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CHAPTER ONE: Reflections
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any characters other than my own.
Standing in front of the old farmhouse on the expansive grassy lawn, they both fidgeted with their "Sunday best". She was wearing a black wrap dress and heels and he was wearing a black suit and dress shoes. They'd been wearing the outfits a good hour and already they'd had their fill yet neither of them moved. "I feel like I'm choking." Pulling at the tie and attempting to loosen it, Oliver kept his eyes on the farmhouse as if the weight of the world rested on his 17 year old shoulders. All the new responsibilities felt like they were his alone. Ever since he was little he felt responsible for his mother and their lives. He knew they'd made the right choices along the way but he wondered how long his mom would agree.
"Oliver, we only have a few more hours and then we can get out of these dreadful clothes." Quinn also stared at the farmhouse, her expression more of bewilderment than reflecting the weight of the world. "Are we doing the right thing here, son?"
"You're asking now? Mom, our entire lives are packed in that garage and the Subaru. Where would we go? And yes, I do think this is the right thing." Finally getting the tie loose and unbuttoning the first button of his dress shirt. "My feet are killing me."
Quinn laughed and looked at her son. They were gypsies. Literally. Choosing to move where life took them, they fit the stereotype more than the true history of her mother's people. She had raised her son on her own, no help from anyone. Well, the help was there if she needed it, but Quinn liked the life they'd lived and the choices she'd made. At least, she had before today. They'd hit the road as soon as Quinn was 18, Oliver a year old, stopping when they needed more money and moving on when she'd saved enough to get them to the next town. They'd lived from coast to coast, north to south, even venturing as far as Alaska. Quinn had done everything from waitressing to store clerk to hiking guide to librarian. She also made and sold jewelry, a hobby she loved. Another stereotype, yet rooted in truth. Many people along the way had wondered if she was running from something or someone. No. Nothing dramatic or secretive. Quinn's need for a nomadic lifestyle was a desire to learn and explore. She couldn't learn enough about life and the world around her.
She'd been a sponge for knowledge since she was a small child. She thought back to those times as she looked at her parent's home. Her mom taught Quinn all about her Romani heritage and told her stories of the gypsies while they made jewelry. Her father taught Quinn about Greece every chance he got, how beautiful, how rich in history, how proud he was to be Greek. She loved the stories her parents would tell her before bed. Her bedtime stories consisted of a prince who met a girl at the market one day and they fell in love. Later Quinn would learn the stories were true and the stories were of her parents. She dreamt of a love so great. "Did I ever tell you the story of how your grandparents met?" Oliver shook his head and she took a deep breath. They both sat down in the plush grass knowing this was a stall tactic. "They had a love that can only be described in books."
Sunshine Marinescu was 15 and working at a small stand in the marketplace trying to sell her handmade jewelry. A Romani gypsy trying to find a place to call home, living in a camp along the outskirts of the city, locked into the same future as her ancestors, Sunni approached each day with the same mundane enthusiasm as before, bored as ever. Her parents stayed with the clan they'd been born into and could trace their forefathers through the same clan. Education passed down through clan members, schools never considered. Sunni was taught to read and write, hunt and cook what was killed, learned how to mine for jewels and make jewelry, and other assorted typical gypsy fare. Traveling from city to city, country to country, trying to find an identity, hiding who they really were for fear of persecution, Sunni and her clan never settled in one place longer than nine or 10 months. A life she didn't want awaited her every day and she hated the way the elders insisted on staying true to their roots, living as if it were still 500 years ago. So she spent each evening lying under the stars dreaming of another land and a future in one place, a home.
