The family’s Minnesota law offices still looked the same as he’d remembered, classically decorated with tranquil colors and rich woods. A laptop placed in the middle of the conference room table separated his family from the attorneys on the other side of the screen. It wasn’t any surprise that his sister and his grandmother had come prepared, both women were amazing. Autumn was a force in her field of law, and his Nonnie hadn’t lost her business edge, not by a long shot.
A lot had happened in his absence, and for the most part, his role in the proceedings was to nod appropriately when Autumn directed and sign his name where she tapped her highly polished, pointy fingernail—those perfectly manicured claws were new for her too. Where Robert had become a pathetic mess after his fathers’ deaths, Autumn had gone in a completely different direction. She was a boss in the workforce, and from what he’d witnessed today, a quick study in probate law, efficiently cutting through all the red tape to finalize their fathers’ estate as quickly as possible.
“Finally, we have the contract with the Presidential Library Agency to turn the Stillwater home into a memorial library and museum for Vice President Adams,” a second voice piped in, drawing Robert’s full attention. He swung his gaze from the laptop toward his sister.
Autumn immediately looked at Robert, turning her body fully in his direction to get a good look at him as she asked, “Are you sure you’re good with this?”
Just as quickly as she turned, he gave a single nod then looked over at his grandmother for her acknowledgement. The National Archive Administration had approached Autumn about the possibility of turning their childhood home into a national library to commemorate his father’s life. Since neither he nor Autumn wanted to sell the home—or live there—it seemed a good option.
With everything decided, Robert had agreed to be the family liaison to head the archive committee, making sure the estate was preserved as authentically as possible. This allowed the family to continue to own the property, collect the rents from the archive administration, and provide a place of remembrance for the world to see. A vice president being honored with a library wasn’t something regularly done, but their father had worked tirelessly as a champion for human rights and equality for all. He’d made their country a better place to live. This would publicly document his efforts and achievements.
“Sign here and here.” Autumn tapped her deep red fingernail on the contract in front of him. He scrawled his name on the documents. One signature allowed for the rezoning of their carved-out piece of land and the other guaranteed the hefty monthly rental fee for years to come.
“All right, I think we’re done,” Autumn announced, running a finger down the long list of to-do tasks she’d worked on throughout the meeting.
“You all have done an excellent job,” said the representative from the archive administration who sat with their DC attorneys. “It’s been a pleasure to work with the both of you. Robert, thank you for chairing the oversight committee. I think we have a great draw on our hands. I’ll be in touch to start the ball rolling.”
“It was all her,” Robert stated, indicating his sister and not allowing any of the kudos to come his way. Autumn was the brains behind this whole deal and deserved all the credit.
He scooted back in his chair. Autumn lifted her eyes from the pages in her hands, tracking his movement as he bent, offering a hand to help his grandmother up. “That’s not true. You came back, ready to work.”
“I think this calls for a celebratory dinner,” Kennedy Adams announced loudly, getting to her feet. She brushed his hand away, refusing any aid. Their grandmother was as stubborn as she was loving. Her feisty attitude would never change. “I think having a meal at La Bella Luna would be a good memory now.”
“Nonnie, I don’t think so,” Autumn started then hesitated. Her uncertain gaze darted to Robert and her brow crinkled with worry.
“I’m good, Autumn. I think I’d like to go. I haven’t been there in ages.” He held up his hand to halt her protest. He wanted to do this; he missed the food that he’d heard stayed true to the original recipes his granddaddy Paulie and his daddy had created all those years ago. She narrowed her eyes as if to say she didn’t believe him, so he ignored her. “I’ll call Rodney to see if we can get a reservation. Will Cam be there?”
“No, he’s flying back to DC this afternoon.” As if just remembering the other attendees, Autumn turned back to the laptop screen. “Thank you, Anna. Bob, I’ll get these contracts overnighted to you today.”
After a round of goodbyes, the screen darkened. Once alone, Autumn sank back in her seat in what could only be utter exhaustion. “Oh, my goodness, I can’t believe we did it. It’s really done.”