Page 128 of The Fighter who Needed Me
Helena grabbed Henry’s hand, “Sweetheart, this is Brooks. He is John’s son.”
Henry’s eyes filled with tears. “Truly? Oh Helena. You knew he was out there. Always believed it to be true. And here he is.”
Henry came forward and Brooks held out his hand, but the old man pulled him in for a hug.
“Welcome home son. Welcome home.”
Brooks heard Persephone sniffle behind him, and he hugged his grandfather back.
The back door opened, and a woman came in that looked to be Lydia’s age. She had darker blonde hair than he himself had but had the same blue eyes.
Henry took a step back and when the woman noticed what was happening, she dropped her basket full of berries on the floor.
“Mother! Is that? Is that John’s son?”
Helena nodded and the other woman let out a sob. “Oh, oh!”
She put her hand to her mouth and Helena hurried to her daughter’s side. “His name is Brooks. He came to find out about his father. He didn’t know we all lived.”
Helena drew her daughter forward, “This is our daughter, and your aunt, Selena.”
Brooks held out his hand and once again was pulled into a hug. He laughed and hugged the woman back and then Selena tugged them both into a big room, where they helped Henry into a chair.
Brooks knelt by his grandfather who was still softly weeping and said, “Why do you weep? I hope I did not offend anyone by coming here.”
Henry shook his head, “We have missed our son for so long. His death was a shock to us all and then when our dear Amelie left, it broke us all. We have mourned her and you. We thought she died long ago and have never known about you. Though we always wished to. You look exactly like your father. It is wonderful to see.”
Brooks smiled, “I am glad to hear that.”
Persephone came to his side, “Grandfather, this is my wife. Persephone Parker.”
Henry held out his hand and Persephone took his and the old man kissed her hand softly.
Her stomach had started to show her pregnancy more and Henry grinned. “You are with child.”
Persephone nodded, “I am. Brooks and I are thrilled to become parents.”
Helena clapped her hands, “Oh Henry. A great grandchild.”
Persephone grinned and Helena hugged her.
Brooks stood, “Is there more of my family to meet?”
Helena grinned, “Your aunt went to get her brood and her husband as well as her brother. You will be meeting your uncle shortly.”
And sure enough, in moments a man who looked very similar to himself walked in the front door.
He grinned when he noticed Brooks and immediately pulled him in for a hug. “You look exactly like my brother. And me.”
Brooks laughed, and the man held out his hand, “Joshua Parker. How do you do?”
“Brooks. It’s a pleasure.”
Joshua laughed, “It really is.”
The rest of the family came in and he and Persephone were introduced to everyone.
Selena’s husband was called Burton, and they had three children. Two boys and a girl. They were Sarah, Amelia, and Burt.
