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This was the reason he admired his father so much. He didn’t dwell on things. He was strong. And loving. And he forgave himself as heartily as he forgave others.
“Pop. You’re one in a million. How did you get so brave?” he asked, emotion clogging his throat. These conversations with his dad were like gold. Someday he would look back on these moments as cherished memories. Marc didn’t want to leave a single thing unsaid.
“Honestly, I never had a choice. Growing up in Cuba I was poor and hungry and different due to my French roots. I was bullied and looked down upon and scared of living the rest of my life like that. The two things I had were my family and God’s eternal love. Those were my foundations. So my advice to you, son, is to love your children. Raise them to know they are a blessing from God. And the best gift you can ever bestow on them is to show them that you love their mother.”
“You always showed us that,” Marc said. “And it is a true gift. I have so many memories of the two of you dancing cheek to cheek in the kitchen or fighting over Scrabble words. Love flowed like a river in our home. I couldn’t have asked for a better road map.”
“It truly did.” The feminine voice came from behind Marc. He turned to see his mother, Marisol, walking into the room with a tray full of drinks an
d a pitcher of ice tea. She placed the tray down on the coffee table then leaned down and pressed a kiss on her husband’s lips. “From the day I met your father he treated me like a queen. I never had to question for a single solitary moment if he loved me. He showed me in all of the important ways.”
“We showed each other the way,” Lucien said, taking his wife’s hand and pressing a kiss on the knuckles. “I have been blessed beyond measure to have you as my wife, my partner in crime, my everything.”
Marc watched as his parents rested in each other’s arms. This was what it looked like to be loved in abundance! It made his heart soar to see this, to sear it to his heart like a tattoo that would be imprinted there for the rest of his days. Marc wanted this for himself. This tried and true love that withstood anything that life threw at it. Heartache. Depression. Despair. Grief. His parents just kept on loving each other and staying true to the vows they had exchanged forty-one years ago. The verse from John ran through his mind. Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
His parents had walked the walk. They had lived in love every day of their married lives.
His father swung his gaze toward him. “Son, we want this for you. Marital love. A partner to be at your side through good times and bad. I won’t say bliss because it hasn’t always been blissful. We’ve been tested a time or two. But along the way we’ve found joy and moments of sheer perfection. Raising you kids was probably the most wonderful part. To see yourself and the woman you love reflected in a child’s eyes is the greatest gift of all.”
“I hoped to find that with Gretchen,” Marc murmured, suddenly thrust into the past. Sweet, pretty Gretchen. She had been so optimistic about their future and so filled with love for him. Her life had been cut short by a ruthless disease that didn’t discriminate. It struck out at people of every race, color, creed, national origin and age. Cancer.
“That was such a terrible shame,” his father said. “She was so young and full of life. An old man like me has at least lived. That girl barely had time to kick up her heels and smell the roses.”
His mother patted Lucien’s shoulder. “You’ve still got some living to do.” She jutted her chin toward Marc. “This one here is going to find the girl of his dreams, get married and raise a house full of kids. You can’t leave me to deal with all that craziness on my own.”
Lucien reached out and grasped his son’s hand. It pained Marc to realize his father no longer possessed a strong grip. Cancer had robbed him of that also.
“I know you had a setback with the whole Fancy Tolliver situation,” Lucien said.
“I’ll find it. One of these days. I’ll find my other half,” Marc said with more confidence than he truly felt. He wanted his father to believe that his future was settled. He knew Lucien worried about his son’s future, especially after the fiasco with Fancy and Gretchen’s passing. Marc wanted his father to be at peace before he left this world.
“Of course you will,” his mother trilled in a high-pitched voice. “And your father will dance at your wedding.”
Lucien looked at her with sad eyes. “Marisol, sweetheart. I’m not sure that’s going to happen. Remember, we’re taking this thing day by day. Only God knows when I’ll join him in heaven.”
His mother jumped up as if she didn’t want to discuss such practical matters. Marc had a funny feeling that she was in a little bit of denial about the progression of his father’s illness. Although his father’s oncologist had made it clear that things hadn’t improved according to the latest scans, his mother insisted that Lucien would turn a corner.
“I forgot the pita chips,” she said, walking quickly out of the room and toward the kitchen.
Lucien’s eyes trailed after his wife. He turned toward Marc. “Go check on your mother. This whole situation has been very difficult for her.”
Marc stood up and shook his head. “You’re pretty amazing, do you know that? You’re the one who’s dealing with a terminal illness, yet you’re constantly trying to make sure everyone else is taken care of.”
He winked at his son. “That’s what comes with being head of the family.” His expression turned wistful. “Pretty soon you’ll be head of this family, son. With it comes a lot of responsibility. I know you’re ready for it.”
Marc nodded then turned away before his father could see him cry. He wasn’t ashamed of his tears. He knew real men cried unabashedly. But he didn’t want his father to know how badly he was hurting over his terminal status. He didn’t want the man who had given him everything to realize that his heart was broken. Even though it took every ounce of strength he possessed, Marc held it together and put on a brave face.
As he crossed the threshold into the kitchen, he locked gazes with his mother. Without saying a word, they both reached for each other and held on to one another for what felt like an eternity. It felt as if their foundation was crumbling all around them and there wasn’t a single thing they could do about it.
* * *
Charlotte was exhausted. Acting as the PR person for Savannah House was a thoroughly time-consuming endeavor. It entailed a lot of work. One she happened to absolutely love and adore. It was the perfect position for her. It allowed her to use her people skills to reach out to places that could help promote the bed and breakfast. Today had been a good day. She’d managed to score several high-profile gigs to get publicity for Savannah House.
A Christian radio station had invited them to come and talk about the inn while one of the most popular Savannah-based daytime talk shows wanted to broadcast live from Savannah House. Savannah Life and Style magazine was coming to Savannah House to do a feature on the inn. And they were bringing along a photographer who would take pictures of the property, as well as the six co-owners. Although Charlotte wasn’t a big fan of having her picture taken, she had to admit it was exciting. She was actually making things happen by using her skills in marketing.
She couldn’t wait to tell everyone the good news! As she drove into the driveway of the inn, she immediately noticed Marc stepping out of a small, compact car. Charlotte sucked in a deep breath at the sight of him. Thoughts of Marc had continued to run through her mind over the past few days. And now the sight of him served as a sucker punch to the gut.
No one had mentioned he was coming to Savannah House today. She parked her car in the driveway and made a point to check herself out in the mirror. Nervously, she smoothed her hair back and put a fresh coating of lip gloss on her lips. When she stepped out of her car, Marc was standing a few feet away from her, a big smile gracing his face.
