by Risk, Mona
Roxanne couldn’t have chosen a better day for a family picture. The six babies were adorable in their fineries and her daughters all lovely in their sophisticated outfits. Monica proudly exhibited her new fashionably short dress.
“Mom, go get dressed,” Madelyn ordered. “You’re the only one not…hmm…well…”
“What’s wrong with my simple pants and blouse?”
“No pants. Please wear one of the dresses you bought for Paris.” Madelyn cajoled her with a smile.
No. The idea of wearing the clothes she’d donned during her French vacation almost brought a surge of tears to her eyes. She left them and went to change to avoid Madelyn’s squint and medical deductions.
Fifteen minutes later, she gave up on wearing her old clothes. They were baggy on her trimmer body. With a sigh of resignation, she pulled the red dress she’d worn on her second day in Paris. The top had short sleeves and the v-neck she favored, and the skirt fluttered just above her knees. It would photograph well. She brushed her hair, added makeup for the benefit of the picture, and automatically dabbed on a few drops of perfume.
Her gaze fell on the picture lying on her night table—Lou with her in front of the Eiffel Tower. She’d forgotten to tuck it away last night. Tears moistened her eyes. Her children, grandchildren, and relatives waited for her, all so dear to her heart and yet…
I miss you, Lou. I need you.
Unable to stay another minute without hearing his voice, she grabbed her cell phone and called his number. The phone rang and rang, but only his voicemail answered. “Lou Roland speaking. Please, leave a message.”
Her heart thumped furiously and she whispered, “I love you, Lou. I miss you so much. I want to be with you, anywhere you go.” She shut the connection with a sigh.
What’s the use? He was too far away.
By the time she went downstairs, her sister Jaclyn and family had arrived. Her two married nieces chatted with Madelyn and Heather. Jake, her handsome nephew, held Baby Chris and laughed at something Monica said. He was a smart young man about to graduate from med school.
Why not? Aunt Barbara smiled indulgently at the young couple.
Barbara greeted her sister and family. Intimidated by the many compliments on her stunning figure and red dress, she took refuge in her kitchen and warmed the food.
When the door bell chimed a moment later, Roxanne checked her watch. “The photographer is coming an hour early. Let’s gather in the living room.”
“I’ll open for him,” Tiffany said as she hastened to the foyer.
The door opened and then banged. Tiffany returned with a frown. “There’s a man at the door who claims to be Monica’s father.”
“Lou!” Barbara squealed.
“Dad!” Monica set Baby Lou in Jake’s other arm and darted to the front door.
“Oh God, you left my boss at the door,” Roxanne wailed.
Chapter Fourteen
Rooted in place, Lou stared at the front door and cursed. The pretty girl had opened a crack without unhooking the safety chain, scowled, and immediately shut the door in his face, saying that she had to check if anyone knew him.
Damn, his daughter and grandsons were inside, with the love of his life. To travel for eighteen hours, only to be barred entrance to Barbara’s house and be treated like an unwanted beggar, was unheard of. He’d even switched his phone off so that the KNR staff wouldn’t bother him with demands. He balled his hands and banged on the door, then heaved a deep breath.
Patience, man. You’re at the end of the road. He’d coped with days of frustration away from Barbara. Bitter words had flown between him and Monte Damon when he’d decided that Barbara was more important than his position at KNR. In the plane, he’d rehearsed what he’d say and do when he finally surprised her by arriving in time for the Mother’s Day dinner. And now…
Determined to look at the bright side of things—the way Barbara always did—he burst out laughing. This would make for a terrific story to tell his grandchildren one day.
The door was snatched opened. The aroma of home-cooked food invaded the doorway and unfurled a familiar longing to relax in Barbara’s cozy kitchen.
“Dad, daddy, you came.” Monica wrapped her arms around his neck for a wonderful hug. “Sorry, Dad. Tiffany had to check before letting you in, according to our house’s instructions.”
“Don’t worry, baby.” He kept his arm around her shoulders and let her guide him to the living room. So many people gathered there watching him curiously. He immediately recognized Roxanne and her sister Heather whom he’d met a few weeks ago.
