by K E Osborn
“Yes, normally I order over the internet, but this time we’re here for something a bit special,” he says, leading me over to the assistant.
“Jeni, I’d like you to meet Rick, my florist. Rick this is Jeni, the love of my life and the recipient of your weekly flowers.”
“Every Monday, without fail. He’s an old romantic, this one,” Rick says. “How can I help today?”
“Can we have a look at your wedding flowers?” Aiden asks.
“Yes, of course. How exciting.” He places some picture books onto a small table and pulls out a chair for me to sit and Aiden sits with me. There are so many varieties to choose from. Sarah is looking over my shoulder and we gaze over the books quickly.
Finally, we decide on white, deep pink, and light pink roses. Scattered throughout the bouquet are diamante flowers with beads swirling through the flowers and leaves. The handle of the bouquet is wrapped in a pink silk material with diamantes spaced around the handle; it’s simply exquisite. The bridesmaid bouquets are baby pink roses with the same diamantes. Aiden seems happy with the choices, which makes me happy.
We make our way to Vinchenzo’s for dinner, and we have a nice evening with our best friends.
***
Aiden moves a stray piece of hair behind my ear. I move toward him, and he pulls me close, kissing my head while I snuggle into his chest.
“Back to work today,” I say nonchalantly.
“Yes, back to the grind. I’ll have so much paper work to do, restructuring the business and reorganizing everything. It’s going to be hectic and I’ll need your help,” Aiden says.
“Are you telling Bree today about the VP spot?” I ask curiously.
“Yes, hopefully she’ll take it. I am really looking forward to working with her. She has a good head on her shoulders for the finance world, and I was always under the impression that Father would eventually bring her into the business. Well, at least now I can give her that opportunity. Time to get up,” he says, and pulls me up with him.
When we step off the elevator, we see Brielle at her desk.
“Good morning Mr. President,” she says in a Marilyn Monroe voice, making us laugh.
“Morning, Bree, can we have a talk in my office?”
The three of us walk into Aiden’s office.
“Have a seat,” he says to Brielle, pointing to his sofa. She sits down, and we follow, sitting on either side of her on the sofa.
“Now obviously I’ll still have Jeni as my PA, but I don’t have a vice president at the moment, which means that you have no one to PA for until we fill the position.” Aiden is playing this so well.
“Obviously you have no job at the moment so unfortunately I’m going to have to…” he pauses, frowning. Bree looks mortified that her brother would do this to her.
“I’m going to have to offer you the VP position.”
She squeals and slaps him on the chest. “Oh my God, really?”
I nod my head and she looks back to Aiden who is laughing at his cruel joke.
“Aiden, you’re an asshole, but I love you. Thank you. I won’t let you down, I promise,” she says, jumping at him to hug him tightly.
“Aiden, I can’t believe it. Father would never have let me into the business. He always said finance wasn’t for females, and that I was only good enough to sit at a desk. So thank you, Aiden, it means so much to me that you’re willing to give me a chance.”
“One condition,” he says.
“Anything?”
“You have Father’s office, and I’ll stay in my office.”
She furrows her brow and looks at him with a confused stare. “But Father’s office is bigger, and it’s always been the president’s office,” she says.
“Yeah, true, but I like my office, and I think we can switch things up a little. Plus I have some good memories in here,” he says, looking directly at me, making me blush.
“Cool, I won’t say no to the bigger office,” she says, standing up. She starts to do a happy dance.
“Now, I have someone in mind for your PA. Do you want me to call him or should you?” Aiden asks, confusing me.
“I’ll call him. Benjamin will be so happy. He loves Blair, but he can’t stand working for him. Of course he would never tell Blair that,” she says, answering my unspoken question. She walks over to Aiden’s desk to use the phone. She dials the number and Aiden scoots over, sitting next to me on the sofa.
“Hey, Benny, it’s me,” she says, almost bouncing up and down on the spot.
“I’m fantastic. How are you?” she says, not actually seeming interested in how he really is.
She smiles brightly and waits for him to stop talking. “That’s great. I have an offer you can’t refuse.” She stays still as if to pause for effect. It’s almost comical to watch.
