The Fall Bride (TSBS-3) ON HOLD

Chapter Twenty-Four

You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.

― Eleanor Roosevelt

Janet Julien

A family dinner was arranged by Ivan at the order of his Granddad at their ancestral estate. Charlie had managed to bring all children together and have them get to know the family they didn't know they had.

For the past week, with physical therapy, Charlie could move more than he could before but with the help of an automated wheelchair. We were all sitting around him as he looked upon us with pride and affection. 

Nick was lounging on a sofa beside Ivan as he became engrossed in an animated conversation with him. Probably, something about a basketball. Then there's Kylie, a sweet and quiet girl who was content with playing beside Caden while baby Matthew was in his mother's arms as he sneakily played with the bracelet on Kylie's mother. Nick's mom and dad sat beside Charlie with Nick's dad sharing more words than his mom. 

It was an unconventional scenario for a family, but everyone was doing their part for the sake of their children. 

I stood to the side watching Kylie color with Caden, thinking how he fits right into this scenario. As my eyes followed everyone, I noticed Charlie's eyes straying over to the doorway leading out to the living area. Upon a second look, Ivan had the same anxious and hopeful eyes looking upon at the entry, awaiting and turning away with disappointment every now and then. 

Both Granddad and grandson only wanted another person in this room.

But it was impossible for the person to be here unless....

I walked up to Ivan and leaned down to whisper. "I'm going to the washroom. Be back."

When Ivan noticed no lie, I headed out the doorway and into the foyer looking for the elusive butler, Mr. Trent. He was in the next room, monitoring the dinner set up for the guests and I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Ms. Janet!" He turned, wide-eyed. "Do you need something? You could've rang the bell. You shouldn't ha----"

"Mr. Trent, let's have a talk."

Mr. Trent took a deep breath, putting on a sober face thinking I was about to complain something about his service. Far from it. 

Gesturing him out of the foyer, I stopped at the foot of the staircase. "I need your help, Mr. Trent."

"Of course, Ms. Janet."

I made an innocent face at him, something akin to a fake look. "This house is huge and I cannot possibly find Ivan's mother's room." 

"Ms. Janet...."

His face said it all, but before he could add an even god-awful reason, I attacked the poor man's heart. "Mr. Trent, wouldn't you like your madam to join everyone, laugh, and be happy?"

One thing I have noticed in my visits to this estate; the older staff was particularly fond of Ivan's mother. Perhaps they've been with her since the beginning and have seen what she went through at this place at a young age.

"She wouldn't join, Ms. Janet."

"How would you know if nobody even tried?"

He sighed, looking up at the stairs. "It has been this way...."

I shook my head and clapped my hands. "Perhaps it's time to try and change. Show me the way, please."

Through some mysterious and dark corridors, I entered closer into the lioness's den. Ivan's mother was anything but frail. Her triggering point was sadly her husband, but her world revolved around her son. From a mother to mother, perhaps the love for children could overwhelm the trauma from her past.