“Lou, you came.” Barbara’s voice reached him before he saw her. She ran toward him and he received her in his arms. Her perfume encircled him and sealed his mind from the outside world.
“I missed you, darling,” he whispered before covering her mouth. She laced her fingers behind his nape and returned kiss for kiss. A deep silence shielded them. People must have discretely left the room.
When he released Barbara to breathe, he glanced above her shoulder. They were all there, eyes round, jaws slack, mouths gaping, eyebrows scowling.
“I think we’ve shocked the hell out of your family,” he murmured against her ear. “Let me clarify things before they attack me with kitchen knives.”
Keeping his arm around her back, he spoke louder, “Please, Barbara, why don’t you introduce me to your family? I need to talk to them.”
But Roxanne was already walking toward him, her arms crossed on her chest. “Yes, you should explain yourself,” she spat, her eyes sending daggers. “May I introduce my boss, Mr. Lou Roland, the News Director at KNR.”
“Dad, the one who shot the door in your face, is the youngest sister, Tiffany,” Monica said with a chuckle.
“Ouch, I’m sorry, Mr. Roland.” Tiffany blushed to her ears.
“No problem. You did well, Tiffany, checking for intruders.”
“I’m Madelyn Ramsay Preston, the eldest of the Ramsay clan, and this is my husband, Dr. Nick Preston.” Madelyn came forward and shook his hand. Her husband followed suit.
“And here is Claire, our number four,” Roxanne said with a softer tone than previously. “Our aunt, Jaclyn, cousins Laura and Kathy. The young man holding your grandsons is my cousin, Jake.”
“Sorry, I can’t shake hands with you, Mr. Roland. As you can see, I’m too busy holding these darlings.” The young man wriggled his head to save his glasses from Baby Chris’s probing hands while Baby Lou’s fingers poked at his nose.
“Monica, your monsters are attacking this young man from all sides. I think you should help,” Lou said with an approving smile. Nice young man.
Lou scanned his audience. They stared back, not scowling but not smiling either. He felt like he was in court waiting for the jury’s verdict. Time to present his case.
“I was supposed to be in Tel Aviv today for the most important interview of my career. I managed to get out of it, because I couldn’t stand another day away from this lovely lady who owns my heart.”
He turned to face Barbara. Her eyes glistened with tears.
“Barbara, I love you more than life itself, more than my career and more than I ever thought I could love a woman.”
“Oh Lou, I love you too.”
Silence danced around them again, but this time there were big smiles on every face.
Lou took both her hands in his, and looked at his audience. “Dr. Madelyn, Roxanne, Heather, Claire, Tiffany, may I ask for the hand of your mother in marriage?”
“Yes,” Madelyn and Roxanne answered together.
“Oh my God,” Heather crossed her hands while the two younger siblings beamed.
“It’s about time,” Monica snapped.
“Quite, little girl.” Determined to do it right, Lou dropped on one knee and kept Barbara’s hand in his. “Barbara, my love, I’m miserable without you. Would you marry me?”
“Yes, Lou. Any time. I can’t live without you, too.”
“K
iss her, daddy, kiss her,” Monica ordered.
“Yes, kiss her,” several voices echoed.
He stood and obliged with a long tender kiss.
A knock on the door startled them all. “I’ll get it,” Nick Preston said.
He returned with the photographer.
“Are you ready for the family portrait?” the man asked.
“Yes,” Barbara said. “Lou, I want you beside me with all our kids and grandkids around us.”
Lou smiled. A strange wetness tickled his eyes.
Behind him, Monica murmured, “Dad, it’s so wonderful to have a family.” As always his daughter expressed his exact feelings.
“Happy Mother’s Day, Barbara,” he said, his voice strangely hoarse.
****
An hour later, Barbara still walked on cloud nine.
“Dinner time,” Heather declared. “But you, Mom, are our guest of honor. You sit at the head of the table with Mr. Roland next to you. Madelyn and Roxanne are feeding the little ones. Tiffany and Claire will warm and serve the food. And I’m making sure everything is run the way you’d want it.”