Nikolas Angelopoulos was the son of a Greek shipping magnate who met the woman that would control his heart at a jewelry stand in the middle of a marketplace that bookended the high end stores. His parents were elite socialites who cared more about appearances and what society would think rather than happiness and family. Niko's parents were an arranged marriage devised by two powerful families whose business relations were sealed with the fates of their children. His mother's family rooted in banking and finance, stocks, investments and his father family was steeped in international trade. When it came to publicity and image, they were the perfect family. Behind closed doors his parents barely acknowledged each other, sleeping on opposite ends of their house. His father, Draco, didn't even try to hide his affairs and couldn't be bothered with anything regarding his son. He spent most of his time working or traveling for the business, often times taking his mistresses with him. His mother, Iliana was an overbearing, controlling, obsessive compulsive who ignored her husband and bore him a child only to make him and his family shut up about an heir. She was thankful they'd had a son the first time so she didn't have to go through that again, his father just as thankful. She spent more time keeping up appearances at the societal gatherings and numerous charities they funded than she did at home. When she was home, Iliana paraded men through the house, not hiding it from Draco or Niko, not caring what anyone thought. Niko's life however, was dictated to him and he grew up raised by nannies and eventually in boarding schools. One thing was certain for Niko. His parents decided his every move, controlling his past, present and future, choosing his friends and his wife before he was even born. What he wouldn't do to change his fate, to find a real home. Niko was doomed to live the life his parents lived. The irony; the life they hated was now being thrust at their son.
Another mundane Friday and she wasn't having a very good sale day. As the sun began to set Sunni thought of packing her things and heading back to the camp where she lived. The worst part was the long walk back to nothing. Yes she had family, she had love, she had friendship, but she couldn't shake the daily feeling there was more out there than the boys and life within her clan. As she sighed and began packing, a shadow stood in front of her, blocking most of the remaining sunlight. She looked up, passing the tailored fitted suit, Windsor knotted tie into a face made for dreams. Thick black wavy hair, eyes the color of chocolate that heated her from the inside out, and a smile made of deep dimples and perfect white teeth. The stranger bought half her stock before bidding her farewell with a nod. A week later he returned, again buying half her stock and nodding before walking away. This continued for several weeks and she found herself longing to see him. Longing for the man who never spoke.
Nikolas was promised to another and would marry before his 25th birthday. He went into town to the preferred jeweler his family used and was to make the final preparations on a commissioned necklace to present to his future bride that evening. He would be meeting the woman for the first time in a few hours and was to make a good impression per his father's wishes. They would marry within a year. That gave him time to plan a way out of his future. Niko was walking through the marketplace trying to stall the inevitable, as if that was possible, and on his way to the jeweler he saw a girl so beautiful he was unable to look away. Niko wasn't sure how long he stood there, about 20 feet away, but when the sun started to set and she began packing her things, he had to do something. As he approached he studied her taking in her thick plaited white blonde hair, large almond eyes as blue as the Aegean and full lips. She had a ballerina's form, built long and lean. Her skin was sun kissed and her top and long billowy skirt were white. He'd never seen a girl wear earrings and bracelets of this sort but he loved it. An angel she had to be. When she looked up at him he was at a loss for words. All he could do was indicate he wanted half of what she was selling and nod as he walked away. His throat was dry, he was nauseous and shaking, a smile plastered to his face. He had to see her again. So every Friday he visited the marketplace hoping to see her, buying whatever she was selling paying twice what she was asking.
Eventually as the weeks drifted by, Niko and Sunni became friends which turned to love. He refused the arranged marriage and told his parents about Sunni. They laughed at him thinking she was nothing more than a passing fancy and he'd outgrow her. All they did was postpone the wedding and started sending him to other countries to promote their business. Little did they know he took Sunni with him and romanced her all through Europe. Within the year of their meeting, Sunni became pregnant. Terrified of what her family would force her to do, she left the camp under the shroud of darkness, all of her belongings in her backpack. Her family would insist she stay with them, raising her child the Romani way, say goodbye to Niko and marry one of her own – the boy they'd arranged for her to marry when she was born. The camp would surely be dismantled and they'd move again. Away from Athens, away from Greece and away from Niko. Unsure where to go, she went to Niko's home to tell him the news. He was overjoyed and insisted they marry at once. His parents denied the unborn child belonged to their son insinuating she was using Niko for money and had her removed from their home. That was all Niko needed to free him of his parent's relentless domination over his life. Packing all he could in his own backpack, he chased after Sunni and so began their life together. Just the two of them. Two and a half.
