Page 66 of Secret Redemption

Stepping into the hallway, they were greeted by the grand double staircase that veered off towards the west and east wings. The polished mahogany balustrade gleamed and the red of the carpet runner stood out against the brass of the carpet rods, that held the runner in place.

Parquet flooring adorned the entrance hall that led to the library, sitting room, offices, and a breakfast room on the left, and the kitchen, dining room, ballroom, and lounge to the right.

“How many rooms does it have?” Ava asked as she ran her hand over a portrait on the wall. It was of his mother and father just after they were married.

“Twenty-two bedrooms, all with their own bathrooms and most have a lounge area. Some are inter-connecting. It’s perfect for this purpose.”

As they spoke, Paige came running around the corner followed by a laughing Megan. Both stopped short when they saw them.

“Um sorry, I didn’t, um, know you were here,” Megan said meekly instantly going into her shell.

“No problem, Megan. This is your home, and you must treat it as such.”

Riley started wriggling in his arms to get down, and he gently bent and set his son on the floor. The boy waddle walked to Paige who was watching them intently and stared at her.

The little girl looked at Riley, assessing him, as the adults watched on in rapt attention. Then she grabbed his hand, and they started waffling on to each other in what could only be described as baby speak. Zack understood about every other word, and that was saying a lot.

Daniel walked through the side door from the library as Riley planted a kiss on Paige.

The adults laughed, and Daniel raised an eyebrow. “He can cut that shit out right now. I don’t care who his dad is!” he stated.

“Yep, come on son, time to retreat until we can teach you some manners where ladies are concerned,” Zack said and scooped Riley up.

Leaving Frank and Helen to talk to Mimi and David, who had come out to say hello, he walked Ava through the Estate. Showing the woman he loved around the Estate where he had grown up re-opened pleasant and some not so pleasant memories. Coming up on the only locked door in the house he stopped. “This was Catherine’s room. It’s been locked up for years. It became a shrine after she died. I used to go in here sometimes when I needed space or to feel close to her. My mother couldn’t cope though and had it locked up. Do you want to see?”

“Only if you want to show me,” she replied.

Taking out a key from his pocket he unlocked the door and slowly pushed the door open. Instantly memories hit him. Her bed was as if she had made it that morning, Wham and Bros posters on the wall, her Walkman was by her bed, drawings she had done were still pinned to the notice board, along with pictures of her, him and Kanan together as kids.

The only smell was lemon polish mixed with the Charlie Girl perfume that she had loved.

He watched Ava as she studied the pictures a smile teasing her lips. “That is a sexy a hairstyle Zack,” she laughed, making him smile. Somehow, having Riley in his arms and Ava at his side, made it all more bearable. “You still miss her,” Ava said softly.

Zack bit back the lump in his throat. “Yeah, every day she was like sunshine and so sweet.” He felt Ava’s warmth as she hugged his body and he wrapped his free arm around her.

“Sunny love Wacky Zacky,” Riley laughed.

Zack started and looked at his son, who was looking at Catherine’s rocking chair, where she used to sit and draw. The rocker was rocking gently, and Riley was pointing at the white feather that was clear as day on the chair.

Zack looked at Ava in astonishment, “Catherine always called me Wacky Zacky, and I called her Sunny!” he exclaimed, as he moved closer to the chair. “How is it possible that Riley would know that?” he asked incredulously.

“I have no idea, but I do believe that we don’t know everything and some things aren’t meant to be understood just accepted,” she replied laying a hand on her son’s head. “Maybe she wanted to let you know she is with you and she is okay.”

Zack watched as the chair slowly came to a stop and then a feeling of love and peace so strong came over him that it almost knocked him off his feet.

“Are you okay?” Ava asked looking at him quizzically as he smiled.

“Yes, I am. For the first time in years, I don’t feel guilt.”

“See, she’s letting you know she’s okay,”

“Maybe. Or maybe for the first time I have everything I could ever need, in you and Riley,” Zack said as he walked to the door. Taking one last look around he smiled as he smelled Charlie Girl and then closed and locked the door back up.

Ushering his family down the stairs, he went in search of Kanan. Ava went to find her mother and father in the kitchen.

Kanan had turned the ballroom into a gym, and Lucy was sparring with Emme, while Drew pumped some weights with Liam spotting him.

“How we are doing with Hamilton and Henderson?” he asked as he watched the two women sparing. Emme had come a long way in the last few weeks and was now becoming quite a promising operative. Daniel had started the counter-intelligence side of her training, and Will would handle the technical side.