Forbidden: King (The Four 4)

The mid-morning ceremony was followed by a catered brunch. After we ate, George asked Eden, Casey, and me to join him in the home office he shared with Flora. When the three of us sat down across the desk from him, George said, “I raised two sons, and both of them decided they were too busy to fly in for my wedding. Then there’s you boys. You dropped everything to move out here and lend a hand, just because you were worried about me being on my own. I want you to know I appreciate all three of you, and this is my way of saying thanks for all you’ve done for me.”

He handed over two envelopes, one with Casey’s name on it, the other with Eden’s and mine. As Eden pulled some paperwork from ours, George explained, “I signed the house over to you two, Eden and Seth. It’s yours to keep or sell, whichever you choose. I won’t be offended if you want to sell it. But whatever you decide, I hope it helps as you two build a life together.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and Eden sounded emotional when he said, “Thank you, Granddad. This means the world to us.” I nodded in agreement, because I knew my voice would break if I tried to talk.

When George had first gotten engaged to Flora, he’d told us he wasn’t going to sell the house, and we could keep living there as long as we wanted to. But we really hadn’t expected something like this. I could barely believe it was happening.

While I tried to process that incredibly generous gift, my brother pulled a check from his envelope. George explained, “I cashed out some stocks for you, Casey, so you could pay off your student loans and have a little nest egg. I’m so proud of you, son, for working hard and dedicating your life to helping people by becoming a nurse. I know how expensive this city has gotten, compared to when I moved here forty years ago. Hopefully this money will take some of the financial pressure off your shoulders.”

Casey’s mouth fell open. But then he tried to give back the check as he said, “Thank you George, but I can’t accept this. It’s way too much.”

George frowned at him. “No, it’s not. Now, don’t argue with your elders.”

“I don’t mean to argue,” Casey said. “It’s just so much money.”

“I worked hard all my life, and now I have more than I need,” George told him. “That was true even before I married Flora, who as you know made a bundle in real estate before she retired. I have no intention of leaving a dime to my sons, who clearly don’t give a shit about me, so indulge an old man. Let me do this for you.”

Casey got up and hurried around the desk to give George a hug. His voice shook as he said, “Thank you so much. I thought I’d be paying off my student loans for the next twenty years. I can’t tell you what this means to me.” Then he straightened up and turned his back to us as he dabbed his eyes.

“You’re welcome, son. Now come on, let’s get back to the party. I don’t want to keep my beautiful bride waiting.” George picked up his cane and followed Casey around the desk, and Eden and I both gave him a hug and thanked him again.

Once we were back in the living room, George went to find his wife and Eden whispered, “Are you two as stunned as I am?”

I nodded, and Casey said, “I feel guilty. When I moved out here to help you take care of your granddad, it wasn’t because I expected anything in return. It was just the right thing to do.”

“Same here.” I grinned and added, “It’s pretty awesome that he’s screwing the rest of his family by not leaving them anything, though.”

“Yeah, I totally support that,” Eden said. “I thought it was awful when my parents and uncle decided they were too busy to fly in for the wedding. I know it was short notice, but come on. And yeah, they sent gifts, but that’s not the same as making an effort and actually showing up.”

“It’s typical of your parents, though,” Casey said, as the three of us took a seat near the fireplace. The wedding guests had broken into small groups, and a few of them were gathered around a woman playing Flora’s baby grand piano. I was glad the mood was festive and upbeat for the couple’s sake, and no one seemed to miss the family members who’d decided it was too much trouble to be here.

“It really is,” Eden muttered, as he put his arm around my shoulders and I leaned against him.