Tears start to run down Lucille’s cheeks.
“But I don’t want anyone to continue tormenting my favorite niece. I don’t care how long it’s been. It doesn’t matter if it’s been days, years, months, or hours. You two are in love. As far as I’m concerned, this fortune is yours.”
“Aunt Adelaide…” Lucille begins with shaky breath. “I never knew…”
“The family thought it was improper for you all to know of my love affair. But I think it’s about time we bring it to the light, don’t you?” She winks at us.
Lucille gets up and pulls Aunt Adelaide into a tearful hug. Aunt Adelaide hugs her back. A few tears escape down her cheeks as well.
“Come on, Sara dear. Don’t be shy!” she says.
I smile and bring the boys over with me. The five of us hug, excited about where our futures will take us.
After we hug and get a good cry in, Aunt Adelaide and Lucille go to send the taxi away. We’re not going anywhere now.
This turns into one of the best days of my life. Aunt Adelaide and Lucille chase her slimy cousins away. Meanwhile the boys and I make a meal for everyone.
When we set the table and start to eat, there’s a lot of people missing. But the people who remain have smiles on their faces and hearts filled with love.
Eighteen
Lucille
T he day is filled with stunning revelations.
Aunt Adelaide and I forge a bond that can’t be broken. I can also safely say that Sara will never have to worry about money again. And I realize that family is just the people who have love for you in their hearts.
Sometimes that’s a blood relation, and sometimes it’s just someone who loves you. It’s taken me many years to come to that simple revelation. But, thanks to Sara, Aunt Adelaide, and the boys, it’s something I will never forget.
Yesterday with Sara was incredible, but today is even better. I feel so lucky to have her by my side. I don’t have to worry about pretending or wondering what she feels about me.
Her love is palpable. I can feel it radiating off of her. She’s the most loving person I’ve ever met.
When the boys are in bed, I pull her back to the bedroom. I hug her and bring her onto the bed with me. She laughs as she cuddles in. It’s the most beautiful sound in the world.
“I’m sorry today star
ted off so rough,” I apologize.
It is true. It seems like a lifetime ago now, but really, it has been only a few hours. Who would have known that a few hours could change your life.
She gives me a kiss. I’ll never get used to how good that feels.
“It’s okay,” she says. “It led me to being here with you. I’d do a thousand times more just to be with you.”
My heart practically bursts as she says that. How did I get so lucky?
“I would never want you to,” I say. “I want to make sure you feel only good things for the rest of your life.”
She laughs again. “And how are you going to guarantee that?”
I give her a kiss. “I’m going to always make sure you’re taken care of.”
I run my fingers through her hair and look at her. I try to memorize every detail of her face as she smiles at me.
“You’re the best thing to come out of today,” I tell her. “The money and Adelaide’s story… That was all nice, but I can’t live without you. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.”
She gets teary eyed.