“That’s okay because I didn’t know I had a grandfather,” Alex said softly. “But it’s the best news ever…well it’s at least even with finding out I have a brother.”
Reaching up, Henri ran his hand down the side of Alex’s face. Then, with a bittersweet smile, he said, “You are the spitting image of your father.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it because my memories of my father are rather fuzzy.”
“W-w-what…what happened?”
“To my father?” Alex asked.
“Yes…I’ve been searching for him for many years,” Henri murmured.
“A guy lost control of his truck and hit my father. He was killed instantly…or so I’ve been told. I was very young…” Alex said softly, his voice trailing off when a flash of pain crossed his grandfather’s face.
Rubbing the spot over his heart, Henri concentrated on the thought that his son was now with his wife and, in a strange way, he realized he’d kept his promise to her.Bring him home Henri, he belongs here.Even now, he could still hear her voice, begging him to find and protect Jean-Luc. The knowledge they were now together should have brought him peace and, while it did in one way, it fell short because he’d never get the chance to right the wrong he caused…to either of them.
“Hey, you okay?” asked Alex, softly patting his grandfather’s shoulder.
Taking a big gulp of air, Henri nodded, before quietly exhaling. His search was over and though it wasn’t the outcome he’d prayed for, therewassomething he could do to close the circle; bring his son’s body home and bury him next to his mother. Turning in his seat, he searched Alex’s face, seeing his son there. Swallowing back another sob, he asked, “Where’s his grave?”
“I…I...d-d-don’t know,” Alex replied quietly. “We were living in New York City when it happened…so maybe there?”
“Maybe…” Henri murmured, thinking Edna might be able to find it, although if there was no death certificate…
“I could ask Oracle…she might know,” Alex said, trying to be helpful.
“Thank you,” Henri replied, noting his grandson was more like Jean-Luc other than his looks. Alex’s gentle, kind, and loving nature clearly came from his son, making him wonder what traits he’d gotten from his other father.Other father!“There is so much I don’t know about my son’s life…after he left our house.”
“I can’t really help you with that,” Alex said, sadly. “I just found out who my parents were a few weeks ago.”
Frowning, Henri asked, “How come? What about your other father? Didn’t you live with him?”
Biting his lower lip, Alex wasn’t sure if Fionn would be okay with him telling Henri about Artur being Jean-Luc’s Fated Mate.I’d best tread carefully here about revealing to much until I know Fionn better. “Grandfather…may I call you that?”
Bringing a small smile to his face, Henri said, “Please.”
“Grandfather…I like the sound of that,” Alex said, grinning.
“So do I, grandson,” Henri replied with a smile. Now since the shock of learning about his son’s death had faded, he felt the pain in his chest lessen as the reality of who Alex was began to take over.
“You asked about my other father,” Alex said. “I never met my other father…well, I did when I was an infant… but the memories I have are only of my Omega father…your son…and even those have faded. However, certain things still trigger them…like your scent and the song you were humming.”
“I used to sing it to your father when he was a little boy,” Henri said, “every night as I tucked him in—he wouldn’t fall asleep until he heard it.”
“He sang it to me when I was little,” Alex said. “I remember he would always wear a certain shirt that smelled like you when he sang it. That’s what triggered my memory…your scent.”
“Was it a blue, plaid, flannel shirt?” asked Henri.
Alex’s eyes widened in surprise. “It was…how do you know?”
Squeezing his eyes together, Henri fought back his tears at the news his son had kept the shirt, even after the hateful words he’d hurled at him. Finally, after getting his emotions under control, he explained. “Jean-Luc and I spent the day together fishing. For most of the day, we weren’t getting any bites so by late afternoon I was ready to pack up and head home but he wanted to stay until twilight.” Chuckling at the memory, he continued. “Jean-Luc was determined to return home with the fish he’d assured his mother, that were just waiting for him to catch.”
“Did he?” asked Alex.
“Yes…and more than enough for dinner. I doubted it would happen, but an hour before the sun set, the fish started biting. It was unbelievable…as soon as our lures landed on the surface of the water, a fish would latch on. Over and over…it was the best time we ever had fishing. Finally our bucket was full, so we headed home. The temperature fell quickly after nightfall and I noticed Jean-Luc shivering so I insisted he put on my spare shirt…the blue, plaid flannel one…to keep himself warm…it was the last time we went fishing together.”
Henri fell silent, his mind reliving the fishing trip, seeing once again the joy and laughter in his son’s face. Just to see it once again drove him to search all those years for Jean-Luc but…no, I can’t go there right now…instead Henri pushed aside those thoughts, turning his focus back to his grandson.
“I haven’t ever been fishing,” Alex said quietly, hoping to divert his grandfather from his melancholy mood.