“How would you like to be the PA for the new vice president of O’Connell Finance?” she asks with an almighty grin.
“Yes, I’m serious. You’ll never guess who it is.”
She laughs. “No, it’s me,” she says, pointing to herself, making us both laugh.
“Oh, that’s so good. I’m excited. When can you start?” she asks seriously.
“I’ll see you in an about an hour and bring me coffee,” she says, laughing and shaking her head.
“Nah, I’m only joking, see you soon.” She hangs up the phone and exhales.
“That went well I take it?” I say.
She nods her head.
“Alright, well, back to work. We have a lot to do to get this business back in shape after Father started letting things slip,” Aiden says and frowns.
I follow her out of Aiden’s office, and he kisses me as I leave. She walks to her former desk. As she goes to sit down, she remembers.
“Oh, that’s right. I’m in the big office.”
CHAPTER 24
The funeral is upon us and everyone is somber. Today we remember the tragedy that took Aiden’s father from us. We get dressed in our black attire and make our way with Callie and Mike to the funeral home. When we get there, we walk in and the funeral director greets us, showing us the memorial cards for Alistair. He looks grumpy as he always did. Brielle and Adam turn up with Blair, Benjamin, and Nana who is the most distraught of us all. I hate to see Nana this upset; it really pulls at my heart strings. Slowly people start to arrive. I spot Sarah and Chris through the crowd, and they stand with my mother. I stay by Aiden’s side the entire time. He’s putting on a brave face, but I can tell he’s hurting. His eyes give it away; they’re dim and glassy and he’s not talking much. Even though his father hurt me, he still loved him, and this was not the way any of us wanted it to end.
When it’s two o’clock, the funeral service begins. The room is brightly lit, and at the front of the room is a full length bay window. On the other side of the window is a manmade waterfall. It’s so picturesque and has a calming ambiance. There’s something about flowing water that makes everything seem more peaceful. The family is given the go ahead to walk down the aisle to the front of the room. Nana is sobbing, and Callie quietly cries, walking with Blair and Benjamin. Brielle is crying into Adam’s shoulder, and I walk, holding onto Aiden’s arm. I see Mike standing in the crowd with the others. Aiden spots him, and as we walk past, he takes hold of Mike’s arm, making him walk with us. Mike’s face is one of shock, but he’s family after all. Mike reaches out his hand and touches Callie’s shoulder. She turns to see him and starts to weep so he moves up to walk with her and comfort her.
We get to the front of the room and sit down as the minister makes his way to the front. I look at the coffin covered in flowers sitting in front of the bay window; I have mixed emotions, feelings of sadness for Aiden but also a sense of relief that Alistair can’t hurt us anymore. I hold on to Aiden’s arm tightly, letting him know I’m here for him.
The funeral starts and there are soft sobs around the room, but there are very few people in attendance. The minister talks about life and how it should be celebr
ated and not mourned. When it comes to Aiden’s turn for the eulogy, he looks at me and I nod at him in support. He stands and walks to the podium and then clears his throat before he starts speaking.
“First of all to my family, Ellie, Callie, Blair and Brielle, I’d like to thank you for coming today to celebrate the life of Alistair O’Connell, my father. He was a son, a father, a husband, a brother, and a friend to many people. I always admired my father’s professionalism, and I had a great deal of respect for him and the way he conducted his business.
“My father was a very hardworking man. His career was very important to him and everyone knew it. I was very proud of my father and everything that he accomplished. He built a career out of almost nothing. He worked extremely hard and taught me the value of a good work ethic, and I followed in his footsteps and joined him at O’Connell Finance. I didn’t always enjoy it, but looking back I’m happy for the experience. I learned a lot about finance and owe my father a lot. I’m happy to be running his business today and to have the opportunity to continue his legacy.
“My father wanted me to learn about work and being responsible, but I know that he also wanted me to work with him because he enjoyed spending time with me. We didn’t always agree. Well actually, hardly ever, but we always managed to work things out. We worked well together and were also able to separate work from our personal lives.
