Chapter 19

Orion

The past month had been a whirlwind and I felt as though I could barely catch my breath. I was rushing between homes, and not giving Raya and Joey the time they needed. Granted, I took Joey out fishing, and bowling and he even got me to ride a bicycle again. Hadn't done that since I was a kid myself. But during those outings, it gave us time to talk, to get to know and understand each other. And he might be only ten, but in some ways, he was very wise for his age. And when Joey spoke of Raya, I heard his protective tone. He loved his mother and wasn't going to allow anyone, even me, to hurt her.

That was good, because I felt the exact same way about them both and I let him know that as well. After that chat, Joey seemed to relax and spent more time out with kids from the school. That meant more alone time for Raya and me.

We'd enjoyed our date nights, but goodness, dropping her back off at the house and not spending the night sucked. All I wanted to do was to make love to her all night and wake with her in my arms. The perfect way to start a day was next to her. Instead, we were stealing what little time we could. It was nice, but not ideal. I was selfish and wanted it all. And so did she.

Raya wasn't complaining. She understood why I needed to be rushing back and forth to my grandmother's house. But I knew something had to give. Raya and I needed this time together and it was time to make a change. My grandmother was feeling much better which meant she was giving me a very hard time about my staying with her at her house. But she still wasn't strong enough to live on her own. Finn was right. She might not ever be.

"Grandmother, your tea is on the table. Did you want to come and have some with me?" I asked.

"You don't drink tea," she stated. "If you are trying to get me to sit so you can tell me something else, I don't want to hear, then you can forget it. I'll stay right where I am, thank you."

"I promise, this has nothing to do with you," I said. "Now will you come and have some tea so we can talk?"

She took my extended hand, and I helped her up from the couch. When she sat at the table, she poured us each a cup.

"Now, what is so important or difficult to say, that you thought I needed tea first?" she questioned. "Is it about Raya? Because if it is, then my answer is yes. You should."

I chuckled. "Not again."

"Yes. I had a dream that you and Raya were married, and you were surrounded by several children. You know my dreams are never wrong," she said.

I never believed that until I found myself crying at my grandmother's hospital bedside just like she had predicted. Now I heeded her warnings. Didn't let them control my life but I didn't blow them off entirely either. Part of me wanted to ask how many children, but some things should be a surprise, and no matter how many, Raya and I would love and welcome them all.

"That wasn't what I wanted to talk about," I said. Oddly enough it was something I planned on doing at a later date. Even had the engagement ring.

"Are you going to tell me that she needs help with a fundraiser at the school? Because she came by earlier and already talked to me all about it. I'm going to get some of the ladies in the parent-teacher group to knit things for a sale. Can you believe how she is getting all the parents involved now? I think it's just amazing what the two of you have been able to do with the school."

"Thank you, Grandmother. She has some brilliant ideas." And I'm smart enough to let her run with them.

"That she does. And as Vice President, you have also been able to rally local businesses for their support as well. President O'Connor was correct in choosing you to help her. It was too much for one person."

Reesa had already known that, but what she didn't realize was that she could balance work/life with help. We had a discussion earlier today about her not stepping down. She agreed to finish her term as president, but only if I continued as VP. That took the pressure off us both.

"Grandmother, I didn't want to talk about work," I said, needing to get to the point before she changed the subject again.

"Oh. Then what is on your mind?" she asked.

"My mother," I said. "I...I want to know if she ever contacted you and you did not tell us."

"Why are you asking about her now?" she questioned.

"Because if I am going to be a parent, I need to know that I am not anything like she was," I stated.

She reached across the table and touched my hand. "Orion, your mother wasn't a bad person. She was a damaged person. Life was cruel to her. Very cruel. Your grandfather and I couldn't protect her. If you want to be angry at someone, then blame us, not her."

I could never be angry at them. They gave us everything when she left. "But even now, all these years later, she never has contacted us. Why?" I asked.

"I believe the only way she knows how to survive is to close the chapter of her life that brought her such pain. And I am not saying that is you or your brother. But looking at you, brought back the memories, the nightmares. Don't hate her. Feel badly for her. And know that she knew that leaving you both with us was the only way to give you a chance at a normal, happy life. And I would like to think that is what you had," she stated.

I needed to hear that. I didn't want to take these questions into the next chapter of my life. Anything that was going to help me be a better father to Joey was what I needed to do. And letting go of the last bit of pain and anger at my mother, was it.

"It was a good life. Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you for always wanting us. And that is why I need to talk to you about living here."

"You're moving out?" she said. I swore I heard excitement in her tone.

"Yes, I am."

"Wonderful. I can help you pack if you would like," she grinned.

She enjoyed teasing me, but I wasn't here to joke around. I just sat there and said, "There is more."

"Do not tell me that Mayson is moving in. Please do not tell me that. I love him dearly, but he...he never stops talking," she sighed.

Gets that from you.

"No, he's not moving in."

"Then what? Are you hiring some caregiver to come and boss me around? Because you know I won't let strangers in my house," she warned.

"I was thinking that we could pack your stuff too. Not all of it, but maybe several bags and personal things that you might need...."

"You're sending me away!" she exclaimed.

"No. I'm taking you with me. Raya and I decided to live together, and we want you to live with us at my house," I explained.

"Live together? What about marriage? I had the dream you know. I'm never wrong. You were married in my dream," she said again and again.

"I know. But we are not ready for that."

"But you're ready to live together? I do not understand your generation. Marriage is a beautiful thing. And someone like Raya doesn't come along more than once in a lifetime. Don't let her go. Marry her," she ordered.

I laughed. "Grandmother, I am going to. I even asked Joey for his blessing to propose to her. He said yes. But he also told me something else. He said that he wanted the wedding to take place on the anniversary of the day we met. He told me that Raya said it was a day she would never forget because it brought us together. So, we must wait another ten months to get married." That day brought us together and our anniversary is going to be what makes us a family. On paper at least. In my heart, we were family already.

"Joey is a sweet boy. I love it when Raya brings him here with her. But he doesn't let me win at cards. Not like you used to," and smiled. "If Joey asked you to wait, then I will honor that request. But I do not know about living with you all. You don't need an old lady intruding in your life," she said.

"Yes, we do. And we also look forward to having a babysitter in the house," I joked. No way we were leaving her in charge of Joey for an extended period, but maybe for an hour or so. Just not sure who would be watching who.

"And Raya wants this too?" she questioned.

"Her exact words were for me to bring your rocking chair and yarn because you both have some knitting to do."

Grandmother smiled. "Then what are you doing sitting here when you have all that packing to do? Get going," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am." I got up from the table and kissed her on the top of her head before leaving the room.

Many people would be running and hiding from a situation like this. But I considered myself the luckiest man alive. I had what I always dreamed of. A generational house filled with love.

And Joey will have a family, a family that loves him unconditionally.

The End