| |
TEN YEARS LATER
––––––––
“BENJAMIN JAMES LENNOX! Give that back right this instant!” A little girl with red pigtails stomped her feet as she stared up into the tall oak tree where Owen’s son sat grinning like a fool.
“Just like his father, I see.” Lily smirked, her arm weaved with his. They continued to approach the children with their littlest one in tow—Miss Edwina Lennox.
“Papa, I want to climb a tree, too.”
“When you’re older, poppet.” He hoisted his daughter higher on his hip and basked in the warmth of his family’s presence. After Laramie’s demise all those years ago, the estate righted itself, running smoothly again, and allowing him to realize he was doing as well as his father would expect. Peaks and valleys were a constant in life, and he’d been a fool to think otherwise. To think his marriage to Lily affected it negatively.
“Ben, why are you torturing poor Miss Helen?” he asked from underneath the boy. Auburn hair like his father’s, he was the spitting image of a young Owen while Edwina matched her mother in every way—including her feisty temperament.
“Because it’s fun.” The boy shrugged. Helen and Ben reminded him of Lily and he when they were younger, and he recognized a boyhood crush when he saw one.
“It’s not polite to steal from your friends, Benjamin James!” Helen propped tiny fists on her hips and glared upward, not allowing the boy’s sass to stand.
“She’s right, dear. Come down and return whatever you’ve taken. Then both of you can join us for a picnic.” Lily proffered the basket in her hand. Sufficiently enticed by the lure of food, Ben crawled down before handing over the red ribbon tied around his wrist.
“Here you go, Helen. You know I was just messing around.”
The girl tipped her nose up haughtily as if she wouldn’t forgive the lad, until she tapped the side of his arm yelling, “You’re it!” and took off at a run.
“Does this mean they won’t be joining us?” Lily asked, shaking her head at their antics.
“More for us.” He winked, bending to kiss her cheek. Edwina climbed higher for a kiss, too, which he happily obliged. “Now, shall we dine? Wouldn’t want my two favorite girls to starve.”
Giggling, both of his loves agreed, and they found a shady spot under the recently vacated tree, animated chatter erupting amongst them.
He adored his life. Whatever hardships befell him in his youth, it was all worth it for this—a loving wife and two exuberant children.
He wouldn’t have had it any other way.
THE END