by Cee, DW
“Your younger cousins like Sam will give Nathan playmates.”
“We can negotiate some more in bed tonight.” My favorite grandson threatened with a smile.
Watching Jake and Emily, Max and Jane, Donovan and Laney, and Nick and Bee love one another more with the passing seasons, I’m reminded of my love with Jerry and Roland. It pleased me that my grandchildren were as content with their lives as my children and I have always been.
“Gigi!” I heard the familiar screeching of my name. “You have visitors.”
“Visitors?” I asked no one in particular. “Who would be visiting me?”
“Oh Gram!” Laney’s face lit up. “I think your prince has arrived.” She pointed in the direction of the man walking our way, still looking as regal as the day we met.
“Your Grace.” My granddaughter, who almost became a Bennington duchess, walked up and embraced Harry Bennington the same way she used to embrace Roland. Upon greeting Ruby, her dear friend, Laney walked arm-in-arm with Harry and led him to me.
I stood to greet my old friend. “Harry.” We kissed one another. “What brings you to the States?”
“You’re asking a man, who could die at any moment, why he flew thousands of miles to see the woman who’s been avoiding him the last seventy years? You’ve always been a cheeky one, Estelle Cowper.”
“Gigi, who’s that?” Lilah came wrapped in her Sleeping Beauty bathrobe.
“You must be Delilah.” Harry, who was quite nimble for a ninety-five year-old man, picked up my great-granddaughter. “You look identical to your mother.”
“Sir. You can’t call me Delilah. My daddy says that name is only for him. You may call me Lilah.” Her statement had us all adoring her sweet face as she uttered each word with conviction.
“You’re as sassy as your mother, Lilah. Did your mom tell you about her life in London?”
“Uh, that would be a negative, Harry.” Donovan came and swept his daughter back into his arms. “How are you, Duke? From the looks of it, you’re going to outlive Michael.” Donovan helped Harry to a seat next to me. “Are you ready to rock and roll?” Donovan’s question made me wonder what he knew that I didn’t know.
After all the greetings were accomplished, I was impatient, wondering why Harry was here on the cul-de-sac.
“Well?” I asked again.
“Damn woman pushes me off for seventy years and now she’s trying to hurry me up.” I raised my eyebrow in response. Harry chuckled. “I’ve come to live out the rest of my life with you, my duchess. I don’t give a damn anymore if you don’t love me. I love you and have always loved you. I’ve waited too long to make my declaration. From this day forth, I will be cohabitating with you until you or I die—which could be tomorrow.”
“Harry.” This was embarrassing in front of all the children.
“Nope. I don’t want to hear it. You’re mine and that’s that. I’d love for you to marry me and take my last name…”
“Another surname?” I asked in horror. “I have more last names than Jackie O.”
“Fine. Then we’ll live in sin.”
“Harry, be real. We’re almost at the finish line. I can’t go to heaven and find three husbands waiting for me.”
“You plan to outlive me and marry a fourth?”
“Shit,” I muttered to the amusement of everyone.
“The entire Bennington clan is here, and I’ve been in touch with your grandson-in-law the past few months and everything is set.”
“Huh?” I faced Harry, then Donovan, who had a knowing smile.
“Estelle Cowper. I’ll give you three hours to get your hair and makeup done. Put on your finest dress and meet me in Donovan and Laney’s backyard. I’m told all your daughters-in-law are there putting the finishing touches on our wedding.”
“Our wedding?” I asked, flabbergasted. “Did you know this was happening?” Jake nodded along with the rest of my grandchildren.
“Why do you think Bee came out of the hospital as soon as she gave birth? This has been planned for months, Gram.” Nick hugged me.
“Did any of you think to inform me?” My family was nuts if they thought I wanted another husband at my age. “Harry.” I attempted to reason with him. “Your life is in England. Mine is here. We are too old to visit one another and too set in our ways to leave our families. This will not work.”
