"Oh, you know you do." Wrapping my arm around her, I situated her snugly at my side.
"So, what have you learned?" She looked up at me. The tilt of her head positioned her lips perfectly. I kissed her.
After pulling back, we talked about what I had read of my grandmother’s journals.
"Wow." She heavily sighed.
"I know." Closing my eyes, I laid my head back on the chair.
"Well, I guess we know the reason behind the foundation your grandmother started." She settled further into my side.
"Huh?" Picking my head back up, I looked at Lilli.
"Aidan, clearly the foundation is to support battered women and children, as well as those abandoned." She sat up straight, looking at me. "You didn’t make the connection?"
"Honestly, no, but now I do." I picked up the journal and continued to read. Lilli stayed by my side, reading the journals I had already finished.
There were letters speaking of love and devotion stuffed into the pages of the journal after my grandfather and Isobel married. He worshipped her.
The journal spoke of the two children born prior to my father. Both had died early on in their years due to illness. Isobel was very protective of my father after he was born and also became an advocate for children.
Lilli was right. The foundation is a reflection of my grandmother’s life, experience and heart.
It was in the last two journals that my grandmother discussed her illness. She hadn’t mentioned it to anyone else, adamant about living her life normally before she was unable to live at all. The last journal entry was to my father.
My dearest Aidan,
My son, my heart, the love of my life. From the moment you were born until your first steps and words, you have been your father's and my greatest joy. I know you will continue to be your father’s joy. Please know that I love you so much and will miss you dearly.
Please keep an open heart and don’t turn your back on that one person who intrigues you. Your father was so intriguing from the moment I laid eyes on him, but life and stupidity stood in the way.
It wasn’t until after much heartache and heartbreak that your father was able to heal me and convince me that I could love. However, if I would have gone with my instinct, perhaps things would have been different.
Don’t let the world interfere. Look for her and you will find her.
Love always and forever,
Mother
I finally understood some of my grandfather’s rationalization behind the conditions and him pushing his son’s toward women. When life became overwhelming, he made sure they took time to stop and look.
Lilli shifted and move to the edge of the chair.
"Where are you going?" Putting the journal down, I helped her to stand.
"Food." She said quickly, "before I pass out."
"Sit down, I’ll go get—"
She shook her head.
"I am not waiting for you to go and bring it back. I’m starving right now." She laughed.
"I’ll come with you then." I wrapped my arm around her waist, guiding her from the room.
As we got close to the kitchen, Lilli moaned in delight. The smell of bacon was filtering in from the kitchen.
Rachel smiled brightly when we walked in.
"Good morning." Lilli said, zoning in on the food.
"Morning. Eat up!" She rubbed Lilli’s stomach.
"Oh, I plan on it." Lilli laughed.
I sat at the table next to Alex.
"What’s up?" He asked as I sat down.
"Me." I chuckled. He rolled his eyes at my bad joke.
"Lilli, you want some of my cereal?" Alex turned to Lilli, who was placing bacon into her mouth.
She nodded. "Let me grab a bowl."
"I can make eggs." Rachel offered.
"Make those, too!" Lilli grinned around a full mouth of food.
My chuckle got me a scowl from Lilli.
"Leave the fat girl alone."
"You’re pregnant, not fat."
"It’s all the same at this point." With a bowl in her hand, she sat at the table. Alex started pouring out some cereal for her. "Thanks, little man." Lilli pulled her bowl toward her and poured the milk.
"No problemo." Alex responded.
"Sir?" Jay spoke from the kitchen door. "Your car will be arriving shortly."
"Shit! Work." I'd gotten so lost in the journals this morning I hadn’t even thought about going to work.
"Ahhh…you said a bad word." Alex taunted. "Mom, get the soap." He giggled, Lilli joining him.
Ruffling his hair as I walked to Lilli, I kissed the top of her head.
"I’m going to go get dressed for work."
She nodded, chewing on her food.
It was the quickest I'd ever gotten dressed and I was only a few minutes behind schedule. Halfway to work, my phone rang.
"Good morning, Viola."
"Good morning, Aidan."
"To what do I owe the pleasure of speaking with you this morning?"
She laughed.
"I wanted to talk to you about Lilli’s baby shower. I’m planning it with Phoebe but need your help."
"What do you need?"
"I need you to do me a favor with the party planning company…" She hesitated.