Epilogue
EPILOGUE
S arah set the paintbrush down and stretched her back. She’d been working on this particular landscape for a few hours now and she was starting to lose her light.
She stood up and began to gather her paints.
“How’s it coming along?”
Sarah looked up to see her husband leaning on the doorjamb.
She smiled as warmth rushed through her body. “It’s going well. I’m a little rusty, but I think it’s not bad for my first time painting in years.”
Charles stepped into the room and strolled over to the painting, wrapping his arms around her waist. The two of them looked at the unfinished artwork in front of them.
“It’s the lake from the point of view from under the willow tree.”
Sarah nodded and smiled. “You were so relaxed that day. It is one of my favorite memories, well, until those boys showed up.”
Charles sighed into her hair. “Yes, well, boys have a habit of showing up when they’re not wanted.”
“Knock! Knock! Anyone in here?” A voice drifted in through the door that connected the study.
Sarah sighed as she leaned into her husband. “Your brother is still here?” She whispered.
Her husband planted a kiss on the top of her head. “Yes, but, he has good news.”
“Ah. There you are.” Eli’s voice was light and cheerful.
“Hello, Eli.” Sarah composed herself. She had come to adore Eli. Once you got past his devilish charm and somewhat selfish ways, he had a very good heart with intelligence and good humor to spare.
“Your brother tells me you have good news.” Sarah picked up her paint pots and put them on a tray.
Eli pouted. “Charles. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Charles did not find his raking charm amusing. “Get on with it. Sarah and I have things to attend to.”
Eli rolled his eyes. “Isn’t the honeymoon period over? My God man.”
Sarah laughed. “May I remind you both that this is a highly inappropriate conversation to have in the presence of a lady.”
Eli and Charles looked at each other.
“Well, when a lady shows up, we’ll stop. Won’t we Charles?” Eli quipped with a smirk.
Sarah guffawed and swatted at him. “Oh you! You’re incorrigible.” She eyed her husband. “You let him talk to your wife that way?”
Charles raised his hands in his defense. “I’ve learned the hard way that my wife is more than capable of holding her own and if she wants to give someone a proper dressing down, who am I to stand in her way?”
Sarah grinned and took her husband’s face in her hands. “And that’s why I love you.”
Eli gagged. “Enough. We’re talking about me, remember?”
Charles turned Sarah in his arms and once again wrapped his arms around her middle. “Go on, then.”
Eli cleared his throat. “I’ve decided to go back to London when Nora heads back.”
Sarah jumped out of Charles’s arms. “Oh how wonderful! Er um, for you!”
Eli pursed his lips and furrowed his brow. “By all means don’t hide how you truly feel.”
Her smile grew at his jest. “I’m sorry, you’re right. You will be missed. You bring a certain energy to this home.”
“Yes, one that we can do without for a while.” Charles muttered.
Sarah waved him off. “Pay no attention to your brother. Why this sudden change? I thought you were going to spend a few months with us while you sorted some things out.”
Eli’s head wavered back and forth. “Yes, but I find the country life just isn’t for me. I miss the hustle and bustle of the city.”
Sarah cast a doubtful look in her brother-in-law’s direction. “Hustle and bustle, huh?”
Eli scoffed in mock offense. “Are you insinuating I will go back to my nefarious ways?”
Sarah shook her head at his dramatic ways. “I said no such thing. We just want the best for you, that’s all. I just hope all the hustle and bustle isn’t too tempting for you.”
Eli’s features turned solemn for a moment. “If I’m honest, I can’t say that same thought hadn’t crossed my mind. However, call it insight, or maturity,” Eli ignored Charles’s snort, “but that way of life just doesn’t entertain me like it used to. Perhaps seeing how I misjudged you made me realize there are good women out there that deserve more than what I was giving them.” A mischievous smile crossed Eli’s face as he leaned in towards Sarah.
“After all, you are the one that got away due to my grave miscalculations.” He batted his eyes causing to Sarah to giggle.
Charles snarled and pulled his wife to his chest. “That’s enough. You had your chance, brother. She’s all mine now.”
Sarah reached around her husband and tightened her hold on him. “Sorry, Eli. I’m afraid your brother has captured my heart.”
“Hello?”
The three turned to see Nora stepping through the doorway.
“Here you all are. Mrs. Bates has been looking for you all. She wanted to let you know that dinner will be ready soon.”
Nora walked up to the painting Sarah was working on.
