Chapter 19

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

Ten years later, they had sent the twins off to college, and now they were sitting in a hall, waiting for Dillon's name to be called so he could accept his graduation degree. He was the one good with numbers, took after his mother. He was graduating Magnum Cum Laude from Harvard Business. He was the one interested in the running of the family business and so far had come up with innovative ways to branch out to other states. He had taken after his grandfather alright, and the proud parents couldn't be any prouder as his name was called.

"Dillon Rhodes Jnr, Magnum Com laude!"

Connor and Robin stood up with their own cheers and applause to outdo the others cheering. Connor looked at his wife and winked, they had practiced this moment. At the same time they put their fingers into their mouths and blew the loudest whistles to startle the crowd and embarrass Dillon to tears. Their gift to him. Dillon just looked over at them and shook his head, but he had a silly smile on his face. His parents could be kids sometimes.

He will pay them back with a prank, and they knew it. They would be prepared. He could remember their payback to the twins at their school prome as payback to pranking their mother with a rat. The twins were were off the hook when it came to pranks, no hold backs. But their parents didn't hold back on the schemes they came up with to embarrass their kids at school as payback. It was the games they played, parents and their kids but they were also like friends. They had fun, Dillon loved and like his family.

Connor took his wife into his arms off the ground and twirled her around making her laugh with glee, her arms around his neck. He kissed her soundly.

"We did good there." Said the proud father.

"We did great, on all of them." Robin concurred.

Jack and Elizabeth were first year students in med school at Leola. They were both science geeks, like their parents. Surgeons in the making.

Now it was back to being just the two of them, the kids had grown. It was like starting their honeymoon again and they had planned on a long vacation just to be themselves again.

…..

They took two weeks' vacation at their family vacation cabin. Two weeks was too short but they had jobs still waiting. They appreciated the vacation time though, without the kids. Night walks on the beach, sand in their toes, walking hand in hand. Just the two of them, no house help or driver. It was one of those memories to be stored in the very special archives, Robin thought with a smile up at Connor. They made love with a deeper, more spiritual intensity than they could remember, played and giggled under the covers in the morning like teenagers and played at the beach like kids. They were falling in love all over again, or more in love, if that was possible. This love of theirs that was more than love.

They made a fire at the beach near their cabin and made s'mores, talking and laughing. Robin cuddled against Connor's chest holding the s'more stick he had just made for her. They kissed, then he kissed her nose and she leaning back onto his chest with a contented smile. She knew what love was.

…..

Five years later

Connor sat with his son Dillon at the bank of the lake, beer cans in the cooler and fishing rods in their hands. It was a relaxing day, and he loved sharing these moments with his children, but the twins were not here for this one.

"I broke up with Janie, again." Dillon said.

Connor looked at him, not surprised. They seemed to break up every month, though they had been together since they were fifteen, friends since they were in diapers. It was just so great that his sons felt so easy with him to talk to, he always talked to Dillon and Jack, even as grumpy teenagers. Elizabeth talked more with her mother but she still came to him for a consult or two. He never had that with his father.

"Again? Then not to worry son, you'll get back together again." He said with a smirk.

"I mean, dad, we seem to fight all the time."

"What was it this time? Last time it was about the colleges you were going to."

"It's so frustrating sometimes. She drives me crazy."

"Every good woman does."

"But you and mom never seem to have that problem. How have you been able to live all these years together and still love each other? Doesn't she have any annoying habits?"

Connor laughed. "I love everything about your mother. Even the things I don't like, I love." Connor said. "And I have my own annoying habits, believe me. She tells me all the time. Tell me, what is Jennie's most annoying habit?"

"She calls me out on whatever silly thing I would have done. She knows me too well, can't even let me act cool." Dillon said in frustration and Connor laughed. "Can't stay away from her for too long though. Maybe the problem is we have known each other since we were kids. I haven't even been with anyone else before, neither has she. The thought of her being with someone else kills me, but maybe…"

"I actually envy what you two have." Connor said

"You? Why?" Dillon asked, surprised.

"Your mom and I met when we were older, not too old mind." He joked. "I had had my fill of thrills and women, seen the world. But it all felt like wasted time when I finally met your mother. I would have loved to have known only her from childhood, like you and Jennie."

Dillon nodded contemplatively. "You would have loved her that long huh? Forfeited all those wild drunken parties with other women? I hear you were quite the rake."

"There's nothing out there son other than the search for the one person who is meant for you. If you are so blessed as to find the one, because most don't, they settle. But when you have the one, don't let her go, chances of finding her again are too slim."

"You and mom never got separated or broke you, did you?" Dillon asked.

"We did, once."

"You?"

"Yeah, but she came back and I've held on to her ever since." Connor said. "I don't plan on letting her go. You make sure, if Janie is the one, then put a ring on her finger and learn to love that annoying habit of hers."

Dillon nodded, contemplative. "It does keep me on the straight and narrow, that bad habit of hers." He said with a cheeky grin.

Connor laughed. "It's a canvas, son. All the colors in hindsight, even the not so good moments make up colors that complete a picture. Some painting are masterpieces. Your mom and I, we've been through it, but as I look back now, I don't think I'll take anything back, even the bad memories. They only save to show just how strong our love is to have overcome all that. And only makes it stronger to weather any storm in the future."

…..

Dr Charles on his death bed, surrounded by his children and grand kids, his family and friends, tearful. He didn't think they should be tearful, he had lived a good life. Mostly because of his family. Robin hugged him, tears flowing down her cheeks, it was still hard saying goodbye to her dad. A grown woman in her fifties now, soon to be a grand mom, she was still his little girl. Anna and her own family, they had done well too. Dr Charles looked at his large family now and was proud, he had lived a good life. He stretched his hand to Connor, who took it and held it.

"I never would have bet a penny on you when you first started dating Robin. I thought you were that too cool a guy type, always looking for the next best thing. And women did throw themselves at you, you had no problem doing the picking. So yes, I was leery of you dating my daughter, I thought it would be only a matter of time before you broke her heart." Dr Charles said, looking at Connor. "I've never been so glad to be so wrong." He laughed and Connor laughed too, tears smarting his eyes. Dr Charles had become a father to him, he could only love him like one.

"You would be glad to know that you were not the only one who thought that way." Connor said. "Most people didn't really believe in us. Even I thought I would screw up one way or the other."

"You've given me a fulfilled life, look at this big family." Dr Charles coughed. "The memories, all the thanksgivings, Christmases and birthdays I was privileged to celebrate with my grandkids. Everything I'm going to tell Cece about." He smiled. "All because you loved my daughter and never took it back. You did better than me. And I'm very proud to call you my son. Thank you." Dr Charles said earnestly.

Connor squeezed his hand, "Thank you too. It would not have been possible without you."

"Celebrate, I've lived a happy life. I've gotten to see my grandkids, seen Dillon get married and have a son of his own. Not many get to see their great grandchildren." Dr Charles said to his family and friends. "And now, I'm ready to see my love. I can't wait to see Cece again." He smiled

…