Page 85 of The Facilitator: Part 2
We sat and chatted more about the various businesses Mackenzie was involved in. We killed time while we waited onnews.
Lunch was prepared; a delicious seafood salad was laid out on the kitchen table,an informal lunchas Vivienne described it. Wine was poured and talk turned to Gabriella and Alex, their move to Boston, and whether Vivienne would see grandchildren before shedied.
“Mother, I’d rather you not be so dramatic,” Gabriella said. “However…” she rested her hand on herstomach.
I screeched; Vivienne fanned her face with her napkin. “No way?” Isaid.
“It’s really early, so please don’t tell anyone. I’m only nine weeks, we believe, so I want to wait a little before any formal announcements…Mother!”
Vivienne pretended to zip her lips. “You know I insist on a baby shower,” shesaid.
“Baby shower, birth party, whatever, but just don’t tell anyone until I say so,” Gabriellastated.
“You won’t be wanting this, will you?” Vivienne said, as she reached for Gabriella’s wineglass.
“It’s diluted with soda, and completelyharmless.”
I laughed at their spat. “I’m so happy for you both,” Isaid.
“Alex is thrilled, although he wished the timing could have been a little better. What this does allow for is Mackenzie having to accept my resignation, because I want to be a stay-at-home mom,” shesaid.
An hour or so was spent discussing birthing options, some of which turned my stomach; and whether traditional family names would be in the running. At some point, Gabriella quietened. She picked up my hand and heldit.
“I’m sorry, this is really insensitive, isn’t it?” shesaid.
“Absolutely not. Don’t even go there, Gabriella. I won’t have it,” Ireplied.
In truth, I did feel a pang of longing, but it was so quickly washed away with a mouthful of wine. I was not going to allow myself a second of hurt or thought if I could help it. Only, I couldn’t always helpit.
“We’ll be the most wonderful aunt and uncle,” Isaid.
“Godparents, at least,” Gabriella asked. I smiled and nodded, we hugged, and a pact wasmade.
A little while later, and more for something to do, Vivienne showed me around the house and gardens. She pointed out flowers and plants that been brought in from foreign countries and tended to so lovingly by her husband; a self-taught gardener, she’d said with pride. We sat and looked through photo albums and she skipped quickly past anything with Daniel. I confessed to finding Mackenzie’s wedding album and became a little emotional when I recounted how Ifelt.
“He will marry you, my darling girl,” Viviennesaid.
“I don’t know, and it’s okay, we don’tneedto getmarried.”
“Listen to me. When Mackenzie wants something he goes for it. I’ve seen him with you, even when you are talking to someone else, his hand is on you, his eyes are not focusing on whoever he is talking to, he’s watching you. He’s subtle, but you consume him. He is not going to let that go easily,” shesaid.
It seemed a little obsessive to me, and I wasn’t sure I completely believed Vivienne. She was a totally different woman to me, very traditional in certain ways, unconventional inothers.
I hadn’t realised how much time had passed, but the sound of car doors closing from the front of the house had us running to the window. Mackenzie and Alex stood beside his car chatting. Both looked over as the front door opened and Gabriella stood on the veranda. They soon joined us back in thekitchen.
“A new will has been prepared. Alex will take you to sign it tomorrow. We’ve dissolved the trust completely and formed a new one. I’ve made you, Alex, and Christopher the only trustees. Vivienne, someone else had to have helped Daniel. Alex and Christopher are the only two I trust to keep everythingsafe.”
“You mean David was involved?” sheasked.
“I suspect so. Think about it. Had I known you’d signed to allow him access to his funds, I would have discussed it with you. So would have Christopher. I’m not suggesting David did anything wrong, only that he didn’t do a good enough job in keeping the money safe. He has been told the trust has been reformed. The Lockhart Trust remains as is. Daniel knows nothing about it, and with the measures we’ve put in place now, no one can get access without everyone’ssignature.”
A pot of coffee and fresh cups were placed on the table and I poured for usall.
“I’ve also managed to recover just under one million dollars, which is currently on its way to a new account in your name, Vivienne. What you choose to do with the money is up to you. The rest, sadly, isgone.”
“I’ll arrange for that money to be returned to your friend, Lauren,” shesaid.
“You don’t need to do that, it’s mostly your money,” Isaid.
