For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

  On her way down the second floor hall to Vannie’s room to retrieve the broken frame, Aggie stepped on something that sent a sharp pain through her foot. She reached down to pick it up, carrying it with her on her errand. How she would later wish that she had tossed it in the bathroom wastebasket just a few feet from where she stepped on it.

  Mibs says: Libby? Are you there?

  Libby says: Hello, home-school aunt of the week!

  Aggie says: There, I changed my name. I think home-school flop of the week is more like it.

  Libby says: You’re too hard on yourself. My Luke says you’re doing a wonderful job.

  Aggie says: I think he’s a bit biased, but right now, I can take all the support I’m offered.

  Libby says: I understand you and he had quite the conversation the other night. My Luke saved it.

  Aggie says: Oh, I wish I had thought of that. It might be nice to read them again later. Especially if… well, you know.

  Libby says: I think that was his thought as well.

  Aggie says: I dinged him and asked for a copy, but it says he’s offline. At least now, he’ll get it when he’s on. It’s odd though, he’s always on at this time.

  Libby says: That’s because he’s here fixing my garbage disposal. One of Olivia’s girls dropped a quarter in it and now it’s all seized up.

  Aggie says: Well then, maybe I can ask him about the conversation when he’s done.

  Aggie says: Did he tell you what he did today?

  Libby says: Oh, tell me all about that!

  Aggie says: Well, I woke up to excited girls, a beautifully wrapped package, and an unusual bowl-vase of flowers from him.

  Libby says: Not to brag on my boy or to give away secrets, but I know my Luke went to a lot of trouble with those flowers. He called every florist and gardener we know to get just the right colors and species. Some were very difficult to find, and I think one of them is actually silk.

  Aggie says: I’ll bet it’s the mignonette. That’s probably why it didn’t look quite like the book.

  Libby says: You’re probably right. So how did he deliver them? He didn’t tell me, but it seemed like he had something up his sleeve.

  Aggie says: I don’t know. Let me run see if Vannie is still awake. BRB.

  Libby says: All right.

  Aggie says: Back. I think HE delivered them. Incognito.

  Libby says: Why do you say that?

  Aggie says: Vannie says that a man with a gray mustache and gray hair, wearing a t-shirt that read, “ELSS DELIVERY SERVICE” on it. She said she remembers the letters because she wondered what an “elss” was. Those are his initials, right?

  Libby says: Oh, you’re right. That must have been him! He can be so clever about these things. He has a sense of humor that most people tend not to expect, but when he’s among friends, he loves his practical jokes.

  Aggie says: I’m learning that about him.

  Libby says: May I put on my over-protective mother hat?

  Aggie says: Of course!

  Libby says: I know you’re in a bit of an awkward position, and I don’t want to be insensitive to that, but I’m watching my son and am concerned for him.

  Aggie says: Concerned?

  Aggie says: Libby, you don’t approve?

  Libby says: Of course, I do! I love you and your family very dearly. I hope you know that.

  Aggie says: I do. I just wasn’t sure if that translated to you being ok with Luke and me as something more than we are now.

  Aggie says: That was an awkward sentence to write.

  Libby says: It was actually very well worded. No, I am concerned for my Luke because of how he’s reacting to this whole situation. He loves you--more than you know, I think. I’ve never seen him so happy and so sorrowful. He concerns himself so much with your feelings that I worry he’ll forget to guard his heart adequately.

  Aggie says: That’s perfectly understandable. Any mother would be concerned.

  Libby says: Please just remember he has put his heart on the line for you if you decide he isn’t the man for you.

  Libby says: Now, if that isn’t an awkwardly worded sentence!

  Aggie says: I understood it, though. Do you want me to let you in on a “secret?”

  Libby says: Absolutely. If you really want to share, that is.

  Aggie says: I don’t see that happening--the deciding he’s not for me thing. I just don’t see it happening. He’s already endeared himself to me in so many ways.

  Libby says: I’d hoped I wasn’t wrong in what I saw in you.

  Aggie says: Well, I didn’t know it until that awful day when William messed things up. Since then, I’ve noticed that I’m not exactly immune.

  Aggie says: Is it silly that I refuse to give him less than my whole heart?