“Estelle.” Harry held my hands. “I won’t have the sixty years Jerry had, or the ten Roland had. Most likely, we won’t even make it in the double digits. I couldn’t start my life with you, but all this wait will be worth it if I can end my life with you. Will you take pity on a man who’s loved you for seven decades, and marry me? I am fully prepared to live the rest of my days on this cul-de-sac that bears my rival’s name.”
What on earth? What was happening here?
“Harry, are you sure? What would make you propose to me? How is all this possible? What about your family?” I rambled these thoughts aloud.
“I have never been so sure of anything in my life, Estelle. Donovan helped me with the purchase of Billy’s home, so my family can come and go often. We are all willing to make this work. I only need your permission.”
How was I to process all that was going on at once? I realized now why Emily asked all those non-sequitur questions the other day. I couldn’t say that I wasn’t curious, but I had no thoughts of marrying again.
However, here was a man who had waited for me since we were in our twenties. Though this wasn’t a part of the what-to-do-before-I-die plan, I wanted the companionship and I wanted to make Harry happy. With members of both families looking on, there was no other answer I could give other than, “Could there be a more fortunate woman on earth than me?”
“Hot damn, I take that as a yes. The wedding is on!” Harry yelled to everyone’s cheers. “Jane.” Harry went into his duke mode. “There’s a hairdresser waiting at your parents’ home. Take your grandmother and don’t let her out of your sight until she is at the altar with me.” I liked seeing the joy on Harry’s face.
“Yes, Your Grace.” Jane greeted Harry with a grin.
“I always knew you’d end up as my granddaughter, one way or another.” Harry never forgot the girl who stole his heart so many years ago.
“Welcome to the family, Grandfather.” Laney leaned in to kiss his cheek.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, Delilah?”
“Did Gigi’s prince finally come for her? Is she going to be the beautiful princess who marries her prince? Is Gigi going to wear a white wedding dress and will there be wedding bells chiming?”
“Yes, my baby girl. Gigi’s prince has come…again…” Laney snuggled her daughter.
“Hurray!” she clapped. “And they lived happily ever after!” Delilah Rose Taylor declared.
*******
Harry
It was done! She was mine! After waiting this long, Estelle Cowper was finally Estelle Bennington. Only the Man Upstairs knew how much time we had with one another; I would live each day as though it was our last. Loving her, cherishing her, making her forget she even had two other husbands—those were my goals.
“Congratulations, Grandfather. Your dream has finally come true.”
“It was a long wait, but I was fortunate enough to marry the woman I’ve always loved. Don’t be like me, Michael. Grab Chloe while she’s available and marry her. Tell her how much you love her and make her yours.”
“I’m trying, Grandfather. She’s not quite there yet, but we will marry. I promise you, we will.”
“The pastor is still here. You and Chloe can have your ceremony now.”
Michael chuckled. “I don’t want to steal your thunder, Grandfather, and I don’t think Chloe will agree. When the time is right, I promise to make you proud. We’ll even present you with a great-grandchild you so desire.”
“Now that I have Estelle, that’s my very last wish, Michael. If you can add one more g
reat-grandchild to this family, I couldn’t ask for anything else.”
“I will do my best.” My grandson agreed.
“Father,” Estelle’s sons were waving me over.
“We’ll talk later, Grandfather,” Michael said with mirth.
“How are you feeling now that you’ve captured our mother’s heart?” Henry asked.
“It’s been a long wait, but I’m sure it’ll be worth every one of the seventy years.” David added.
“Are you ready for the big show?” I gave my consent to Henry, and he headed for the microphone.
“Family!” Henry called. “Can we all gather and sit. The groom has a few words he’d like to say.” Henry waited for everyone to follow his request. “Never did I think a son would live to see his mother marry twice.” Everyone chuckled while my glorious bride blushed. “When I first met Harry, he was a cantankerous man who did everything he could to make my daughter a Bennington. Obviously, that wasn’t meant to be, but instead, he gave my mother his name.” Thank God she finally gave into my request. “Just about now, I’m wondering what my fathers, Jerry Reid, and Roland Ascot are thinking about this wedding day.” I didn’t give a damn. Actually, I wished they were alive to see this day! “We, as a family, welcome the Benningtons and are happy to finally be united with them.”