Nikolas quickly emptied his bank accounts and bought two train tickets to France. They married at the courthouse a month later and rented a one room apartment above a bakery. Sunni found part time work at the art museum and Niko as a river boat tour guide. Quinn was born on Christmas Eve at home with both parents crying from happiness. That was when they decided to cross the ocean and head for the United States. They wanted to give their daughter the world and the best place they knew of to start a dream was America. Sunni and Nikolas sent postcards to his family and pictures of their daughter as she grew. No reply ever came but they continued keeping everyone up to date on their lives. Sunni had no way of knowing where her family would be and she came to terms with never seeing her parents again, but she still sent them the postcards and pictures.
Sunshine and Nikolas emigrated from Greece to America when Quinn was three. They'd settled in a small town on the Eastern seaboard, both taking jobs where they could work opposite shifts, someone always home with Quinn until she was old enough for school. Over the years, Nikolas went from working the fishing docks to the boats to selling lobster, crab and fish; staying with the same company, the same Captain who gave a kid a break all those years ago. Sunni worked on the docks at a little seafood restaurant and eventually ended up as a caretaker at the home of a wealthy childless couple who vacationed in their small town six months each year.
The couple offered the small humble Greek family a place to live in their guest cottage on the grounds. When the old couple passed away, they left the farmhouse and all the land to Quinn, a small fortune as well. Until Quinn was 25, the home would be maintained by her parents. No, not all the couple's money went to the family, only enough to maintain the home for another 20 years or so. And now Quinn and her son sat in front of the old farmhouse that belonged to them. "We've spent your whole life on the road, Oliver. I thought it was a great idea to give you hands on learning, show you history instead of telling you about it. Now we seem to be settling in one place and I'm questioning the past 16 years." Her voice cracked and Oliver placed an arm over his mother's shoulder.
"I've seen places most people haven't. I've done things most people haven't. I've surfed, skied, hiked, parachuted, sailed, slept under the stars, in tents and in trees and had more fun than I thought I could. I learned more about life with you than I would have sitting in a classroom all day. I'm proud to be your son. I'm proud of my life. I think I turned out just fine, don't you?" He looked over at her and smiled. Quinn chuckled and looked back at the farm house.
If Quinn were honest with herself, she loved this house. She loved all the space outdoors, the historical appeal, the hominess of it. She grew up here, this was what home was to her. From the flower beds to the green grass, the tire swing under the big oak tree and the porch swing she'd spent hours on dreaming of her life. The main house was white clapboard with stone accents, window shutters painted a deep navy blue and a bright red door. A wide wraparound porch decorated with outdoor furniture and plenty of flowers greeted each visitor as they approached and it gave a sense of warmth and comfort. Her parents turned the property into a bed and breakfast after Quinn and Oliver left and Quinn thought it was perfect. Three guest cottages were on the property, two towards the back and one near the front. There were two bedrooms and two baths, a main living area, dining nook and kitchen in each cottage. In between the two at the back there was a small but lovely garden and it had a fountain between the two cottages, it was filled with coins and childhood wishes, some of them Quinn's. The main house had six bedrooms and eight baths, plenty of gathering spaces and a comfortable feeling the moment you walked in the door. A small two bedroom apartment was added off the kitchen, her parents lived there, giving more space for guests. Now the responsibility of this was all hers.
