The safe can be opened by entering the security code: Isobel.
Inside, you will find items that belonged to your grandmother as well as your mother. They are yours to do with as you wish, though I do hope you learn more about both your grandmother and mother. Perhaps you will understand a little more about why I put you in this position to begin with.
I love you, my boy.
Grandfather
I refolded the letter and placed it back on top of wooden box.
"I need a drink." I stated to the empty office and got up to grab a glass.
Sitting back down with the bourbon in hand, I opened the small box.
Inside were pictures of my parents, my grandfather and grandma Isobel. There were also pictures. A few were of me as a baby and then a child but one picture caught my attention immediately. It was one of the few color photos of grandma Isobel. I'd seen photos and paintings of her but she was usually older in them. She looked to be my age or younger in this picture. She had long, wavy, auburn hair and pale skin. Honestly, aside from the hair, green eyes and freckles, she resembled Lilli. They were both thin with pale skin, an enchanting smile and almost had that same shaped face.
The next photo was of her around the same age with my grandfather holding her. I had already known that I resembled my grandmother, having her same hair and eyes, but I guess I never realized how much of me was like my grandfather. His arms were around her waist and she was leaning into him with her eyes closed and his face nuzzled into the side of her face with his eyes closed. It was an extremely personal moment.
There was a stack of old yellow envelops tied together with brown twine. I pulled the twine knot loose and picked up one of the envelopes.
"My Dearest Isobel"
They were letters to my grandmother. I carefully slipped the yellowed paper out and unfolded the delicate sheet. Once I began to read the letter, I realized my grandfather had written love letters. I put the letter back down for a moment. It was way too personal.
I reached for my glass of bourbon and took a large gulp before picking the letter back up and continuing to read. A few hours later, I placed the last letter back into the box. I sat awestruck for a moment.
My grandfather wasn’t a harsh man, but the romantic feelings and the love in those letters was a side of him that I had never seen before. I had never witnessed it with Grandma Olivia and I immediately felt a little angry that she didn’t get that from him. Sitting back into the couch, I thought over the words that he had written to my grandmother.
It was clear, from the letters, she had initially held little interest in being with him and was, in fact, being courted by another man. He pursued her without abandon. I had deduced from the letters that he had been traveling in the same circles as Isobel for a couple of years before even realizing she was there. He was always busy working to build a life for himself, that is, until the moment he was introduced to Isobel at a party. It was almost like he had been rendered helpless at the sight of her and, from that moment on, he became enthralled with building a life for her. The grandfather I knew was not a man who believed in love at first sight, at least I didn’t think he had.
After a few conference calls and late meetings, I left the office for the night. I arrived home at seven thirty in the evening and assumed Lilli was in bed or had fallen asleep reading in the library. So, when Jay greeted me at the door and took my briefcase, I was surprised when he told me ‘Mrs. Iverson would like you to join her in the dining room’. He smirked at my shocked expression and took my things to my office.
I loosened my tie and slipped off my jacket as I walked toward the dining room. When I looked up from folding my jacket, I saw Lilli coming toward me from the kitchen. She looked gorgeous in a green, spaghetti-strap dress that flowed down to the floor. She actually had to fist part of the material as she walked so she didn’t step on the hem. I immediately smiled and she smiled back.
"I didn’t think you would still be awake." I gently wrapped my arms around her as she kissed my cheek.
She shrugged. "I wanted to surprise you."
I smiled. "Thank you, but you need your rest." I kissed her forehead.
"I’m fine." She laid the palm of her hand against my chest. Before she could push back away from me, I covered her hand with mine and kept it against my chest.
"Hungry?" She asked while I held her forehead against my cheek.
"Definitely." I let her slip from me but made sure to keep her hand in mine. She pulled me toward the kitchen and out to the back patio.
The patio was lit with torches and there was a table set for two. I smiled when it sunk in that she had planned all of this for us. I pulled out her chair for her to sit down and then took my seat.
"What is all of this about?" I asked as I pulled myself close to the table.
She shrugged and slightly blushed, making me more anxious to hear her response.