My newest “son” was taking too long with his speech. I decided to go up and start my own. “This wedding was seven decades in the making.” I spoke to my beautiful bride. “Estelle, you were and still are worth the wait. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to tell you that I love you.”
All the women in the audience sighed, content with our newfound happiness.
“Estelle’s five sons told me about the Reid family tradition started by my once-nemesis, Jerry Reid. While he gave his bride a paltry pearl necklace, Henry did his bride an even greater injustice by handing out a blue garter.” All the ladies vocally agreed. “Jake brought up the standard and designated diamonds as his choice of jewel and his bride received earrings. Donovan stepped it up again and gifted his bride a tiara. Max and Nick, the students of the bunch, had to be creative and upped the ‘diamond’ count in quantity and sentimental quality.” I had to hand it to Jerry, he had created some memorable traditions for his family. “Now I was told that Roland, only a Baron in title, brought the Ascot family treasures when he married Estelle. My bride’s sons asked how I would top a chest full of jewels. They obviously have never dealt with a duke; I came prepared.”
The collective gasp was worth opening the Bennington coffer. But before the other ladies received their gifts, my bride came first.
“My love, for you, I’d give you everything, including my life. Since I’d like to at least spend a night with you, I’ll hold back on my life and give you this instead.” I gave my bride the gift I’d been holding since my second proposal in Fife. “I had this specially made for you when I first thought you’d be my duchess. It’s been with me for seven decades. I knew if I held onto it long enough, I’d one day be able to place it around your neck.” This was a long time coming, but it was finally here.
“Thank you, Harry. You have a way of making me speechless.” She graciously accepted the diamond eternity necklace.
“For the rest of you ladies, I know you’re wondering how I’m going to top Roland’s gifts. Rather than one measly chest, I brought three chests full of Bennington treasures.” The collective joy was deafening. “Come on up and enjoy, Ladies. All that I have is yours.”
This was happiness. This was love. This was the Reid-Bennington family.
I was thankful to be alive to experience such pleasures.
Estelle. Harry.
(Present Day)
Estelle
“Did you really have this necklace made for me seventy years ago?”
“Did you think I was lying?” Harry questioned with a chuckle. “When we first met and I’d decided you’d be my duchess, I drew a picture of the diamond eternity necklace and sent word to our family jeweler to make it to my specifications.”
“Harrry! That must have cost a small fortune.”
“Did you not take a good look at the size of each diamond? It cost a large fortune!” I loved his cantankerous ways. Deep inside, he was a softy—especially where I was concerned. “The cost didn’t matter. I wanted the best for you. Not only did I not get you as a bride that fateful night in Fife, but I also lost the chance to gift this to you.”
“How did you hold onto this for so long?”
“I kept it in the safe for seventy years. There were times when I thought about giving it to my son when he and Lizzie decided to marry. Then, I thought about gifting it to any one of my three grandchildren. Somehow, I knew if I kept it long enough, I’d be able to place it around your neck, my duchess.”
“You are an absolute romantic, Harry. I hope when you married the first time, you were as good to your first wife as you are to me.”
Harry didn’t answer, but I knew what an honorable man he was. I knew he wouldn’t purposely hurt any woman.
“So, who won in this battle of stories?” he asked.
“Didn’t I just prove that I won?” I knew he wouldn’t go for that suggestion.
“I don’t think so, Woman.” How did I know Harry wouldn’t budge?
“How about we call it a tie and head to Fife. What a spectacular place for a wedding and how apropos for us to return to the place where we began.”
“I think the family’s waited long enough. Shall we?”
“We shall, Harry. I look forward to spending time in Fife as husband and wife.”
*******
Estelle
“How does it feel to be back at the scene of crime, Gram?”
