Page 118 of Charlie
“I know you do.” With a last squeeze of my hand, he let go and closed his eyes to sleep. I stayed in the room for a while, watching the peace on his face.
Before I made it back from the board meeting that night, my grandfather had taken his last breath.
EPILOGUE
Pool Party
10 months later
Liv
The melody of the doorbell chimed and made me hurry from the garden through the house to open up.
“Why didn’t you just come straight out back?” I opened my arms to hug Kit and Damian, who stood wearing shorts and t-shirts while holding towels under their arms.
“Sorry to give ye such short notice, but we’re meltin’ in this heat and ye’re the only friends we have with a pool.”
Waving my hand, I laughed. “Come in, come in.”
Damian walked in and looked up at the large chandelier. “See, sis, this is how the other half lives.”
“Oh, stop it. You say that every time you come here.” I closed the door and gently bumped his shoulder.
“That’s because none of my other friends live in small castles and have people to scrub their toilets.”
“That’s different. Charles and I are Americans. We’re used to big houses.”
Damian grinned. “I could get used a grand house like this myself.”
“Charles and River will be here soon. He took her to a dance class, but the others are out back.”
“Here.” Kit gave Damian her towel as he headed for the pool while she followed me into the kitchen.
“Why do you always bring towels? I told you that we have plenty.”
“That’s what Damian said, but I don’t want ye to have more washin’ because of us.”
“Silly woman.” Shaking my head, I got a tray ready with cold drinks and some snacks.
“So, did you get the signature?” Kit asked.
I turned to look at her and had to keep myself from squealing with joy. “We did!”
Kit lit up and opened her arms. “Oh, come here. That’s wonderful.” Hugging me tight she added, “Does River know yet?”
“Yes, we told her last night and she cried with joy. It was a beautiful moment and we celebrated with a low-key movie night, all of us together. Charles and I offered that we could go out to a restaurant, but River just wanted some family time and she even let the boys pick the movie.”
“Kudos to Charles for working his magic. Now the kids can have peace knowing that they’re legally siblings and can always stay together in some way.” We let go of each other but kept holding hands for a moment. Kit and I had only known each other for less than a year, but in that time, she’d been the best friend anyone could ask for. She loved the children as much as we did and made sure to come by often. During our hardest days, her dark humor had brought us smiles, and she and Damian had become an extended part of our family.
“But while ye’re on a roll, can ye adopt me too?” Kit tilted her head and made deer eyes.
I laughed. “Very funny. As if five adoptions weren’t enough.”
“Aye, ye should be proud of yerself. Not only did ye save the prince, ye adopted the peasant children too. It’s such a beautiful story.”
A snort escaped me. “Peasant children. Where do you get it from?” I gave a nod to the large French doors leading outside. “Come on.”
Kit carried a bowl of sliced melon while I took the tray with drinks. As soon as we stepped out, the sun was beating down on us from above while the ground burned my feet. “Hot, hot, hot,” I exclaimed as I hurried to my sunbed while balancing the tray in my hands. “I should have put on my flip-flops.”
