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The words tumble out, and he sucks in a breath, but he doesn’t react.
Instead, he holds me tight, strong for me, and strokes my hair.
“It’s ok,” he murmurs. “It’s ok.”
6
Chapter Five
Pax
Reality stands still as my grandfather is lowered into the ground, his mahogany casket gleaming in the dying evening light.
His grave is right next to my mother’s, next to her marble weeping angel and the headstone that reads She walked in beauty, she sleeps in peace.
My father looks up. “He’s with your mother now. He’s at peace.” His voice is gruff.
I nod and Mila squeezes my fingers.
It’s a gray, rainy day, and it is fitting for this funeral.
Well-wishers shake my head, and hug Mila, and it seems like hours pass before the three of us are finally alone.
“I have your grandfather’s will,” my father says as we climb into the family car.
I’m startled by that, and just as startled that he would bring it up now. I wince as I click my seat-belt. The pain is still bad. After a week, I would’ve thought it would fade. It hasn’t. In fact, the pain in my knee has gotten worse.
“I know. It’s not what you want to hear today,” my father adds, and the driver closes the door.
“Not really,” I admit. “But why do you have the will?”
My father is an attorney, but not my grandfa
ther’s attorney.
“He wanted me to handle this,” my dad shrugs. “Pax… William knew for some time that the end was close. He had major blockages in his heart, and they were inoperable. He wanted me to tell you directly after the funeral about the terms of his will. He wanted you to have time to think about it.”
He has my attention, and I wait for him to continue.
“Go on.”
“I think it goes without saying that you get everything. He’s got some trusts set up for charitable donations, but pretty much everything comes to you. With a couple stipulations.”
“What are they?” Mila asks and her eyes are red. The past couple of days haven’t been easy. She was close to William. She loved him, and he loved her. We were all he had, and she knew that. She did everything she could to make him feel included and loved.
My father clears his throat.
“You must live in his home for at least five years, and even if you choose not to continue living in it at that time, you must keep it in the family.”
“Wow.” That’s all I can think of to say, because I don’t want to live in my grandfather’s home. It’s too big, too sterile. Almost like a museum. But it’s where my mother grew up, and because of that, my grandfather has never sold it. It’s a beautiful estate, but it’s just not home.
“And you must keep his key staff onboard for at least five years.”
“Who does he consider key?” I can’t help but ask, even though I’m ready to stop discussing my grandfather’s affairs so soon after his burial.
“His housekeeper, Natasha. His chief business advisor, Peter. And of course, Roger.”
“Five years?” Mila asks, her eyes serious. “But what if they do something egregious? Can he terminate them then?”
