Did she just give them this place as their home?
“What?” he asked, astounded.
Yeah, Michael wasn’t shocked at all. What was ironic was she got antsy when her men gave her a house, but she’d gifted plenty of them.
Saint and Raphael got one.
Ivan and Blue got one in Damascus.
Now, he and Graham did too.
This family seemed to do that a lot.
Because she saw the surprise, Elizabeth was to the point.
“Now that you’re married, you need a nice nest to call your own, and I have my own nests all over the goddamn place thanks to those two. You are getting a share of it, so that you two can run it, and make money on it after it’s renovated. It was supposed to be a bed and breakfast, so use it as such. Hell! Rent it out for ghost tours for all I care. I’m sure Callen and Chris will work it out with you. Trust me. They won’t be shocked that I’m giving a building away. I’ve done that in California, New Orleans, and now here. I can’t wait to unload a gold-baron’s haunted mansion next.”
Michael didn’t know what to say.
“Elizabeth!”
She smiled at Michael.
“You have a piece of me now, Saint Michael of the Blackhawks. You’re home. Run it and enjoy this new part of your life. You and Graham aren’t just the caretakers, but you’re owners. From me, to you both. My inheritance to my two oldest sons is a castle that’sLOUSY WITH GHOSTS! Tag, you’re it!”
When the lights flickered again, she actually laughed and snorted.
“That doesn’t get old. I kind of like it,” she admitted. “Don’t tell Callen and Chris. It’s like parlor tricks. You now have ghosts who perform tricks on commands.”
Graham couldn’t believe it.
“You’re giving us a stake in Ravensmire? This place costsMILLIONSof dollars. It’s a historical castle. It’s more than a gift.”
She was honest.
“It means more to you than me. A gift should always be special to the recipient. To me, this feels right. I feel like you both need to be part of this for the long haul. There’s an adventure coming, but I just don’t know what. Lean into it. Have fun with it, and in the end…know that you’re both loved by us. You’re my children, and I want you to have a good start in your marriage.”
Oh, Michael was definitely overwhelmed, and his husband was too.
“I can’t believe this,” Graham admitted.
Oh, Michael could.
This was typical, mom-behavior.
He kissed Graham on the forehead.
“I guess we are staying and running this place together with our new partners. I can make this place my home,” he admitted. “Because you’re in it.”
And it also meant he didn’t have to say goodbye. He was just living in a different place. That, to Michael, mattered the most.
Graham had tears.
“Thank you for this. I love this castle. She’s become part of my life. I’ve met my family here, and I married my husband here.”
She could tell.
“I love you, Sons,” she said. “Plural. Don’t forget it,” she offered. “I expect a call on Mother’s Day! Don’t forget that either,” she teased, making them laugh.
