A Passion Rekindled (30 page)

“Oh but your mother did. When your mother went to Shrines she asked my client Mrs. Waters where she could transfer all of her assets too.”

He opened a folder.

“See let me explain. Your mother took out a life insurance policy for herself when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She also saved a few bonds her father gave to her. From the records she sent to me and her policy I would say you guys are looking at around 3.4 million.”

“Dollars?”

“Yes. See your mother had a bond for each of you. And one for Angel as well. Let me show you something.” He took out a DVD and placed it into the player.

Scarlett glance at the woman on the screen and felt tears come to her eyes. She glanced as the kids and noticed the same thing. He mother looked so frail but happy.

“Hey babies. If you are watching this then I did not make it. Don’t be sad. Everything happens for a reason. Margaret my sweet I am so proud of you.

My hope is you will put some of your smarts together and make a difference in the world like I believe you can. You are a light in everyone’s life. Don’t forget that. Devon my baby boy. My favorite son you are a mothers dream. Handsome and strong and knows how to fight for what you want. Never lose that. And keep being the man I raised you to be. The girls are going to need you now more than ever and I believe you will live up to every expectation I have set for you. Because you already have. 

And Angel my beautiful granddaughter. You put a smile on my face every time I think about you. You are just like your mother in so many ways. Enjoy your childhood don’t grow up to fast. But when you do grow up, I know you’re in great hands. Your mother has always made me proud as I am sure you will make her proud. She will always keep you safe in ways I couldn’t do her. Last to my angel without wings, there were many times I didn’t know how I would make it then you would look at me and I would know everything would be fine. The day you were born, I knew you were destined to be someone so special. Scarlett you have helped this family in too many ways to number. I am sorry things happened the way they did but I am so proud at the woman you have become. I have no doubt that Devon, Maggie and Angel will succeed because you are their role model. 

We believe things happen for a reason. I believe that you are the glue that held this family together. And this family needs your strength now. I have wanted to say something to you about what happened for so long but I haven’t had the nerve. I named you after my mother who was a wonderful woman. Scarlett Hale was a strong woman. She was my best friend and when you were born, she took one look at you and said you were meant for greatness. So I named you after the greatest person I knew.

Don’t let one man ruin your life. Danger ruined years but not your life. He took something from you that I was never able to give you back. When you found Shane, I thought you had found it and even though I loved him like a son, I know that it didn’t work out but I know the man of your dreams is out there. He may even be closer than you think in the form of a certain boss of yours. 

Scarlett just because when I married for love it turned out badly doesn’t mean it will for you. I believe Christian is a great man and you deserve great. So I will leave you with this. Scarlett be happy. Love hard or don’t love at all. You are the star, Maggie is the light, Devon is the sky and Angel you are the child guided by them all. Be that to each other. I may be gone from this earth but I am with you always. I am so, so, so very proud of you guys and I love you all so much.”

The DVD stopped and Scarlett looked around trying to regain her composure. Maggie wiped her eyes.

“Can we keep that? Just so we can see her?”

“Yeah you can that would be no problem.”

“I want to thank you for helping us through this.”

Scarlett said trying to stop the tears.

“It's my job. We will be contacting you shortly with the details and the transfers.”

“Ok thank you.”

They walked out the office and Scarlett looked at Devon who was hugging Angel.

“She always knows what we need to hear doesn’t she?”

Devon hugged her.

“Always.”

As they walked to the elevator, Maggie wiped her tears away and the elevator doors opened. Jay and Chris smiled as they came face to face with Scarlett, Angel Maggie, and Devon.

“Hey guys how are you.”

Jay hugged Scarlett as they entered the elevator.

“How are you holding up?”

“I'm ok. Still a little sad but ok.”

Jay smiled. “Are we still on for dinner tonight?”

“Yeah if you can bare being around me.”

“I think I can manage.”

“Chris how is everything at Water’s Empire?”

“Well Christian’s new assistant is nothing like you. She misspells things and is so lazy. She won’t even bring me files.”

“I miss it if you can believe it.”

“Well it misses you. Christian does too.”

As the doors opened, Christian stood there with Amber. She pulled him closer but he pulled away as he saw Scarlett. 

“Scarlett how are you?”

Amber smirked. “You should’ve listened.”

Scarlett stared at Christian then walked off the elevator. Amber tried to hold him back but he went after her as everyone else stood back.

“Scarlett wait.”

He caught up to her.

“Scarlett it’s not what you think.”

“I don't really care.”

“Scarlett.”

“I don't! I was just up here taking care of some business.”

He moved closer to her. “I miss seeing you here I miss being around you.”

“Yeah well I am sure Amber is taking good care of you.”

“Amber and I are not together.”

“Tell that to the article in last week’s paper.”

“That was a cheap photo opt by her and Mom. I don’t want her.”

“Well you don't want me I got to go.” She said continuing to walk away.

Christian followed her. “Please talk to me.”

“NO.”

“Scarlett will you stop being so damn stubborn and just listen to me for a minute.”

“Christian will you stop being so damn annoying and leave me alone.”

“Scarlett I love you please listen to me.”

Scarlett looked at him tears brimming her eyes. 