“My father was very outgoing and many would describe him as being boisterous, even arrogant. His voice would fill a room, and when he laughed, you could hear him from down the street. My father loved to entertain and would have big parties at our house. He was always out on the grill, trying a new recipe and telling stories.
“He was also very wise, and you could go to him with any work problem. My father taught me a lot about hard work.
“Once he was diagnosed with dementia, his changing moods seemed to make sense. He was not the nicest person to be around for the last year, and in his final days he was terrible. But I will hold onto my childhood memories of him. I know that I’ll be filling big shoes, but I hope that I can continue his legacy. I will miss my father and I will never forget him.
“Rest in peace, old man.”
He walks back and sits next to me. I wrap my arm around him and kiss him on the cheek. Nana, who I now know as Ellie, is crying into Blair’s arms. I feel an overwhelming sense of sadness when I look at her. Tears well in my eyes and the confusion of my emotions is getting hard for me to control.
I can’t hold my emotions in anymore, and I start to weep—with happiness, with regret, with relief, but mostly out of guilt that I’m happy; all of the emotions are swirling around in my head make me feel dizzy. Aiden wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him. The minister continues to talk, but I’m not even listening anymore. I’m fighting hard to not to lose control. I look at Aiden who looks so sad. I rest into his shoulder as guilt hits me. Everyone is sad that he’s gone, and I’m elated. What is wrong with me?
Aiden holds onto me tightly as the memorial concludes.
Mike drives Callie, Nana, Aiden, and me to the graveyard. Alistair didn’t believe in cremation and therefore wanted a burial. Everyone is around the grave as Brielle, Nana, Callie and I walk as a family up to the front. Aiden, Blair and Benjamin, plus Donald Parker, Bill the chauffeur and an employee from work make their way to the hearse as pallbearers, taking the coffin to the gravesite. I feel an arm around me. I glance up and see my mother. She hugs me with a knowing look on her face. She knows because she must be going through the same mixed emotions as me.
“It’s alright. I’m here for you, sweetheart,” Mom whispers in my ear.
I watch Aiden intently, checking to make sure he’s alright. The coffin is making its way to the front and the pallbearers place the coffin on the lowering device on top of the burial vault. Aiden walks over to stand with me, taking my hand. Mom looks at Aiden and goes to leave now I have his support, but Aiden grabs her hand. She nods and he puts his arm around me while I hold on to Mom’s hand. The minister says some words that I don’t pay too much attention until I hear the committal.
The minister sets the coffin to lower into the ground. I stop breathing at the sight of the lowering coffin. Aiden watches the coffin as it lowers, and a single tear falls down my cheek as my guilt wreaks havoc with my emotions. I wrap my arm around Aiden’s waist as the minister throws ashes and petals onto the coffin.
Once it’s time for us to say our goodbyes, we walk to the coffin and place our flowers on it. Aiden holds me around the waist as we walk past the coffin.
We go back to the car and then drive to Callie and Alistair’s mansion for the wake. I sit in the back of the car expecting Aiden to sit in the front with Mike, but he slides in next to me. He moves so he’s sitting right next to me and then he lifts me onto his lap. I think he needs me as much as I need him. He moves us over so we are against the window as Callie slides into the front passenger seat. I snuggle into Aiden’s neck, and he holds onto me tightly.
The car ride to the mansion is silent. He strokes my hair as my guilt grows and grows. A song comes over the radio and I listen to the lyrics of Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”.
I find the words of that song fitting to Alistair. What did he become? Everyone he loved he lost in the end, and he eventually let us all down.
We arrive at the mansion. Mike pulls up out the front and we get out. Callie opens the house up ready for the visitors. We walk through the doors, head into the living room, and sit down as we wait for people to arrive. Slowly the guests dribble in and they give the family their condolences. Aiden has a blank look on his face, like there is no emotion at all. It concerns me as I feel like he may fall in a heap at any moment. I know he feels conflicted because he loved and hated his father, and in his last few days before his passing he had nothing to do with him. I think Aiden felt like he abandoned Alistair when he needed him the most.
