For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (86 page)

“
If that’s marriage,
”
Aggie said smiling,
“
then I look forward to it. That’s a beautiful picture.
”

“
I recommend it, Aggie. I’ve never been happier than I was married to my Steven.
”

“
I’d say I can’t wait, but I guess I’ll have to. Luke says he wants to join our little clan sometime, but he’s so cautious about not pressuring me and ‘letting things run their course,’ that I don’t know how to encourage him.
”

“
You haven’t told him that you love him yet, have you?
”

Aggie’s head shook slowly.
“
It’s not something you just blurt out, and we’re almost never alone. I don’t want him to hear it from me over the computer or in a room full of noisy nosey children, so I keep waiting and assuming God has a reason for it.
”

“
Well, I’m sure of one thing. Luke will treasure your love no matter when, where, or how you tell him, but I do see your dilemma. Just don’t wait too long. I’ve never thought it wise not to share what’s on your heart. We aren’t promised tomorrow, you know.
”

Sunday, November 16
^th

Aggie crept out of the little girls’ room, peeked in on Ian, and then
jogged
downstairs. The children were still playing Uno while waiting for her to return. It was time to have a family meeting. That thought sent waves of panic over her. Times like that reminded her that she indeed had a family that she was responsible to lead. For a split second, the temptation to tell the children that they were going to new homes settled around her shoulders, but in the next, she shivered. Life without her children was unthinkable.

“
Ok, when the game is done, I want everyone in the living room. We need to talk.
”

Laird tossed his cards in the discard pile and rose.
“
We can come now.
”
Tavish, Ellie, and Kenzie followed suit.

“
Vannie was winning?
”
The question was moot. Vannie had the same ‘luck’ with Uno that Kenzie had with Go Fish.

“
It was my turn and I was going out. They knew it. I won regardless of default,
”
the girl insisted.

“
Ok, everyone needs to sit down and listen to me.
”
Five pairs of earnest eyes, Vannie’s clouded with concern as well, stared back at her from the couches.
“
Mr. Moss sent me a letter that your mother wrote me before she died.
”

“
Can we read it?
”
The question stunned Aggie. She hadn’t considered that they’d want to read it.

“
I don’t know. I’ll think about it. Anyway, your mother was a very well prepared woman.
”

“
Dad used to call her a better boy scout than the boy scouts.
”
The choke in Laird’s voice nearly tore at her heart.

“
That sounds about right. Did you all know that your parents set up a few families that you know who agreed to become your guardians?
”

“
I thought you were our guardian?
”
Ellie’s eyes widened
--
afraid.

“
I am, but your parents set it up so that if I couldn’t do it, there were other people ready to step in.
”

“
You said families. So we’d have to go to different homes?
”
Vannie’s face was as expressive as Aggie’s usually was.

“
Yes. They couldn’t find anyone who felt confident to take on eight children, but there were three families that were ready to take you in groups. They’d planned to make sure you saw each other often.
”

“
Oh, I am so glad you came, Aunt Aggie. I can’t stand that. Losing Mommy and Daddy and then everyone else.
”
As unofficial spokesperson, it was clear that Vannie spoke for all of them.

“
Well, that’s what I have to tell you. I almost didn’t. I don’t want to, but it’s better that you hear this from me than from someone else. The letter I got from your mom last week releases me as your guardian if I want that. Do you understand what that means?
”

“
You don’t have to be our mom anymore?
”
Kenzie’s grasp of the situation was surprisingly simple and accurate.

“
That’s right. I don’t have to do it if I don’t want to.
”

The child burst into tears.
“
I don’t want another mommy. I just want you!
”

Aggie’s arms opened to wrap around the little girl as Kenzie flung herself at her.
“
I’m not going anywhere, Kenzie. I just wanted you to know that it was something your parents provided for. I wanted you to hear it from me and know that I am not going to do it. The story is going to get around a little town like this, and I didn’t want you to think for a second that I would sign away my guardianship rights. I’m not going to do it.
”

Cheers erupted from all but Vannie. The young girl sat, silent, her brow furrowed and her eyes lost in thought.
“
Vannie? What’s wrong, sweetie?
”

“
If you let the other families take us, you can have a regular life. You don’t have to marry Luke unless you want to, and you could still see us. I think you need
to
think about it more. It’s a long time, Aunt Aggie. Seventeen years of your life taking care of us.
”

“
Ok,
whoa
. Listen to me, all of you. First, I’m not going to marry anyone unless I want to. If I marry Luke, it’s going to be because that’s what I want to do more than anything. Just like I’m not giving up guardianship of you guys because
that
is what I want to do more than anything. Do you understand that?
”

All heads nodded, but Vannie’s expression told Aggie that the girl wasn’t convinced.
“
Were the Kovaks one of the families?
”

“
Yes.
”
Aggie hadn’t considered that the children would guess who had offered.

Laird spoke up eagerly.
“
Oh, I bet the Chessneys were one. He looked at Aggie for confirmation, and then guessed again.
“
So, the Kovaks, Chessneys, and maybe the Torres’?
”

“
Good guesses guys.
”

Vannie’s head shot up.
“
Can we go play now?
”

“
Sure. I just wanted you to hear it from me first so you’d know the facts. You could have gone to live with other families, but you won’t. You’re staying here with me. Does everyone understand?
”

As expected, Vannie didn’t leave with the rest of the children as they rushed out the door in search of rakes for leaf piles. The timelessness of jumping in leaves tugged at Aggie’s heartstrings. She’d seen children growing up much too quickly, but somehow, her children seemed to have missed most of it. Lost in thought over the cause, Aggie almost forgot that Vannie hadn’t left the room.

“
Aunt Aggie?
”

“
Hmm?
”

“
Don’t you think you’ll regret it?
”

She tore her eyes from the window and forced herself to give Vannie all her attention.
“
Regret what?
”

“
Taking us all in.
”
She rushed to continue before Aggie could answer.
“
I know we’re family, and I know you love us, but it’s a lot of work for a long time. You didn’t choose to get married and have lots of kids. You just got it dumped on you.
”

“
Vannie, listen to me. I prayed about this. Did you hear that? I prayed about this. I talked to Mr. Vaughn, Libby Sullivan, Luke, William, and Tina. I asked Mrs. Dyke what she thought. I prayed some more. I tried to imagine my life without you guys, and I can’t do it. It’d break my heart to lose you now. Do you understand that?
”

The young girl practically threw herself across the room and into Aggie’s arms.
“
I’m so happy. I didn’t want to go anywhere else, but it’s so much
--”

“
It’s just where I want to be.
”

“
And what did Luke say? Is he ok with it now that he knows he doesn’t have to have all of us to marry you?
”

A small secret smile stole over Aggie’s face.
“
Vannie, I think he’d have begged me to reconsider. He loves you guys like his own children.
”

“
No wonder you love him so much.
”

“
No wonder is right.
”

Luke says:
Aggie? Are you there?

Mibs says:
Hey! Sure am. Took the kids longer to get in bed tonight.

Luke says:
Any particular reason?

Mibs says:
Lots of prayers thanking the Lord for their wonder-aunt for keeping them and not splitting them up. Their prayers made me sound like a saint.

Luke says:
Saint Aggie. Did saints get to marry or were only priests and nuns disqualified?

Mibs says:
Who knows?

Luke says:
I wasn’t sure you’d tell them. Did it go ok?

Mibs says:
I didn’t want them to hear it from someone else. You know? Better that they get the facts straight up front.

Luke says:
That’s a very wise decision.

Mibs says:
I wish they didn’t have to know.

Luke says:
How did they take it?