Natasha's Legacy (27 page)

Little Alisha began to whimper and then her
twin began crying as well.

Hope reached over and
took Alisha from Rose’s lap, leaving her grandson with Richard. “He
shall,” Hope assured her, struggling to keep her voice from
cracking. “And Izabella shall be laid to rest beside her
husband.”

“Ugh,” Sarah whimpered. “Death is separating
Papa Stewart and Izabella.”

“No-o-o,” Rose cried. “I always presumed
Izabella would be buried with our family.”

Oh, this is difficult.
You're tearing my heart in tiny pieces.
“We must abide by
Izabella’s request.” Hope sniffed, her voice cracking. “Izabella
spoke of her desire to return to her husband’s side and we must
honour that. Her soul must be content now that she has passed.”

Sobbing filled the buggy. Rose and Sarah,
Richard and Alex and the twins.
This is the worst
day of my life.
Poppa clenched his eyes closed.

Izabella’s casket was lowered into the ground
beside her husband. Poppa tossed a single red rose onto the casket.
Then he turned and walked back to the buggy. Alex and Sarah
followed behind. Only Hope and Adam stayed to watch as dirt was
tossed onto her box.

“Rest in peace, my friend. You will be
missed.”

Returning to the orphanage after the service,
Poppa retreated to his private quarters and closed the door. He
didn’t join them for dinner that evening. The following morning,
Hope knocked on his door.

“Poppa, time for breakfast.”

“I have the sniffles. I’ll remain in my
room.”

Later that day, Hope walked into her father’s
bedroom. Seeing him sleeping soundly, she reached for the
journal.

“He hasn’t written a single entry since
Alex’s engagement.” She took the book to her own room and began
writing.

Five days later, with Poppa still avoiding
the children and their family, Hope telephoned Aunt Vicki. After a
lengthy conversation, she told Alex, Sarah, and Adam they were
required for a family meeting.

Alex and Sarah sat on the edge of their bed
and Hope joined Adam on their reading chairs.

“We must assist Poppa. Vicki said he grieved
and mourned after my momma passed, but regained his inner strength
and was able to continue. To care for me, to continue his
education, and then to establish the business. He missed Momma, but
he did not stop living.”

“Stewart lacks an incentive to continue,”
Adam responded sadly. “His little girl has grown into an
independent woman. Alex and Rose are independent adults. Although
he loves the twins with all his heart, they are not his
responsibility. The family legacy will continue without him.
Natasha’s legacy will continue, living through those children.”

“Papa Stewart must focus on something
positive,” Alex announced.

“Our wedding. Papa Stewart was thrilled you
proposed and offered to contact the priest. He was pleased to know
we planned to be married at the orphanage,” Sarah reminded
them.

Alex took Sarah by the hand and led her out
of the room.

Hope entered her poppa’s sitting room and
worked her way to his bedroom. Unaccustomed to seeing her poppa in
bed after dawn, she walked over to his side. He had placed pictures
of both her momma and Izabella on his night table.

“Good morning, Poppa. Rise and shine.”

“I cannot get warm.”

Hope leaned over the bed and kissed his
forehead. “You have a slight fever.” She removed a blanket from the
chest at the end of his bed and covered him. “I’ll be back in a
moment.”

With the orphanage doctor confirming he had a
slight fever, she sat with him until he drifted off to sleep. Rose,
Alex and Sarah took turns, bringing warm soup and liquids and
visiting while he was awake. Vicki and Greg came to visit later in
the day and Matthew arrived after work.

The following morning, Hope got out of bed as
the sun was rising. With the door ajar, she heard a beautiful
melody from the piano. Grabbing her shawl, she went to her father’s
bedroom. He had pushed himself to a slight sitting position with
his head and back resting against the pillow. Izabella’s death had
aged him, but it was pleasing to see him smile. It was not poppa’s
bright cheerful smile, but he was happy.

“Good morning, Poppa.”

Noting the pictures on the bed, she stepped
closer for a better view. The photograph was of the three of them
together. Her momma holding her and her poppa standing proudly
behind.

“I love you, Hope.” She barely heard his
voice. “Your momma loves you. We are both so very proud of
you.”