She and Oliver had arrived a month ago for a visit and put all their stuff in the garage like they always did. They'd only planned on being here a short time but walked into something they never saw coming. Sunni had been ill for a few years, something she'd hid from Quinn, and her final request was to go home. Home to Europe. Niko, Quinn and Oliver took her back to Athens and wanted to search for her family. Upon arrival, Niko took his family to the home where he was raised, Quinn meeting her grandparents for the first time. They were greeted warmly and given a place to stay while they searched for the Marinescus. Her grandmother, Iliana found the Romani still located outside of Athens and had Sunni's parents and siblings brought to the house. Quinn saw two families deeply rooted in tradition come together for her mother. Tension still thick in the air, differences in culture the wedge between them, each side blaming the other for the separation from Niko and Sunni. Quinn, Oliver, Sunni and Niko trying to break down the barriers between two families, two worlds, only time had changed. They spent a week getting to know one another, sharing stories of how they'd been and remembering the time when they were all together.
On a beautiful Sunday morning, Quinn and Oliver were dressed and ready for church. They took a breakfast tray to her mother's bedroom only to find she had passed in the night. Her father lay in bed with his wife, holding her hand, cuddling her, he too having passed quietly. Services were held in the traditions of both families and Quinn was granted her wish they be buried together exactly as they had passed. They stayed two more weeks in Greece before returning to the small town where she grew up. Mother and son stayed in a hotel in the big city the first night as she wasn't ready to go home. A church service was going to be held for her parents who became so loved by the community it felt like her family. Now dressed for the service Quinn wanted to swing by the house before heading to the church. "We better get going or we'll be late." She said and they both stood, somewhat ready for what fate had in store for them.
The service was lovely and quite a few people had wonderful words for her. It was comforting to know her parents were special to more people than just her and her son. After thanking everyone for the service, Quinn and Oliver stood alone in the small church looking at the beautiful flowers. "Mom." Oliver whispered and gestured towards the back of the church. Quinn gasped as she looked into a face she hadn't seen in 16 years. Not in person anyway.
"Hey, Quinnie." He said gently as he approached. She had no idea what to do or say, her eyes simply filled with tears and he hugged her tight. "I'm so sorry about your parents." He held her for a few minutes as if he knew she needed it. Slowly pulling away he looked over at Oliver. "Wow, look at you." He pulled his son to him, wrapping his arms around the young man who looked exactly like him. Quinn saw her son's eyes close tight and a tear crept down his cheek.
"Hey, dad, good to see you." Oliver croaked out as he cleared his throat and looked at the floor when they separated.
"Henry, what are you doing here?" Quinn asked when her head finally cleared.
"I heard about your parents and wanted to be here when you both got back. I arrived last night after getting the details of your return and for the service." He still had his arm on his son's shoulder and Quinn was stunned he knew exactly what they both required in their hearts. "I'm here for another week and I'd like to take you to dinner tonight." When Oliver nodded and Quinn hesitated Henry chuckled. "I hear this town has really good pizza." Quinn visibly relaxed.
"I need to change before anything else. I don't know how you wear this crap everyday dad, it feels like chain mail." Oliver rolled his broad shoulders and shook out his long legs. Henry burst into laughter as his son struggled with the suit, grunting and groaning. They both stood at a very tall 6'5, broad shoulders, and lean muscular builds. Black hair, bright blue eyes, dimples and big smiles.
"Oliver, don't say crap in church. It's not right." Quinn quietly admonished her son.
"He is definitely your son, Quinnie." He turned and looked at his first love. His heart pumping like it did when they first met. "You've done real well by our son and I thank you for that." Henry hugged her one more time and walked them outside to their car. Putting Quinn in the passenger seat and nodding to his son, he walked back to his car. "I'll be there in an hour." He yelled back as he waved and smiled at them both.
Once they were both settled in the car and driving back to the farmhouse, Oliver said firmly, "I'm 17 years old now, mom. I think it's time you tell me about you and Senator Henry Whitmore the third. The real story." He took his mother's hand in his and squeezed.
"Alright, son. I'll tell you later on tonight. Let's head back to the house and get out of these clothes."
