"I don't understand," his mom said. "I want you to live with us."
"I know, Mother," he said, and held her hands. "But I'm almost eighteen. I could be going off to college, taking night classes. Instead, I'll be here.Painting and being with Raven."
Mr. Sterling paced around the room, wiping his hair off his brow. "This is quite a shock, you must understand. I didn't realize, Alexander, how you have grown.That you are so much like your grandmother. That you both are..."
Alexander and I felt a glimmer of hope.
"When I saw that you were the artist behind those paintings, it was clear to me then that you'd found a home here. But..." He paused. "There is no way you are buying the Mansion."
"I am!" Alexander said boldly.
"No, Son, I'm taking it off the market. It is rightfully yours. There is no reason you should have to pay for it."
"But, I want to-"
"I know. And that is the reason you shouldn't.Because you care so much about so many things. I'm not allowing you to buy the house from me. We'll invest the money you earned. My mother must be watching over us right now. I know she is smiling at you-and frowning at me. I made a big mistake looking at others when it was you I should have been showcasing.My own son. Jameson, get Mr. Berkley on the line."
"Mother, I'm sorry-"
She put her fingers to her lips. "You are the kind of man I always wanted you to become-you just became one a lot faster than I was ready for."
"I have to confess I haven't slept well since we decided to sell the house," Mr. Sterling added.
Jameson walked into the parlor..
"Jameson, there has been a change in plans. The Mansion will remain aSterling legacy. Mrs. Sterling and I will be returning toRomania , but Alexander will live here. I understand you will be returning with us and we'll find another butler for Alexander."
Jameson stood as straight as he could and took a deep breath. "Sir, if you don't mind, I have a reason for staying in town, too," Jameson confessed. "Alexander is not the only one with a soul mate."
Chapter 32 Home
Jameson stood outside the Mansion, packing theSterlings ' remaining bags into the trunk of the Mercedes. I held Alexander, who was anxious, around the waist. I wasn't able to calm him.
A gentle rain began to fall, and within a few minutes a trickle turned into a shower, but Alexander and I stayed put.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterling descended the front steps of the
Mansion.
"It was lovely meeting you, Raven. We hope to see you again soon" Mrs . Sterling said, offering me her hand. "Welcome to the family."
Instead of taking her hand, I leaned in and hugged her hard. It was as if I were breaking the rules and hugging the queen ofEngland , but I didn't care. This woman meant the world to me.
"Alexander, darling, you know I love you," she said with a strain in her lyrical voice. She was trying to mask her emotion. She kissed her son good-bye on both cheeks.
She stood back as Mr. Sterling extended his hand to mine. "It was a pleasure to have met you, Raven. We are all happier for it." He gave me polite kisses, one on each side of my face.
"We will not be such strangers anymore," he said to Alexander. "I'll await your next round of paintings."
Alexander's eyes lit up as he shook his father's hand.
"Thanks, Dad," he said.
Both men were surprised by his sudden affection.
"Well, we must be off," his father finally said. But there was something missing from Mrs. Sterling's wardrobe as we all stood in the downpour.
"Where is your parasol?" I asked.