Beach Rose Path, page 19
Twenty minutes later Hamish found himself sitting in front of Tatiana’s home.
Feeling as if his heart was ready to beat out of his chest, Hamish rang the doorbell. Several minutes passed and no one answered.
Damned. No one must be home, he thought.
He pushed the doorbell again, harder, as if his forcefulness would bring someone to answer the door.
“Coming!” He heard Tatiana’s voice on the other side of the door. When it was flung open, Hamish felt she was even more beautiful than when he last saw her. Her blonde hair was hanging loosely around her shoulders and she held a protective arm over her belly.
“Hamish! My God, what are you doing here?”
She threw her arms around his neck, as the scent of a clean ocean breeze filled his nostrils. That scent brought him immediately back to so many months ago to the night that now put them in this situation.
“Come in.” She took Hamish’s hand, again, so soft and comforting, and led him into her living room.
“I’m sorry, Hamish, but you were the last person I expected to see on the other side of the door. I presume you received my letter.”
Tatiana sat down next to Hamish. He trembled at her nearness, and could not keep his eyes from her belly, knowing that the baby they created was soon to be born.
“Tati, you should have told me sooner,” was all he could say. Her smile lit up her beautiful face, and Hamish felt his heart skip a beat.
“Would it have changed anything, Hamish? I knew full well that night that you were a taken man. I knew that. And as I said to you then, that night would be enough for me. We had to go our separate ways, back to our lives, and what we had that night I would never forget. And then, when I realized I was pregnant, I knew that I could not give this special child what it needs—a home with two parents who could take care of him or her. That was not a difficult decision for me, Hamish. What was difficult was whether or not I should tell you.”
Tatiana sighed heavily, and Hamish felt it was a great weight lifted from her in letting him know how she felt.
Hamish took both of Tatiana’s hands into his own, and brought them to his lips where he placed a gentle kiss.
“I knew you were an amazing woman, Tati. What you are proposing is completely selfless. I am not surprised that you put the welfare of this child before your own. And that’s what I want to talk to you about.”
“The decision has been made, Hamish. The adoption agency is one of the most reputable in the country, and I have the utmost trust that the baby will be placed in a wonderful home.”
Hamish felt Tatiana’s grip loosen from his hands, as she pulled them away. She rested both her arms on her burgeoning belly.
“I have no doubt about that, Tati. But I believe there is another option. Can you hear me out?”
Tatiana once again took hold of Hamish’s hands and smiled.
“I will hear you, Hamish,” she whispered.
And then Hamish began his story.
“My wife, Hannah, well, it’s been difficult for her to conceive for some reason. There doesn’t seem to be any medical explanation for it, but well, it’s just not happening, and this has sent her into a depressive state of sorts.”
Hamish could barely believe the words of his and Hannah’s situation were actually coming from his mouth, but with Tatiana, he knew he could tell her everything, honestly and openly.
“Well, we thought she’d be expecting by now, but she’s not. Anyway, what I am trying to say is, Tati, let me and Hannah adopt the baby.”
“Hamish!” Tatiana stood and walked over toward the bay window in her living room. Large lilac bushes ensconced the front and when she opened the window, their beautiful scent flooded the room. He watched as Tatiana, her back to him, looked out the window. He then heard quiet sobs and watched her shoulders shake from crying.
“Tati,” he whispered, gently caressing her trembling shoulders. She turned toward him, tears falling from her beautiful blue eyes, as she buried her face into his neck and wrapped her arms around him.
“I am trying to be brave, Hamish,” she said, quietly pulling back and gazing up into his own eyes. “I put on a brave and confident face for my parents, assuring them that I am fine with my decision. And I am, but sometimes, I am terrified by it. I don’t think I can explain, but if or when the day comes when our baby discovers he or she is adopted, I don’t want them to think that I just casually made a decision not to keep him or her. I didn’t! I love this baby so much and I want nothing more for her or him to have a beautiful life. The thought of knowing I will never see this child have the life that I want is unbearable. Oh, Hamish, I know my emotions are all over the place, and I don’t expect you to understand…”
“Oh, Tati,” Hamish whispered, pulling her back into his arms.