The family congregates together on the sofa, and the guests wander the rooms and discuss Alistair’s life. Aiden’s hand caresses the small of my back as he leans in toward me.
“Thank you for today,” he says slightly confusing me.
“What for?” I ask.
“For being here to support me. I know Father wasn’t your favorite person, but it means a lot that you were able to see past any resentment you may have to be here with me.”
I look at him sympathetically. “Babe I wouldn’t be anywhere other than by your side. Always,” I say leaning up to kiss him gently.
Sarah arrives and walks over as I let go of Aiden and she gives me a hug while Chris hugs Aiden in that manly hug/slap on the back kind of way.
“I’m sorry, man,” Chris says, and Aiden nods his head in response.
Sarah looks at me and sighs. “How are you doing? You don’t look so good,” she asks me quietly.
I take her arm, stand up, and walk with her to the kitchen.
“Jeni, talk to me,” she says, concerned.
“I feel guilty,” I say.
“But there was nothing you could’ve done to save him, Jen Pen. It’s not your fault. You know that, right?” she asks, taking me by the shoulders.
“No, it’s not that. I feel guilty because…” I take a deep breath.
“Because I’m happy that he’s dead,” I whisper to her.
“Oh, Jeni, don’t feel guilty about that. I’m happy he’s dead, too. So is your Mom and Chris, so don’t think you’re alone feeling this way.”
“Poor Aiden. He’s mourning the loss of his father while I’m celebrating it in my head,” I say as a lone tear falls.
“Listen, you don’t have to tell him that, and I wouldn’t if I were you. Stop feeling guilty. You have every right to be feeling happy after everything he did to you.”
I manage a smile. “We’d better get back before they notice we’re gone for too long,” I say.
I walk back in and see Aiden talking to Mike, and I go and stand by him. He seems to be okay. He even smiles occasionally. The a
fternoon shifts to night, and we all agree to stay together.
We order pizza and eat as a family; the mood has shifted from a somber sad event to a happy, cheerful evening as we have a good night together without any drama or fighting. It’s a relief not to have him here, and that’s the general consensus from everyone. We spend the rest of the night joking and talking about various things and the whole mood is lighter and more fun than the events of the afternoon.
CHAPTER 25
We wake to a loud thud, like something dropping in the kitchen, followed by laughter.
“Morning, beautiful,” he says though a yawn.
“Morning.” I pull out my cell and check the time—nine a.m.
We get up, get dressed, and make our way down to the kitchen where the noise is coming from. We walk in and see everyone sitting around the kitchen table eating pancakes. Everyone is laughing at some joke Chris is telling, and we find an empty seat at the table. Aiden sits on it and I sit in his lap.
“Morning, you two,” Mom says cheerily.
“Morning, Mom, morning everyone,” I say.
Aiden takes a glass and pours some of Nana’s homemade orange juice. He hands me the glass, and I take a sip. Nana comes over to us and plants a stack of pancakes in front of us with maple syrup, berries, and whipped cream; it looks fantastic. I cut the first bite and put it into Aiden’s mouth, feeding him. He smiles as I take the next for myself as we share the stack.
The doorbell rings and we look at each other curiously. Marissa answers the door while we stay in the kitchen, and she ushers in the family lawyer, Jenson Monroe. I look at Aiden confused, and he looks back at me with the same confusion.
“Mr. Monroe, what a surprise to see you here this fine morning,” Callie says.
“Good morning, everyone. Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I’m here on behalf of Mr. O’Connell.”
I look at Aiden who shrugs
“I’m here on behalf of Alistair. When he was first diagnosed with dementia, he came to me to draw up a new will. His doctors told him that he had a fast onset, and that he would deteriorate quickly. He was also told that he didn’t have a lot of time to get his affairs in order. I was ordered that under no circumstances was I to change his will, even if he requested at a later date. He knew that he needed to be of sound mind and that the deterioration of his brain would affect the way he’d wanted his affairs to be dispersed. I have his updated last will and testament for you to hear,” he says, pulling out some papers from his briefcase.