“I have to say, Emily, it feels odd. Seven decades later, I still feel like that same young girl. For some reason, I don’t feel any older.”
“Gram, you are young at heart, that’s why. It’s a blessing that you and Grandpa Harry can freely travel at your ages. I hope Jake and I will be as blessed.”
“Why don’t we go see how the bride is doing?” Emily and I walked into Chloe’s room just before the wedding was to begin.
What I saw didn’t surprise me. Chloe was stunning!
“Gigi! Look at me! Don’t I look bootiful?”
“My sweet Lilah, you look like a princess.”
“I know!” she answered with a silly grin. “Chloe looks pretty, too.” Lilah spoke as if Chloe was an afterthought.
“She sure does. She’s gorgeous.”
“Are you nervous?” Emily asked.
“A little? I suppose it’s silly considering I’ve known the groom all my life, but it is a little nerve-wracking to know I’ll be spending the rest of my life with this same friend. I’ve wanted this for so long.” She thought about it some more and eventually said, “It’s all wonderful. I can’t wait for our forever to begin. Sorry, I’m rambling, huh?”
“There’s no need to be nervous, Chloe. Michael has been ready to marry you for a while now. We’re all thrilled this day has come. The fact that your wedding day is on Christmas and your birthday only makes this occasion even more festive.”
“Thank you, Gram. I can’t believe Michael planned all this. I feel so loved.”
“You are loved, Chloe—by everyone.” I reassured. “I see that your grandfather is here to give you your wedding gift.”
Harry walked into a room full of women. He stopped, stared at his soon-to-be granddaughter and had tears in his eyes. “This is thirty-six years in the making, Chloe. Finally, you two are together.”
“I’m sorry it’s taken us this long to get our acts together, Grandfather. After this day, Michael and I will bring you nothing but happiness.”
My husband walked over and gave her a hug. “Before you get married, I wanted to give you this watch that my grandfather gifted my bride and me. Michael has mine, and you will have your late grandmother’s. Hold onto it and hand it dow
n to your future granddaughter-in-law.”
“I will, Grandfather. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
We heard a knock on the door and it was Elizabeth who poked her head in and said, “Um, the natives are getting restless.”
“I guess it’s time!” Chloe’s mother announced. “Let me help you get down the stairs, Chloe. Your dad will be waiting for you at the bottom.”
*******
Harry
“How do you feel?” my wife asked.
“Like I can finally die in peace. I feared passing without seeing Michael married. Now that I’ve received my two greatest wishes, my life feels complete. All that I’ve wanted to accomplish in life is done.”
“I’m happy for you, Harry, but don’t think about going anywhere any time soon. We have a slew of great-grandchildren coming into this world starting this summer.”
“I can’t wait, Estelle. This summer is going to bring even more joy and chaos to the cul-de-sac.”
“Don’t I know it, Harry. It’ll be that much better because you’re there with us.”
“Shall we stay at the castle a little longer after the wedding is over?”
“I’d love that, Harry.”
“Do you think we can take a trip into Paris? Are you up for that? I believed you and I would live there for a few years while you studied.”
“Michael mentioned taking Chloe there for their honeymoon. Do you think we’ll bother them?”
“Nonsense. I have two apartments. They won’t even know we’re there.”
“How about we stay at Roland’s so we don’t bother the honeymooners?”
I thought about what she said but couldn’t agree. “No. I want you to be in the Bennington home. I want to show you the place I always believed would be our first home away from home.”
“All right, Harry. Why don’t we see if anyone else would like to join us? They can stay at Roland’s.”
Jake, Jane, Nick and Laney’s families all decided to hop over to Paris with us. It was not our intention to bother the newlyweds. I wanted to spend time with my bride in Paris, the other four families wanted to show their children the sites, but mostly, our grandchildren were worried about us. At our advanced ages, they didn’t want us traipsing through Europe alone. Without crowding us, each couple took turns keeping a keen eye on their old grandparents.