Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(58)

When I lost your mother, I felt like a piece of me was gone forever. Being my only child, you can imagine the sheer pain your grandmother and I experienced. The only thing to keep us together was having you to raise; a part of her that would be able to live on.

Through the years I’ve watched you grow into a highly respectable man. To say I’m proud couldn’t begin to describe how I feel when I reflect on your accomplishments.

If you’re reading this then I’m gone from your world, hopefully off to somewhere enticing where your grandmother and my precious daughter are waiting for me.

I leave you with the memories we’ve shared together, and something more important than you may even realize.

I know you tried to hide it from me, but I became aware of your relationship with Rachel Lewis early on. As you know, I’ve always considered that woman a part of our family. She’s honest and pure, devoted, and most of all a beautiful soul. My son, I know what you gave up when you walked away from her. If I’d been a younger man, I wouldn’t have hesitated from trying to be with her myself. She’s an incredible woman, but more like a daughter in my eyes.

You’re probably wondering why I deeded you both the estate.

Open your eyes, son. Her husband is gone. I realize you’re married, but you and I both know you don’t have the kind of love you shared with Rachel. She’s literally the one that got away; the person you needed to distance yourself from because you couldn’t bear to see her when you knew you weren’t able to be together.

I’m telling you now, as your guardian, as the man you’ve considered a mentor, take a step back and think about your life. Think about what you truly desire, and what would make you the happiest man on the earth.

My son, the truth is staring you in the face. The woman you’re meant to be with needs you. I’ve been known to pry, and as a dying man I’m asking you to reach into your heart and find what’s been buried. You were happy once. I know you’re not now. Maybe you can’t see it, but I can hear it in your voice when you call. Find a way to be together, Chad.

Spend one weekend together and prove me wrong. I have a feeling it will be life changing.

If for some reason it’s not, or I’m completely out of line, I know you two can work out the house issues. Buy it back from her, need be. Just don’t waste the opportunity for what you’ve both desired.

You’re probably thinking I’ve lost my mind; that you’re already married.

Reevaluate your life. Ask yourself if you’re truly happy. Don’t waste time regretting your decisions. I know you can have everything your heart desires. Don’t go through life wondering what could have been. Seize the moment and go after what you know is real.

Until we meet again,

Your loving Grandfather Charles.



I took my time folding the letter and putting it back into the envelope with my name addressed on the front.

In many ways my grandfather was out of line. How dare he assume I’d pick up and leave everything I knew to pursue a relationship I’d given up years ago. I considered never reading his letter, having not yet seen Rachel and experienced what it was like to have her back in my life. I knew I would have been angry he was interfering, but after discovering Veronica’s affair, I felt like a part of me would have needed to find reprieve. His letter offered hope, and a little push I didn’t happen to need. Falling in love with Rachel was never an option for me. I felt like I’d loved her my whole life, and she knew it. Now I just had to figure out how to make her mine, when our lives were clearly miles apart.



I had it in my head that I could convince Rachel to move out of her home she’d shared with Grayson and start fresh in the mansion, in hopes that I’d someday be able to join her. Even though I knew I couldn’t be there with her in the near future, at least for the next several months while I worked out my marriage issues, she could have something to hold onto until I returned to her.

I saw her one more time briefly before I headed back to California with the girls. Our goodbye was excruciating for both of us, and she hadn’t yet agreed to make the move, even after I begged.

I had to be considerate. Since Grayson passed away in her home, I knew she felt closest to him there. For some reason I didn’t feel jealous or threatened. They had a life together, and I could appreciate my stepping aside gave them both extra time to share.

But it was my time now, and I felt like she wasn’t going to make a move without a push. Rachel was too set in her ways.

The problem I had was knowing I’d be thousands of miles away from her, not knowing if the distance would give her time to decide she didn’t want to deal with any aspects of my drama-filled life,





That night we lay in her bed next to each other, both on our backs. Our hands were lifted in the air, both laced together, creating a shadow on the ceiling as they moved around. “It’s not like it’s forever. Contrary to what Veronica believes, I’m going to visit as much as I can. I’m hoping you will also come to stay with me in California. There’s plenty we could do. We could drive up the coast one weekend together, or,” I rolled over and pulled her closer, kissing her sweet lips. “We could stay in bed for the whole visit. I’m not opposed to either.”

She snickered and nuzzled her nose over mine. “I’m not worried about losing you this time. It’s not like it was before, Chad.”