me financially.
He paid for your education and our family’s food, clothing, and
special treats. I did not attempt to discourage him when he spoke
of special gifts for you or Rose. He could afford them and it made
him happy.”

“The automobiles,” Richard remarked.

“Yes, and the piano. He offered to assist
with the purchase of your home, Rose, but I said no.”

“Papa Stewart was
far
too
generous,” Rose admitted.

Hope and Alex signed the appropriate
documents and walked out of the office, leaving Rose to speak with
her husband.

* * *

Alex was still numb when they returned home.
With his parents offering to take the twins outside, Alex led Sarah
into the parlour and sat on the love seat. Alex spoke of the
conversation at the bank and the amounts.

“Sweet mother of God. What are your
intentions?”

“What are our intentions?” he corrected.

“Leave it to the orphanage,” Sarah responded
without a moment of hesitation. “So we can continue to look after
the beautiful children in this building.”

“Music to my ears. I love you, Sarah.” He
leaned toward her and gave her a gentle kiss.

Alex sat in his room and read his momma’s
journal entries after the death of Papa. Sarah entered the room and
sat beside him.

“You haven't been writing lately.”

“No. Momma has been writing. There is nothing
more to add,” he informed Sarah.

Life at the orphanage continued. Sarah
resumed teaching, children were adopted, babies born. Jessica was
perfect, assisting him as Tom had, but it was different without
Papa Stewart and Izabella. There were empty spaces where their
chairs would fit at the dinner table. Evenings were the worst. Alex
missed visiting his grandfather.

The day at the cemetery was difficult, more
so than he expected. Momma had received a phone call when the stone
was in place. Leaving Jessica at the orphanage, Alex assisted Momma
and Sarah into the car. Once his father took his seat, Alex started
the engine. They arrived just ahead of Richard and Rose.

His parents took the twins in their arms
allowing Alex, Sarah, Richard, and Rose to walk ahead. They walked
together, hand in hand. Alex released his sister’s hand when she
and Richard stopped to admire their great-grandparents stone,
Willard and Elizabeth Donovan. Alex stopped at Papa Stewart’s
resting place as his parents remained behind. There was an etched
angel on the corner of the grave marker. It brought a smile to his
face. Papa Stewart always believed Nana Natasha spoke to him and
that she watched over her family.

Alex turned his attention to the words of his
nana’s engraving. Smiling, he appreciated the change. Nana
Natasha’s middle name had been added as well as her surname. Papa’s
surname. Choked up, Alex’s heart filled with pride. After all these
years, their marriage had been acknowledged. The love they shared
was acknowledged. It was the proper decision. He shifted his
attention to his papa’s information and began reading. Within
seconds he choked back tears. Struggling to breathe, he sobbed.

“Alex.”

Alex heard Sarah’s voice but couldn’t
respond.

“It is difficult seeing the name on a
grave-marker, I recall my emotions seeing John’s name shortly after
his death.”

“No. Reading the stone hasn’t upset me,” he
whimpered. He turned and looked at her. “Have you read the
inscription for Papa?”

“Yes, it’s beautiful, as the family
discussed.”

Natasha Alisha Donovan

Cherished wife of Stewart

And Momma to Hope

Freedom at last

Stewart Alexander Donovan

Cherished Husband of Natasha

Poppa to Hope, loved Papa

Forever in Izabella’s heart

See you in heaven

“You’re aware my birth name is Alexander
Stewart Venderkemp, but I was not aware until this moment of Papa
Stewart’s middle name. I was told I was named in honour of both
Papa’s, but never knew Papa Stewart and Papa Venderkemp shared the
name Alexander.”

Sarah put her arms around Alex and held him.
“You shared a special bond. The name is appropriate.”

“My apologies.”

He twitched at the sound of Poppa’s voice.
Then he felt Adam's warm hand touch his shoulder. Sarah released
her grip.

“You should have been told of the name years
ago. While engaged, your momma and I both agreed it would be
appropriate to incorporate both names if we were fortunate enough
to have a son. I knew at times you would need reprimand but I had
too much respect for my father-in-law to raise my voice in anger
while stating his name. We agreed upon the name Alexander Stewart
which pleased your momma’s family and mine. I have never been as
pleased as the day Doc announced I had a son and a healthy wife
after the anguish of two miscarriages.”