Standing back on the front lawn and both of them looking at the house, Quinn sighed. "This house is going to take a lot of work, it's a 24/ 7 job. Are we sure?" She asked one last time. "It probably needs a lot of updating, new furniture, it'll need our touch."
"I'm sure. Well, let's at least go inside before the town shows up with all the food they swore they were bringing." Oliver kissed the top of his mom's head, grabbed a few bags from the car and went across the expansive front lawn, up the front porch steps and into the house.
Quinn wasn't quite ready and decided to walk around the grounds to see if any work needed to be done. Grabbing a pad of paper and pen from her purse in the car, she was prepared to make a list of chores for her and Oliver or any hired help they may need. She was pleasantly surprised to find the lawn manicured and flower beds thriving, but she'd hire a gardener anyway. Checking the guest cottages she found the same, nice and clean, fresh and lovely, still needed updating, but waiting patiently for the next tourists. Quinn stopped in the garden by the fountain and sat down on the edge. "I don't know anything about running my own business, much less a bed and breakfast. What am I doing?" She looked up to the skies and closed her eyes. Pulling a penny from the pocket in her skirt she made a wish. "I wish for a successful business, a healthy and happy son and a life to be proud of." Tossing the penny in the swirling water, she headed back around to the front. Getting her purse from the car, she walked up the front stone steps and opened the screen door. Crossing the threshold it hit her. Hard. All the familiar scents welcomed her, but no mom and dad greeting them at the door with hugs and kisses to both cheeks. No threats of food saying she was too thin but still the most beautiful child they'd ever seen, no praises on how amazing Oliver is, all of it gone. Everything crashed into Quinn at once and she found it hard to control. She let it take hold when she heard her son start the shower upstairs. She sank to her knees and quietly sobbed. Her beloved parents weren't here.
Henry had walked onto the porch and saw her through the screen door. Every instinct lit on fire and he quickly entered, sat on the floor and wrapped himself around her. He had no words, only comfort. They sat there for a while, Quinn in his lap with her head on his shoulder. He rocked her back and forth and stroked her hair as Quinn's sobs racked her body. Oliver came down the steps, analyzed what was happening and just sat next to his dad. Right now, this is where the three of them needed to be.
Later that evening
"Alright, mom. It's later, spill it." Oliver said before he shoveled more pizza into his mouth. He sat across from his parent's in a booth and drilled into his mother's eyes with his own. Not expecting her son to want the story of his parent's time together to be told in front of Henry, Quinn choked on her drink. Henry looked between them and saw Quinn struggle for words and Oliver not backing down.
"What's going on?" Henry asked his son.
"Mom told me about Gran and Grandpa and how they met. I want your story." Oliver said and looked his father directly in the eyes. "I want to know why my parents aren't together. The honest truth, dad, because when I look at the two of you, there's obviously love there." Henry looked at Quinn and her eyes said everything. She was still afraid. Henry gave her a reassuring look and something passed between them, permission for Henry to tell their son everything.
"Alright, but I'm not sure this is the place you want to hear the story." Henry looked around the pizza place. It was small and quaint, hardly anyone else in there, but it was a private story, one the press would kill for if word got out. The entire town knew most of the story and had kept their secret, especially when he first ran for office and the media was digging for information on his past. Not one person from this lovely town spoke about Quinn and Oliver's link to Henry. In fact, Quinn and Oliver's names were never mentioned. She appreciated that beyond measure.
"If the press doesn't know you're here and this town never talked before, nobody will find out now as its old news anyway. I want to know why your name is on my birth certificate and my last name is Whitmore, but everyone thinks I'm an Angelopoulos." Oliver stated, not giving up. Henry took a deep breath and reached for Quinn's hand under the table giving it a tight squeeze and held it firmly.
