Claire made her way to a tall stool and sat. “I guess we’re afraid people will try to talk us out of it.”
“Come now, do you believe that anyone could talk you or Monsieur out of something? I do not.”
Claire smiled. “I guess we don’t want them to try.”
“Though I don’t understand, I’m glad this time you have a name. Last time…” She looked up and shook her head. “…my heart nearly stop when Monsieur say he wait to name your daughter.”
“Well, we don’t have those traditions here, and I guess it doesn’t matter. We know his name.” Claire and Tony had chosen Nathaniel’s name after hours, days, and weeks of deliberating. They both knew their reasons and were happy with their decision. Though they’d kept the name between just the two of them, there was something about Madeline that made Claire want to share. She took a deep breath and peered around the kitchen. “I’m dying to tell. If I tell you—”
Madeline’s hand went into the air. “Madame el, I do not keep secrets from Francis.”
Claire didn’t care. Honestly, if Francis were with them now, she’d still feel confident in their combined confidentiality. “Not Francis, but everyone else, not until he’s born.”
Madeline nodded. “Very well, I’d love to know.”
“Our son’s name is Nathaniel Sherman Rawlings.”
“A handsome name. Why do you not want to tell?”
Claire took a deep breath. “It’s a long story, one that you and I’ve never discussed.”
“If you speak of that book, we do not read it.” Madeline looked up from the vegetables she was cutting. “This world is full with people who make things big, sensationalize. I will say, when your friend Meredith come to the island, we are surprised. She has the same name—”
Claire nodded. “She has the same name as the author of the book because she is. And yes, her publishers sensationalized some of it—I’ve read it. However, most of it is true.”
Madeline’s cutting stopped mid-slice. “No, Madame el. I know things. From the moment Monsieur Rawlings arrive on the island, I feel nothing but love. Those things that people said—”
“I can’t explain all of it. However, you’re right. We love one another—now and then. It’s almost as if the people in Meredith’s book were two different people than who we became. In some ways they were. The thing is that in this long, complicated story, our paths would never have crossed, we’d never have the love and the family we do now if it weren’t for our grandfathers. They met one another when I was about Nichol’s age: Tony’s grandfather, Nathaniel, and my grandfather, Sherman. Had it not been for them, we wouldn’t be here. I loved my grandfather very much.”
She sighed. “I didn’t know the professional man whom Tony met as a young man. I knew the kind, loving grandpa who told me stories, took me fishing, and listened to everything I had to say. I knew he had an important job, but that never mattered. He always made me feel special.” Her green eyes brimmed with tears. “I lost my grandparents and parents too young, but in the short time they were in my life, they gave me unconditional love and I’ll always be thankful for that.”