AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Trace and I separated, standing with one of us on each side of the bed.
“I’ve missed you,” Gramps looked at us both.
“I’ve missed you too,” I started to cry, because I knew that in a matter of time I’d be missing him for the rest of my life. I would never forget Warren. I looked up at Trace, and my heart broke at the look of hopelessness in his eyes. One day, when we had kids, I was going to make sure they knew how remarkable their great-grandfather and grandpa had been. I had never met Trey, Trace’s dad, but I knew if he was anything like the rest of the family he was a special person and the world wasn’t nearly as beautiful of a place because he was gone.
“Don’t cry,” Gramps reached up shakily to wipe my tears away. “An old man like me doesn’t deserve your tears.”
“You deserve everything,” I sobbed, reaching down to hug his small frame.
I never wanted to let him go. A part of me was convinced that I could keep him alive by sheer will power.
I pulled away, wiping at my wet face. I don’t think I had ever cried this much or this hard in my whole life.
Gramps looked at me sadly and I blurted, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, sweetie.” He looked up at Trace and took one of his hands as well as one of mine. “I hear you two went and got married without me.”
“Sorry, Gramps,” Trace mumbled, bowing his head in shame.
“Don’t be sorry,” Gramps repeated the same words he’d spoken to me. “I’m happy this one,” he squeezed my hand lightly, “is finally a true Wentworth… But I do have something to ask of you both.”
“Anything,” I gasped. “We’ll do anything you want.”
With a shaky breath, he explained, “I only have a few days left to live, and if it’s not too much to ask—” He became overwhelmed by a coughing fit and couldn’t continue for a moment. When he recovered, he said, “All I want is to see you walk down the aisle, Olivia. I want to watch you and my grandson exchange vows as you embark on the next step in your life. I know you were planning to have a ceremony where you exchanged rings in a few more weeks, but I won’t be around for that,” his hand tightened around mine. “Please, this is all I want.”
I glanced up at Trace and we both had the same look in our eyes. How could we not grant Gramps’ dying wish?
“Of course,” we said simultaneously.
“I’ll talk to Lily and see if we can move things up,” I croaked. You’d think eventually I’d run out of tears to cry but they kept flowing. “We’ll do whatever it takes,” I promised.
“I know you will, sweetie,” he craned his neck, trying to kiss my cheek. I lowered my head and his papery lips pressed softly against my skin. I was surprised by how cold his lips were.
“Gramps, there’s something I need to tell you,” Trace started.
I looked over at him and released Gramps’ hand. “I’ll step out and talk with your mom.”
“No!” He cried. “No,” he said in a softer tone. “I need you here too. You should hear this.”
“What’s going on?” I tilted my head to the side as I looked at him.
“Let’s sit down and get comfortable.” Trace was already pulling a chair up to the side of Gramps’ bed.
I eyed him nervously, but sat down. I took Gramps’ cool hand into mine once more.
“What is it?” Gramps asked, eyeing Trace questioningly. “You look like you’re going to throw up. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think it is. Spit it out, boy.”
Trace took a deep breath. “I don’t want to take over the company, Gramps. I can’t be a CEO. It won’t make me happy and I refuse to be miserable for the rest of my life. I’m sorry. I really am. I tried. But it’s not for me. I hate to disappoint you,” he wiped away tears, “but I have to do what’s right for me.”
Gramps let out a sigh of relief and then began to laugh hysterically. “It’s about damn time you grew a pair and told me,” he chortled. “I would’ve never let you take the company, knowing you hated it. But I wanted you to come to that decision yourself.”
“You mean—” Trace started but Gramps cut him off.
“Yes, I knew you hated it. I’ve known this life wouldn’t be for you since you were a small boy. No matter what you do, I’ll always be proud of you. When I’m gone, I’ll be smiling down on you from above, proud to call you my grandson…even if your hard headedness drives me crazy.”
“I love you,” Trace sobbed, standing and kicking the chair back as he hugged Gramps.
I watched them hug each other, two generations of Wentworth’s, and it killed me that Gramps was leaving us. Why did he have to get cancer? Why did he have to die? It wasn’t fair!