Barbara didn’t try to protest. Holding Lou’s hand, she sat him next to her. “I’m blessed with amazing daughters. Aren’t they all adorable, pampering me like a delicate doll?”
“Let them do it, darling. My dream has finally come true. I can’t thank you enough for making me part of your loving family.”
“We have Monica to thank for it too.”
“Talk about Monica.” Lou scanned the dining room and lifted his chin high to have a glimpse of the living room. “Where’s my daughter?”
“I saw her going upstairs to breastfeed. Jake was carrying the babies for her.”
Lou’s eyebrows shot up. “For how long has she known you nephew?”
“They just met today.” Barbara chuckled. “She had him wrapped around her little finger in less than an hour. He’s been holding the babies and following her non-stop.”
“Boys again and more trouble probably. And here I’d hoped she’d follow your daughters’ example and make something of herself with a good education.”
“Don’t misjudge her, Lou. In July, she’ll be going to the University of Kentucky for two classes with Heather, and she’ll start full time in September for a degree in journalism.”
“Really? Thank you, Barbara. That’s good news.” A proud daddy’s smile replaced his frown. “And what’s Jake doing in life?”
“He’s graduating from med school in a month and starting a residency in pediatrics in Fort Lauderdale. He’ll be working for Madelyn.”
“Really?” Lou repeated with obvious enthusiasm. “Not bad at all. Maybe I’ll take Monica and the babies for a vacation in Florida before she starts college in September.”
Barbara tilted her head. “Matchmaking already?”
He burst out laughing. “She doesn’t need me to hook a man, but I want to make sure she lands with the right man like Roxanne.” He glanced at Roxy who’s just walked by.
“I’m done feeding and cleaning Lucia and Julia. Now they’re playing with Madelyn’s twins in the backyard and the dads are supervising.” She pulled a chair and sat next to them. “Lou, I need your professional opinion.” Roxanne showed him a typed sheet of paper.
“Wrong time, Roxanne.” He shook his head. “Today I’m on vacation. I refuse to talk business.”
“Just have a look at this. It’s a person applying for a trainee position. You’ll be surprised.”
He glanced at the paper, then took it and read it. Delighted at Roxanne’s initiative, Barbara smiled waiting for his reaction.
“This is excellent. This guy is gifted. Hire him.”
“It’s a she, and I gave her my test. To write the same article for young adult and then for older readers. She passed with flying colors although it needs some editing.”
“Hire her. You have my blessing.”
At that moment, Monica came downstairs with Jake in tow, each carrying a baby.
“Would you like to meet the author? Monica, come here,” Roxanne called.
“Really?” Lou jumped from his chair. “You wrote this Monica? Oh my little girl. You have it in your genes. I don’t need a DNA test after seeing this paper.”
“Would you hire me, Dad?”
“I already told Roxanne to do it without hesitation, but you need a degree.”
“I’ll get it. I’m registered at UK for journalism. I’ll write under Monica Jackson because I want to do it on my own without the backing of your name.”
“Great determination, Monica. I commend you for that. But I was hoping to adopt you since my name is not on your birth certificate.”
“Oh daddy, I’d love to be officially recognized as your daughter.” She hugged him. “Monica Roland, it has a nice sound to it.”
Barbara knew now that Lou had finally made peace with his past and turned the page.
“Dinner’s ready,” Claire announced as she and Tiffany set the various dishes on the plate warmers prepared on the credenza. “Ladies and gentlemen take your seats. Nick and Jeff are serving the wine.”
“Lou, how did you get out of the interview?” Barbara asked while Roxanne listened with interest.
“Ah, God was on my side that Friday. I had just finished interviewing a member of their parliament when I saw the Prime Minister coming out of a room with a group. I went to him, introduced myself, and reminded him of our Monday interview. He said he hated official interviews with us foreign reporters. They were waste of time.” Lou took a sip of water and continued while Barbara, Roxanne and Monica hung on his words.
