Reflections of A Mother's Love

A Retrospective from Grace Farrell

Epliouge for The Daughter I Never Had

Author's Notes: In a recent fan fiction I am writing that is called A Very Merry Proposal Mrs. Pugh passes away of a heart attack amidst Annie and Molly planning their weddings. This is Grace's reflection of her relationship with Mrs. Pugh. A Very Merry Proposal is the last in a series of stories about the dynamics of the Warbucks Family.

Crash! We had just finished cleaning up the table from diner. It was the second night of our annual Lake Placid Holiday vacation.

"What was that?" my sister Jen asked.

"I don't know. It sounds like it came from Mama's room.

"I'll go with you."

We knocked on the door "Helen are you alright?" Jen called.

My mother didn't answer. We opened the door and were shocked to see her flat out on her back.

"Grace, I've had a heart attack. Call an ambulance." My mother whispered.

I collapsed to my knees immediately. "Oh my god.!"

My sister left the room and went to the next room to call the ambulance."

"Will you be alright?" I asked

My mother was quiet for a few minutes.

"No darling. Honestly I don't think I am going to make it through the night. You might want to take Annie and Molly to the hospital with you so they can say their goodbyes"

I nodded shocked and scared.

My sister peeked around the door frame "The ambulance should be here any minute. Is everything alright?"

I shook my head and rose to my feet. "Mama is going to most likely die tonight Jenny. I am going downstairs to tell Annie and Molly to get their coats on and we will follow the ambulance to the hospital."

My sister knelt down next to my mother & kissed her check.. " I don't want to believe this Helen."

"You all mean so much to me. You have no idea."

My sister shook her head. "No, Helen we absolutely know and the feeling has always been mutual. You have filled the spot in our hearts that my mother vacated when she passed away 7 years ago. We love you very much."

I walked down to the lounge where all my nieces were talking with Annie and Molly about wedding plans. When Kathryn noticed me in the doorway our eyes met.

"Are you okay Aunt Grace?"

I shook my head and burst into tears.

Kathryn put her arm around me/ "Can someone get Aunt Grace a tissue please?"

Isabella followed through

I grabbed a tissue, blew my nose and took a deep breath.

"No Kathryn, I'm not okay. That crash you heard from upstairs was Mrs. Pugh falling down. She has suffered a massive heart attack."

Annie and Molly exchanged a look between them.

"Will she be okay?" Molly whispered.

I stood up and took my middle daughter's hand. "No honey, she's not going to make it through the night. The ambulance is on the way and we will follow it to the hospital so you can say your good byes. I will call for the rest of you with in the hour. Grab your coats Annie and Molly"

The car ride to the hospital was quiet and Annie Molly and I did not say much.

A nurse met us in the lobby. "Your mother's room is at the end of hall room 134"

"I'll wait for you here girls and call the others to come." I said.

Annie and Molly stayed with my mother for about 10 minutes and then the rest of my family started to arrive/"

When Annie and Molly made their way back to the lobby I outstretched my arms. Come here darlings."

"I just can't believe she's dying Mom" Annie said.

Molly was still silent. She always had such a hard time processing things through all the transitions she's been through in her life."

My mother passed away at 9:30pm. There is a hole in my heart.

I came to work for Oliver when I was 21 the fall after my parents passed away. Our relationship has always been strong and we've been through a lot together. I just can't believe she is not going to be here to help me with the plans for the weddings of my daughters.

After getting back from the hospital the discussion of the wedding plans shifted a little.

"How can we honor Mrs. Pugh at the wedding you guys? She has meant so much to this whole family." My niece Isabella asked.

All eyes settled on Annie and Molly.

Annie grinned. "On the way home from the hospital I was thinking we could somehow work her favorite color into whatever we wear or maybe the flowers."

Kathryn smiled. " Aunt Grace, what was Mrs. Pugh's favorite color?"

I smiled through my tears. "Her favorite color was teal. I think this is a lovely idea"

Molly nodded her head. She did not say anything.

Joanne walked up behind her older sister. "Molly, are you doing okay?"

Molly shook her head. "No, not at all. I guess I am still in shock that Grandma Helen is gone."

"As everyone headed to their rooms to get ready for bed my husband stood at the entrance to the lounge.

"Sweetheart, how are you doing?" he asked me.

"Let's sit by the fire." I whispered.

We sat down on the couch and I curled into Oliver's side.

"I just can't believe my mother is gone Oliver." I whispered/

"The two of you were always so close and she meant so much to all of us."

Fresh tears flowed down my cheeks

Oliver was silent for a few minutes. "Would it be easier to have her services here instead of shipping her body back to Massachusetts?"

I shook my head . " Mama told me at the hospital after everyone said their goodbyes that she wants to be cremated. She wants her ashes to be spread in the Hamptons at the beach we took the kids to when they were younger."

"So she doesn't want a funeral?"

I shook my head a second time. "She left a book of her favorite recipes for us to use through out the rest of this holiday family reunion. That is how she wants us to honor her. The girls are planning to work her favorite color into their clothing or the flowers for the wedding."

"I love you Grace." Oliver whispered and kissed my cheek. He held me while I cried.

"I love you too darling" I replied.

Annie Molly and Joanne suddenly appeared in the entry way to the lounge.

"Hi Mom. we wanted to say good night.' Annie said.

"Come here my precious girls." Oliver said.

Annie, Molly and Joanne joined us on the couch. Molly immediately curled into my side.

"It is not going to be the same working on the wedding planning without Grandma."Joanne said

Molly was openly weeping. " I am going to miss her the most I think. She was going to help me bake something special for the rehearsal dinner and give it to RJ. Now who will do that?"

I kissed her forehead. "Which recipe is that darling?"

"RJ gave me the recipe for Hickory Nut Cake that Rose's Irish maid Katie used to make when her family was growing up."

Annie smiled. " Why don't we all do this together. You me and Annemarie?"

Molly's tears started to subside. "That would be great"

" What do you think you'll miss the most about grandma?" Oliver asked

" To be honest I will miss how we used ro have so much fun doing all girls outings for birthday celebrations." Once I have a baby I really think that will change." Annie said looking a little sad.

I squeezed her hand. " I don't think that will change too much sweetheart. We'll work something out."

"I am grateful to Grandma because she made our family grow even bigger Marie is really close to me and Isabella in age and we have helped her with tips on how to survive freshmen year of college. Now she is graduating next year." Molly said.

Grace smiled "You girls will also be great supports to her and Harry as they deal with losing their grandmother."

"Definitely Mom. " Annie said

"We love you Mama." Joanne whispered/

"I love you too sweetheart. We'll all get through this together/