Mrs. Lucille gave Fred a basket full of letters she sent him every birthday. They were copies of the ones she sent Fred.
He opened one of the letters and read it.
Dear Son,
Happy 30th birthday! Today was a tough day for me. I miss you a lot. I wish I could be there to celebrate such a milestone birthday with you. Your dad and I love you. Hopefully, that wife of yours will give you these letters. Please come home soon. I can't wait to hug you and meet my grandkids.
Love,
Your Parents
He reads one more letter.
Hi Son,
Happy 39th birthday. You're in your last year of your 30s. I hope you are doing well. Make sure you celebrate for both of us. You know I just had a birthday 2 weeks ago. My only wish is for you to come home. I'm sorry for pushing you out of the family. You are my child, and I should have loved you unconditionally, but instead, I let my pride get in the way. Just know that I love you, I'm sorry, and you're welcome home anytime.
P.S. please tell me you left that wife of yours.
Love,
Your mom & dad
Even though he already forgives his mom, he needed to read these letters, hear her apology, and take accountability.
At the party
They were about to sing happy birthday. "Where is Fred?" Fran was looking for him.
"He's probably in the guest house." Mrs. Lucille responded.
"I'll go get him." Fatima agreed.
The party was outside near the pool area, so the guest house wasn't that far. She walked over.
"Dad, we're ready to sing Happy Birthday." She noticed he had been crying. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, baby girl. I'm fine, just give me a minute please."
Fatima sat in the living room waiting for him.
After taking a few minutes to get himself together he walked out of the room.
"Dad, I'm so glad we did this. I love you." She kissed him on the cheek, and they walked to the pool area.
"There you are." Aunt Fran got up to speak. "Everyone we have a double celebration. Today is my mom's birthday, but we will also celebrate my big brother, Fred's birthday. His birthday is on the 26th, which is in 2 weeks."
Everyone clapped and then sang Happy Birthday to both of them.
"Let's cut the cake and then open the gifts." Aunt Fred suggested.
"I would like for Mom to open her gift first." Fred handed her a bag.
She opened it. Inside was a folded paper. She took it out of the bag to look at it.
It was a name change petition form. "I've decided to change my name when we get back to Atlanta. I will be changing my name to Marino; Fredrik Wilson-Marino.
His mom had the biggest smile on her face. She hugged Fred.
They both opened the rest of the gifts.
Aunt Fran got her a picture. It was a photo of the family that they took when they first got there. It was blown up to a large canvas.
"Aunt Fran, can you send me the photo? I would like to get one printed when we get back home." Asked Fatima.
They continued the party. Afterward, they met Mrs. Lucille in the library.
Everyone showed up, Aunt Fran, her husband Mario, her kids Gia, and Mario Jr, and Gia's husband, Romeo. Also, there was Fred and his family, Fatima, Zac, and Patrick. The great-grandkids, baby J and Romia, Gia's daughter were in the playroom with the nanny.
Mrs. Lucille stated. "Please have a seat. I have some very important things I want to discuss with you all." She shared with them a little bit of the family history.
"The Marino Family owns several businesses. When I met your grandfather, he had been involved in the wine grape growing business for several years. He started selling the grapes he would harvest, then he went to making the wine and selling it. After we got married, we founded the Marino Winery. We now have a wine bar called Marino's Taste and Sip. There's a coffee shop, called M&M Coffee Shop, and the Marino's Investment Group, where we invest in real estate."
She continues. "I know it's probably hard for some of y'all to believe, but I'm very big on family. I believe in God, family, education, and success, in that order. That's the key to a successful life. With that being said, the Marino family business is family-built. Now that I have all my family here with me, I would like each of you to continue the legacy, the Marino family legacy."
"And who's going to be doing what?" Asked Fred.
"I have made a living trust fund for each of you." She handed each of them an envelope.
As they each opened them, the letters read as follows:
Francesca Marino-Russo
I would like you to continue as the Chief Financial Officer for all the Marino family businesses. Continue to help with the winery. Keep the family together. You will stay in the Marino Estate. If you were to sell it, your brother would get half.
Mario Russo, Sr.
My godson/son-in-law, I would like you to continue overseeing the winery and the taste and sip. Take care of your mother (her best friend) and my daughter.
Fred
My darling son. As the eldest, I am appointing you the Chief Executive Officer of the Marino family businesses. I am asking that you change your name back to Marino, help with the winery, and get back into ministry. I would like for you to remarry and find someone worthy of you. I'm giving you $5 million not to get back with your ex or you will have to repay the $5 million by donating it to a charity.
Gia Russo-Miller and Romeo Miller
The two of you will continue overseeing the coffee shop. I want you to expand and have multiple locations. You will receive $1 million.
Fatima and Zachary Taylor
Fatima and Zac, my favorite couple. You two have something special. I know it didn't start as the perfect love story. But I'm glad you found each other (instead of marrying that Paris guy).
"How does she know all this stuff?" Wondered Fatima.
I grant you the Marino's Investment Group. Zac, I heard you have your own real estate company. Well, I am trusting you with my company, and with the help of my granddaughter. Of course, if anything were to happen to you and Fatima, you would lose all excess to any of the Marino businesses. Fatima, you will get $1 million.
Mario Jr.
Since I've already paid for your college, I will give you $1 million after you graduate with your bachelor's degree. I request that you help with the family business, but also create something new. You're a smart young man and I know you can do it.
Patrick Wilson
I will pay your tuition at any college. After you graduate, you will receive $1 million.
"Anything else the family will receive later." Mrs. Lucille continued.