“I told him, ‘Sir, if you give me two minutes of your time now for a few questions, we can cancel Monday’s meeting and I can go home and ask the woman I love to marry me.”
Barbara gasped. “You didn’t?”
He nodded. “I had already decided we’d get married as soon as I returned. Anyhow, the PM burst out laughing and said, ‘A shrewd reporter in love. Maybe you’ll be easier on me. Come I’ll give you five minutes. Shoot your questions.’ Half an hour later I was at the airport. I canceled the rest of my schedule and had to cope with the producer’s shouting that I couldn’t mess up our news to suit myself. I told him I was quitting and hung up on him.”
“You can’t quit,” Roxanne snapped. “KNR TV network would collapse without you.”
Barbara grasped his arm. “Lou, I don’t want you to quit. I’ll travel with you. I said it in my phone message.”
“What message? I had my phone off in order not to be bothered by Monte Damon and others.”
Delighted, Barbara smiled. Lou had come to her before she’d called him. “What if you work less? Can you do that?”
“That’s my plan. I want to spend more time with you and our family. I’ll need an Assistant Director. Can you recommend a good one?” He arched an eyebrow and threw a pointed look at Roxanne who beamed.
“Me? Oh my God.” Roxanne clapped her hand on her mouth. “I’ll be honored, thank you, Lou, for a great opportunity. I think it means we’ll have to move to Atlanta.” She bit her lip and turned to her husband. “Greg, what do you think?”
“I’d rather be with you in Atlanta, than having you traveling too often and leaving me and the girls behind. I’ll study the medical opportunities in the Atlanta hospitals,” Greg replied.
“I’ll hate to see you leave Fort Lauderdale,” Madelyn said. “But now you’ll have Mom in Atlanta too.”
“Don’t worry, girls,” Barbara said. “I plan for us to divide our time between my house, here in Lexington to be with Heather, the condo in Fort Lauderdale to see Madelyn and her family, Lou’s apartment in Atlanta to allow him time to work and to be with Roxanne if she moves there, and traveling abroad on business and vacation. How about that, Lou?”
“It’s perfect, my darling, too good to be true. I’m sure there’ll be glitches here and there. But we’ll be together.”
“Are we ready for a toast?” Nick raised
his glass. “To Barbara, our wonderful mother, and mother-in-law, who keeps us united. And to the lovely young mommies who make us so happy.”
They clicked their glasses and sipped.
“Another toast.” Greg rose from his chair. “To Lou and Barbara, congratulations and may they be very happy together.”
“Can I make a toast to my lovely fiancée?” Lou suggested. “To the woman who taught me the true meaning of love and who showed me that a family is the most important thing in the world.” He clanked his glass against Barbara’s.
“When is the wedding?” Monica asked.
“We’ll have to talk about it,” Barbara answered while they savored her dinner. “I’d like a church wedding, followed by a small family gathering.”
“I’d like that very much,” Lou said. “The date is already set in my mind. A quick ceremony. I hate long ones. How about a wedding on Father’s Day?”
Barbara scanned her daughters’ faces for their reactions.
“I’m sure our dad is smiling upon you, Mom,” Heather said with a smile.
“He would be happy if we welcome Lou into our family,” Roxanne added.
“Father’s Day will be a great day for your wedding, Mom,” Madelyn decided for her sisters.
Tears of joy rolled on Barbara’s cheeks. Having received David’s blessing through her daughter’s words, she smiled, content that she had found a new happiness without betraying her first husband’s memory.
Epilogue
On Father’s Day, the Ramsay clan and friends gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington, Kentucky. Respecting Barbara’s desire for a small family wedding, Lou had specified to his staff that he didn’t want any publicity.
As soon as the bridal limousine stopped at the curb in front of the church, photographers, anchormen, and reporters popped from behind columns and pews.
Lou gasped, unable to believe KNR had disregarded his orders. He was sweating in his tuxedo, and his annoyance at the heat escalated. He scowled. “I said I don’t want—”