He cleared his throat and smiled as he remembered the first day he saw her. "As you already know, my family vacationed here in the summer and every break we got in school. I was 17, had my acceptance letter to go to Harvard and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I had everything planned out. The first day we arrived one summer, I went down to the boat docks to check on the sailboat. Everything was fine of course, but I loved that boat." Henry chuckled at the memory and Quinn knew he was giving the romantic version of their story, maybe it would soften Oliver and he wouldn't hate his mother. I walked back to Main Street and wanted to grab lunch at the seafood restaurant that had the best hush puppies before going up to the house. Out of nowhere a mass of hair comes barreling out of the restaurant and right into me. We both hit the ground, the mass of hair landed on me and I felt something wet soak my entire shirt. It took a few seconds for us to realize what had just happened but suddenly she struggles to get up and all she kept saying was 'I'm so sorry'." Henry looked at Quinn, resting his chin on his hand with his elbows on the table.
"When we both stood I laughed because the tiniest girl had knocked me down like a linebacker. She was wearing a pair of jeans, boots and a pink t-shirt, which happened to be soaking wet just like my own shirt. Not a good combination for a 17 year old boy." He looked at Quinn and winked who blushed in return.
"Ugh that's disgusting, dad. I'm eating." Oliver said as he pretended to gag.
"Anyway, every thought in my head went right out the proverbial door and I couldn't think straight. She told me her house was just up the hill and to go with her to dry my clothes. She was still apologizing the entire way as she practically drug me along since I was struck dumb. I'm shuffled inside and up the stairs into a bedroom the likes I'd never seen. She closed the door, returned a few seconds later, threw clothes at me, told me to change and left again. I was still confused as to what had happened in the past 5 minutes. After I had changed into a white t shirt and someone's basketball shorts, I sat on the bed and looked around. It was obviously this waif of a girl's bedroom. The more I studied the room the more I saw how amazing it was. There were drawings everywhere, a few candles, small decorative lamps, and brilliant colors on the bed and walls. The door flew open and she muttered a few things when she took my clothes and left again. All I comprehended was 'wait here'." Henry reached for Quinn's hand again only this time he held her hand on top of the table. Their eyes locked and nobody spoke for a minute or two. Oliver cleared his throat, unsure of what was happening between his parents but it felt weird to him. Like he was intruding even though he was their son.
Henry continued, "I was looking out the windows trying to figure out where I was when the door opened again. I turned around and time stood still. I came to my senses and took in everything about this tiny girl who hits like a pro. The mass of hair was a rich caramel color and had incredible waves. The eyes were large and minty green, and I felt lost in them. I still do." Henry gave Quinn a small smile. "I knew she recognized me because her eyes grew larger and the apologies continued. It wasn't long and tears formed and a few fell down those cheeks. I didn't know what else to do so I kissed her."
Quinn took over the story, she cleared her throat to try and cool the tension. "For some reason we decided it would be best to see each other without anyone knowing. So during the day everything was as it should be, we went about our lives as if we didn't know the other existed. At night we'd sneak out and meet at different locations. We would talk and talk and share our innermost secrets. It was very easy to talk to your dad. We made the boyfriend, girlfriend commitment to each other and it felt like a fantasy world and I was a Princess." Quinn and Henry both danced around the deeply personal part of the story, their first night together, the one that only two people can share one time. Neither had been with another, both inexperienced, but so in love. Once they had a taste, there was no stopping them. Every chance they got they explored each other and learned what they liked. Both so carefree and not thinking of the consequences of their actions. One night Quinn didn't show up at their meeting spot so Henry went looking for her. She was in bed sick as she'd ever been and nothing was helping. This was how her parents learned of the relationship and Sunni quickly guessed her daughter must be with child. That's what her mother always called it. With child.