“You are so brave. So strong, I wish I could have helped you before this. But when I read your letter, I thought the same thing—how can I let my child be raised by strangers, as loving and caring as they will be? This is our child, Tati. Ours. I can provide for our child, Tati. Hannah and I will adopt the baby, and you will never, ever have to worry about the child’s welfare. Never.”
Hamish gently caressed Tati’s tear-stained face, and saw what he thought was a glimmer of hope in her blue eyes.
“How could this be possible, Hamish?” she whispered. She reached up and stroked his cheek, the softness of her hand on his face, shattering his heart. “Your wife. What would you tell her?”
Hamish pulled Tatiana back to the couch and they sat down.
“On the drive up here, I’ve had time to think about it, and a million different scenarios ran through my head, but I would simply tell her that a daughter of friend of Rory’s fell pregnant. The family wants to keep it as private as possible, that they don’t trust adoption agencies, and that they would want to see the baby with someone they knew. I know it sounds convoluted, but Hannah is in such a state, I know that she wouldn’t question anything—she’d only want to help, and if meant bringing a baby into her life, then, she would agree.”
Tatiana took her hands from Hamish and clasped them in her lap. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. When she opened them, she looked at Hamish, registering no emotion at all.
“Yes, Hamish. I want the baby with its father. But there is to be a condition, Hamish.”
“Anything, Tati. Anything.”
“When the baby is born, please be here. And also please make sure that I am able to see the baby. I’ve heard that mothers who are giving up their children for adoption are not allowed to see their babies, but I want to see ours. Even if it is just once for a few moments. That’s all I ask.”
“I promise, Tati,” murmured Hamish, taking Tatiana into his arms again.
Three weeks later, on Memorial Day weekend, Tatiana gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She was perfect in every way. Hamish hired a family lawyer who took care of all the legalities for a private adoption.
Hamish and Hannah drove to Maine as soon as they got word Tatiana was in labor. Hannah was beyond delighted and could not wait to hold their baby. As Hamish suspected, Hannah questioned nothing. She was thrilled with the simple fact that she was going to be a mother, and that was all that mattered to her.
When they arrived at the hospital, the lawyer took Hamish and Hannah into a conference room where papers were signed and notarized, making baby Annabelle Hannah Falconer their legal daughter.
“The baby is healthy and will be ready to go home with you tomorrow. Mrs. Falconer, the nurse outside this room will show you to the nursery to see the baby, but Mr. Falconer, I will need a word with you privately,” said the lawyer as he placed all the legal documents into his briefcase.
“Of course. I’ll come back here right after I bring Hannah to the nursery.”
“Oh, Hamish,” Violet whispered, grabbing on to her husband’s arm. “It’s a dream come true. We have a baby!”
“Oh, Hannah, we do,” he said quietly, wiping the tears of joy from his wife’s eyes.
“I cannot wait to see her.”
They walked to the nursery and looked in the large window where several newborns were swaddled inside of bassinets. And then they saw the bassinet marked Baby Girl Falconer.
“My God, Hamish, there she is. She’s perfect, Hamish. Just perfect.”
Hamish wrapped his arms around his wife and gazed at the beautiful little girl who was the exact replica of her mother, already with golden yellow hair, like newly grown wheat, on top of her pink head, with a tiny button nose and lips as pink as early blooming roses. Hamish knew her looks would change as she grew, but right now, when he looked at his daughter, he was looking at Tati.
“Hannah, you stay here. Let me go finish up with the lawyer.” He kissed her on the forehead and chuckled as Hannah couldn’t take her eyes from the little baby on the other side of the nursery window.
“You needed to see me, Mr. Bradford?” Hamish closed the door to the conference room quietly, where the lawyer was buckling his briefcase.
