Chapter 8 - The Man Who Finally Chose Love
One year after Michael's death, Adrian returned to the cemetery alone.
He placed flowers on the grave.
“I finally understand.”
The wind moved through the trees.
“I hated you for leaving.”
He smiled sadly.
“But you were right.”
Lena approached.
“You two talking?”
Adrian turned.
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He called me an idiot.”
“That sounds like Michael.”
She stood beside him.
“Do you miss him?”
“Every day.”
“I do too.”
Adrian took her hand.
They stood quietly.
Then Lena whispered:
“I have something for you.”
She handed him a small box.
He opened it.
A watch.
Michael's.
Adrian stared.
“Where did you get this?”
“Richard gave it to me.”
“Why?”
“He said Michael wanted you to have it.”
Adrian turned the watch over.
An engraving appeared.
Brothers by blood are rare.
Brothers by choice are forever.
Adrian's eyes filled.
Lena squeezed his hand.
“He knew.”
“What?”
“That you'd forgive.”
“I don't know if I have.”
“You don't need to.”
He looked at her.
“You changed me.”
She smiled.
“No.”
“You did.”
“I just refused to let you stay miserable.”
He laughed.
They left the cemetery together.
At home, they found a package.
No return address.
Inside was a single photograph.
Michael.
Standing beside them.
Taken before he died.
On the back:
Family isn't what happens to you.
It's what you choose after.
Adrian stared.
Then he put it in a frame.
The following year, they adopted a little girl named Sophie.
She had been rescued from a violent home.
Lena bonded with her immediately.
Adrian pretended he wasn't already wrapped around her finger.
Sophie called him “Boss” for three weeks.
Then one morning she said “Dad.”
He nearly dropped his coffee.
Lena laughed.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I wasn't prepared.”
She smiled.
“You run a billion-dollar company.”
“And I cannot survive one four-year-old.”
Sophie ran into the room.
“Dad!”
Adrian picked her up.
“I'm here.”
The little girl wrapped her arms around him.
Lena watched.
Her heart felt full.
Everything had changed.
The woman who once begged for a hiding place now had a home no one could take away.
The man who once ruled Seattle from behind locked doors had learned how to leave them open.
Their love had not begun with romance.
It had begun with fear.
Then truth.
May you like
Then trust.
And finally choice.