Sunni and Niko sat down with Henry and Quinn, asking them what they wanted to do. Giving them the choice. Henry was completely in love with Quinn and was ready to throw out everything he'd ever dreamed of, but Quinn didn't want that at all. Her parent's sacrifices flashed before her and scared her half to death. She insisted Henry continue with Harvard and fulfill all his dreams. At that moment Henry knew Quinn didn't see herself in his future the way he wanted her to be. Quinn wasn't the type to sit at home and plan parties and fundraisers. She wasn't the type to buy a house in the suburbs and raise a family, two point five kids and a dog. Quinn didn't fit into Henry's grand plans and Henry didn't fit into Quinn's. He needed to change her mind somehow because he didn't think he could live or breathe without her. Henry's parents were called and when they arrived at the farmhouse, they were told what was going on with the two teenagers.
Henry's parents were angry at first, their son's dreams dashed away over one night with a girl he'd just met. Sunni seeing her own past, just as Quinn had, intervened and managed to bring both sides together calmly and shed light on what she saw between the two. Once Henry's parents began to relax and look at everything around them, they understood what Quinn and Henry agreed to do. Both sets of parents and the two teenagers came up with a plan that was best for the baby and for Quinn and Henry. Quinn refused the Whitmore money, it wasn't about money, so it was decided a trust would be set up for the baby to be used in the event of a tragedy, college, or when the baby turned 25. Henry would see the baby and be involved as much as possible and they'd share holidays and birthdays. Quinn was very adamant that the baby not be made public. No baby announcement, no fancy party, nothing that could be traced. She wanted the Whitmores to know she wasn't going to interfere with Henry's future. She would never keep the baby from Henry, she just wanted privacy.
For the birth and the first year Henry was there. College student during the week, dad on the weekends. He had been there for everything and it felt like their own tiny family. It was a false hope for Henry as Quinn felt the walls closing in when Oliver's first birthday approached. She was melting into his world, a world that was not who Quinn was in her core. She spoke with her parents about wanting to travel the country and raise Oliver on her own. She wanted to live the life she'd dreamt of and if she stayed any longer, she'd fall into Henry's world and never survive, Quinn was a free spirit, not a politician's wife.
Quinn and Henry sat down and talked it through like they had when she was pregnant. Tears were shed, they'd argued. Yes Quinn loved Henry with everything she had, but in the end if Quinn stayed, she'd lose herself. She'd become Mrs. Henry Whitmore, Henry Whitmore's wife, future Senator Whitmore's arm candy, sit there and be pretty, don't talk about politics just have tea parties and fundraisers for charitable causes. Her identity would be lost. Henry thought he understood until it was time. The morning Quinn and Oliver left, Henry couldn't hold back and begged her to stay, begged her to give them a try, but she couldn't. She was the daughter of Greek and Romani gypsy immigrants, he the son of a multimillionaire banker and his socialite wife. It was Sunni and Niko's story all over again. Quinn and Henry had all the support they needed but for Quinn, although thankful, needed to be more. She'd dreamt of a life filled with wonder since she was seven.
As the three of them said goodbye early one May morning, the sun just peeking over the hills, it was heartbreaking for all involved. Henry's father placed envelopes of money in Quinn's backpack, Oliver's diaper bag and in their suitcases. He felt he needed to do something more than put money into a trust. He had fallen for Quinn hook line and sinker and thought she was perfect for his son, so did his wife. So did Henry and so did Quinn's parents. The only one who wouldn't see it, couldn't see it, didn't believe it, was Quinn and it was her decision. Henry was the best father she could dream of for her son, it was hurting her deeply to rip Oliver from Henry, but she knew this was best. A wife and kid would only hold Henry back. He was born to run this country, born to lead, had values and integrity fused in his bones. She couldn't take that from him or slow him down. It took every bit of Quinn's strength to drive away from her tearful parents, Henry's parents and looking at Henry as he sobbed ripped her in two. She did it quickly to minimize the damage to Oliver and if she stayed any longer she'd never leave. She'd succumb to his life and be drowning and miserable until the end of days. Quinn drove to the edge of town, pulled over and silently sobbed.
Watching them drive away broke Henry in half and it was a long time before he attempted recovery. He spent a lot of time with Quinn's parents, even sleeping in her bedroom on occasion to feel close to her and their son. "Mom, I don't understand why you left. I mean, I do, but I don't." Oliver's expression was gut wrenching. Tears pooled in his eyes and Quinn let her tears fall.