“I did listen to you. I loved you and I let me guard down I trusted you and look what happened.”

She walked away to the car noticing somehow, the kids beat her to it. Chris gave a sigh of frustration as Scarlett beeped the car and everyone got in.

“Scarlett you know he isn’t dating her.”

“It doesn’t really matter now does it?”

“I guess not. Did you get the flowers we sent?”

“Yeah I got the flowers and I also got the gifts and cards from your brother. He seems to be doing really well for himself.”

“Yeah I guess so. Can’t you come back?”

“I've thought about it. But I don’t know if I can work with him anymore.”

“Then work for me.”

“I don’t know about that either…now that I have the money I think I am going to go back to school.”

Jay smiled. “You're going to finish your degree?”

“Yes I am. But, I think I am going to change my major.”

“That is great. I am so proud of you…I know your mom is too.”

“Thanks…well we have to get going.”

Chris patted Devon on the back. “Devon am I still picking you up for practice tonight?”

“Yeah if you don’t mind, with Scarlett dropping the girls off at their friends and then hanging with Jay I don’t think I’d have a ride.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“You girls are coming to the picnic right?”

“Yes mom said she was going to pick us up for it tomorrow.”

“Great.”

“Speaking of that I want to thank you for allowing Fran to come with the girls.”

“It's not a problem.”

“So I will see you at 6 Scar?”

“Yes ma’am.”

***

Scarlett drank her auntie Annie’s lemonade as Jayla talked about her students. They grabbed a bench at sat down. Scarlett smiled.

“People sure do love the mall don’t they?”

“Hey everyone loves to shop. I know I do. I have to pick a new bathing suit.”

“You know I need one too.”

“You know I owe you.”

“Owe me what?”

“Keeping me and Chris together.”

“I didn't do anything.”

“You did. I was really mad and ready to leave and you yelled at us both.”

“I wasn’t in a good place.”

“Yeah well you saved us.”

“Excuse me?”

Scarlett looked up and saw a tall man smiling down at her. She knew she knew him but she couldn’t place him.”

“Hi can I help you?”

“Your name is Scarlett right?”

“Yes it is.”

“I’m Romeo. We met at the ball I'm a friend of Christian’s.”

“Oh yeah I'm sorry I didn’t recognize you.”

“It's ok. Christian told me about your mom. I'm sorry.”

“It's ok. We are doing better.”

“That’s good. So I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies with me sometime.”

“Romeo you are very attractive and all but I am kind of in a relationship.”

“Oh I'm sorry I didn’t know.”

“It's ok. It’s a new relationship but I don’t want to lead you on.”

“It's ok. Christian is a very lucky guy.”

“What makes you think Christian and I are together?”

“I saw the way you guys looked at each other. He is really lucky.”

“Thank you.”

“Bye.”

Romeo walked away. Jay smiled at her.

“You have a boyfriend huh.”

“No I just said it to make him leave.”

“You still love him don’t you?”

Scarlett looked at Jay. “I can’t help it…it’s not something I could just turn off.”

“So go tell him.”

“Jay I can’t. I am so angry.”

“It wasn’t his fault. He knew your dad was the cause of your pain. He really did think your brother was concerned.”

“That’s not why I am angry we talked through that the day before the funeral.”

“Then what?”

“I told Christian everything but the most important thing. I wanted to I did but I couldn’t.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I left something out from everyone but Shane. Not even Devon or Maggie knows this.”

“What is it?”

“Jay I was forced to marry Danger. And while I was stuck with him I fell in love with him.”

“What?”

“When I found out I was pregnant and I told my mom she went nuts and kicked my dad out. Derek willingly left with him. We thought everything was over. But

Darrel my loser father told Danger I was pregnant. Danger stalked me for a couple of weeks. In reality, I shouldn’t have talked to him. But Val convinced me I should. After that, he followed me around. I wanted to tell my mom that he was stalking me but she was working so hard. She wanted me to forget and as long as he wasn’t putting his hands on me, I was fine.

But then things changed. One day when I was about four months pregnant, I was walking home from school and they ambushed me. They kidnapped me and took me to a wedding Chapel somewhere I don’t know. I was 17 and had my father’s permission. But I wouldn’t agree to marry him. So they drugged me up and when I awoke I was married.”

“Scarlett…oh my.”

Ten years and some odd months earlier.

Genie smiled as Scarlett stepped out of her car. 

“Scarlett don’t forget you have a doctor’s appointment after school.”

“I will be outside waiting for you mom.”

“You know everything is going to be ok right?”

Scarlett looked at her. “Mom I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared.”

“We’ll just keep looking at the positive. You don't have a disease and the baby is growing healthy.”

“You really think I can do this mom?”

Genie reached her hand out and Scarlett took it.

“Yes I do. I am raising a strong and beautiful woman. I am so proud of you.”

“Thanks momma. So I will see you right after school. Love ya.”

Scarlett grabbed her bag and walked out the door. As she walked to school, someone tapped her on her shoulder. She looked over and screamed as Val reached out to hug her. Scarlett couldn’t get over how she looked. Val wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a white shirt that was three sizes too small for her.

“Val!!! How are you? I heard your parents made you leave.”