Hope stared at him. In her heart, she knew he
was dying but she could not imagine her life without him. “Poppa,
do not speak of Momma as if she is with you,” she lectured.

“Close your eyes and open your heart, Hope.
She
is
by our side. I feel her love. I
need her love. I miss her, and I’m ready to join her.”

Over the years, her poppa had often spoken of
feeling her momma’s presence, especially when needing her
assistance or strength, but this was different. Poppa needed his
family now. She sat on the edge of the bed and held his hand. “I
love you, Momma, but you are not required today. Please, I beg of
you, leave us.”

“Your momma won’t leave without me,
sweetheart.”

I won’t allow you do die, Poppa. I can’t.
Nana and Papa Donovan and Nanny are gone. Hope felt like a
three-year-old child, desperate to hang on to her father.

* * *

“No-o-o, I don’t want Stewart to die,”
Keeghan whined. “Damn it. I’m tearing up. I know he’s getting
older, but I don’t want this to happen.”

Will put his arms around her shoulder and
gave it a gentle squeeze. Constable whimpered.

“Nor did our family,” Alexander assured her.
“Please allow me to continue.”

* * *

“Poppa, No-o-o,” Hope cried. “You cannot
leave me. Izabella and Momma need more time to become
acquainted.”

“My heart yearns for your momma and for
Izabella.”

Hope noticed Adam at the doorway. Then he
disappeared.

“Alex, Sarah, come quickly,” Adam’s voice
ordered.

The music stopped and Adam reappeared.
Squatting by the bed, Adam’s eyes were glistening, filled with
tears. Reaching for Stewart’s free hand, he held it between his own
as the tears streamed down his cheeks.

“I am humbled to have known you,” her poppa
said as he looked at Adam. “I am truly honoured to have had the
privilege to call you my son. It is not possible for Hope to love a
better man.”

Hearing movement in the hallway, Hope looked
up as Alex and Sarah entered.

She heard Sarah sob.

Adam released her father’s hand and moved to
join Hope on the other side of the bed. Both Sarah and Alex knelt
down beside the bed. Alex gripped his grandfather’s hand.

“We’re here, Papa.”

“Open your heart, Alex, and cherish the love
you share.”

“I have, Papa. Sarah knows how much I love
her.”

“I shall be in heaven. You will feel my
presence at your wedding.”

“Papa. You will be sitting in the front row,”
Sarah argued. Tears were racing down her cheeks. “I have requested
a photograph of you holding the twins. You will be in a great
number of photographs.”

“I fear that is not possible,” he muttered as
his voice became weaker. “My spirit will be with you.”

“I love you, Papa.”

“I love you, Alex. Take care of your
beautiful bride. Treasure her.”

Poppa turned his head to look at the other
side of his bed. “My beautiful Hope. We love you.”

“Poppa, please,” Hope cried. “I can’t say
goodbye. I’m not ready to lose you.”

Stewart’s gaze shifted to the corner of the
room. There was a slight smile on his face. Following the focus of
his attention, Hope wasn’t able to see anything but the walls,
ceiling, and door leading to hallway. Turning her attention back to
her father, his smile became larger.

“Natasha. I love you. I never stopped loving
you.”

Her father’s hand went limp. “No. Poppa.
No-o-o. You can’t leave me. Open your eyes and talk to me.”

Adam placed his hands on her shoulder, turned
toward her, and embraced her. “Your poppa is no longer with us,
love. He’s with your momma.”

Hearing sobbing, Hope looked to see Alex and
Sarah embracing. Their son had buried his head between Sarah’s
shoulder and neck.

“My deepest sympathies, love,” Adam
whispered. He wiped her tear-soaked cheeks and then his own. “In my
heart I’m losing my own poppa, but it was pleasing to see the smile
on Stewart’s face. He felt your momma’s presence. She came for him.
Stewart loved Izabella, but his love for your momma remained
strong.”

“I miss him, Adam.”

“Stewart touched my heart. He will be missed
by every person within this building.”

Hope turned her head to look at her father’s
still body. “I love you, Poppa. It would have been impossible to
have a better Poppa. I can feel Momma’s presence. You’re with Momma
now, I know you are.” She looked toward the ceiling. “My humble
appreciation for allowing Poppa to remain in my life.”