Henry answered, his voice choking from emotion. "Your mom wasn't meant for my future path in life. You know your mom better than anyone I'm sure, can you imagine her standing at rallies and galas? Tea parties and politics are so far from your mom's personality and it took me awhile to see that. It took me a long time to understand how much of herself she'd sacrifice if she stayed with me. I wanted to give up everything for you both, but she knew somehow, her choice was the best choice. The one vital thing that was most important to me was you and she never kept you from me, Oliver. Not once. She sent pictures, videos, emails, letters, school report cards, everything she thought I'd want to see. You spent summers with me, holidays, I saw you more than most parents do when separated and living in the same city. I wasn't there in person for some things, but I was there in spirit every moment of your life. Quinn was my first everything. The mother of my son. She taught me so much in that short time we were together and she gave me a gift I can never repay. Nothing compares to it and nothing changes that, not ever."
"But you married someone else, you have a family with someone else." Oliver challenged.
"It took me a few years to move on from your mother. In all honesty, I never got over my love for Quinnie, I just moved forward with my life. I met Katherine in law school, and she knew from the beginning where I stood with you and your mom. She's been a wonderful mother to your sisters and a good wife." Henry answered painfully.
"Do you love Katherine, dad?" He said it so softly.
Henry thought of his answer and looked down at the simple gold band on his left ring finger. "Son. It's possible to love two people at the same time. I love your mother more than anything in this world next to you. I also love Katherine. I'm not sure how to explain it, but they're two different feelings of love. Katherine makes me happy, doesn't question me when it comes to matters involving you and your mother, and she's faithful and loyal."
"Are you faithful and loyal?" Oliver challenged again, feeling protective of his mother.
Henry looked directly at Oliver and answered immediately. "Yes I am. I always have been. I was faithful to your mother until I met Katherine. I have been faithful to Katherine. You're 17 and I don't expect you to understand what I'm saying, hell, I don't even know sometimes, but you wanted the truth. You and your mom mean everything to me; I love you both to the deepest part of my soul."
"You don't think you're unfaithful to Katherine when you feel this way about mom?" He pushed Henry.
"Oliver, look at the life she gave you! Look at everything you've done with your mom! You wouldn't have had that with me. My career pulls me in so many different directions I can't even commit to family vacations and if I do manage one, I'm working while I'm on vacation." Henry took Quinn's hand in his again and reached across for Oliver's. "The three of us have something special and unique that not many have." Henry looked at Quinn. "I am so incredibly proud of you. The woman you've become is someone to admire and honor. You've given our son the world. You put him above all else and he's an honorable young man. What more could I want for my son?" He then turned to Oliver. "I love you more than my own life. Never question that. Ever. And you remember that's exactly how your mother feels about you. We have always done what we thought was best for you."
After a few more questions and settling the bill, the three of them left and went back to the old farmhouse. They spent the next few hours laughing and having a great time together. They talked about Quinn's plans for the bed and breakfast and Oliver's hopes and dreams. Mother and son learned how much money Henry had saved in the trust for Oliver and both were stunned. He had enough money for college, any college, and to get himself started on his own journey quite comfortably. Henry had also not so secretly given Quinn money over the years, finding out her bank account and making deposits for her as he saw fit. Which was weekly. Something she was grateful for when she'd had to purchase new cars or put down deposits on things.
They quickly went through the bank accounts for the bed and breakfast and her parents. Quinn couldn't believe how much money her parent's saved and how much profit this tiny town pulled in for the bed and breakfast. A few hours later Quinn excused herself to check on where they'd be sleeping and if the bedrooms were habitable. The house elves were good to her again as she found all the bedrooms were in perfect order and everything smelled clean and fresh. She was mentally and physically exhausted from the events of the day and wanted to just put her head down. So she did.