Family Reunion (54 page)

"Probably not since last year! He looks like a street urchin' if you ask me!" Hope threw in. Mike scowled.

"Well it's too late now for me to cut it, he has no choice but to wear it tonight, but tomorrow I'll cut it." Lena fussed and stated. Hope was grinning. "What's wrong with my hair?! I like my hair this way, and so does Maria! Dad used to wear his hair this long!"

"He did not! He never let it get this long! And I know, because I used to cut it! Besides, we're not talking about your father! I'm talking about you. You need a hair cut! A shave wouldn't hurt either, all that stuff on your face! Where are the kids, I haven't given the boys a good looking over."

"There coming mama, and you can cut their hair."

"Oh I will! Yours as well, while I'm at it."

Mike looked up at his chuckling father with a pained expression and silently mouthed help over Lena's head to him.

“
Manny was enjoying himself immensely but decided to come to his son's aid. "Lena, come on now. Leave the kids alone and stop fussing over them, they’re all grown up now, they are not babies anymore" He mildly informed her. Lena froze as the truth of that statement hit home and a lump rose in her throat. Her babies weren't babies anymore. She had missed all of that with them, even with Rory, she lowered her head and cleared her throat.
"Yes, I suppose that's
true ... I'm sorry." Saddened by it, she apologized to them all. She walked through them away from Manny towards the stairs. They all felt her pain...even Rory. Mike turned to Manny, once more blaming him, "Now look what you've done, she was happy just a moment ago! Why'd you have to say that?!"

Manny's mouth dropped open. "You were the one whining because she was giving you too much attention!"

"I wasn't whining." Mike defended.

"Oh go get your wife and kids and let's go!" Manny snapped.

"Maria! Bring the children and let’s go!!" Mike yelled.

Lena turned from the steps appalled. "Michael, you watch your mouth! Yelling at your wife! She's with child and it takes her longer! Go help her!"

"Mama, I wasn't yelling. Dad told me to rush'em."

"Manny, how could you tell your son to yell at her that way!?" Lena questioned disapprovingly, from the stairs. "I didn't tell you to yell at her! That's it! We're going alone! You all come when you get yourselves together! Let's go!"

He marched past
his daughter and son, clasping Lena's elbow to lead her out, with Rory right behind them. "What about Leon and Francis, Manny?"

"They're coming." He assured, handing her up the steps.

"Do they have a way?"

"They all have a way Lena, believe me… come along now."

"What about Rory?"

"I'm right here." He spoke up from behind, as they were going down the gang plank to the coach. Manny opened the door and handed Lena up. Rory was next, Manny climbed in behind them.

"So – where are we headed?" Lena asked curiously, sitting next to Manny who held her hand as the coach rolled along the cobbled path. "In good time, you will see.”

“
Did I happen to mention how amazing you look tonight?"

"I don't recall it." She murmured softly.

"Well you are…you make me proud. I am honored while feeling sometimes, undeserving of you."

"And you are… undeserving, that is." Lena teased, grinning.

"You little-…" Manny muttered pulling her close to him, "Manny careful or you'll mess my hair!"

"Echm, echm." Rory cleared his throat reminding them of his presence.

Manny turned her loose as she scooted to a safe distance, watching the dark scenery as they made their way out of the city. "It is such a beautiful night, sure would be nice if I knew where we were going." She turned looking toward Rory. "I have been sworn to silence, so don't look at me."

Manny moved up behind her, gazing over her shoulder out of the coach window. "It won't be much longer, I believe this night – you will truly be impressed. Perhaps so much so you'll be agreeing to marry me before the night has ended." He spoke softly in her ear. Lena gazed back over her shoulder up into his eyes. She could smell him, feel the heat of his body next to hers, she suddenly longed to be alone with him, for just one lingering, stirring kiss.

"Echm, echm." Rory reminded them once more of his presence.

Manny snatched himself away from her back to his place, glaring at his son across from him. Sighing, Lena accepted their chaperon and continued to gaze and wonder. As promised, in no time, they turned onto a grand estate with a long sweeping drive. "Manny…what is this place?" Lena asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Rory slid over as well to view it as they arrived.

"It hasn't a name yet." Manny admitted.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Patience." He simpered, reaching up to caress her cheek.

She turned back, gazing ahead, finally seeing a glowing of lights surrounding a grand manor lit up bright as the moon. All along the front were carriages unloading people.

"Oh my…Manny… please tell me… where are we?"

Only because of the fear and panic in her voice, did he finally give her a clue. "We are where you will always feel at home."

"At home?" She parroted.

"Yes, our home."

Gasping Lena turned back just as they pulled up and were greeted by a footman, a man she had seen on his ship. And once they were out of the carriage, they stepped up the grand steps to the entry to be greeted by a very familiar doorman, "Sheldon! Oh Sheldon." Manny followed his newly re-acquired family across the landing to the door, "Good evening sir." She heard him greet Manny, and then turning to her said. "I take it all has been well Miss Lena?” She was too choked up to speak and so nodded instead.

"Good…and good evening to you Master Rory." Rory stepped into the entryway returning a greeting. "Your wraps please, and then I shall turn the three of you over to the next man." Handing them over, all three followed Sheldon to a host who would lead them to the ballroom, "Aye Cap'n!" The man spoke out, Manny nodded with a grin, holding his folded arm for Lena to take hold of; the entire time, Manny watched for the look on Lena's face; she was choked up in disbelief. "Oh Manny."