“Oh, Sarah, it’s gorgeous. I love the blur of the hanging branches in the foreground. You should definitely display this where people can see it.” Nora’s eyes soaked in the painting as Sarah walked over to a stack of paintings next to the doorway.
The other day her and Charles went through all the paintings in the room that were stacked against the wall. They picked out their favorites and had them hung around the house but there were a few that she held back.
“Nora? Charles and I were going through some of your mother’s paintings and we thought that perhaps you would like a few of them to take back to London with you. That way you’ll have a piece of her with you.”
Sarah looked up to see Nora standing with tears in her eyes. Sarah brought the painting of the lake to Nora.
The young girl gasped. “The lake?”
Sarah nodded. “You said that the lake was one of your favorite spots and,” she gestured to her own painting, “as you can see, as soon as I finish this one, we’ll have a painting of the lake. It was your mother’s favorite spot and one of yours. We’d love for you to have it.”
Nora handled the painting as if it were a fragile piece of glass.
“I don’t know what to say.” She held the painting to her chest. ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Her eyes were closed as she chanted the words.
Charles came to stand beside Sarah and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “There are two unfinished paintings of mothers you’re welcome to have. No pressure to finish them, we just thought that perhaps you’d want them.”
Nora opened her eyes. “I would love that.” A tear rolled down her cheek as Eli enveloped her in a big hug.
“Look at us,” he laughed, “who would have thought our family would be openly crying and consoling each other. We’ve come a long way.”
“Yes, and if that long way could make it down to the dining room that would be helpful. I’m sure Mrs. Bates and Samuels will send a search party for us if we don’t show up soon.” Charles chided.
“Kill joy.” Eli rolled his eyes. “Can always count on Charles to bring us back down to earth.”
They started for the door. Eli helped Nora carry her mother’s paintings.
“Eli, can you tell Mrs. Bates that Charles and I will be down shortly? I need his help cleaning up these paints before they dry out.” Sarah called out.
“Do you need more help?” Eli asked sincerely. He truly was changing for the better.
She shook her head. “No, we’ll be able to manage. Thank you.”
He dipped his head and escorted his sister out of the studio and into the hallway.
When she heard the door click shut she turned to her husband who was gathering the brushes and putting them in the solution for cleaning.
She took a deep breath and walked towards him. “It’s wonderful about Eli.”
Charles made a noncommittal noise as he folded the towels and set them next to the paints.
Sarah rolled her lips. “Um, Nora seemed to really like the paintings. I’m glad we could give them to her.”
Charles looked up at his wife. There was a sparkle in his eyes that stole her breath every time she saw it. Luckily for her, she’s been seeing it a lot lately.
“Me, too.” He paused as he looked outside at the darkening sky. “You know, it used to be so hard to talk about my mother and the time before that I just assumed that’s how it always would be.”
His eyes tracked back to Sarah. “And it can still be hard, but I find myself wanting to share stories about her with you. With Nora.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Sorry. I’m still getting used to this.”
Sarah walked over to him and took his face in her hands. “Never apologize for saying how you feel, not with me.”
Her hands left his face and found his. She always loved when they held hands. His giant ones holding hers always made her feel safe and secure.
“I must say, I will miss Nora and Eli. These past few weeks have been entertaining having everyone here. There was always someone to talk to, or walk with. It was nice.”
Charles nodded in agreement. “Yes, but sometimes there were too many people around.” He said as his eyes darkened.
A knowing smile crossed Sarah’s face. Her hands left his and reached up to encircle his neck.
“I agree. Plus, if they didn’t leave soon I’m not sure how we all would fit.”
Charles’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? Everyone has their own room. It can get a bit rowdy at night with everyone milling around but-”
As he spoke Sarah took one of his hands in hers but this time she placed it on her stomach.
Charles stopped talking and stared at her hand.
Sarah was amused watching the range of emotions dance across his face. For someone who bemoaned sharing his thoughts, his facial expressions certainly did not have the same affliction. Confusion, to denial, back to confusion, to surprise, then he finally landed on exhilaration.
“Are you joking?” His voice cracked in the most charming of ways.
She nodded enthusiastically.
He lifted her up and spun her around.
“We’re going to have a baby!” He shouted.
Extreme joy and gratitude washed over Sarah. “I’m so glad you’re happy.”
Charles lowered his wife. “Of course I’m happy. I’m with you. I’ll always be happy with you.”
The End?