Page 61 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

The funeral, despite the circumstance being her mother's death, was a happy one.

The death was easier accepted by all, knowing that Alessandra's mother had been ready to leave the world they inhabited, and move on.

When it was over, everyone spoke of plans to return to their normal lives.

Edward's father and mother moved back to their estate immediately, leaving only Alessandra's family in the home.

Once again, she found herself walking with her brother.

"I have asked Father to come and stay with us for a time, but he refuses and says he must get back to his home," Nicholas was saying with the sound of dismay in his voice.

"I worry about him."

"Yes, but his life is there," Alessandra said.

"Perhaps getting back into his normal daily routine is something that he needs.

I will suggest Edward and I stay there with him for a while, and see how he takes to that idea."

Suddenly Nicholas stopped and turned to his sister, taking her hands in his.

"Thank you again for this, Alessandra.

You have a good heart, and we do not see enough of one another.

If anything has come from Mother's passing, it has made me realise that I need to work harder to see family - you and Father.

We must make more of an effort, no matter what fills our daily lives."

"I agree, Brother.

Perhaps I shall make this our family holiday home," she said, smiling as she waved her hands around to indicate she meant the estate they were on.

"It is a good, central location for all of us, is it not, for such an event?"

"It is indeed," Nicholas replied.

"Although it still surprises me that Tom left it to you, one cannot argue that it is an outstanding property.

We shall be glad to come to stay here whenever you invite us."

"I must decide what I am going to do with it in the long run, but for now I shall keep it.

It now holds some memories for me, of Mother..."

Alessandra started to cry once more, and soon found herself enveloped in her brother's arms, for the first time in her life.

She then realised that she was not the only one crying.

"Father, are you sure you will not come with us?" Nicholas asked his father as he and his family readied themselves to return to their home.

Alessandra saw her father shake his head and put on a brave smile.

"Thank you, my son, but I shall return to my home.

I have much to do there."

Edward watched the family as they started to disassemble.

Nicholas, Victoria and their children disappeared down the road to leave only Edward, Alessandra, her father, Margaret and Elizabeth.

"Edward and I will travel with you, Father, and stay with you tonight, if you have no objection.

It will make our journey home vastly easier if you agree to it," Alessandra said to her father.

It was her way of trying to insert herself into his presence in his home, whilst making it sound like he would be doing her the favour.

"Of course.

You are all welcome to stay as long as you like," he said, looking around the views once more.

"It is a lovely estate, Alessandra.

I believe, from what the staff have told me, that it was unloved for a long time. If that is true, perhaps it was always meant to come into your hands. You will love it as it should be loved, I have no doubt."

After they walked around, talking to the staff and ensuring everything was in place for the house to be empty for the undefined future, the five of them travelled back to Alessandra's parents' house once more.

Upon walking into her parents' home, Alessandra immediately felt the absence of her mother.

Looking at her father, she could see that he was similarly affected.

June, the housekeeper, greeted them sadly, having been an assistant of one kind or another to Alessandra's mother since they had both been young women.

Alessandra requested tea be brought into the drawing room, while she settled her father to help him relax.

When he did so, he started to talk about his wife and their life together, right from when they had first laid eyes on each other.

Alessandra, Edward, Margaret and June, all sat down and listened to the stories he told over much of the afternoon.

Alessandra wondered if such an action might hurt him more, but the more he spoke, the more he started to smile. She could see that he had found his way of starting to heal.

Edward watched his wife.

He felt sadness for her loss, but admired how she seemed determined to place focus on her father.

The more Edward saw what was going on around him, the more eager he found himself to get home and be around his own parents.

He found himself conflicted.

As if sensing his internal dilemma, Alessandra turned to him, smiled, and took his hand, which she raised and kissed.

He saw something in her eyes that he had not seen in recent times, understandably so with all that had been happening.

Regardless, they sat quietly and listened and listened, until her father seemed to run out of stories to tell.

"I shall go to bed now, as I am feeling quite tired," her father said.

"You are welcome to stay as long as you wish to, Alessandra.

I am very glad to have you all here," he continued before kissing her on the forehead and leaving the room.

Shortly afterward, Margaret left with Elizabeth.

Edward and Alessandra remained in the drawing room, staring at the fire as the two of them held each other.

"You are distant today, Edward.

What is on your mind?" Alessandra asked.

"My parents," he replied.

"I am aware now that my time with them is possibly short, also."

"Would you like to return to your home? I do not wish to leave Father yet, but I do not mind if you need to return to your mother and father.

I can follow at a later time," Alessandra said.

Edward kissed her softly.

"No, my love.

I thank you but I do not wish to be apart from you.

Your father needs us for the moment. I can provide him with support in anything he needs help with. I would rather be here than there for now."

"Thank you," Alessandra replied and kissed him.

For a moment they looked at each other before kissing again, whilst trying not to get passionate due to where they were.

"We need to stop, my beautiful wife.

Oh, how I long for you, but not here," Edward said to her with his voice deep and quiet.

"When we get home," Alessandra said quietly, without needing to finish the sentence.

He smiled softly at her.

"When we get home."