Hope put her arms around Adam, needing to be
held. Breaking down, she sobbed uncontrollably.

* * *

“
Papa was more than a
grandfather, he was a friend.” Alex pushed himself back from
Sarah’s embrace, sat on the edge of the bed, took the picture from
his papa’s lap, and placed it on the end table. Then he took his
grandfather’s hand and held it against his heart. “Papa,” he
sobbed. “I shall miss you, terribly.”

“The memories you shared will live in your
heart forever,” Sarah reminded him.

“Alex, we must leave this room,” Adam
whimpered. “Our family needs to be told.”

His father kissed the side of his mother’s
head, gripped her hand, and walked out of the room. Alex and Sarah
followed them.

Alex and Sarah stood at the doorway to the
office. His poppa placed his hands on his momma’s shoulders, kissed
the top of her head, and listened as she asked to be connected to
the Gregory Carson residence. After only a minute or two, Momma
handed the telephone to Poppa, sobbing.

“Greg assured me he will contact Tessa and
Matthew,” Poppa told them.

“Poppa, I will telephone Rose and Uncle
Marcus,” Alex informed Adam.

“That would be appreciated, Alex. I will take
your momma to the parlour. I suggest hanging a sign that states the
orphanage is temporarily closed. This family requires privacy to
mourn.”

Alex and Sarah were sitting in the parlour
with his parents when the door opened and Rose and Richard rushed
in carrying the twins. Rose placed her daughter in Sarah’s arms and
ran to their momma.

“Where is Papa Stewart?” Rose asked.

“In his room. We will allow you and Richard a
few minutes before bringing the children,” his momma responded.
“Did you bring clothing for the twins?” she asked, seeing Sarah
remove Alisha’s coat.

“Yes. The clothing is in a bag in the
car.”

“I’ll get it.” Alex walked out the door as
Richard followed his wife up the steps.

Vicki and Greg arrived within the hour and
Tessa, Matthew, and their families a short time later. The
orphanage children were told Papa Stewart went to heaven to join
Izabella. The sound of crying children was almost unbearable for
the family, but Jessica was magnificent, comforting them.

“I owe Jessica my gratitude,” Alex admitted,
sitting with his sister and Sarah. “I will ensure she is given a
bonus with her next pay.”

“With a thank you card,” Sarah added.

It was a long day as they mourned. Alex was
sniffling as he said goodnight to his aunt and sister and walked
down the hallway to his room. Once changed into their sleeping
attire, he crawled into bed and snuggled into Sarah, resting his
head on her chest.

“I will miss Papa Stewart. I am truly
privileged to have known him,” Sarah whispered.

Unable to respond, Alex nodded. Unable to
sleep, Alex got out of bed and opened his journal.

The family decided two funeral services would
be best, one for business associates and a second for the
orphanage. For Hope, it made for a long, difficult day with a large
number of people arriving to pay their respects. Shortly before the
service started, Hope took her seat between Vicki and Adam with
their family behind. Hope looked toward Adam to see him staring at
the paper on his lap.

“Poppa, if you’re not comfortable, I will
read the eulogy,” Rose reminded him.

He never responded. Hope gripped his hand to
offer support.
Poor Adam. His hands are so
clammy. He must be questioning his own ability to stand in a
crowded room and speak.
She expected her shy, quiet husband
to hand the paper to Rose at the last minute, but instead, he stood
and walked up to the pulpit. Watching him, his hands trembled as
they held the paper. A quivering voice came out of his mouth.
Family members knew it was nerves, but to the bulk of the room, he
was simply reading an emotional eulogy.

You could hear a pin drop as Adam spoke of
Poppa’s marriage and the premature death of his bride. He spoke of
her poppa’s determination as he returned to school, graduated, and
with the help and encouragement of his family, raised his
daughter.

This was the ending they expected, but Adam
continued. His voice was cracking, quivering, but he looked into
Hope’s eyes.

“I love you, Hope. I’m proud and privileged
to have had the honour of being a part of your family, and of
Stewart’s life.”

Sniffling was heard throughout the room. Hope
didn’t think it was possible to shed more tears, but she broke down
and cried. “I love you, Adam. I miss you, Poppa. I love you.”