35. Francis
Around me, my family encapsulates me with pure warmth. Blue balloons fill the dining room we’re in as we celebrate Cataleya’s baby shower. She and Christian are having their first boy. Cataleya’s parents, Mariana and Samuel, join us in the festivities before leaving early. Mariana looks so much better and Cataleya shines brighter with her mother around her.
My young grandchildren squeal and run around to the delight of their parents. Each of my sons watches on with pride in their eyes. If only they knew the amount of pride I have in my heart to see them grow into responsible men and capable fathers.
Three years ago, when Christian and Cataleya married, I remember feeling as if I was approaching the end. I was happy that, at the very least, I would see my second eldest get married to the right woman before I passed.
Thankfully, life has given me so much more. I’m healthier now. My children have children of their own. And there’s a second chance at happiness that awaits me in the next room over.
As everyone sits down in their designated seat at this long dining room table, I take my spot at the head of the table and clink my spoon against the glass. Immediately, the children quiet down with the shushing from their parents and all eyes land on me.
I smile. “For one, I would like to thank everyone for coming together today for Christian and Cataleya’s baby shower. I’m thrilled at the news that I’m having another grandson. But don’t worry! Grandpa Francis has enough love to go around.”
“Thank God. My kids get jealous,” Caesar jokes with a wink at his brothers, which earns him a nudge from his wife who holds his youngest.
“While I’m grateful that you all have decided to come share this happiness with Christian and Cataleya, I feel as if it’s my duty to apologize to each and every one of you.”
Christian frowns, reaching over to take my hand. “Are you alright, Father? What do you mean by that?”
Alex straightens up in his seat. Bella places a hand over his shoulder. My other sons make small movements, faces, and gestures of their own. I continue.
“I believe you all remember quite vividly when I suffered my stroke years ago,” I begin. “And I might be correct in assuming you remember the proposition I offered each one of you.”
Cedrick furrows his eyebrows. He’s the brave one who speaks up, amongst the rest of the confused faces. “You said that…”
I nod. “I offered the throne to each one of you privately. That wasn’t a cruel, twisted scheme on my part. But you have to put yourselves in my shoes and understand my thinking. I was on the verge of death and none of my sons had married. None of my sons had women and families to call their own. I was sick with worry that none of you would find true love in my lifetime!”
“Father,” Christian says, jaw clenched. “You tricked my brothers, then?”
“In a way, yes. And for that, I’m sorry.” I lean back into my seat, letting out a sigh. “I wanted you all to realize what you truly wanted in life. At the same time, I didn’t want my sons to hate me all because of the throne. I knew in the end who the throne was going to.”
My eyes drift to Christian. Cataleya has her hands on his arm.
“And while you all couldn’t share the throne, unfortunately, I wanted you to instead find something that was much more valuable.”
My sons look at their wives, then look at their children. At long last, the confusion ebbs away and they’re finally filled with a sense of understanding. Ishmael and Liza share a sweet smile with each other while their kids look on with happiness. Alex and Christian send each other knowing looks from across the table.
“Thank you, Father,” Christian says in a quiet voice. Then, he clears his throat. “I think I speak for all of us when I say that. You’ve helped us create this huge, loving family.”
Caesar grins. “I don’t know where I’d be in life if it wasn’t for your help, Father.”
“Amen,” Cedrick adds, sipping from his water glass.
Finally, my fingers stop trembling. I reach over and grab the nearest napkin off the table. Then, I wipe at my sweaty forehead and cheeks, thankful that my sons are not angry with me. I’m not sure my heart could handle losing a son at this point.
Their acceptance and love for me give me the confidence to speak my truth. I’ve spent my entire life evading what I’ve always known to be true. I don’t plan on hiding my love anymore. It’s not fair to me, and it’s not fair to her, either.
“I would like to admit something else to you all, as well,” I say, clenching the napkin within my right fist. “As you all know by now, Alex doesn’t share the same mother as the rest of you.”
That remark makes Alex fidget slightly in his seat.
“Now, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t love your mother. I did. I truly did,” I explain, hoping that my words capture the earnesty that my heart pools with. “But someone else got to my heart first, and I had to learn to live my life without her.”
My gaze falls, resting upon my wrinkled hands, splotched with scars and deep lines that are a testament to my age.
“Duty to Solvaria came first to me. Above everything else. I deprived myself of my first love because I knew that it wasn’t right for the Kingdom. And I’m glad I made the decision because I have all of you with me now.”
From where I sit, I know that Alex has some words he wants to say. I’m proud of my son for that. He stands strong with his morals, but he still has enough respect for me to let me finish. I couldn’t have asked for a better child.
“But my true love is a woman named Lily Adams. You all know this,” I announce. The room goes silent. “She’s Alex’s mother, as we all know. And she raised Bella as if she were her own daughter. Throughout the years, Lily had to live with the fact that I took her son away, more or less.”
“Father,” Alex begins, but he hesitates once Bella places a hand on his shoulder. Although he grimaces slightly, he sighs. Then, he stares at me directly. “Where are you going with this, Father?”
“Trust me, I’m going somewhere,” I reply, smiling. Then, I turn to the rest of my sons once more. “While I’ve always loved Amaranta for being a diligent Queen, I cannot deny that I’ve always wanted to have Lily on my side, as well. Trying to forget your first love is a difficult task, I’m sure you all can understand that.”
Caesar and Ishmael both nod simultaneously. Christian gazes at Alex, who keeps his hand over his mouth and chin, perhaps to keep him from interjecting.
“I love Lily. And she loves me.” Standing from my seat, I nod towards the guards. Within a few seconds, they usher in the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The woman who stole my heart and refused to let it go for decades. “My sons, with your blessings, I wish to continue in this role as King of Solvaria, but with the woman I love by my side.”
Alex jumps to his feet and engulfs his mother in a tight hug. Bella watches from her seat with tears in her eyes, holding their children close.
Lily kisses Alex on the cheek. Then, she makes her way to where I stand and accepts my hand with her own. She’s dressed humbly, with a simple plaid dress. Looking at her like this reminds me of our first meeting years ago, when she stole my breath by just looking into my eyes.
“Father,” Christian says, rising to stand. “You have my support. Always.”
“Same here,” Caesar agrees.
Ishmael nods. Cedrick’s eyes flutter between Lily and I, then he smiles.
“King Francis,” Bella says, tilting her head. “Will you be marrying her soon?”
That comment brings me so much joy. “That’s the plan. I want to marry Lily and make her the new Queen of Solvaria. It’s what she deserves, after all this time.”
“We want the best for you, Father. You’ve looked out for us all this time,” Christian says, raising a glass and urging his brothers to do the same. “I think it’s only right that you find happiness, as well.”
“Thank you, my son.” Lily and I raise our glasses together. My hand squeezes hers. “To love, to happiness, and to the continued prosperity of the Vanecourt family!”
Glasses clink, my sons cheer, and we sip our drinks. Each Vanecourt man stands next to the woman they love. At long last, I can do the same with my Lily.
THE END.