The Hamilton residence, Manhasset, Long Island
After joining the elder Hamiltons for an early morning church mass (where much thanks for Olivia's safe return were privately given) followed by a brunch at a trendy bistro, the Cragens prepared to return to return to Brooklyn. After changing out of their church formals, they packed their belongings in the appropriate cases. Then, Marge and Don took the luggage down to their car first. Mr. Hamilton followed a few minutes later---after shooing his granddaughter down to the pool for her final swim and slipping several $5 bills into her duffle bag---with Olivia's luggage.
"Thanks, Daddy," Marge said, as Don smiled and thought: I wonder how much he put in this time? Just drop it, Donnie.
"Just look at her go!" Mr. Hamilton exclaimed a few minutes later on the patio. Lowering his voice, he asked, "How did she learn to swim?"
"Her other mother sent her to various 'enrichment' programs during the summers," Don explained, "just as many of her colleagues did with their own children."
"Well, it's done her a lot of good," Mrs. Hamilton said. "She swims as well the children on our country club's teams." The older woman turned to her daughter. "Marjorie, if Olivia were to stay with us for the summer…"
"No!" Don spoke so loudly that everyone quickly turned towards the pool, where the fortunately submerged Olivia didn't resurface for a few more seconds.
"Mother, we prefer to have Olivia with us for most of the summer," Marge explained gently, while she tightly clasped her husband's hand under the patio table, "at least. Six week summer camp, yes. Not seeing her for an entire summer, no---especially after…"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, dear!" Mrs. Hamilton exclaimed. "Of course you want her close by! It's just that, well, I see so much potential in her. She's so intelligent, so healthy and active, so pretty, and so compassionate. When we go shopping, somehow she's always the first one to hear a lost child crying, and she rushes to comfort him and take him to the courtesy booth. With the right education and guidance, Olivia could be fine nurse, or a guidance counselor, or a boarding school administrator---"
"'Boarding school administrator'? Is that a job description or a Freudian slip?" Don said half-jokingly, smirking.
"What she means," Mr. Hamilton said hastily, "is that Olivia has the abilities to accomplish whatever she wants to, whether she goes to public school, private school, a small college or a huge university. And whatever career choice she makes, she'll be a grand success---mark my words!"
Don't ever change, Mr. Hamilton. "You'll get no argument from me," Don said, smiling.
"None from me, neither," Marge added, now stroking her husband's hand under the table.
Two hours and a light snack later, the two family groups were exchanging farewells in the front driveway. Don exchanged handshakes with his in-laws, and Marie embraced and kissed them. Then the Hamiltons each gave hugs, kisses, and words of love, caution, and encouragement to their beloved Olivia, who, though somewhat embarrassed by her grandmother's misty-eyed pet names ("Most precious grandbaby!" "My dearest little girl!") for her, never felt more loved and wanted in her life. Then, after reluctantly releasing the child back to her parents, the elder couple waved as their daughter and her family departed for their world of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
"I had a really good time," Olivia said from the backseat, examining the snow globe that Aunt Nessie had bought her on the cruise.
"That's enough to make me happy," Don responded, smiling. Marge caressed her husband's hand lovingly.
Hours later, as Olivia napped soundly, the Cragens pulled into their driveway. Not wanting to wake her, Don carefully removed his child from the rear seat and carried her to the front door that Marge opened. The couple paused to exchange misty-eyed smiles, remembering the first time they performed this action. Then they entered the house to tuck in their daughter.
THE END