“Everything is all set, Mr. Falconer. I just wanted to let you know that the child’s mother requested to see you. I said, of course, I’d leave that up to you and it’s totally your decision.”
“I would like to see her, Mr. Bradford.”
“She’s in room 527. As everything is complete, I’ll be leaving you now. I won’t be needed tomorrow when you bring the baby home. I wish you and your wife the best of luck. I will send all documentation to you for your own records, but if you do happen to need me, please contact me.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bradford, for everything,” Hamish said, extending his hand to the lawyer, who kept everything professional and most importantly, private.
The lawyer left and Hamish took a deep breath as he pushed the elevator button to the fifth floor.
The maternity nurse escorted him to room 527. Tatiana lay in a hospital bed, a radiant look on her face, sleeping soundly. He didn’t want to disturb her, but her eyes fluttered opened, as if she knew he was here.
“Hamish,” she whispered. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Aye, Tati. Even more beautiful than you,” he laughed and saw that incredible smile light up her fatigued face.
“What does your wife think?” she asked tiredly.
“Well, she’s no longer in love with me, as that little girl has won her heart right over.”
Tatiana laughed. “I’m so happy, Hamish. I know our daughter will have a wonderful life.”
Tatiana reached a hand toward Hamish, who took it, and again, pressed it to his lips.
“I can’t thank you, Tati, for giving me and Hannah the best gift we could ever ask for. You’ll never have to worry about her. Never.”
“Goodbye, my Hamish,” she whispered, and then closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Hamish stood over the sleeping Tatiana. His heart swelled with love for her. If it were not for that one fateful night, there would be no Annabelle, and no daughter for him or Hannah.
Hamish bent down and gently kissed Tatiana on the forehead and he swore he could smell the scent of that August evening on the shore at Sea Star Lighthouse.
“Goodbye, Tati,” he whispered as he gazed upon her exquisite sleeping face for one last time.
The years passed swiftly and Hamish was now a man in his 70s. As he watched the colors of the sunset over Sea Star Lighthouse transform from light to dark lavender, pink to scarlet, and coral to dark orange, Hamish Falconer, after all these decades, was ready to see the mother of his daughter, Annabelle. Tatiana Dulka. He hoped she would be ready to see him, too.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Charlotte decided that she would let Duncan be the first to speak. After all, it was his letter. She knew she was being childish, but she didn’t care as envy consumed her and shrouded any common sense. The letter was romantic, sad, and was imploring for forgiveness. Duncan had the letter for over a week, and then he had a trip to Boston to “tie up loose ends.” Did this include seeing her as well? Charlotte wanted to interrogate Duncan, but not until he spoke first.
“It’s nothing, Charlotte, if you would let me explain,” said Duncan. They were walking along the shoreline, the sun sinking lower in the sky as the bright light of Sea Star Lighthouse flashed from the lantern room.
“You can explain, Duncan,” Charlotte said curtly. “The floor’s been all yours, or the beach, I should say.” She watched as Lovey darted in and out of the calm surf, trying to catch those forever unattainable white caps.
“I can explain, Charlotte, but will you believe me?”
“Oh, so this is how it’s going to be? It’s on me to believe you? Duncan, that letter was heart rendering. It was from your fiancée begging for forgiveness. Didn’t this touch you somehow? Didn’t it dredge up old feelings for her?” She knew she was triggering an argument, but if that’s what it took to get the truth out of him, then so be it. It was very uncharacteristic of her to act like this, but then again, she had almost forgotten what it was like to love someone and feel the sharp pangs of jealousy.
Soften up, Charlotte. Don’t be like this. Let him explain, she reprimanded herself as she turned to face him. You shouldn’t have read it anyway. His salt and pepper hair waved gently in the evening breeze, his usually bright hazel eyes looking dark and somber in the dimming evening. He was wearing his leather bomber jacket, and Charlotte longed for him to wrap his arms around her so she could feel the comfort of the buttery softness of the leather enveloping her body. Disappointment flooded her as Duncan made no such move.