  Libby says: I think that’s wise. You wouldn’t want to wonder if you “settled” for him.

  Aggie says: Well, that and he only asked me to CONSIDER it. He never asked if any of it was his. He just assumed…

  Libby says: That is so like a man--that combination of over confidence and insecurity is too funny sometimes.

  Libby says: Now, what else happened around your household today? I miss being there with you all.

  Aggie says: Well first, the girls woke me up with the flowers, so we looked them all up in the book he sent to find the meanings of each flower.

  Libby says: All? Who all was there?

  Aggie says: Vannie and Kenzie who woke me up, and then Ellie followed them back in with the flowers, and Tina arrived about the time we started looking them up.

  Libby says: Oh my! That could be a bit… awkward.

  Aggie says: Oh, it was, let me tell you. If I’d been awake, I think I would have saved the research for when they were otherwise occupied, but I’m kind of glad I wasn’t. It’s probably good for them to see what “real” romance looks like. Thus far they only have a few memories of their parents and Hollywood for examples.

  Libby says: That’s very insightful of you. So, what did they think of the flower language?

  Aggie says: I have starry-eyed girls who are going to upset the very delicate testosterone levels of this house.

  Aggie says: Oh, and then Kenzie said the funniest thing.

  Libby says: And are you going to share?

  Aggie says: Sorry, I dashed to refill my lemonade. See, when I read the list of all those very personal things, my stomach did that flip-flop thing you read about in books or hear about in movies, and I mentioned it.

  Libby says: Uh, oh. I think no one warned you that anything you say can and will be used against you by your children.

  Aggie says: LOL. Well, that’s about right. Kenzie piped up and asked if I wasn’t allergic to Luke. She strongly suggests allergy medicine.

  Libby says: Oh, now that is too precious. You need to put that in her scrapbook. May I show Luke?

  Aggie says: Sure. While you read, I’ll type out what happened with Lorna. Just tell me when to send it.

  Libby says: Excellent. BRB.

  Libby says: Ok, we’re ready for Lorna’s story. I should tell you, my Luke is sporting a lopsided grin. I think he is very pleased to hear you felt “funny” about him.

  Aggie says: Well, Lorna came to me after the whole flower thing and confessed that she broke something and hid it under Vannie’s bed so I wouldn’t find it. Can you imagine?

  Aggie says: I told the girls he would be pleased to hear that, but Kenzie didn’t believe me. Tell him not to get a big head.

  Libby says: I’m afraid he already has one.

  Libby says: That is one of the most adorable things I’ve heard in a long time. It needs to go in a scrapbook too. Print this conversation for reference so you don’t have to worry about trying to remember.

  Aggie says: That’s a good idea! Thanks.

  Libby says: Luke scrolled up to reread about your funny stomach again. I think he’s enjoying this.

  Aggie says: Well, this’ll take his mind off the sappiness. William
came by today.

  Libby says: Oh, how the face falls.

  Aggie says: *giggles* Anyway, I expected it to be a bit awkward. I haven’t seen him since I told him I wouldn’t marry him, and he didn’t leave in a very good mood.

  Libby says: Luke said that any man, even William, would be upset to find out they couldn’t marry Aggie.

  Aggie says: Mush by proxy. Only Luke…

  Libby says: Good one. He’s red.

  Aggie says: He deserves it. Anyway, he--William that is--showed up, and I went outside to talk to him. I thought it’d be easier not to have an audience. The minute I saw his face, I knew it was going to be as bad as or worse than I’d expected. It was hard not to get irritated.

  Libby says: I would have had trouble too.

  Aggie says: He just stood there looking all troubled and confused--awkward, you know? I mean, he looked at me like I had two heads, and I don’t think he said anything more coherent than “I…uh…er…um…”

  Libby says: That seems extreme.

  Aggie says: I know, right? Then a bug flew by my head, and I swatted at it. I hit my head instead. Um… yeah.

  Libby says: We’re lost over here.

  Aggie says: This morning when I was going down to get the broken glass cleaned up, I stepped on this gaudy glittery hair thing that Kenzie loves. I just picked it up and took it with me, but my hair got in the way while I was working under the bed, so I scooped it out of my face and held it together with that thing.

