Epilogue: Blessings
The morning of Charlotte's third and fortieth birthday, Lily Hankins had come to Heyrick Park for tea.
Charlotte's birthday party had been the day before, and it had been a wonderful day filled with family and friends.
The ladies were sitting out in the garden enjoying the beautiful weather, and the joyful sight of cousins and siblings playing croquet out on the lawn.
Both Leo and Augusta had come home to Heyrick Park, along with their families, to celebrate Charlotte's birthday. The younger ladies were out supervising the game out on the lawn.
Augusta had married a man of landed gentry, Harry Adams, and the couple had five children. Three boys and twin girls which Augusta had named Charlotte and Lydia for the two mothers in her life.
Leonora married a gentleman from London, John Thomas, and they had three sons. She had grown into a very lovely young woman.
Alexander and Charlotte had been blessed with eight children of their own: Matthew, twins Benedict and Rose, Martin, David, Susan, Marianna, and Lily.
Matthew and Benedict attended Cambridge University. Martin and David attended school at Eaton. At first, when Alexander had suggested the boys attend Eaton, she had been against it, but Alexander felt that the boys would benefit from a good education away from Sanditon. Tom and Mary's boys had attended Eaton as well, and after much discussion, Charlotte was finally persuaded that it was the right thing to do.
Charlotte and Alexander were glad to have their four sons home, even if it was just for the weekend. Even though they visited the boys often, they missed them terribly.
Alexander and Charlotte's daughters all lived at home, but soon, Rose would marry Henry, Tom and Mary Parker's oldest son, who was now a barrister in Sanditon.
Miss Hankins said, "Charlotte, do you remember the conversation we had twenty years ago, about making the right choice for your life? As I recall, you were engaged to a Mr. Ralph Starling at the time, and unhappy about it. Mr. Colbourne had broken your heart, and you still loved him."
Charlotte said, "Yes, and you asked me to think about how I might feel about that choice someday when I look back on my life in twenty years, and here we are."
She continued, "I cannot imagine my life without Alexander and our ten children, and now our grandchildren."
"I have been so very blessed, Miss Hankins, and I am so glad I had wise friends to teach me life lessons along the way when I was so lost. Thank you."
Miss Hankins said, "We merely gave you things to consider my dear. It was your heart that made the right choices."
Charlotte looked up and saw the man who was the center of her world coming toward them.
"Come and sit with us, Alexander."
He bent to kiss his wife's cheek and then greeted Miss Hankins.
Miss Hankins said, "The party yesterday was so lovely! It was nice to see Lady Susan, as well as the Molyneaux family. Georgiana and her husband are such a lovely couple and their three sons are charming young men."
Charlotte agreed. "Yes, it was wonderful to see them."
Alexander said, "I saw Tom and Mary this morning when I took an early morning ride. They sent their birthday wishes."
Miss Hankins said, "I was just thinking about how Tom Parker and Lady Denham transformed this once tiny fishing village into a fashionable sea-side resort. Thankfully, Sanditon has retained its quaint charm. It is hard to believe that Lady Denham has been gone fifteen years now."
Charlotte said, "Yes, it is hard to believe it. Time passes so very quickly."
Miss Hankins stood up to leave, and said, " Yes, it does, and I must be going, my friend. I will see you both at church next Sunday."
Charlotte walked with Miss Hankins to her carriage.
When Charlotte came back to the gardens, Alexander was standing and watching their children and grandchildren out on the lawn.
"Happy Birthday, Charlotte. Are you enjoying your day, my love?"
She turned to smile at her husband and said, "Every birthday gets better. We have been so very blessed, Alexander."
Charlotte looked up at her husband At age 53, he was more handsome than ever in his wife's eyes. His dark hair was sprinkled with gray, and he was still trim, but it was his boyish grin that kept him youthful looking.
The two of them stood for a moment, each lost in twenty years of memories they had made together. There had been sadness throughout those years when Mr. Heywood had passed away. Ten years ago, Rose had caught pneumonia and had been gravely ill. Thankfully she recovered, but it had been so frightening to both of her parents.
Colonel Lennox had encountered Leonora at a ball when she made her debut into society at age 18. Alexander had taken him aside and assured him that Leonora was a Colbourne, and it was best to leave things as they had ten years ago when Lennox had denied being her father.
Alexander cleared his mind of those thoughts. All those things that had caused them angst or pain could not compare to all that had given them enormous joy.
Alexander bent down to whisper in his wife's ear, "You are my heart, Charlotte. I love you more than I ever could have imagined, even on our wedding day, and you grow even more beautiful with the years."
He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead.
Blessed. Yes, they had been very blessed, and there would be many more blessings to come with weddings and more grandchildren.
Charlotte thought of all she would have missed out on if she had made a different choice for her life twenty years ago. She looked up at her husband and smiled.
She laid her hand on his heart, and she said, "I am glad my heart found its home with yours, Alexander."
"I could not have married a better man, and of all the blessings in my life, you are the one I am most grateful for."
Alexander could barely speak; his heart was so full. "No man has ever been more blessed than me, my love. Thank you for the life you have given me, and given us, when you chose to give me a second chance."
Blessed. Indeed, they were, but even more so because they knew it.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading! Until next time…..Annabella Grace