"Do you like what you see so far?"

Again, she nodded, choosing not to speak. The foyer was immense and sweeping with a chandelier that sparkled bright, centered while leading the eyes up above to either side of the double grand staircase. She couldn't believe her eyes. Finbar turned to escort them straight ahead through the wide double doors and down a hall leading to an arched doorway opening up into a ballroom that was filled with people. Music was softly playing as he called out, "Aye all, the master of the manor has arrived with his lady, Princess Ceś alena." Finbar announced, not quite cut out for making such announcements, but he was having fun all dressed up to please his captain and his missus. Everyone present stopped and turned with smiles to view their entrance. "Madam, thems yer guests awaitin’ you – it be a time fer celebratin’." Finbar announced, smiling. With a bow he swept his arm for them to enter. Manny grinned, covering her hand with his own and brought her forward for all to meet and greet, the line of guests surprised Lena.

It was so long and the first to greet them was Sandra beaming brightly. Caught so unprepared, Lena could only gasp her friend’s name, "Sandra?"

"I know, isn't it wonderful. It was a lot of work at such short notice, but I had plenty of help as you will see. Keeping it from you was the hardest. We can talk later; you have a lot of people waiting to see you." With that said, she stepped away to see to things as their host.

With a quintet playing for their pleasure, Manny bent to her ear, "Wait until you see who’s here." No sooner had the words left his lips when Lena, as if in a dream, was greeted by Josey, who stood impatiently excited.

"Well it's about time! I thought I might have to wait forever to see you!" She called out gleefully. "Oh my goodness, Josephine!" Lena threw her arms around her, hugging her close.

Chapter Twelve

"They made me wait, I was going crazy, and so I pitched in and helped with all that you see here. Enjoy yourself, others wait to see you, we will talk later." Josey whispered, hugging her in return. Sniffing, Lena nodded and pulled away. From that moment on all she could do was cry, hug and nod as she met friend after friend, most working for Manny along with a few more familiar faces from Sandra’s businesses. In the line was Josey's daughter, Cesalia whom she introduced. Manny turned, beaming in pride to introduce Rory.

Every step of the way, she nodded to the greetings of, "Good evening m'lady." - "It is an honor m'lady, Princess Ceś alena." - "Aye, yer'rah bonnie lass fer sure, m'lady – greetin's to'yah." Embarrassed because she was overcome with emotion, all Lena could do was nod, with one after another giving a polite curtsy or bow of their heads.

One of the men passed her a handkerchief to dab at her eyes. She looked up at Manny, feeling his large, warm hand on the back of her neck, squeezing it lovingly.

"I love you." His lips motioned. She quickly looked away before she lost her composure entirely. She glanced to see her children were following behind and being greeted…the Webster's had arrived. So many faces blurred before her as she walked before Manny, behind him Rory, then Mike and his family, followed by Hope, Joseph and Francis with Leon bringing up the rear. She could not believe that
all
of Sandra's business clients were present, those whom she financed. A number of Manny's crewmen from his ships had
bathed
then dressed in fancy attire, paid for by their boss.

Suddenly she stopped; stunned because she thought her eyes must
be playing tricks on her.

"Hello Ceś alena."

"T–Thomas?" Lena gasped and then looked from him to Manny and back again. Manny explained. "I decided to invite this rogue of a vagabond too, since he kept pestering me." Manny simpered. Thomas chuckled dragging his eyes from a stunned Lena to Manny.

"What man would deny himself such a treat as to fill his eyes with such a vision again, you are still as beautiful as ever, no, more beautiful than ever." Lena couldn't find her voice. Of all the people in the world, she never thought to see Thomas Sandoval again and especially invited by Manny.

"Thomas…how?" She looked from one man to the other, confusion and surprise clear to them. Thomas answered. "It's a long story, I'll let him tell you about it…however, I must say this, no one is happier than I that you two are back together.”

“
Marry him Ceś alena, no man anywhere…loves you more than the man standing behind you now. True love from both sides comes once in a lifetime. You two have that. Time and life…they are both precious, don't waste another moment…don't…neither of us knows what tomorrow brings."

That was her undoing, Lena began to cry. Thomas pulled her to him for a hug, which Lena welcomed as she embraced him. "Thank you Thomas, thank you so much ... you don't know what that means to me coming from you."

Someone cleared their throat nearby and Lena pulled back sniffing to see a Spanish woman her height standing beside them looking at her with what she thought was a reluctant smile. Thomas drew away from Lena, grinning with pearly white teeth flashing in his handsome dark face. He was as tall and dashing as ever, still the master of swaggering, smooth, charm. His hair was salted with a little grey that only intensified his dashing good looks.

Lena stepped back beside Manny as Thomas latched his arms around the bright, smiling vixen at his side. She had an energetic pert appearance, a mischievous look about her that made her strongly intriguing and attractive.

"I do believe, standing before me here and now, is the ever famous, Ceś alena Huebana." Lena's head tilted to the side with the raise of a full arched brow, and nodded. "Ever famous, I doubt, but Ceś alena Huebana is indeed correct." Lena returned formally.

"I've heard a lot about you." Thomas's wife continued.

"All pleasant I hope." Lena replied.

"All
indeed, pleasant, yes - certainly the telling of how lovely you are and I find I must agree."