  Libby says: Oh, no. I bet that looked comical.

  Aggie says: Ya think? I just stood there thinking, “I am trying to get William to take me seriously, and I have a green glittery dragonfly perched on top of my messy hair!

  Libby says: Oh, no! LOL. What did you do?

  Aggie says: I tried the silly approach. I struck a modeling pose and asked how he liked the latest fashion among home-schoolers.

  Libby says: Mibs, this is Luke. I want to see you in that hair thing. It sounds quite adorable.

  Libby says: Sorry, Aggie. He took over while I was getting some ice water. Naughty boy. ;)

  Aggie says: Tell him to beware. I will have my revenge.

  Libby says: So how did the rest of the conversation go?

  Aggie says: Actually, I think we understand each other now. He thinks I’m nuts, of course, but then he always has.

  Libby says: That’s good. I’d hate to see a good friendship harmed over something, as misguided as it was, that was meant to be a good thing.

  Libby says: I think I need to turn in. I worked hard getting the garden ready for winter today. I’m worn out.

  Aggie says: Goodnight, Libby.

  Libby says: Luke wants to get on, so I’ll leave this open for him.

  Aggie says: Ok. Hi, Luke.

  Libby’s Luke says: There. At least it’s not Mom talking now.

  Aggie says: Very cute.

  Libby’s Luke says: Aw, gee, I didn’t know you cared.

  Aggie says: Goodnight, Luke.

  Libby’s Luke says: Goodnight, Mibs. Dream of lilacs and ranunculus.

  Celebrations

  Chapter 20

  Friday, October 10th

  The house bustled with excitement. The dining room table was loaded with gifts, the island had a large bakery cake as the focal point, and children ran around the backyard searching for hidden prizes. Two small rolling suitcases and an overnight case sat in the little entryway, waiting for them to be whisked away to the Rockland Towers for a night of fun.

  Martha Milliken sat on the couch in the living room chatting with Libby Sullivan about the children’s progress in school, the completed house renovations, and the budding romance between Aggie and Luke. Ron, with an ear to the conversation, was charged with protecting the cake from little marauding fingers. Aggie and Luke had disappeared into the basement over an hour earlier and still hadn’t reemerged to join the festivities.

  “Here come the troops. I think they’ve found the last prize! Where are Aggie and Luke, anyway?” Ron sounded impatient. “The dinner reservations are for six-thirty!” The man hurried outside to stop the invasion from entering the kitchen.

  “They’ll be up when they’re ready. Be patient, Ronnie!” Martha rolled her eyes at Libby. “He’s a typical man. Needs to keep the ball rolling.”

  Libby stood and moved toward the door. “Zeke and Martha are here. This’ll be interesting having two Martha’s in the house.”

  Aggie and Luke arrived upstairs looking very pleased with themselves and carrying a beautifully wrapped package. Martha frowned. “I know you didn’t wrap that, Aggie.”

  “Nope. I had Vannie wrap the box and lid separately so it was all ready to go the minute we needed it.”

  “Making her wrap her own birthday gift box. How cruel!”

  Zeke’s voice boomed as he entered the room. “That girl couldn’t be cruel if she tried. She’s just extending the anticipation.”

  “That girl could hang puppies from airplane propellers and you’d find a reason that it was a blessing for the pups,” Martha Sullivan teased. “Zeke is just a bit too fond of Aggie.”

  Aggie handed Luke the box and gestured for him to add it to the table while she hugged her favorite farmer. “I love him too.”

  “I’d be jealous if he wasn’t already married.” Luke sounded wounded, but the grin on his face proved he was teasing.

  “And if I was fifty years younger and didn’t already have the love of my life, I’d give you a run for your money, son.”

  Shaking her head, Aggie rolled her eyes. “You’re both silly.” A glance out the window brought a new smile to her face--one that Luke visibly did not like. “William is here!” She hurried outside to greet him, leaving a room of bemused spectators in her wake. Luke went to call the children back in so that Vannie could open her presents, ignoring the sympathetic glances from everyone else.