“I’m not going to argue with you, Charlotte,” Duncan said, reaching his hand to Charlotte’s shoulder. She felt his tender squeeze making some of her hurt melt away.
“And that’s former fiancée, by the way,” he chuckled.
Charlotte put her hand over his, clasping it tightly.
“I don’t want to argue, either, Duncan, and I’m sorry,” she whispered. “And I should not have read the letter…”
Duncan laughed, now wrapping those bomber jacket covered arms about her, and she felt herself melt into him.
“The letter,” he whispered into her hair. Charlotte slowly pulled away, as she detected a hint of amusement in his voice.
“C’mon, let’s sit,” he said, guiding her to one of the Adirondack chairs further down on the beach.
“In all honesty, Charlotte, I barely looked at the letter. I only opened it because I was shocked that it even found its way up here, and I will admit I was curious about what she had to say. Melinda did her due diligence in digging up where I am, obviously. I blocked all her calls and texts, and well, short of driving up here herself, which she wouldn’t be bothered doing, she wrote me a letter. A very unconvincing one, at that.”
Duncan reached over the wide arm of the bright green Adirondack chair Charlotte was sitting in and took her hand. Lovey edged in next to him and gently nosed his other hand, and he began patting her soft blonde head.
“I’m not going to lie, Charlotte. I didn’t know if I was over her or not when I first got up here. I spent many sleepless nights trying to decide if I should go back to Boston and to Melinda. And I almost did. I was ready to hightail it back to Boston in May when I lost my electricity in a storm. And then I stopped in Elsie’s and this woman, her gorgeous wavy chestnut hair flying wildly in the sea breeze asking Elsie for God knows what. I watched you follow Elsie up and down the store. You seemed so distressed, but still in control—you needed to get something done and nothing was going to stop you. And nothing was going to stop me from helping you, so I paid, hoping that I would see those big brown eyes again soon. You left, and I headed right back to my powerless home. And then I come to find out you were helping this little lady,” he said, lovingly petting Lovey.
“Melinda never would have done anything like that. You knocked me right back to my senses, and I never looked back. Whether it was luck, fate, call it whatever you want… and then, when I saw you in my sister’s office, I knew I had to get to know you. You are everything Melinda is not—you’re kind, caring, with a beautiful spirit, and I knew I wanted to know you more. This summer has been incredible with you, Charlotte. I went to Boston to sell my part of the company to the other co-owners, finalized the sale on my condo, which I’m putting into the boat and the business. I know I’m rambling, but….”
Charlotte leaned over the chair and kissed Duncan intensely, stopping his sincere words, as they tugged at her own heart.
“Duncan,” Charlotte softly whispered, “I’m sorry I doubted you. I’m so sorry.” She suddenly felt ashamed and embarrassed by her ridiculous jealousy.
“Charlotte, don’t apologize. If I found a letter like that from an old boyfriend of yours, I would have acted the same way. Maybe worse,” Duncan laughed. Charlotte felt his calloused hands cup her face as he kissed her once more.
“Besides, there was one other thing I needed to do in Boston,” he said.
“What’s that?” Charlotte smiled looking at Duncan as a very sly grin appeared on his weather-beaten face.
“This.” He reached inside of his leather jacket and pulled out a rectangular velvet box tied with a bright green ribbon.
“I hope you like it,” he said, handing the box to Charlotte.
“David Charles!” exclaimed Charlotte in absolute surprise, running her finger over the jeweler’s name on the embroidered ribbon. She knew the jeweler was not only famous in Boston, but world-wide as well.
“Only the best for the best,” he said. “Open it.”
Charlotte’s hands wobbled as she slowly untied the ribbon. She opened the box, and gasped at what she saw inside.
“Oh, Duncan,” was all she could say, as the sterling silver bracelet lit up the darkening evening. It was a chain-link charm bracelet, with three charms attached—a lobster, the silhouette of a Labrador retriever’s profile, and a lighthouse. Charlotte lifted the elegant piece of jewelry as it shimmered in the sunset.