  William greeted each of the other guests cordially, but with the natural reserve that characterized the officer. Luke nodded as he returned with Ian in one arm and Lorna in the other. “Hey, William. Can I get you something to drink?”

  The awkwardness that had tried to develop dissipated with a simple offer of refreshment. The room erupted in spontaneous conversation as Aggie led Vannie to the dining room table. “You can open your gifts here, or on the floor in the living room.”

  “I’ll take them in so Grandma Millie doesn’t have to get up.”

  For quite a while, Vannie opened gift after gift, many sent by Geraldine Stuart. The girl seemed pleased with everything but also a bit overwhelmed. The last gift made her smile. “I’ve never wrapped my own present before, and I still don’t know what it is!” She lifted the lid of the box and flushed. “Oh, Aunt Aggie!”

  “Well, show us what has you in a dither!” Zeke’s excitement was infectious.

  “I don’t deserve it! Not after--”

  “I think I know what you’re ready to have and what you aren’t.”

  Vannie shoved the laptop into her brother’s hands and scrambled across her siblings, flinging herself into Aggie’s arms. “I felt so bad. I was sure you couldn’t trust me anymore! Thank you!”

  “Luke set it up…”

  The girl dodged a few more feet and wrapped her arms around the man she expected to call Uncle before another year passed. “Luke, you’re the best. Thanks.”

  “Let’s eat cake. The girls need to get on the road!” Ron was back in schedule mode.

  Aggie lit the candles, waited for Vannie to blow them out, and then cut a generous piece of cake, sliding it into a plastic container. “Ok, we have our cake, the gifts are unwrapped, so I guess it’s time to go. Laird and Tavish,” Aggie waited for the boys to meet her gaze. “Please take all the gifts up to Vannie’s room and put them on her bed. Lock the door behind you. We’ll be home tomorrow night.”

  Luke grabbed the bags and carried them to the Milliken’s sedan. After stowing them in the trunk, he opened the door for Vannie with a flourish. “Have a wonderful
time, Vannie. Make delightful memories.”

  The girl squeezed him in a bear hug. “I love you, Luke,” she whispered.

  With a secretive smile on his face, he winked at Aggie and murmured into Vannie’s ear, “Now see what you can do to influence your aunt to feel the same way, ok?” He waited for her to pull her legs into the car before he pushed the door shut behind her.

  Aggie, lost in the scene before her, snapped out of her reverie and hurried to climb into the car, but Luke’s voice stopped her. “Wait.” She spun in place, nearly causing Luke to slam into her. “Let a guy be a gentleman, wouldja?” He grabbed her arms to steady her. “Have fun, Mibs.”

  “Why do I feel like I’m leaving for months?”

  “I could say some sappy thing about how every second we’re apart seems like an hour, but I think--” He winced exaggeratedly as she gave him a mock head slap. “--you might slap me for that,” he finished.

  “Say goodnight, Luke. I’ll get on the messenger if I can’t sleep.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Saturday, October 11th

  After a night of dinner at The Oakes, a romantic comedy at the cinema, and late night confidences until Vannie fell asleep mid-sentence, the girls woke up ready to take on the city. “How about room service for breakfast?”

  Vannie giggled, bouncing on her bed. “Oh, that’ll be fun. Mommy always said we’d do that, but we never had a chance.” The words that would have sparked a sob fest just a few short months earlier brought tears but without the overwhelming grief that once accompanied them.

  “I know that if Allie said she was going to do it, she had every intention of it. Allie never made a promise that she wouldn’t keep.”

  “Aunt Aggie?” Vannie’s voice was so quiet that Aggie almost didn’t hear her as she dug through the drawer for the menu.

  “Hmm?”

  “Is it selfish that I’m glad I get to spend today with just you?”

  Aggie scrambled across her bed, menu in hand, and onto Vannie’s. She wrapped her arms around the girl and squeezed. “Not at all. Maybe if you expected to spend every day only with me… that’d be flattering, but selfish. I’m just glad we have people who love us and are willing to help us so I can do things like this. I’d always planned to have girl nights with you when you got old enough, but with your grandmother, we had to be careful or she’d expect to do things too. You wouldn’t believe the hilarious lengths Allie and I planned to make it happen when you were old enough to be trusted not to tell.”